NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Belarus

Belarus (IPA: /ˈbɛləruːs/) (Belarusian and Russian: Беларусь, transliteration: Byelarus’, Polish: Białoruś listen (help· info) is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe,^[2] that borders Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Mogilev and Vitebsk. A third of the country is forested, and agriculture and manufacturing are its strongest economic sectors. Not to be confused with capitol. ... Population: 10,322,151 (July 2003 est. ... Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Belarusians or Belarusans (Belarusian: , previously also spelled Belarussians, Byelorussians and Belorussians) are an East Slavic ethnic group who populate the majority of the Republic of Belarus and form minorities in neighboring Poland (especially former Bialystok province), Russia, Lithuania and Ukraine. ... Republics with presidential systems are shown in blue A presidential system, or a congressional system, is a system of government of a republic where the executive branch is elected separately from the legislative. ... History of Belarusian states can be traced far to Duchy of PÃ³lacak. ... Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko or Alyaksandar Ryhoravich Lukashenka (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (born August 30, 1954 at Kopys, Vitebsk voblast) has been the President of Belarus since 1994. ... This is a list of people who have held the position prime minister for the European country of Belarus (ÐŸÑ€ÐµÐ¼ÑŒÐµÑ€-Ð¼Ð¸Ð½Ð¸ÑÑ‚Ñ€ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ): Vyacheslav Kebich (1991 - 1994) Mikhail Chigir (1994 - 1996) Syargey Ling (1996 - 1997 ) Vladimir Yermoshin (1997 - 2001) Gennady Novitsky (2001 - 2003) Sergey Sidorsky (2003 - present) Category: ... Sergey Sidorsky (Belarusian: Ð¡ÑÑ€Ð³ÐµÐ¹ Ð¡Ñ–Ð´Ð¾Ñ€ÑÐºÑ– (Syarhey Sidorski/Siarhiej Sidorski)) (born 1954) is the Prime Minister of Belarus. ... is the 208th day of the year (209th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here surface areas between 100,000 kmÂ² and 1,000,000 kmÂ². ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (â‰ˆ1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/kmÂ². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... World map of GDP (Nominal and PPP). ... Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Map of countries by 2006 GDP (nominal) per capita (IMF, October 2007). ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... Belarussian Rouble ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries not observing daylight saving Eastern European Time (EET) is one of the names of UTC+2 time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ... UTC redirects here. ... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) is one of the names of UTC+3 time zone, 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .by is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Belarus. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 94th day of the year (95th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The BGN/PCGN romanization system for Belarusian is a method for romanization of Cyrillic Belarusian texts, that is, their transliteration into the Latin alphabet. ... Image File history File links Belarus. ... Landlocked countries of the world according to The World Factbook. ... Statistical regions of Europe as delineated by the United Nations (UN definition of Eastern Europe marked red): Northern Europe Western Europe Eastern Europe Southern Europe Pre-1989 division between the West (grey) and Eastern Bloc (orange) superimposed on current borders: Russia (dark orange), other countries formerly part of the USSR... Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ... Brest (Belarusian: , Russian: , Polish: ; Alternative names), formerly Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk, is a city (population 290,000 in 2004) in Belarus close to the Polish border where the Western Bug and Mukhavets Rivers meet. ... Hrodna City emblem Hrodna (Belarusian: ; Russian: ; Polish: ; Lithuanian: ; Yiddish: Grodne; German: ) is a city in Belarus. ... Gomel or Homel, (Belarusian Ð“Ð¾Ð¼ÐµÐ»ÑŒ; Russian: Ð“Ð¾Ð¼ÐµÐ»ÑŒ, transliteration: GÃ³mel) is the second-largest city of Belarus and the main city of Homiel Province. ... Mogilev, or Mahilyow (Belarusian: ; Russian: , translit. ... Location of Vitebsk, shown within the Vitebsk Voblast Coordinates: , Country Subdivision Founded 974 Government - Mayor Population (2004) - Total 342,381 Time zone EET (UTC+2) - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) Area code(s) +375-15 License plate 2 Website: [2]] Vitebsk, also known as Vitsyebsk (Belarusian: Ð’Ñ–ÌÑ†ÐµÐ±ÑÐº, IPA: ; Yiddish: ×°×™×˜×¢×‘×¡×§; Polish: Witebsk...

Until the 20th century, the Belarusians lacked the opportunity to evolve a distinctive national identity, since the lands of modern-day Belarus belonged to several countries, including the Duchy of Polatsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire. After the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic (1918–19), Belarus became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Byelorussian SSR. Duchy of Polatsk or Principality of Polatsk (Belarusian: ÐŸÐ¾Ð»Ð°Ñ†ÐºÐ°Ðµ ÐºÐ½ÑÑÑ‚Ð²Ð°, Russian: ÐŸÐ¾Ð»Ð¾Ñ†ÐºÐ¾Ðµ ÐºÐ½ÑÐ¶ÐµÑÑ‚Ð²Ð¾) was a medieval principality of the Early East Slavs, one of the constituent principalities within the Kievan Rus. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ... National motto: None Official language Belarusian Capital Minsk, Currently in Exile in Canada National anthem Vajacki marÅ¡ Chairperson of the Rada Ivonka Survilla Independence - Declared - Forced into Exile Treaty of Brest-Litovsk March 25, 1918 January 5, 1919 The Belarusian Peoples Republic (Belarusian: Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÌÑÐºÐ°Ñ ÐÐ°Ñ€Ð¾ÌÐ´Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÌÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÐ°, eng. ... Soviet Union administrative divisions, 1989 In its final decades of its existence, the Soviet Union consisted of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (SSR), often called simply Soviet republics. ... State motto: Belarusian: ÐŸÑ€Ð°Ð»ÐµÑ‚Ð°Ñ€Ñ‹Ñ– ÑžÑÑ–Ñ… ÐºÑ€Ð°Ñ–Ð½, ÑÐ´Ð½Ð°Ð¹Ñ†ÐµÑÑ! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Minsk Official language Belarusian, Russian Established In the USSR: - Since - Until January 1, 1919 December 30, 1922 August 25, 1991 Area - Total - Water (%) Ranked 6th in the USSR 207,600 kmÂ² negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 5th in the USSR...

The final unification of Belarusian lands within its modern borders took place in 1939, when the ethnically Belarusian lands that were part of interwar Poland were annexed by the USSR and attached to the Soviet Belarus. The territory and its nation were devastated in World War II, during which Belarus lost about a quarter of its population and more than half of its economic resources;^[3] the republic recovered in the post-war years and became one of the founding members of the United Nations. The parliament of the republic declared the sovereignty of Belarus on July 27, 1990, and following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus declared independence on August 25, 1991. Alexander Lukashenko has been the country's president since 1994. During his presidency, Lukashenko has implemented Soviet-era policies, such as state ownership of the economy, despite objections from Western governments. Since 1996, Belarus has been negotiating with Russia to unify into a single state called the Union of Russia and Belarus. Anthem: Mazurek DÄ…browskiego Capital Warsaw Language(s) Polish Government Republic President List Prime minister List Legislature Sejm Historical era Interwar period - World War I November 11, 1918 - Invasion November 2, 1939 Area - 1939 388,600 km2 150,039 sq mi Population - 1939 est. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... UN redirects here. ... is the 208th day of the year (209th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The Soviet Unions collapse into independent nations began in earnest in 1985. ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko or Alyaksandar Ryhoravich Lukashenka (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (born August 30, 1954 at Kopys, Vitebsk voblast) has been the President of Belarus since 1994. ... Map of the Union of Russia and Belarus. ...

Most of Belarus's population of 9.85 million reside in the urban areas surrounding Minsk and other oblast (regional) capitals.^[4] More than 80% of the population are native Belarusians, with sizable minorities of Russians, Ukrainians and Poles. Since a referendum in 1995, the country has had two official languages: Belarusian and Russian. The Constitution of Belarus does not declare an official religion, although the primary religion in the country is Russian Orthodox. Oblast (Czech: oblast, Slovak: oblasÅ¥, Russian and Ukrainian: , Belarusian: , Bulgarian: Ð¾ÌÐ±Ð»Ð°ÑÑ‚) refers to a subnational entity in some countries. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... The Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (Russian: ), also known as the Orthodox Christian Church of Russia, is a body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs and primates of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ...

Etymology

The name Belarus derives from the term White Russia, which first appeared in German and Latin medieval literature. The Latin term for the area was Russia Alba. Historically, the country was referred to in English as White Russia. It is also claimed by some people that the correct translation is White Ruthenia (White Rus phonetically), which either describes the area of Eastern Europe populated by Slavic people or the states that occupied the area.^[5] The first known use of White Russia to refer to Belarus was in the late-16th century by Englishman Sir Jerome Horsey.^[6] During the 17th century, Russian tsars used White Rus', asserting that they were trying to recapture their heritage from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.^[6] The banner of White Ruthenia White Russia is a name that was historically applied to different regions in Eastern Europe, most often to the region that roughly corresponds to the present-day Belarus. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Ruthenia is a name applied to parts of Eastern Europe which were populated by Eastern Slavic peoples, as well as to various states that existed in this territory in the past. ... Drawing from Stories of Russian Folk-Life. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian Ñ†Ð°Ñ€, Russian , in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... Ruthenia is a name applied to parts of Eastern Europe which were populated by Eastern Slavic peoples, as well as to various states that existed in this territory in the past. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Belarus was named Belorussia (Russian: Белоруссия) in the days of Imperial Russia, and the Russian tsar was usually styled Tsar of All the Russias—Great, Little, and White. Belorussia was the only Russian language name of the country (its names in other languages such as English being based on the Russian form) until 1991, when the Supreme Soviet of the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic decreed by law that the new independent republic should be called Belarus (Беларусь) in Russian and in all other language transcriptions of its name. The change was made to reflect adequately the Belarusian language form of the name.^[7] Accordingly, the name Belorussia was replaced by Belarus in English, and, to some extent, in Russian (although the traditional name still persists in that language as well); likewise, the adjective Belorussian or Byelorussian was replaced by Belarusian in English (though Russian has not developed a new adjective). Some Belarusians object to the name Belorussia as an unwelcome reminder of the days under Russian and Soviet rule.^[8] However, most residents of the country do not mind it being called Byelorussiya in Russian (which is, actually, the most widely spoken language there) – it is evidenced by the fact that several popular newspapers published locally still retain the traditional name of the country in Russian in their names (e.g. Komsomolskaya Pravda v Byelorussii, which is the localised publication of a popular Russian tabloid, and Sovetskaya Byelorussiya). Officially, the full name of the country is Republic of Belarus (Рэспубліка Беларусь, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Byelarus').^[9] listen (help· info) Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... Anthem Hymn of the Russian Federation Capital (and largest city) Moscow Official languages Russian official throughout nation; thirty others co-official in various regions Government Semi-presidential federal republic - President Vladimir Putin - Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Formation - Declared June 12, 1990 - Finalized December 25, 1991 Area - Total 17,075,400... National motto: None Official language Russian (among many others in political subdivisions) Official script Cyrillic alphabet Capital Moscow Largest city Moscow President Vladimir Putin Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Area - Total - % water Ranked 1st 17,075,200 km² 0. ... Little Russia or Malorossiya (Russian: ) was the name for the territory of Ukraine applied in the time of the Russian Empire and earlier. ... The banner of White Ruthenia White Russia is a name that was historically applied to different regions in Eastern Europe, most often to the region that roughly corresponds to the present-day Belarus. ... Russian ( , transliteration: , Russian pronunciation: ) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages, and the largest native language in Europe. ... The Supreme Soviet (Russian: , Verhovniy Sovet, literally the Supreme Council) comprised the highest legislative body in the Soviet Union in the interim of the sessions of the Congress of Soviets, and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments. ... State motto: ÐŸÑ€Ð°Ð»ÐµÑ‚Ð°Ñ€Ñ‹Ñ– ÑžÑÑ–Ñ… ÐºÑ€Ð°Ñ–Ð½, ÑÐ´Ð½Ð°Ð¹Ñ†ÐµÑÑ! Belarusian: Workers of the world, unite! Official language None. ... The Belarusian or Belorussian language (Ð±ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð²Ð°, BGN/PCGN: byelaruskaya mova, Scientific: bjelaruskaja mova) is the language of the Belarusian people and is spoken in Belarus and abroad, chiefly in Russia, Ukraine, Poland. ... Image File history File links Republic_of_Belarus. ...

History

The area of modern-day Belarus was first settled by Slavic tribes in the 6th century. They gradually came into contact with the Varangians, a band of warriors consisting of Scandinavians and Slavs from the Baltics.^[10] Though defeated and briefly exiled by the local population, the Varangians were later asked to return^[10] and helped to form a polity—commonly referred to as the Kievan Rus'—in exchange for tribute. The Kievan Rus' state began in about 862 at the present-day city of Novgorod.^[11] This article describes the history of Belarus. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The Mirsky Castle Complex (Belarusian: ÐœÑ–ÌÑ€ÑÐºÑ– Ð·Ð°ÌÐ¼Ð°Ðº), is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Belarus located near Mir in the Karelichy District of the Hrodna voblast, at , 29 km to the north-west from another World Heritage site, Nesvizh Castle. ... Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1973x1556, 717 KB) LEGEND: 1 - The Crown (Kingdom of Poland), 2 - Duch of Prussia - Polish fief, 3 - Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 4 - Duchy of Courland - Livonian fief, 5 - Livonia. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1973x1556, 717 KB) LEGEND: 1 - The Crown (Kingdom of Poland), 2 - Duch of Prussia - Polish fief, 3 - Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 4 - Duchy of Courland - Livonian fief, 5 - Livonia. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ... The Kingdom of Poland of the Jagiellons was the Polish state in the years between the death of Casimir III in 1370 and the Union of Lublin in 1569. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Varangian Guardsmen, an illumination from the 11th century chronicle of John Skylitzes. ... For other uses, see Scandinavia (disambiguation). ... Population density in the wider Baltic region. ... For other uses, see Polity (disambiguation). ... Trydent of Yaroslav I Map of the Kievan Rusâ€², 11th century Capital Kiev Religion Orthodox Christianity Government Monarchy Historical era Middle Ages - Established 9th century - Disestablished 12th century Currency Hryvnia Kievan Rusâ€² was the early, predominantly East Slavic[1] medieval state of Rurikid dynasty dominated by the city of Kiev... Velikiy Novgorod (Russian: ) is the foremost historic city of North-Western Russia, situated on the M10(E95) federal highway connecting Moscow and St. ...

Upon the death of Kievan Rus' ruler, Prince Yaroslav the Wise, the state split into independent principalities.^[12] These Ruthenian principalities were badly affected by a Mongol invasion in the 13th century, and many were later incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.^[13] Of all the principalities held by the Duchy, nine were settled by ancestors of the Belarusian people.^[14] During this time, the Duchy was involved in several military campaigns, including fighting on the side of Poland against the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410. The joint victory allowed the Duchy to control the northwestern border lands of Eastern Europe.^[15] Ivan Bilibins artwork of Yaroslav I Yaroslav I the Wise (c. ... The Mongol Invasion of Rus was heralded by the Battle of the Kalka River (1223) between Subutais reconnaissance unit and the combined force of several princes of Rus. After fifteen years of peace, it was followed by Batu Khans full-scale invasion in 1237-40. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ... For the state, see Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights. ... Combatants Kingdom of Poland Grand Duchy of Lithuania Teutonic Order and Mercenaries and Various Knights from the rest of Europe Commanders WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw II JagieÅ‚Å‚o, Vytautas the Great Ulrich von Jungingenâ€ Strength 39,000 27,000 Casualties Unknown 8,000 dead 14,000 captured The Battle of Grunwald...

On February 2, 1386, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland were joined in a personal union through a marriage of their rulers.^[16] This union set in motion the developments that eventually resulted in the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, created in 1569. The Russians, led by Tsar Ivan the III, began military conquests in 1486 in an attempt to gain the Kievan Rus' lands, specifically Belarus and Ukraine.^[17] The union between Poland and Lithuania ended in 1795, and the commonwealth was partitioned by Imperial Russia, Prussia, and Austria, dividing Belarus.^[18] Belarusian territories were acquired by the Russian Empire during the reign of Catherine II^[19] and held until their occupation by Germany during World War I.^[20] is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1386 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... The Kingdom of Poland of the Jagiellons was the Polish state in the years between the death of Casimir III in 1370 and the Union of Lublin in 1569. ... It has been suggested that Dynastic union be merged into this article or section. ... Document sign in Kreva on August 14, 1385 Poland and Lithuania in 1387 The Union of Krewo[1], also known as KrÄ—va Act[2] (other names Union of Krevo, Act of Kreva) was a set of promises of Jogaila, Grand Duke of Lithuania for marriage between him and the... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Union of Lublin, painted by Jan Matejko The Union of Lublin (Lithuanian: Liublino unija; Belarusian: Лю́блінская ву́нія; Polish: Unia lubelska) - signed on July 1, 1569 in Lublin, united the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into a single state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, with the official... Albus rex Ivan III Ivan III Vasilevich (Ð˜Ð²Ð°Ð½ III Ð’Ð°ÑÐ¸Ð»ÑŒÐµÐ²Ð¸Ñ‡) (January 22, 1440, Moscow â€“ October 27, 1505, Moscow), also known as Ivan the Great, was a grand duke of Muscovy who first adopted a more pretentious title of the grand duke of all the Russias. Sometimes referred to as the gatherer of... The Partitions of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Polish: RozbiÃ³r Polski or Rozbiory Polski; Lithuanian: Lietuvos-Lenkijos padalijimai, Belarusian: ÐŸÐ°Ð´Ð·ÐµÐ»Ñ‹ Ð ÑÑ‡Ñ‹ ÐŸÐ°ÑÐ¿Ð°Ð»Ñ–Ñ‚Ð°Ð¹) took place in the 18th century and ended the existence of the sovereign Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... For other uses, see Prussia (disambiguation). ... The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ... Catherine the Great redirects here. ... This article or section should include material from German Monarchy The term German Empire (the translation from German of Deutsches Reich) commonly refers to Germany, from its consolidation as a unified nation-state on January 18, 1871, until the abdication of Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm II on November 9, 1918. ... â€œThe Great War â€ redirects here. ...

During the negotiations of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Belarus first declared independence on 25 March 1918, forming the Belarusian People's Republic. The Germans supported the BPR, which lasted for about 10 months.^[21] Soon after the Germans were defeated, the BPR fell under the influence of the Bolsheviks and the Red Army and became the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1919.^[21] After Russian occupation of eastern and northern Lithuania, it was merged into the Lithuanian-Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Byelorussian lands were then split between Poland and the Soviets after the Polish-Soviet War ended in 1921, and the recreated Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1922.^[21] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 446 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2552 Ã— 3432 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 446 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2552 Ã— 3432 pixels, file size: 1. ... The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ... The first two pages of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, in (left to right) German, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Ottoman Turkish and Russian The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918, at Brest-Litovsk (now Brest, Belarus) between the Russian SFSR and the Central Powers, marking... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Anthem Belarusian: Come, We Shall March in Joint Endeavour Capital Minsk Capital-in-exile Prague Language(s) Belarusian Government Republic Rada Chairman - 1918 â€“ 1919 Jan Sierada - 1919 Piotra KreÄeÅski Chairperson-in-exile - 1919 â€“ 1928 Piotra KreÄeÅski - since 1997 Ivonka Survilla Historical era World War I - Independence... State motto: Belarusian: ÐŸÑ€Ð°Ð»ÐµÑ‚Ð°Ñ€Ñ‹Ñ– ÑžÑÑ–Ñ… ÐºÑ€Ð°Ñ–Ð½, ÑÐ´Ð½Ð°Ð¹Ñ†ÐµÑÑ! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Minsk Official language Belarusian, Russian Established In the USSR: - Since - Until January 1, 1919 December 30, 1922 August 25, 1991 Area - Total - Water (%) Ranked 6th in the USSR 207,600 kmÂ² negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 5th in the USSR... V. Mickevicius- Kapsukas Lithuanian-Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (LBSSR, Litbel) existed within the territories of modern Belarus and Lithuania for a brief period during 1919, before the area was annexed to Poland. ... Soviet redirects here. ... Combatants Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Republic of Poland Ukrainian Peoples Republic Commanders Mikhail Tukhachevsky Semyon Budyonny JÃ³zef PiÅ‚sudski Edward Rydz-ÅšmigÅ‚y Strength 950,000 combatants 5,000,000 reserves 360,000 combatants 738,000 reserves Casualties Dead estimated at 100,000... CCCP redirects here. ...

In September 1939, as a result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union invaded Poland and annexed its eastern lands, including most of Polish-held Byelorussian land.^[22] Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. Byelorussia was the hardest hit Soviet Republic in the war and remained in Nazi hands until 1944. During that time, Germany destroyed 209 out of 290 cities in the republic, 85% of the republic's industry, and more than one million buildings, while causing human losses estimated between two and three million (about a quarter to one-third of the total population).^[3] The Jewish population of Byelorussia was devastated during The Holocaust and never recovered.^[23] The population of Belarus did not regain its pre-war level until 1971.^[23] After the war ended, Byelorussia was among the 51 founding countries of the United Nations Charter in 1945 and began rebuilding the Soviet Republic. During this time, the Byelorussian SSR became a major center of manufacturing in the western region of the USSR, increasing jobs and bringing an influx of ethnic Russians into the republic.^[24] The borders of Byelorussian SSR and Poland were redrawn to a point known as the Curzon Line.^[22] Molotov signs the German-Soviet non-aggression pact. ... For Nazi Germanys military action against Poland under the same alliance, see Nazi Germanys invasion of Poland (1939). ... Under the terms of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, adjusted by agreement on 28 September 1939, the Soviet Union annexed all Polish territory east of the line of the rivers Pisa, Narew, Western Bug, and San, except for Wilno Voivodship with its capital Wilno (Vilnius), which was given to Lithuania, and... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... Belligerents Germany Romania Finland Italy Hungary Slovakia Croatia Soviet Union Commanders Adolf Hitler Franz Halder Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb Fedor von Bock Gerd von Rundstedt Ernst Busch Erich Hoepner Alfred Keller Georg von KÃ¼chler GÃ¼nther von Kluge Heinz Guderian Hermann Hoth Albrecht Kesselring Adolf Strauss Carl-Heinrich von... Belarusian partisan fighters behind German front lines in Belarus in 1943 Occupation of Belarus by Nazi Germany. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... â€œShoahâ€ redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Curzon Line was a demarcation line proposed in 1919 by the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Curzon of Kedleston, as a possible armistice line between Poland, to the west, and Soviet Russia to the east, during the Polish-Soviet War of 1919â€“20. ...

Joseph Stalin implemented a policy of Sovietization to isolate the Byelorussian SSR from Western influences.^[23] This policy involved sending Russians from various parts of the Soviet Union and placing them in key positions in the Byelorussian SSR government. The official use of the Belarusian language and other cultural aspects were limited by Moscow. After Stalin died in 1953, successor Nikita Khrushchev continued this program, stating, "The sooner we all start speaking Russian, the faster we shall build communism".^[23] When Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began pushing through his reform plan, the Belarusian people delivered a petition to him in December 1986 explaining the loss of their culture. Earlier that year, Byelorussian SSR was exposed to nuclear fallout from the explosion at the Chernobyl power plant in neighboring Ukrainian SSR.^[25] In June 1988 at the city of Kurapaty, archaeologist Zianon Pazniak, the leader of Christian Conservative Party of the BPF, discovered mass graves which contained about 250,000 bodies of victims executed in 1941.^[25] Some nationalists contend that this discovery is proof that the Soviet government was trying to erase the Belarusian people, causing Belarusian nationalists to seek independence.^[26] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 750 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1237 Ã— 989 pixels, file size: 815 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 750 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1237 Ã— 989 pixels, file size: 815 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... State motto: Belarusian: ÐŸÑ€Ð°Ð»ÐµÑ‚Ð°Ñ€Ñ‹Ñ– ÑžÑÑ–Ñ… ÐºÑ€Ð°Ñ–Ð½, ÑÐ´Ð½Ð°Ð¹Ñ†ÐµÑÑ! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Minsk Official language Belarusian, Russian Established In the USSR: - Since - Until January 1, 1919 December 30, 1922 August 25, 1991 Area - Total - Water (%) Ranked 6th in the USSR 207,600 kmÂ² negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 5th in the USSR... Josef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (Georgian: , Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili; Russian: , Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili) (December 18 [O.S. December 6] 1878[1] â€“ March 5, 1953), better known by his adopted name, Joseph Stalin (alternatively transliterated Josef Stalin), was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Unions Central Committee from... Sovietization is term that may be used with two distinct (but related) meanings: the adoption of a political system based on the model of soviets (workers councils). ... Occident redirects here. ... The Belarusian or Belorussian language (Ð±ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð²Ð°, BGN/PCGN: byelaruskaya mova, Scientific: bjelaruskaja mova) is the language of the Belarusian people and is spoken in Belarus and abroad, chiefly in Russia, Ukraine, Poland. ... The political system of the Soviet Union was characterized by the superior role of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the only party permitted by Constitution. ... Khrushchev redirects here. ... This article is about the form of society and political movement. ... Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev[1] (Russian: , IPA: ; born 2 March 1931) is a Russian politician. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... // Dress Children dressed in the traditional outfits of Belarus Traditional Belarusian dress originated from the time of Kievian Rus, and continues to be worn today at special functions. ... Fallout is the residual radiation hazard from a nuclear explosion, so named because it falls out of the atmosphere into which it is spread during the explosion. ... Chernobyl reactor number four after the disaster, showing the extensive damage to the main reactor hall (image center) and turbine building (image lower left) The Chernobyl disaster, reactor accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, or simply Chernobyl, was the worst nuclear power plant accident in history and the only... State motto: Ukrainian: ÐŸÑ€Ð¾Ð»ÐµÑ‚Ð°Ñ€Ñ– Ð²ÑÑ–Ñ… ÐºÑ€Ð°Ñ—Ð½, Ñ”Ð´Ð½Ð°Ð¹Ñ‚ÐµÑÑ! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Kiev Official language Ukrainian and Russian Established In the USSR: - Since - Until December 25, 1917 December 30, 1922 August 24, 1991 Area - Total - Water (%) Ranked 3rd in the USSR 603,700 kmÂ² negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 2nd in the... Kurapaty (Belarusian: ÐšÑƒÑ€Ð°Ð¿Ð°Ñ‚Ñ‹) is a wooded area on the outskirts of Minsk, Belarus, where in 1941 a vast number of people were executed. ... Zianon Pazniak Dr. Zianon PaÅºniak (Belarusian: Ð—ÑÐ½Ð¾Ð½ ÐŸÐ°Ð·ÑŒÐ½ÑÐº, * April 24, 1944) is a famous Belarusian nationalist politician and public activist, one of the founders of the Belarusian Popular Front and leader of the Christian Conservative Party of the BPF. Zianon Pazniak was born in Subotniki, Hrodna Province. ... The Conservative Christian Party of the Belarusian Peoples Front (KanservatyÅna-ChryÅ›cijanskaja Partyja BNF) is a political party in Belarus, that opposes the regime of president Alexander Lukashenko. ... A mass grave is a grave containing more than one human corpse. ...

Two years later, in March 1990, elections for seats in the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR took place. Though the pro-independence Belarusian Popular Front took only 10% of the seats, the populace was content with the selection of the delegates.^[27] Belarus declared itself sovereign on July 27, 1990, by issuing the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. With the support of the Communist Party, the country's name was changed to the Republic of Belarus on August 25, 1991.^[27] Stanislav Shushkevich, the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus, met with Boris Yeltsin of Russia and Leonid Kravchuk of Ukraine on December 8, 1991, in Belavezhskaya Pushcha to formally declare the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States.^[27] A national constitution was adopted in March 1994, in which the functions of prime minister was given to the president. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 598 pixelsFull resolution (1632 Ã— 1220 pixels, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 598 pixelsFull resolution (1632 Ã— 1220 pixels, file size: 2. ... Warsaw University (Polish: ) is one of the largest universities in Poland. ... The Supreme Soviet (Russian: , Verhovniy Sovet, literally the Supreme Council) comprised the highest legislative body in the Soviet Union in the interim of the sessions of the Congress of Soviets, and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments. ... Belarusian Popular Front Revival or BPF (Belarus during the perestroika times. ... is the 208th day of the year (209th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic was a formal document issued by the Supreme Soviet of Belarus to assert their independence from the Soviet Union. ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... Stanislav Stanislavovich Shushkevich (Belarusian: Ð¡Ñ‚Ð°Ð½Ñ–ÑÐ»Ð°ÌÑž Ð¡Ñ‚Ð°Ð½Ñ–ÑÐ»Ð°ÌÐ²Ð°Ð²Ñ–Ñ‡ Ð¨ÑƒÑˆÐºÐµÌÐ²Ñ–Ñ‡; StanisÅ‚aÅ StanisÅ‚avaviÄ Å uÅ¡kieviÄ) (b. ... The Supreme Soviet (Russian: , Verhovniy Sovet, literally the Supreme Council) comprised the highest legislative body in the Soviet Union in the interim of the sessions of the Congress of Soviets, and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments. ... â€œYeltsinâ€ redirects here. ... Leonid Kravchuk in Kiev, August 1992 Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk (Ukrainian: Ð›ÐµÐ¾Ð½Ñ–Ð´ ÐœÐ°ÐºÐ°Ñ€Ð¾Ð²Ð¸Ñ‡ ÐšÑ€Ð°Ð²Ñ‡ÑƒÐº born 10 January 1934) is a Ukrainian politician. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... Białowieża Primaeval Forest, known as Belavezhskaya Pushcha (Белавеская пушча) in Belarus and Puszcza Białowieska in Poland, is an ancient virginal forest straddling the border between Belarus and Poland, located 70 km north of Brest. ... Member state Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders - Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... History of Belarusian states can be traced far to Duchy of PÃ³lacak. ...

Two-round elections for the presidency (24 June 1994 and 10 July 1994)^[28] resulted in the politically unknown Alexander Lukashenko winning more than 45 % of the vote in the first round and 80 %^[27] in the second round, beating Vyacheslav Kebich who got 14 %. Lukashenko having been reelected in 2001 and in 2006. is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko or Alyaksandar Ryhoravich Lukashenka (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (born August 30, 1954 at Kopys, Vitebsk voblast) has been the President of Belarus since 1994. ... Vyacheslav Frantsevich Kebich (Belarusian: , IPA: ; born June 10, 1936) was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, serving from 1991 until 1994, having been in the equivalent office of the Byelorussian SSR since 1990. ... The 2001 Belarusian presidential elections were held on September 9, 2001 with three candidates competing. ... The elections for the position of president of Belarus took place on March 19, 2006. ...

Politics

Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by a president and the National Assembly. The National Assembly is a bicameral parliament comprising the 110-member House of Representatives (the lower house) and the 64-member Council of the Republic (the upper house). The House of Representatives has the power to appoint the prime minister, make constitutional amendments, call for a vote of confidence on the prime minister, and make suggestions on foreign and domestic policy. The Council of the Republic has the power to select various government officials, conduct an impeachment trial of the president, and accept or reject the bills passed by the House of Representatives. Each chamber has the ability to veto any law passed by local officials if it is contrary to the Constitution of Belarus.^[29] Since 1994, Alexander Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus. The government includes a Council of Ministers, headed by the prime minister. The members of this council need not be members of the legislature and are appointed by the president. The judiciary comprises the Supreme Court and specialized courts such as the Constitutional Court, which deals with specific issues related to constitutional and business law. The judges of national courts are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Council of the Republic. For criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the Supreme Court. The Belarusian Constitution forbids the use of special extra-judicial courts.^[29] This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 637 KB)Minsk, Victory Square (summer 2004, by mikkalai) The text over the buildings reads Подвиг народа - бессмертен, The Feat of the People is Immortal This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is... Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 637 KB)Minsk, Victory Square (summer 2004, by mikkalai) The text over the buildings reads Подвиг народа - бессмертен, The Feat of the People is Immortal This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is... Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ... A presidential system, also called a congressional system, is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separately from the legislature, to which it is not accountable and which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Leaders of Byelorussian SSR De-facto leaders were first secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Byelorussia (CPB) Nikolay Patolichev (1950 - 1953) Mikhail Zimyanin (1953 --?) Nikolay Patolichev (? --- 1956) Kirill Mazurov Tikhon Kiselev Petr Masherov Efrem Sokolov Presidents of Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (July 20, 1994 -- ) ... The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus is the bicameral parliament that governs the Eastern Europe country of Belarus. ... In government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. ... Under the 1996 Constitution, the House of Representatives (Palata Predstavitelei) is the lower house of the parliament of Belarus. ... The Council of the Republic is the upper-chamber in Belarus bicameral parliament, the National Assembly. ... This is a list of people who have held the position prime minister for the European country of Belarus (ÐŸÑ€ÐµÐ¼ÑŒÐµÑ€-Ð¼Ð¸Ð½Ð¸ÑÑ‚Ñ€ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ): Vyacheslav Kebich (1991 - 1994) Mikhail Chigir (1994 - 1996) Syargey Ling (1996 - 1997 ) Vladimir Yermoshin (1997 - 2001) Gennady Novitsky (2001 - 2003) Sergey Sidorsky (2003 - present) Category: ... A Motion of Confidence is a motion of support proposed by a government in a parliament or other assembly of elected representatives to give members of parliament (or other such assembly) a chance to register their confidence in a government. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko or Alyaksandar Ryhoravich Lukashenka (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (born August 30, 1954 at Kopys, Vitebsk voblast) has been the President of Belarus since 1994. ... The Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus is the highest-tier court inside of Belarus and acts as the final court of review. ... The Constitutional Court of Belarus is one of the top-teir courts in the Eastern European country. ...

As of 2007, 98 of the 110 members the House of Representatives are not affiliated with any political party and the remaining twelve members, eight belong to the Communist Party of Belarus, three to the Agrarian Party of Belarus, and one to the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus, most of the non-partisans represents a wide scope of social organizations namely worker´s collectives, public associations and civil society organizations. On the other hand, neither the pro-Lukashenko parties, such as the Belarusian Socialist Sporting Party and the Republican Party of Labor and Justice, nor the People's Coalition 5 Plus opposition parties, such as the Belarusian People's Front and the United Civil Party of Belarus, won any seats in the 2004 elections. Organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) declared the election "un-free" because of the opposition parties' poor results and media bias in favor of the government.^[30] In the country's 2006 presidential election, Lukashenko was opposed by Alaksandar Milinkievič, a candidate representing a coalition of opposition parties, and by Alaksandar Kazulin of the Social Democrats. Kazulin was detained and beaten by police during protests surrounding the All Belarusian People's Assembly. Lukashenko won the election with 80% of the vote, but the OSCE and other organizations called the election unfair.^[31] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 790 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2160 Ã— 1640 pixels, file size: 495 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Other versions File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 790 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2160 Ã— 1640 pixels, file size: 495 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Other versions File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Lenin redirects here. ... Americas Asia Europe Middle East Related subjects The Communist Party of Belarus (Belarusian: , Kamunistychnaya Partyia Belarusi; Russian: , Kommunisticheskaya Partiya Belarusi)) is a political party in Belarus, that supports the government of president Alexander Lukashenko. ... The Agrarian Party of Belarus (Belarusian: Агра́рная па́ртыя Белару́сі (Agrarnaya Partya Belarusi)) is a political party in Belarus. ... The Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus (Liberalna-Demokratychnaya Partya Belarusi) is a political party in Belarus that supports the regime of president Alexander Lukashenko. ... The Belarusian Socialist Sporting Party (Belaruskaya Satsyalistychnaya-Spartynaya Partya) is a political party in Belarus, that supports the regime of president Alexander Lukashenko. ... The Republican Party of Labour and Juctice (Respublikanskaya Partya Pratsy y Spravyadivasti) is a political party in Belarus, that supports the regime of president Alexander Lukashenko. ... The Peoples Coalition 5 Plus (Narodnaja Kaalicja Pjacerka Plys) is a political alliance in Belarus, that opposes the regime of president Alexander Lukashenka. ... Belarusian Peoples Front Revival or BPF (Belarusian: Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÐºÑ– ÐÐ°Ñ€Ð¾Ð´Ð½Ñ‹ Ð¤Ñ€Ð¾Ð½Ñ‚ ÐÐ´Ñ€Ð°Ð´Ð¶ÑÐ½ÑŒÐ½Ðµ, Ð‘ÐÐ¤, BieÅ‚aruski Narodny Front AdradÅ¾eÅ„nie) is a political party created in Belarus during the perestroika times. ... The United Civic Party of Belarus (Belarusian: ) is a liberal party in Belarus. ... Elections in Belarus gives information on election and election results in Belarus. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... The elections for the position of president of Belarus took place on March 19, 2006. ... Alaksandar MilinkieviÄ (official campaign photo) Alaksandar MilinkieviÄ (also Alexander Milinkevich; ÐÐ»ÑÐºÑÐ°Ð½Ð´Ð°Ñ€ ÐœÑ–Ð»Ñ–Ð½ÐºÐµÐ²Ñ–Ñ‡ in Belarusian, born 25 July 1947) is a Belarusian politician. ... Alaksandar Kazulin (Belarusian: ), born 25 November 1955, is the leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party and one of the candidates running for the office of President of Belarus on March 19, 2006. ... The All Belarusian Peoples Assembly (Belarusian: , Russian: ) is a general meeting of the Belarusian Goverment with industry leaders and other top officials from every sector of the government. ...

Lukashenko has described himself as having an "authoritarian ruling style".^[32] Western countries have described Belarus under Lukashenko as a dictatorship; the government has accused the same Western powers of trying to oust Lukashenko.^[33] The Council of Europe has barred Belarus from membership since 1997 for undemocratic voting and election irregularities in the November 1996 constitutional referendum and parliament by-elections.^[34] The Belarusian government is also criticized for human rights violations and its actions against non-governmental organizations, independent journalists, national minorities, and opposition politicians.^[35]^[36] Belarus is the only nation in Europe that retains the death penalty for certain crimes during times of peace and war.^[37] In testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice labeled Belarus, among six nations, as part of the "outposts of tyranny".^[38] In response, the Belarusian government called the assessment "quite far from reality".^[39] Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral) ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 5 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders - Secretary General Terry Davis - President of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden... A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... NGO redirects here. ... Belarus is the only country in Europe where capital punishment is still used; this dates from when the country had been a part of the Soviet Union. ... World map indicating (in green) the countries of Rices outposts of tyranny. The United States is shown in blue. ...

Foreign relations and military

Belarus and Russia have been close trading partners and diplomatic allies since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Belarus is dependent on Russia for imports of raw materials and for its export market.^[40] The Union of Russia and Belarus, a supranational confederation, was established in a 1996–99 series of treaties that called for monetary union, equal rights, single citizenship, and a common foreign and defense policy.^[40] Although the future of the Union was in doubt because of Belarus' repeated delays of monetary union, the lack of a referendum date for the draft constitution, and a 2006–07 dispute about petroleum trade.^[40] On December 11, 2007, reports emerged that a framework for the new state was discussed between both countries.^[41] Under an arrangement with the former USSR, Belarus (known as Byelorussian SSR) was an original member of the United Nations. ... The armed forces of Belarus consist of the Army and the Air Force, all under the command of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko or Alyaksandar Ryhoravich Lukashenka (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (born August 30, 1954 at Kopys, Vitebsk voblast) has been the President of Belarus since 1994. ... Map of the Union of Russia and Belarus. ... Druzhba pipeline goes from Russia through Belarus to other European countries The Russia-Belarus energy dispute began when Russian state-owned gas supplier Gazprom demanded an increase in gas prices paid by Belarus. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Belarus was a founder member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); however, recently other CIS members have questioned the effectiveness of the organization.^[42] Belarus has trade agreements with several European Union member states (despite other member states' travel ban on Lukashenko and top officials),^[43] as well as with its neighbors Lithuania, Poland and Latvia.^[44] Member state Associate member Headquarters Minsk, Belarus Working language Russian Type Commonwealth Membership 11 member states 1 associate member Leaders - Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev Establishment December 21, 1991 Website http://cis. ...

Bilateral relations with the United States are strained because of the United States State Department's support for various pro-democracy NGOs and because the Belarusian government made it harder for US-based organizations to operate within the country.^[45] The 2004 US Belarus Democracy Act continued this trend, authorizing funding for pro-democracy Belarusian NGOs and forbidding loans to the Belarusian government except for humanitarian purposes.^[46] Despite this, the two nations cooperate on intellectual property protection, prevention of human trafficking and technology crime, and disaster relief.^[47] NGO redirects here. ... Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, signed by President George W. Bush and passed unanimously by the U.S. Congress on October 4, 2004 authorizes assistance for Belarusian political parties, non-governmental organizations, and independent media working for democracy and human rights. ...

Belarus has increased cooperation with China, strengthened by the visit of President Lukashenko to China in October 2005.^[48] Belarus has strong ties with Syria,^[49] which President Lukashenko considers a key partner in the Middle East.^[50] In addition to the CIS, Belarus has membership in the Eurasian Economic Community and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.^[44] Belarus has been a member of the international Non-Aligned Movement since 1998^[51] and a member of the United Nations since its founding in 1945.^[52] Flag of EurAsEC The Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC or EAEC) was put into motion on 10 October 2000 when Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan signed the treaty. ... The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (in Russian: Ð¡Ð¾Ð´Ñ€ÑƒÐ¶ÐµÑÑ‚Ð²Ð¾ ÐÐµÐ·Ð°Ð²Ð¸ÑÐ¸Ð¼Ñ‹Ñ… Ð“Ð¾ÑÑƒÐ´Ð°Ñ€ÑÑ‚Ð² (Ð¡ÐÐ“) - Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv) is a confederation or alliance consisting of 12 former Soviet Republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. ... Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (2005). ... UN redirects here. ...

The Armed Forces of Belarus has three branches: the Army, the Air Force, and the Ministry of Defense joint staff. Colonel-General Leonid Maltsev heads the Ministry of Defense,^[53] and Alexander Lukashenko (as president) serves as Commander-in-Chief.^[54] The Armed Forces was formed in 1992 using parts of the former Soviet Armed Forces on the new republic's territory. The transformation of the ex-Soviet forces into the Armed Forces of Belarus, which was completed in 1997, reduced the number of its soldiers by 30,000 and restructured its leadership and military formations.^[55] Most of Belarus's service members are conscripts, who serve for 12 months if they have higher education or 18 months if they do not.^[56] However, demographic decreases in the Belarusians of conscription age have increased the importance of contract soldiers, who numbered 12,000 as of 2001.^[57] In 2005, about 1.4% of Belarus's gross domestic product was devoted to military expenditures.^[58] Belarus has not expressed a desire to join NATO but has participated in the Individual Partnership Program since 1997.^[59] The armed forces of Belarus consist of the Army and the Air Force, all under the command of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. ... The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐœÐ¸Ð½Ð¸ÑÑ‚ÐµÑ€ÑÑ‚Ð²Ð¾ Ð¾Ð±Ð¾Ñ€Ð¾Ð½Ñ‹ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐœiÐ½iÑÑ‚ÑÑ€ÑÑ‚Ð²Ð° Ð°Ð±Ð°Ñ€Ð¾Ð½Ñ‹ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is the government organization that is charged with the duties of raising and maintaining the armed forces of Belarus. ... This article is about the armed forces of the Soviet Union. ... Conscription is a general term for forced labor demanded by some established authority, e. ... GDP redirects here. ... This article is about the military alliance. ...

Provinces and districts

Belarus is divided into six voblasts, or provinces, which are named after the cities that serve as their administrative centers.^[60] Each voblast has a provincial legislative authority, called an oblsovet, which is elected by the voblast's residents, and a provincial executive authority called a voblast administration, whose leader is appointed by the president.^[61] Voblasts are further subdivided into raions (commonly translated as districts or regions).^[60] As with voblasts, each raion has its own legislative authority (raisovet, or raion council) elected by its residents, and an executive authority (raion administration) appointed by higher executive powers. As of 2002, there are six voblasts, 118 raions, 102 towns and 108 urbanized settlements.^[62] Minsk is given a special status, due to the city serving as the national capital. Minsk City is run by an executive committee and granted a charter of self-rule by the national government.^[63] At the higher administrative level, Belarus is divided into 6 voblasts. ... Image File history File links Belarus. ... Image File history File links Belarus. ... At the higher administrative level, Belarus is divided into 6 voblasts and one municipality (horad, i. ... A raion (or rayon) (Russian and Ukrainian: ; Belarusian Ñ€Ð°Ñ‘Ð½; Azeri: rayon, Latvian: rajons, Georgian: , raioni) is one of two kinds of administrative subdivisions in languages of some post-Soviet states: a subnational entity and a subdivision of a city. ...

Special administrative district: Brest voblast is one of the administrative regions in the Republic of Belarus located in the south-west of Poland and Ukraine. ... Brest (Belarusian: , Russian: , Polish: ; Alternative names), formerly Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk, is a city (population 290,000 in 2004) in Belarus close to the Polish border where the Western Bug and Mukhavets Rivers meet. ... Homyel voblast is an administrative region of Belarus with a center in Homyel. This and Mahilyow voblasts severely suffered after the Chornobyl nuclear reactor catastrophe. ... Categories: Towns in Belarus | Belarus-related stubs ... Categories: Belarus-related stubs | Regions of Belarus ... Hrodna City emblem Hrodna (Belarusian: ; Russian: ; Polish: ; Lithuanian: ; Yiddish: Grodne; German: ) is a city in Belarus. ... Categories: Belarus-related stubs | Regions of Belarus ... Mogilev, or Mahilyow (Belarusian: ; Russian: , translit. ... Categories: Stub | Regions of Belarus ... Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ... Categories: Stub | Regions of Belarus ... Location of Vitebsk, shown within the Vitebsk Voblast Coordinates: , Country Subdivision Founded 974 Government - Mayor Population (2004) - Total 342,381 Time zone EET (UTC+2) - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) Area code(s) +375-15 License plate 2 Website: [2]] Vitebsk, also known as Vitsyebsk (Belarusian: Ð’Ñ–ÌÑ†ÐµÐ±ÑÐº, IPA: ; Yiddish: ×°×™×˜×¢×‘×¡×§; Polish: Witebsk...

Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ...

Geography

Belarus is landlocked, relatively flat, and contains large tracts of marshy land.^[64] According to a 1994 estimate by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, 34% of Belarus is covered by forests.^[65] Many streams and 11,000 lakes are found in Belarus.^[64] Three major rivers run through the country: the Neman, the Pripyat, and the Dnepr. The Neman flows westward towards the Baltic sea and the Pripyat flows eastward to the Dnepr; the Dnepr flows southward towards the Black Sea.^[65] Belarus's highest point is Dzyarzhynskaya Hara (Dzyarzhynsk Hill) at 345 metres (1,130 ft), and its lowest point is on the Neman River at 90 metres (300 ft).^[64] The average elevation of Belarus is 525 feet (160 m) above sea level.^[66] The climate ranges from harsh winters, with average January temperatures at −6 °C (21.2 °F), to cool and moist summers with the average temperature of 18 °C (64 °F).^[67] Belarus experiences an average rainfall of 550 to 700 millimeters (21.7 to 27.5 inches).^[67] The country experiences a yearly transition from a continental climate to a maritime climate.^[64] Detailed map of Belarus Satellite image of Belarus in December 2002. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 345 pixel Image in higher resolution (3049 Ã— 1313 pixel, file size: 853 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Panorama made by my brother, Alex Zelenko. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 345 pixel Image in higher resolution (3049 Ã— 1313 pixel, file size: 853 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Panorama made by my brother, Alex Zelenko. ... A landlocked country is one that has no coastline. ... This article is about marsh, a type of wetland. ... FAO emblem With its headquarters in Rome, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations programs seek to raise levels of nutrition and standard of living; to improve the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food and agricultural products; to promote rural development; and, by these means, to... The Neman (Belarusian: ; Lithuanian: ; Russian: ; Polish: ; German: ) is a major Eastern European river rising in Belarus and flowing through Lithuania before draining into the Baltic Sea near KlaipÄ—da. ... The Pripyat River (Ukrainian: Припять, Prýpyat; Belarusian: Прыпяць, Prýpyats, Polish Prypeć) is a river in Eastern Europe, of approximately 440 miles (710 km). ... The Dnieper River (Belarusian: Дняпро/Dnyapro; Russian: Днепр/Dnepr; Ukrainian: Днiпро/Dnipro; Polish: Dniepr; Latin: Borysthenes, Danaper) is a river (2290 km length) which flows from Russia through Belarus and then Ukraine. ... For other uses, see Black Sea (disambiguation). ... Dzyarzhynskaya Hara (Belarusian Гара Дзяржынская) is the highest point in Belarus. ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... Regions containing a continental climate exist in portions of Northern Hemisphere continents, and also at higher elevations in certain other parts of the world. ... An oceanic climate (also called marine west coast climate and maritime climate) is the climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of all the worlds continents, and in southeastern Australia; similar climates are also found at high elevations within the tropics. ...

Belarus's natural resources include peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomite (limestone), marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay.^[64] About 70% of the radiation from neighboring Ukraine's 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster entered Belarusian territory, and as of 2005 about a fifth of Belarusian land (principally farmland and forests in the southeastern provinces) continues to be affected by radiation fallout.^[68] The United Nations and other agencies have aimed to reduce the level of radiation in affected areas, especially through the use of caesium binders and rapeseed cultivation, which are meant to decrease soil levels of caesium-137.^[69]^[70] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2288x1712, 1709 KB) Photo made by my brother, Alex Zelenko. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2288x1712, 1709 KB) Photo made by my brother, Alex Zelenko. ... Peat in Lewis, Scotland Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter. ... For other uses, see granite (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ... Marls are calcium carbonate or lime rich muds or mudstones which contain variable amounts of clays and calcite or aragonite. ... Chernobyl reactor number four after the disaster, showing the extensive damage to the main reactor hall (image center) and turbine building (image lower left) The Chernobyl disaster, reactor accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, or simply Chernobyl, was the worst nuclear power plant accident in history and the only... Binomial name Brassica napus L. Rapeseed (Brassica napus), also known as Rape, Oilseed Rape, Rapa, Rapaseed and (one particular cultivar) Canola, is a bright yellow flowering member (related to mustard) of the family Brassicaceae. ... Caesium-137 is a radioactive isotope which is formed mainly by nuclear fission. ...

Belarus is bordered by Latvia on the north, Lithuania on the northwest, Poland on the west, Russia on the north and east and Ukraine on the south. Treaties in 1995 and 1996 demarcated Belarus's borders with Latvia and Lithuania, but Belarus failed to ratify a 1997 treaty establishing the Belarus-Ukraine border.^[71] Belarus and Lithuania ratified final border demarcation documents in February 2007.^[72]

Economy

Most of the Belarusian economy remains state-controlled, as in Soviet times.^[40] Thus, 51.2% of Belarusians are employed by state-controlled companies, 47.4% are employed by private Belarusian companies (of which 5.7% are partially foreign-owned), and 1.4% are employed by foreign companies.^[73] The country relies on imports such as oil from Russia^[74]^[75] Important agricultural products include potatoes and cattle byproducts, such as meat.^[76] As of 1994, the biggest exports of Belarus were heavy machinery, agricultural products, and energy products.^[77] // Overview After the collapse of the Soviet Union all former Soviet republics faced a deep economic crisis. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1988x912, 494 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Belarus Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1988x912, 494 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Belarus Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... // Overview After the collapse of the Soviet Union all former Soviet republics faced a deep economic crisis. ... A planned economy is an economic system in which economic decisions are made by centralized planners, who determine what sorts of goods and services to produce, and how they are to be priced and allocated. ...

Historically important branches of industry include textiles and wood processing.^[78] As of the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, Belarus was one of the world's most industrially developed states by percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) as well as the richest CIS state.^[79] Economically, Belarus involved itself in the CIS, Eurasian Economic Community, and Union with Russia. During the 1990s, however, industrial production plunged because of decreases in imported inputs, in investment, and in demand for exports from traditional trading partners.^[80] It took until 1996 for the gross domestic product to rise;^[81] this coincided with the government putting more emphasis on using the GDP for social welfare and state subsidies.^[81] The GDP for 2006 was US$83.1 billion in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars (estimate), or about $8,100 per capita.^[76] In 2005, the gross domestic product increased by about 9.9%, with the inflation rate averaging about 9.5%.^[76] GDP redirects here. ... Flag of EurAsEC The Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC or EAEC) was put into motion on 10 October 2000 when Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan signed the treaty. ... Map of the Union of Russia and Belarus. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ...

Belarus's largest trading partner is Russia, accounting for nearly half of total trade in 2006.^[82] As of 2006, the European Union was Belarus's next largest trading partner, with which nearly a third of trade was conducted.^[83]^[82] Because of its failure to protect labor rights, however, Belarus lost its E.U. Generalized System of Preferences status on June 21, 2007, which raised tariff rates to their prior most-favored nation levels.^[83] Belarus has applied to become a member of the World Trade Organization since 1993.^[84] The Generalized System of Preferences, or GSP, is a formal system of exemption from the more general rules of the World Trade Organization, WTO, (formerly, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or GATT). ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Most favoured nation (or most favored nation, MFN) is a term used in international trade. ... WTO redirects here. ...

The labor force consists of more than four million people, among whom women hold slightly more jobs than men.^[85] In 2005, nearly a quarter of the population was employed in industrial factories.^[85] Employment is also high in agriculture, manufacturing sales, trading goods, and education. The unemployment rate, according to Belarusian government statistics, was about 1.5% in 2005.^[85] The number of unemployed persons totaled 679,000 of whom about two-thirds are women.^[85] The rate of unemployment has been decreasing since 2003, and the overall rate has been lower since statistics were first compiled in 1995.^[85]

The currency of Belarus is the Belarusian ruble (BYR). The currency was introduced in May 1992, replacing the Soviet ruble. The ruble was reintroduced with new values in 2000 and has been in use ever since.^[86] As part of the Union of Russia and Belarus, both states have discussed using a single currency along the same lines as the Euro. This has led to the proposal that the Belarusian ruble be discontinued in favor of the Russian ruble (RUB), starting as early as 1 January 2008. As of August 2007, the National Bank of Belarus is no longer pegging the Belarusian ruble to the Russian ruble.^[87] The banking system of Belarus is composed of 30 state-owned banks and one privatized bank.^[88] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x589, 751 KB) I scanned this image. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x589, 751 KB) I scanned this image. ... Belarusian ruble (ISO-code BYR, before 2000 - BYB) is the official currency of Belarus. ... Belarusian ruble (ISO-code BYR, before 2000 - BYB) is the official currency of Belarus. ... ISO 4217 Code SUR User(s) Soviet Union Subunit 1/100 kopek (ÐºÐ¾Ð¿ÐµÐ¹ÐºÐ°) Symbol Ñ€ÑƒÐ± kopek (ÐºÐ¾Ð¿ÐµÐ¹ÐºÐ°) Ðº Plural rublya (gen. ... Map of the Union of Russia and Belarus. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... ISO 4217 Code RUB User(s) Russia and self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia Inflation 7% Source Rosstat, 2007 Subunit 1/100 kopek (ÐºÐ¾Ð¿ÐµÐ¹ÐºÐ°) Symbol Ñ€ÑƒÐ± kopek (ÐºÐ¾Ð¿ÐµÐ¹ÐºÐ°) Ðº Plural The language(s) of this currency is of the Slavic languages. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ) is the central bank of Belarus, located in the capital city, Minsk. ...

Demographics

Ethnic Belarusians constitute 81.2% of Belarus's total population.^[89] The next largest ethnic groups are Russians (11.4%), Poles (3.9%), and Ukrainians (2.4%).^[89] Belarus's two official languages are Belarusian and Russian,^[90] spoken at home by 36.7% and 62.8% of Belarusians, respectively.^[91] Minorities also speak Polish, Ukrainian and Eastern Yiddish.^[92] Population: 10,322,151 (July 2003 est. ... You may also be looking for the plural of the word pole. ... // Yiddish has two main branches: Western and Eastern. ...

Belarus has a population density of about 50 people per square kilometre (127 per sq mi); 71.7% of its total population is concentrated in urban areas.^[89] Minsk, the nation's capital and largest city, is home to 1,741,400 of Belarus's 9,724,700 residents.^[89] Gomel, with 481,000 people, is the second largest city and serves as the capital of the Homel Oblast. Other large cities are Mogilev (365,100), Vitebsk (342,400), Hrodna (314,800) and Brest (298,300).^[93] Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Government - Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Area - City 305. ... Homel (Belarusian and Russian: Ð“Ð¾Ð¼ÐµÐ»ÑŒ, GomeÄ¾; Yiddish: , Homl), also known as Gomel, is the second-largest city of Belarus and the main city of Homel Province. ... Mogilev, or Mahilyow (Belarusian: ; Russian: , translit. ... Location of Vitebsk, shown within the Vitebsk Voblast Coordinates: , Country Subdivision Founded 974 Government - Mayor Population (2004) - Total 342,381 Time zone EET (UTC+2) - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) Area code(s) +375-15 License plate 2 Website: [2]] Vitebsk, also known as Vitsyebsk (Belarusian: Ð’Ñ–ÌÑ†ÐµÐ±ÑÐº, IPA: ; Yiddish: ×°×™×˜×¢×‘×¡×§; Polish: Witebsk... Hrodna City emblem Hrodna (Belarusian: ; Russian: ; Polish: ; Lithuanian: ; Yiddish: Grodne; German: ) is a city in Belarus. ... Brest (Belarusian: , Russian: , Polish: ; Alternative names), formerly Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk, is a city (population 290,000 in 2004) in Belarus close to the Polish border where the Western Bug and Mukhavets Rivers meet. ...

Like many other European countries, Belarus has a negative population growth rate and a negative natural growth rate. In 2007, Belarus's population declined by 0.41% and its fertility rate was 1.22,^[89] well below the replacement rate. Its net migration rate is +0.38 per 1,000, indicating that Belarus experiences slightly more immigration than emigration.^[89] Its population is also aging. As of 2007, 69.7% of Belarus's population is aged 14 to 64; 16% is under 14, and 14.6% is 65 or older; the median age 37.^[89] In 2050, however, it is estimated that Belarusians' median age will be 51.^[94] There are about 0.88 males per female in Belarus.^[89] The average life expectancy is 68.7 years (63.0 years for males and 74.9 years for females).^[89] Over 99% of Belarusians are literate.^[89]^[95] The (total) fertility rate of a population is the average number of child births per woman. ... Sub-replacement fertility is a fertility rate that is not high enough to replace an areas population. ... A memorial statue in Hanko, Finland, commemorating the thousands of emigrants who left the country to start a new life in the United States Emigration is the act and the phenomenon of leaving ones native country or region to settle in another. ...

Belarus has historically been a Russian Orthodox country, with minorities practicing Catholicism, Judaism, and other religions. Belarusians converted to the Russian Orthodox Church after Belarus was annexed by Russia after the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Belarus's Roman Catholic minority, which makes up perhaps 10% of the country's population and is concentrated in the western part of the country, especially around Hrodna, is made up of a mixture of Belarusians and the country's Polish and Lithuanian minorities. About 1% belong to the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church.^[96] Belarus was a major center of the European Jewish population, with 10% being Jewish. The population of Jews were reduced by war, starvation, and the Holocaust to a tiny minority of about 1% or less. Emigration from Belarus is a cause for the shrinking number of Jewish residents.^[97] According to Article 16 of the Constitution, Belarus has no official religion. While the freedom of worship is granted in the same article, religious organizations that are deemed harmful to the government or social order of the country can be prohibited.^[98] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (2288 Ã— 1712 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (2288 Ã— 1712 pixel, file size: 1. ... Polatsk (Belarusian: По́лацак, По́лацк; Polish: Połock, also spelt as Polacak; Russian: По́лоцк, also transliterated as Polotsk, Polotzk, Polock) is the most historic city in Belarus, situated on the Dvina river. ... The Russian Orthodox Church (Русская Православная церковь) is that body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... As a Christian ecclesiastical term, Catholicâ€”from the Greek adjective , meaning general or universal[1]â€”is described in the Oxford English Dictionary as follows: ~Church, (originally) whole body of Christians; ~, belonging to or in accord with (a) this, (b) the church before separation into Greek or Eastern and Latin or... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Hrodna City emblem Hrodna (Belarusian: ; Russian: ; Polish: ; Lithuanian: ; Yiddish: Grodne; German: ) is a city in Belarus. ... You may also be looking for the plural of the word pole. ... The Belarusian Greek Catholic Church (Belaruskaya Hreka-Katalickaya Carkva, BHKC), sometimes called, in reference to its Byzantine Rite, the Belarusian Byzantine Catholic Church, is the heir within Belarus of the Union of Brest. ... For other uses, see Holocaust (disambiguation) and Shoah (disambiguation). ... Freedom of worship and freedom of religion have two totally different meanings. ...

Culture

Belarusian literature began with 11th- to 13th century religious writing; the 12th century poetry of Cyril of Turaw is representative.^[99] By the 16th century, Polotsk resident Francysk Skaryna translated the Bible into Belarusian. It was published in Prague and Vilnius between 1517 and 1525, making it the first book printed in Belarus or anywhere in Eastern Europe.^[100] The modern period of Belarusian literature began in the late-19th century; one important writer was Yanka Kupala. Many notable Belarusian writers of the time, such as Uładzimir Žyłka, Kazimir Svayak, Yakub Kolas, Źmitrok Biadula and Maksim Haretski, wrote for a Belarusian language paper called Nasha Niva, published in Vilnius. After Belarus was incorporated into the Soviet Union, the Soviet government took control of the Republic's cultural affairs. The free development of literature occurred only in Polish-held territory until Soviet occupation in 1939.^[100] Several poets and authors went into exile after the Nazi occupation of Belarus, not to return until the 1960s.^[100] The last major revival of Belarusian literature occurred in the 1960s with novels published by Vasil Bykaŭ and Uładzimir Karatkievič. // Dress Children dressed in the traditional outfits of Belarus Traditional Belarusian dress originated from the time of Kievian Rus, and continues to be worn today at special functions. ... Cyril of Turaŭ (1130 - 1182) (Belarusian: Кіры́ла Ту́раўскі, Kiryla Turaŭski) was an Orthodox Christian bishop and saint in the Orthodox Church. ... Polatsk (Belarusian: По́лацак, По́лацк; Polish: Połock, also spelt as Polacak; Russian: По́лоцк, also transliterated as Polotsk, Polotzk, Polock) is the most historic city in Belarus, situated on the Dvina river. ... FranciÅ¡ak Skaryna (or Skoryna; the first name also spelled as Francis, Franciszak, Frantsiszak, Francisk, Frantzisk, Francysk; Belarusian: ) was a Belarusian famous for being the printer of the first book in an Eastern Slavic language. ... For other uses, see Prague (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with Vilnius city municipality. ... Yanka Kupała (Янка Купала) (July 7, 1882 - June 28, 1942)penname Ivan Dominikovich Lucevich was a famous Belarussian poet. ... UÅ‚adzimir Å½yÅ‚ka (Belarusian: ; b. ... Yakub Kolas (Якуб Колас, 1882–1956), real name Kanstantsin Mikhailavich Mitskevich (Міцке́віч Канстанці́н Міха́йлавіч) was a Belarussian writer, Peoples Poet of the Byelorussian SSR (1926), and member (1928) and vice-president (from 1929) of the Belarussian Academy of Sciences. ... Shmuel Yefimovich Plavnik (SamuiÅ‚ Jefimowicz PÅ‚aÅnik, Belarusian: ; April 23, 1886 - November 3, 1941), better known by the pen name Å¹mitrok Biadula, was a famous Jewish Belarusian poet, prose writer, cultural worker, and political activist in the Belarusian independence movement. ... NaÅ¡a Niva (ÐÐ°ÑˆÐ° ÐÑ–Ð²Ð°, