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General information

Population : 9.5 milion people (93rd in the World, 19th in Europe)
Total Area : 207,595 km^2 (84th in the World, 13rd in Europe)
Official languages : Belarusian, Russian
Official currency : Belarusian Ruble(BYN)
Capital : Minsk
Population density : 45,8 people/km^2 (172nd in the World, 44th in Europe)
Top 5 biggest cities : Minsk, Homyel, Mahilyow, Vitsyebsk, Hrodna

Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by a president and the National Assembly. The term for each presidency is five years. Under the 1994 constitution, the president could serve for only two terms as president, but a change in the constitution in 2004 eliminated term limits.

Belarus is divided into six regions, which are named after the cities that serve as their administrative centers.

Each region has a provincial legislative authority, called a region council, which is elected by its residents, and a provincial executive authority called a region administration , whose chairman is appointed by the president. Regions are further subdivided into raions, commonly translated as districts .







National sport : Football

Ice Hockey



National animals : European bison(Bison bonasus)



National plants : Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)


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The significance of the 3rd of July

July 3, 1944, was the liberation of Minsk, capital of Belarus from the Wehrmacht during the Minsk Offensive (code-named "Bagration"). The decision to celebrate Independence Day on July 3, the day of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazis, was made during a controversial national referendum held in 1996 proposed by PresidentA lexander Lukashenko.

There is a public debate in Belarus regarding the appropriate date to be considered Independence Day. Dates as 27 July and 25 August are tought to be a better alternative.








Let’s continue with some ghost stories from Belarus.. prepare for some hunted spots!

Apart from the gorgeous architecture, Niasvizh Castle is known for its ghost, the mysterious Czornaja Panna (Black Lady). Legend says it is the spirit of Barbara Radziwill, the young wife of King Sigismund II Augustus, who was poisoned by her insidious mother-in-law Bona Sforza and returned to the castle after death.

Modern researchers stick to the version of cancer being the reason for the Queen’s death. Whether it is true or not, but Czornaja Panna has been linked with the place for a long time. They say, the ghost was scaring the life out of German soldiers, who were based in the former Radziwills residence during WWII. The last time she was seen was shortly before the fire, that broke out in the castle in 2002.


Local guides say that the Mir Castle is full of ghosts! For example, they tell stories about two skeletons in combat ammunition, that were found in one of the cellars of the castle during the reconstruction in 1926. Although their remains were buried, but from time to time the dead soldiers return to the place where they died to rattle their armor and swords.

One more ghost disturbing local residents and tourists is the spirit of the daughter of the castle’s owner, Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky. 12-year-old Sofia drowned in the pond in the garden, and soon after her father followed the girl. People believe it was not by accident – the pond was allegedly cursed by a witch, who lost her son during the building of the pond.


Glorified in the novel “The Black Castle” by a notable Belarusian writer Vladimir Korotkevich, this place is famous for the Black Monk, the ghost of an unnamed young man, who was immured in the wall of the castle by a local ruler for the love the guy had for the man’s daughter.

Since then the restless spirit roams cellars and galleries of the building and scares its visitors.At present even the walls of the castle evoke horror because of the way the look – open to all winds, abandoned and decaying more and more every year.


The ghost of a young woman Jadwiga Luban is believed to live in Losycki park. History tells that the wife of the owner of the local mansion was so tired of loneliness next to a busy husband that started dating Minsk governor Musin-Pushkin literally behind her spouse’s back.

The two did not hide their affair and the governor was sending love letters directly to the mansion. Jadwiga’s husband was mad about it.
Once, after a quarrel with her husband, the woman ran out of the mansion into the park. She never came back. Next morning her body was found in the river nearby. The grief-stricken husband forgot all his business and left Minsk forever having planted a tree next to where his wife died.

According to the legend, Jadwiga’s ghost appears in the park when the tree is in blossom.



One more abandoned site is located not far from Bialowieza Forest in Hrodna region.

It is an uncompleted command post of the United armed forces of the Warsaw Pact. The construction of “Object 1161” started in 1985 but builders failed to complete the huge underground complex before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The entrance to the deepest bunker in Belarus has been blocked a while ago but curios diggers still manage to find loopholes. People joke that those, who went down to the lowest levels of the bunker, heard voices of the spirit of…. communism.





Top 8 places visited by tourists


Minsk











The capital city of Belarus has a lot to offer visitors. Head to Independence Square which at 7 hectares is one of the largest public squares in all of Europe, and is perfect for an evening stroll to take in the pretty water fountains and dancing lights. Also not to be missed is Independence Avenue that acts as the main artery of the city, and has cafes, restaurants, and shopping opportunitiess, as well as clubs and music events. Minsk is also known for its parks and gardens, so don’t miss a trip to the Gorky Central Children’s Park that features fairground rides as well as an observation wheel that provides stunning views over the city. Dive into Belarusian history at the National History Museum, or take in the cultural sights at the National Art Museum.



