All about Belarus

Many people believe that Belarus is a part of Russia and here you can see bears walking around the city. But all this is just a fiction. Belarus is a country with an extraordinary history and rich cultural heritage.

Information about Belarus

Geography and Square

The Republic of Belarus is located in the central part of Eastern Europe. The country occupies 207 600 km2.

Belarus is landlocked, but due to its geographical position, it is a trade and transport link between Europe and the CIS countries.

Picture 1 Photo by yesbelarus.com

Neighbouring countries

The total length of the border of Belarus is almost 3000 km, while the neighbouring countries are Ukraine, Latvia, Russia, Poland and Lithuania.

Due to the location of the country, Belarusians can quickly get to the neighboring countries and their capitals. For example, the distance from Minsk to Warsaw is 500 km, to Moscow - 700 km, to Berlin - 1060 km and to Vienna - 1300 km.

Rivers and lakes

There are more than 20 thousand rivers in the country, and their total length is 91 thousand km. However, only three rivers are over 500 km long: the Dnieper and its tributaries, the Pripyat and the Berezina. The others are short.

Another feature of Belarus' nature is the presence of a large number of lakes. There are more than 10 thousand lakes. The largest lakes are Vileyskoye, Zaslavskoye, Krasnoslobodskoye, Soligorskoye, Lyubanskoye, Osipovichi and Chygrynskoye.

History

Polotsk was the first city in Belarus mentioned in the chronicle in 862. It was the basis for the first state formation - the Principality of Polotsk.

In 988 the first christening of Belarus, which at that time was part of Russia, took place.

In the 13th century there appeared a powerful state - the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It existed for 150 years and included into the land of modern Belarus, the western part of Russia, Lithuania, as well as Kiev, Chernigov and Volyn regions of Ukraine. The Princedom took part in the development of European politics.

At the end of the 18th century, the Belarusian lands were annexed to the Russian Empire. At the same time there was a wave of military conflicts and after a long truce World War I began.

A succession of revolutions led to the creation of a new state - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). During the existence of the USSR collective farms and farms were created, factories and plants were built, industry was flourishing. However, on September 1, 1939 the Second World War began, and in the first months the country was occupied by German troops. The war brought many deaths - every third Belarusian died.

Population

According to the National Statistics Committee of Belarus, about 10 million people live in Belarus on January 1, 2019. There are more women in Belarus than men: 4 and a half people live in the country, while women - 5 million. More than 70% of Belarusians are citizens of Belarus.

Official language

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the state languages are Russian and Belarusian.

Religion

Belarus is a multi-confessional state. Currently, there are 26 confessions in the country. The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus guarantees freedom of religion. Christianity is the dominant religion. Traditionally in Belarus there are Christian (Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Old Belief, Protestantism) and non-Christian (Islam, Hinduism) confessions. Orthodoxy ─ the most common religion, which is the largest and oldest Christian faith in Belarus.

Culture

From the 10th to 13th century, the culture of Belarus was connected with Christianity. Simultaneously with the development of culture, literacy spread. Handwritten books, such as the Turov Gospel, serve as evidence of this.

Francis Skorina became the founder of the Belarusian and East Slavonic book printing. Monuments were erected in honor of him in different cities of Belarus.

In addition, from the 10th to 13th century artistic and architectural schools were opened, literary and musical creations were created.

Art

The art of Belarus originated in the Stone Age, when a man displayed the surrounding world in his creations, and the art itself had several functions: aesthetic, religious and utilitarian.

The period of ancient Belarusian princedom began in the 9th century and lasted till the middle of the 13th century. At this time, the decisive factor in the formation of culture was the adoption of Christianity. It brought global changes in the Belarusian culture: new forms and images began to appear. Also at this time, murky cult architecture appeared, monumental painting, icon painting, book miniature painting developed, and Christian symbolism came to sculpture and decorative and applied art.

Fine arts, music and theatre are currently developed in Belarus.

List of regions and regions of Belarus

The Republic of Belarus is divided into 6 regions:

• Minsk;
• Brest;
• Vitebsk;
• Gomel;
• Grodno;
• Mogilev.

Cities and resorts of Belarus

Belovezhskaya Pushcha

Belovezhskaya Pushcha was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. There are many of them:

• 500 species of mushrooms;
• 1000 species of plants;
• 59 species of mammals;
• 7 species of reptiles;
• 250 bird species;
• 11 amphibian species;
• 1200 species of insects;
• 31 species of fish.

