Belarus

9th century – Formation of early Slavic states in the region, part of the Kievan Rus’

14th century – Belarus becomes part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

1569 – Union of Lublin (Tuesday, July 1, 1569): Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania form the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

1795 – Third Partition of Poland (Thursday, October 24, 1795): Belarus is incorporated into the Russian Empire

1917 – October Revolution (Tuesday, October 25, 1917): Russian Revolution leads to the fall of the Russian Empire

1918 – Belarusian People’s Republic proclaimed (Tuesday, March 25, 1918)

1922 – Belarus becomes part of the Soviet Union

1991 – Independence from the Soviet Union (Saturday, August 25, 1991)

1994 – Presidential election (Monday, July 10, 1994): Alexander Lukashenko becomes president

2006 – Anti-government protests (March 25, 2006): Belarusian authorities crack down on opposition movements

2010 – Presidential election (Sunday, December 19, 2010): Protests against election fraud are suppressed by police

2020 – Presidential election (Sunday, August 9, 2020): Protests erupt against the controversial reelection of Lukashenko

2020 – COVID-19 pandemic (2020): Belarus was one of the few countries that did not implement strict lockdown measures

Continent: Europe (Eastern Europe)
Location: Landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north
Capital: Minsk
Language: Belarusian, Russian (both official)
Currency: Belarusian Ruble (BYN)
Population: ~9.4 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Moscow Standard Time (MSK, UTC+3)

Borders: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia
Landscape: Mostly flat, covered by forests and marshes, with some lowlands and rivers
Major Rivers: Dnieper, Neman, Pripyat
Notable Features: Belovezhskaya Pushcha (UNESCO site), Brest Fortress, Naroch Lakes

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Belarusian (83%), Russian, Polish, and Ukrainian minorities
Religion: Predominantly Eastern Orthodox Christianity (80%), with a small percentage of Roman Catholics
Urban Population: ~78% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: The population is aging, with a significant number of ethnic Russians in the country

Famous For: History of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, traditional arts, Soviet-era architecture, and folk music
Cuisine: Borscht, potato dishes (draniki, babka), kvass, mushrooms, dairy
Arts: Belarusian literature, folk music, opera, ballet
Sports: Ice hockey, football (soccer), athletics

Economy Type: Mixed economy with state-owned enterprises, focusing on industry, agriculture, and services
GDP: Approx. $70 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Machinery, chemicals, textiles, food processing, agriculture
Key Exports: Machinery, oil products, fertilizers, potash, textiles
Unemployment Rate: ~5.1% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Minsk is the major economic hub, with other industries focused on agriculture and heavy manufacturing

Government Type: Authoritarian republic, effectively a one-party state
Head of State: President Alexander Lukashenko (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly (House of Representatives)
Constitution: In effect since 1994

Minsk: Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Victory Square, Independence Avenue
Brest: Brest Fortress, historical museums
Gomel: Palace and Park Ensemble, Pripyat River
Mir Castle: UNESCO World Heritage Site, medieval castle
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 2 (last updated: 2023)