Facts about Belarus

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is one of the biggest European countries and bigger than Belgium, Greece, and entire Switzerland altogether. The country most parts are covered by the forest so Belarus is called as the Lung of Europe. Similarly, the high population of Belarus resides in urban areas only a few populations of the country live in the countryside. Additionally, it is also home to different minerals. In ancient times Belarus is known by different names such as Ruthenia, Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Samogitia, or just Lithuania. Furthermore, the Old Belarusian language was an official language in the Grand Duchy Of Lithuania for many centuries. In this article, we will discuss some interesting facts about Belarus. Let go.

Belarus Quick Facts

The official name of Belarus: Republic of Belarus

Area: 148,460 square km

Population(2021): 9.34 million

Population density: 45 Square kilometers

GDP (PPP)(2020): $185.88 Billion

GDP Per Capita (nominal): $6,133

Continent: Eastern Europe

Capital: Minsk

Language: Belarusian, Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Yiddish

Official Languages: Belarusian, Russian

Largest by area: 94th largest country

Religion: Christianity: 55.4% (Eastern Orthodoxy: 48.3%, Other Christian: 7.1%), No religion: 41.1%, Other: 2.4%, Unspecified: 1.1%

Government: Unitary presidential republic under a dictatorship

Currency: Belarusian Ruble (BYN)

Time Zone: UTC+3 (MSK)

22 Interesting Facts about Belarus

1. Belarus shares its Border with

Belarus is bordered by five lands such as Russia to the northeast, Poland to the west, Lithuania, and Latvia to the northwest as well as Ukraine to the south.

2. The capital city of Belarus

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus. The city is incredibly green and well-maintained. It is one of the cleaner cities in Eastern Europe. Similarly, the city has monumental Stalinist architecture and many more museums as well as theaters. Additionally, in Minsk, you also see Independence Avenue a white 15-kilometer long street.

Furthermore, you can also see the numerous parks with fountains in the capital city of Belarus. Also, it's the largest industrial center in the country. You can find the subway consistent of two lines as well as 29 stations that link every corner of the country.

Minsk has had to rebuild itself several times, as it has burned down 18 times in its history. During world war II the city was heavily damaged. Similarly, this city had also been given the title of the hero city because of its ability to make a comeback every time it's been devastated.

3. Belarus become Independent

Belarus become independent on December 26th, 1991. But it celebrates its independence day on the 3rd of July.

4. Longest Street in Belarus

Independence Avenue in Minsk is the longest Street in Belarus. It is almost 15km long and the name is changed 14 times at a 15 km distance.

5. The first printed Bible in the Belarusian language

The first Bibles were printed in Prague in the Belarusian language. It was printed in 1517 and in 23 illustrated copies.

6. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage of Belarus

Belarus has four UNESCO-designated world heritage sites. A Nesvizh Castle of Belarus is also listed in the World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Similarly, the Belovezhskaya Pushcha is situated in Belarus which is the biggest old-growth European forest also listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

7. Country of White Storks Birds

It is also said that Belarus is the land of white storks birds. It is also one of the symbols of the country and you mostly see this bird on the top of the power line poles in Belarus streets. 70% of these birds come from the neighboring country Ukraine.

8. Most of the lands are used in Agriculture in Belarus

About 1/5 of Belarus lands is used for Agricultural purposes. And 45% of the country is covered by forest land.

9. The people of Belarus are very much friendly

The people of Belarus are known for being good-humored, kinds, and friendly. Similarly, if you face any problem during visiting Belarus then you ask the people for support then you find how kinds and loyal they become. Belarusian people are one of the kind and friendly people in Eastern Europe.

10. Belarus is rich in Nature

Belarus is also called the heaven of Europe. Minsk Botanical garden is the 3rd largest garden in Europe lies in Belarus. It was built in 1932 and around 900o different species of plants, as well as flowers, are in the Minsk Botanical garden.

Bialowiwza forest in Belarus is home to 800 European bison. Furthermore, the forest is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and an EU Natura 2000 special area of Conservation. The popular forest of Belarus Bialowieza covers a total area of 141,885 hectares.

11. Christmas is celebrated twice in Belarus

In Belarus Christmas is celebrated twice. First are celebrating the Catholics on 25 December and then the Orthodox on 7 January. On both days the government gives officially a holiday.

13. The highest point in Belarus

Dzyarzhynskaya Hara is the highest point in Belarus. It is 345 meters above sea level.

14. Nobel Prize Winners from Belarus 

The first Belarusian to win a Nobel prize was Simon Kuznets. He won the Nobel prize for Economics in 1971. Similarly, there are a total of five Nobel prize winners from Belarus, including Simon Kuznets, Zhores Ivanovich Alferov, Svetlana Alexievich, Menachem Begin, and Shimon Peres.

15. The first president of Belarus

With the passing of the constitution of Belarus, the office of the president of Belarus was created in 1994. And Alexander Lukashenko was elected Belarus's first president and only president of Belarus to this day.