The infrastructure of the park is well developed: hotels and guest houses for 5-9 people, restaurants, swimming pools, saunas and gym.

Berezinsky Reserve

Berezinski Reserve is located 120 km from Minsk in northern Belarus, the reserve area - 85.5 thousand hectares. The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is protected by UNESCO and serves to protect rare animal species.

The Berezinsky Reserve consists of meadows, forests, reservoirs and swamps. On its territory there are over 10 species of animals and 30 plant species listed in the Red Book.

They live here:

• 56 mammals, including bison, elk, bear, otter, beaver and badger;
• 230 bird species;
• 5 species of reptiles;
• 10 species of amphibians;
• 34 species of fish.

On the territory of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve a Museum of Nature has been opened, where one can see more than 300 species of animals.

Dudutki

This is a museum complex, located 40 km from Minsk. It includes several buildings, which repeat the structure of an ancient Belarusian nobleman's mansion. In the old days each farmyard had its own bakery, cheese factory, mill, stables and other necessary buildings.

Logoysk

People come to Logoysk to go in for active sports. Here you can go skiing, play paintball, relax with your family or go on an excursion.

Picture 2 Photo by way.by

Weather and climate in Belarus

Seasons

Winter

Winters in Belarus are mild with frequent thaws, but occasional frosts as low as -30°C. The lowest temperature ever observed in Belarus is -44°C. The average temperature is -4°C to -9°C.

Spring

In spring, snowmelts in southern Belarus in early March and temperatures rise above 0°C, while in the north the snow melts only by the end of March. March and April account for the largest number of sunny days per year.

The average temperature in spring is 5°C.

In summer

Summer in Belarus starts depending on the location of the region. For example, in the northeast, it lasts three months, and in the south it lasts 4 months (it starts in mid-May and ends in mid-September).

The warmest month at this time of year is July. The average temperature is +18-20°C, but it can rise up to +30°C.

The most part of rains is in the second half of summer. Most often it is short, but heavy downpours in August.

In autumn

In early autumn, Belarus always keeps warm and comfortable weather (about +17 ° C). By the end of September, fogs, cloudy days and rain come and continue throughout October. Moreover, in early November, the first frosts begin and snow falls.

The average temperature in autumn is from +3°C to +10°C.

Weather in Belarus

The average temperature changes depending on the regions of Belarus. In July, the average temperature ranges from +17°C in the north to +18.5°C in the south. The average temperature in January ranges from -4.5°C in the south-west to -8°C in the northeast. In some regions of Belarus, the temperature remains below zero for more than a third of the year.

What time is in Belarus now?

The difference in time with Moscow

The time in Minsk and all Belarus is the same as in Moscow.

Money and currency of Belarus

The national currency of Belarus is the Belarusian ruble (BYN). It is not freely convertible, so it can't be purchased before arrival in the country.

Before the denomination in 2016, we counted money in thousands and millions, and from 2016 in rubles and hundreds.

It's in circulation:

• banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 roubles;
• coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 coins, 1 rouble and 2 roubles.

Mobile communications and the Internet

There are three major mobile operators in Belarus:

• lIfe;
• MTS;
• A1.

All of them offer guest tariffs:

1.  Life

Here any tariff from the line is available for foreign citizens.

2. MTS

From this operator only "Super max" is available for foreign citizens. The fee for the first 30 days of use is 15 BYN ($6.8), and for subsequent use 22.90 BYN ($10.4). Within the tariff 15 GB of Internet traffic is provided.

3. А1

A1 provides for foreign citizens the tariff "Hello. Tourist". The tariff includes 20 GB of Internet traffic and the price for 30 days is 24.90 BYN ($11.3).

What do you need to know when you're going to Belarus

Country visa and border crossing

Since the end of July 2018, citizens of 80 countries can enter the Republic of Belarus without a visa.

Also, Belarus has signed a special agreement with some countries, which allows foreign nationals to travel more than 30 days without a Belarusian visa. Such countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The holders of diplomatic passports from the following countries are also exceptions:

• Bangladesh;
• Bolivia;
• Hungary;
• Vietnam;
• Egypt;
• India;
• Indonesia;
• Iran;
• Cambodia;
• China;
• Republic of Korea;
• Laos;
• Myanmar;
• UAE;
• Oman;
• Peru;
• Poland;
• Romania;
• Syria;
• Slovakia;
• Turkmenistan;
• Thailand.

All other foreign citizens need a visa to visit Belarus.