Braslav Lake Area









If you want to explore what is left of an ancient glacier then a visit to Braslav Lake Area is something that you can’t miss. There are approximately 300 lakes in the region that are known as the ‘Blue Necklace’ of Belarus due to their azure waters. The area is also studded with rugged countryside such as bays and cliffs, and the lakes contain over 30 species of fish.



Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park









Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park covers both Belarus and neighbouring Poland, and is a protected area of land as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is famous for its lush landscapes and flora and fauna, the most notable of which is the European Bison, and is one of the few places in the world where these majestic animals can be viewed in their natural habitat.



Mir Castle









One of the premium attractions in Belarus, Mir Castle lies in the Grodno region and dates from the 16th century. This mighty architectural feat is built in the Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, and is heavily surrounded by fortification walls. Visitors to the castle can enjoy a stroll in the stunning flower gardens that are designed in the Italian style, as well as the vast artificial lake on the property. The castle offers a spectacular look at some of the best architecture in Belarus, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and although it was badly damaged by cannon fire in the days of old, it has now been lovingly restored to its former glory.





Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex








A memorial complex erected in the city of Brest that stands on the site of the original fortress, Brest Fortress is dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. The site features conserved parts of the original ruins of the fortress as well as ramparts, and there are also modern art installations including memorial structures that stand on site. The fortress is built in the shape of a star, and there is a central island in the centre on which the main citadel of the fortress sits, that has been naturally carved out by the surrounding Bug River.



National Park Pripyatsky





[img]https://image.prntscr.com/image/Gk_COaomTDKP_Y6WIT_MVw.png[/i] National Park Pripyatsky lies in a valley that is also known as the Belarus Amazon, due to the amazing number of forests and swamps found here. Visitors to the region flock here for the sheer diversity of wildlife present, and photography safaris are a popular activity. There are 51 species of mammals in the park including deer, elk, racoons, and beavers, as well as rarer animals such as lynx and mink.[/img]Minsk Sea









Found to the north of the capital city of Minsk, the Minsk Sea is actually and artificially created reservoir that is popular amongst locals and tourists alike, particularly in the summer months in Belarus. On the edges of the sea you will find sandy beaches, quaint local cafes, and restaurants where you can sample the local delicacies. If you want to get out on the sea, you can rent a pedalo or even a catamaran and take to the waters for a scenic view of the surrounding countryside. To access the sea there are dedicated trains that depart from Minsk.




Lida Castle







Located in the west of Belarus, the city of Lida is the home of Lida Castle, first constructed in the 14th century. The castle is known for being trapezium in shape, as well as for its crimson walls that are the result of the ornate brickwork.






Inventions Belarus gave to the world!

*Multiple Wave Oscillator!
*by Georges Lakhovsky in 1934.



*Feathering Spectrograph!
*by Gavriil Adrianovich Tikhov in 1912


*Astrobiology!
*by Gavriil Adrianovich Tikhov in 1953


*Black hole thermodynamics!
*by Yakov Borisovich Zel'dovich in 1973




*Porous-coated hip implant!
*by Evgeny Ksenevich in 1999.








Famous people from Belarus:


Zhores Alferov - is a Soviet and Russian physicist and academic who contributed significantly to the creation of modern heterostructure physics and electronics. He is the inventor of the heterotransistor and the winner of 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics. He is also a Russian politician and has been a member of the lower house of the Russian parliament the State Duma, since 1995.


(born 1930)


Alexander Lukashenko - is a Belarusian politician serving as President of Belarus since the office was created on 20 July 1994. Before launching his political career, Lukashenko worked as director of a state-owned agricultural farm (kolkhoz) and spent time with the Soviet Border Troops and the Soviet Army. He was the only deputy to vote against the independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union.

(born 1954)


Svetlana Alexievich - is a Belarusian investigative journalist and non-fiction prose writer who writes in Russian. She was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature "for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time". She is the first writer from Belarus to receive the award.

(born 1948)



Alexander Hleb - is a Belarusian professional footballer who plays for BATE Borisov. Hleb's natural and preferred position is attacking midfielder or "in the hole" behind the strikers, but he is often deployed on the wing. He is known for his passing, agility and dribbling ability. A full international for Belarus since 2001, he has won over 70 caps for his country.

(born 1981)


Victoria Azarenka - is a Belarusian professional tennis player. She is a former world No. 1 in singles and was the year-end No. 1 in 2012.
She has won two Australian Open singles titles (2012 and 2013), becoming the only Belarusian player, male or female, to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Her other achievements include winning six Premier Mandatory tournaments including the Sunshine Double in 2016, the singles bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, two mixed doubles Grand Slam titles—the 2007 US Open with Max Mirnyi, the 2008 French Open with Bob Bryan—and the gold medal in the mixed doubles at the 2012 Summer Olympics with Max Mirnyi.


(born 1989)






Traditional food


Zhurek



Very interesting and unusual soup, which has its history since the time of Monomakh. One of the few Belarusian dishes where there is no potato in the recipe.

