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Belarus, independent republic in eastern Europe, bordered on the north-west by Lithuania and Latvia, on the east by Russia, on the south by Ukraine, and on the west by Poland.
Formerly the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), it is also known as Belorussia (also spelled Byelorussia) and White Russia.
The republic covers an area of about 207,600 sq km (80,200 sq mi).
Minsk is the capital and largest city.
Official Name - Republic of Belarus
Capital City - Minsk
Languages - Belorussian
Official Currency - Belarussian Rouble
Religions - Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish
Population - 10,390,000
Land Area - 207,600 sq km (80,154 sq miles)
The population remains deeply influenced by the Soviet period, retaining its heroes and legends.
Belarusians generally revere the past, and former Soviet government leaders tend to dominate society, living in superior apartments and using personal chauffeurs.
There also is a small new business-oriented elite with similar privileges. Movements for civil rights and women-s liberation have barely penetrated the social fabric. Belarusians are fond of sports and
excel in gymnastics and rowing. Soccer, basketball, and ice hockey are also popular. Belarus maintains cultural facilities in Minsk and other cities. Such amenities are not available in rural areas, where social occasions tend to be family-centered. The people of Belarus generally hold close family contacts.
Belarusian was designated the official state language. In 1995, after a national referendum on the subject, Russian also was elevated to a state language.
Belarusian and Russian, along with Ukrainian, form the eastern branch of the Slavic languages of the Indo-European language family. More than 90 percent of the population has native fluency in Russian,
which was promoted by the state during the Soviet period. Belarusian is commonly spoken in rural areas, but in urban centers it is rarely heard.