16. Belarus is the capital of Jazz music

The capital city of Belarus (Minsk) is used to be the Jazz capital of the east. Similarly, Minsk city becomes the center of Jazz Music in the entire communist block. But in 1946 the USSR banned Jazz music and erased all the traces of the movement from Minsk city.

17. Every city in Belarus has a Lenin street named with Vladimir Lenin

If you visit Belarus then you find the Lenin street named Vladimir Lenin in every city. Vladimir Lenin is one of the famous Russian communist revolutionaries, politicians, and political theorists.

18. World one of the largest Library

Belarus has one of the world's largest libraries. The National Library of Belarus is located on one of the Futuristic buildings that have 22 floors and a weight of 115 thousand tonnes. Similarly, the library has 8.6 million books and it was built 500 years ago.

19. Country of former USSR

It is the only country of the former USSR that is still using Soviet symbols with just minor change.

20. The first coins have introduced in 2016

In July 2016 coins have been introduced first time in the country. The Belarusians used only paper money and nowadays you can see coins in the country. Similarly, the new Belarusian coins look a bit like euros as well as the banknotes of Belarus are also similar to Euro banknotes.

21. Law of death Penalty still in Belarus

Belarus still applies the death penalty. Similarly, it is only one country in Europe that does have the law of the death penalty. It can be issued for those crimes that are against the state or individuals.

The currency of Belarus is called the Rubles.

22. Silicon Valley of Europe

Belarus is also considered as the Silicon Valley of Europe because today many IT companies are targeting Belarus for its home office. Similarly, lots of people in Belarus are involved in IT-related startups.

Furthermore, the Belarus government also supports hi-tech startups for reducing the tax and giving incentives for hi-tech startups.

These are some interesting facts about Belarus.

Some important facts about Belarus

• The inhabitants or natives of Belarus are called Belarusian.
• In terms of land area, Belarus become the third-largest country on the list of European countries behind Great Britain and Romania.
• Belarus has the flattest territory with a significant amount of marshland.
• The Belarusian economy is mainly dependent on agriculture as well as the manufacturing industries.
• Belarus has a very little percentage of Unemployment rate. In 2016, the unemployment rate in Belarus is 0.8%.
• In Belarus, there is very little protection of property rights and a high level of Corruption.
• The personal income tax rate in Belarus is 13%.
• Belarus is heavily dependent on subsidized Russian energy.
• World War II took the lives of almost 25% of the population of Belarus.

These are some important facts about Belarus.

Interesting facts about Belarus for Kids

1. Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, was formerly known by its Russian name Byelorussia.
2. It is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
3. The area of Belarus is 207,600 square km.
4. Belarus is the 93rd most populous country in the world.
5. Minsk is the capital city of Belarus and the most economically developed city in the country.
6. The popular game world of tanks as well as the Viber App was originated from Belarus.
7. Russia is the largest economic and political partner of Belarus.
8. Athletics, football, skiing, biathlon, Gymnastics, tennis, volleyball, handball, swimming, chess, wrestling, ice hockey, and checkers are among the most popular sports in Belarus.
9. Ice hockey is one of the most popular games in the country.
10. Chemical and nuclear pollution is a major environmental problem in Belarus.
11. In Belarus, there are approximately 6,805,873 internet users.
12. The country has 86392 km of roadways and 5,530 km of railways.
13. Russian languages are highly spoken in Belarus and Belarusian is only spoken by 23% of the total population.

These are some interesting facts about Belarus for kids.

Weird facts about Belarus

• During world war II, more than 800,000 Jewish people were executed by the Germans in Belarus.
• Belarus is suffering from corruption.
• In 1986 the Chernobyl nuclear plant exploded in Belarus and its effects one-fourth of the entire country and one-fifth of agricultural land as well as seven million people and 2,000 towns.
• Belarus has a negative population growth rate and also has a negative natural growth rate.
• In terms of alcohol consumption per capita, Belarus ranked second in the world.

These are some weird facts about Belarus.

What is Belarus is famous for?

Belarus is famous for its green land as well as the modern city. Similarly, it is also a land of lakes and you can find more than 11,000 lakes all over Belarus. Furthermore, it is the home to 800 European bison. Europe's heaviest land animals. It is also famous for castles and parks.

Additionally, this country is also famous for its low prices for tourists as well as friendly people.

Why is Belarus called White Russia?

Belarus is called white Russia become in Belarus more than 70% of people speak the Russian language and all the cultures, as well as the tradition both countries are quite similar. Furthermore, it becomes an ex USSR country.

Is Belarus poor?

No, Belarus is not a poor country but if you compare it with other eastern European countries then it is poor than them. The per capita income of the people of Belarus is $6,133. And it is lying in 84th ranked in the per capita income of the people in the world. It is a developing country and ranking in 53rd in Human Development Indes.

In conclusion

In this article, we discuss some interesting facts about Belarus. Similarly, it is one of the very cleanest countries, as well as the people of the country, are very calm and polite. After reading this article, you got some ideas about Belarus. If you have any queries about Belarus then please comment to us. We will be trying to solve your queries. If you already visited this country then also share your experience with us by comment. Have a great time ahead.