Kletski



Traditional kletski are flour balls, quickly boiled in boiling water, or, optionally, in milk. Over time, the balls began to add meat filling or even use kletski to make soups, but their taste from this only wins. This dish is popular not only in Belarus, but also in many countries of Eastern Europe.



Tukmachi



The main feature of tukmachis is onions, pre-fried in fresh fat, which is then added to the casserole during or after cooking. This unobtrusive detail gives the dish a special rustic taste. Tukmachi is served with salted curd and fresh milk. To cook tukmachi enough fry onions, and then in the same pan, evenly bake boiled crushed potatoes (preferably in the oven or on the grill).


Galushki



Galushki is a typical peasant dish, which nevertheless can become not only an excellent side dish, but also a full dish on your table.

Tsibriki



Tsibriki are hard to call a full-fledged dish, but it’s a good snack! Tsibriki is potato balls with cheese filling, cooked in a frying pan. An unusual dish will be especially appreciated by fans of foam drinks, because crisp tsibriki and cold beer are best satellites for a friendly meeting.

Karavai



It is a symbol of hospitality and respect for those people for whom this loaf has been baked.

Babka



One of the most recognizable Belarusian dishes (in particular, thanks to a strange name) is a potato babka. The dish that has been on both the peasants ‘table and the princes’ table. In short, loved by all.

Machanka



Machanka is a traditional Belarussian dish, though I’m sure there are variations in other countries. It is a meat based stew/soup served with special thin, large, draniki (latkes).

Khaladnik soup



This is a cold soup made from sour milk, marinated beetroot and fresh vegetables. Khaladnik actually comes from the word “cold”, which makes it the most refreshing thing you can eat on a hot day.


Golubtsy





Traditional desserts

Nalistnki



In appearance, the nalistniki look like ordinary pancakes stuffed, but this is not quite so: compared to the usual pancakes, the nalistniki are much thinner and are used more for serving the dish than for forming the taste. But what is so special about them then? It’s all about stuffing! Sweet jam, tasty mushrooms, berries from the garden, homemade cottage cheese with raisins – these are just some options for toppings.


Sashni



Another variation of the dish from potatoes is sashni. Sashni are small potato cutlets with cottage cheese stuffing. For cooking you will need an hour of free time and your enthusiasm.

Draniki



Many mistakenly call them simply potato pancakes, but this is a great misconception. The classic recipe is extremely simple: from grated potatoes (pre-salted), make a small “pancakes” and lay on a hot iron frying pan, generously greased with oil. At first glance, nothing special, but taste! Thin, slightly crunchy pancakes, despite their external miniature, can easily satisfy hunger. Serve pancakes with sour cream and greens.



Zefir




Nobody in the world produces as much zefir as Belarus does – the whole country eats about 7,5 thousand tons of zefir a year. It’s about 141,ooo,ooo zefir pieces, or 15 pieces per each inhabitant of Belarus.


Condensed milk






Traditional drinks

Ryazhenka

It looks like yogurt, but tastes a little bit sweeter. Besides, ryazhenka is a very healthy product.


Krambambulya



Krambambulya reminds Russian vodka but has honey and spices added to it. It is drunk both cold and hot. Locals like it so much that there’s even a popular Belarusian rock-band named after this drink.


Kvass







Interesting facts about Belarus:


1.Belarusians can make at least 300 different recipes with potatoes. They can even make pancakes using potatoes.
2.The Belarusian economy is mainly dependent on the agriculture and manufacturing industries.
3.The unemployment rate in Belarus is 0.8% (2016 est.)
4.Dzyarzhynskaya Hara is the highest point in Belarus at 345 meters above sea level.
5.Simon Kuznets became the first Belarusian to win a Nobel Prize. He won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1971. There are a total of Five Nobel Prizewinners from the country, including Simon Kuznets, Svetlana Alexievich, Zhores Ivanovich Alferov, Shimon Peres and Menachem Begin.
6.Russia is the largest political and economic partner of Belarus. Russia accounts for some 48% of Belarus’ external trade, while Belarus accounts for around 6% of Russia’s trade.
7.Minsk is a green city with more than 844,000 trees and an area of 72,766 square meter.
8.The country’s capital has had to rebuild itself several times, as it has burned down 18 times in its history. Extensive bombing during World War IIcaused heavy damage to the city’s architecture.
9.The city of Minsk has also been given the title of a “hero city” for its ability to make a comeback every time it’s been devastated.
10.The game “World of Tanks,” and the famous Viber App originated from Belarus.




My 5 words when I hear about Philippines:
#WhiteRussians,#EastEurope,#Kvass,#SlavicCulture,#Nature

What are your 5?




Unfortunetly I couldn’t contact anyone living in RL Belarus so I made the article by myself.

Unfortunetly there is no oficial motto so all I can say is.. Enjoy it!






I leave you with some Belarusian memes:












Waiting for feedback , comments , opinions and if there is anyone that thinks I missed something , I could do something better or just wants to help me with this project , PM me !

Special thanks to Kariky for the spacers !!




Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

P.S. Article 58/74!







P.S.2. Don't forget to push the flags !