When crossing the State Border of the Republic of Belarus, a foreigner must:

• present a document to travel abroad with a valid visa of the Republic of Belarus;
• have a contract of compulsory medical insurance or a contract of medical insurance concluded with a foreign insurance company (except for those who are not subject to compulsory insurance);
• the driver of the vehicle must have the original insurance certificate valid in the Republic of Belarus and confirming the civil liability insurance in a Green Card Member State;
• when entering Belarus for a period of less than one month, a foreign citizen must have an amount equivalent to at least 2 basic units (from 1 January 2020 1 basic unit = 27 BYN) for each day of stay in the country;
• when entering Belarus for a period of more than one month, a foreign national must have an amount equivalent to at least 50 basic units.

National Customs

Foreign nationals are not allowed at checkpoints:

• leave money in the documents that are presented for inspection;
• offer or transfer material values or provide benefits of a property nature to officials;
• take photographs, video and mobile phone conversations;
• engage in any activity that interferes with border and other controls.

In the territory between the State border and the border crossing point, it is prohibited:

• parking of vehicles;
• the boarding and drop-off of passengers;
• carrying out loading and unloading operations;
• the presence of natural persons not connected with crossing the state border.

Safety of tourists

Belarus is one of the countries with the lowest crime rate. The Belarusian system of order is included:

• police;
• National Central Bureau of Interpol under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus;
• State Security Committee.

In case of emergency situations, you should dial a toll-free number:

• police - 102;
• emergency medical aid - 103;
• fire service - 101.

Types of rest

In Belarus, you can take an active holiday. The nature of the country disposes to hiking on kayaks and bicycles. Kayak rafting will cost you about $65. You can also order a balloon ride or parachute jump. And if you want to know how the tankers felt during the Second World War, you can ride a real tank.

Picture 3 Photo by turpohod.by

Search for air tickets to Belarus

You can find a ticket to Belarus at www.belavia.by or at www.vandrouki.by where discounts on flights or transfers to and from Belarus are published.

Search for hotels

All hotels in Belarus can be found at www.belhotel.by. At Belhotel.by you can read brief information about the hotel, what services are included and book immediately. Besides hotels, you can find hotels, houses and hostels on the site.

Taxis, transfers, transport hire and rentals

Taxis can be ordered from the short numbers 135, 7900, 107, 7788 or from Uber.

Cars can be hired here.

What to see

Belarus sightseeing top

Especially for you, we have collected the top 10 sights in Belarus, so you do not have to plow the expanses of the Internet by yourself.

4. Mir Castle
5. Nesvizh Castle
6. Polotsk National Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve
7. Palace of the Rumyantsevs and Paskevichians
8. Augustov Canal
9. Memorial complex "Khatyn"
10. Brest Fortress
11. Belovezhskaya Pushcha
12. National Park "Braslav Lakes"
13. Marc Chagall Museum in Vitebsk.

Excursions and entertainment

Tours can be booked in all the sights. The guide will tell you about the history of the sight, thanks to whom it appeared, and also will mention the interesting facts about it.

If you have already seen all the Belarusian sights, you can go to the water park "Lebyazhiy", ride a slide, go to different types of baths or just visit the SPA.

Kitchen, restaurants, tips

Belarusian cuisine is a pancake, machanka and beetroot flavor with Belarusian sour bread. For dessert you can taste kulaga, a sweet dish made of fresh berries.

Here are top 10 restaurants with Belarusian cuisine.

1. Kuhmistr
2. Chehov
3. Kamyanitsa
4. Grai
5. Vasilky
6. Litviny
7. Talaka
8. Grundwald
9. Rakovsky Brovar
10. Y Francisca

Tips are not included in the check, so if you want to thank the waiter, then leave them separately.

Souvenirs, shopping, shops

Belarus has a Tax free system, while the number of shops operating under it is close to 460. There you can find items of Belarusian designers, souvenirs, jewelry, household appliances, etc.

The list of shops with Tax free:

• department store "TSUM";
• department store "GUM";
• trading house "Na Nemige";
• chain of department stores "Kirmash";
• department store "Belarus";
• chain of shoe shops "ECCO";
• chain of jewelry stores "Belyuvelirtorg";
• jewelry store chain "ZIKO" and others.

The full list of Tax free partner shops can be found at www.tax-free.by.

Belarus is a country not only with memorable landscapes, forests, rivers and lakes, but also with a rich history. We have told you what a tourist in Belarus needs to know, and you will find entertainment to your liking without problems. We are always glad to welcome our guests!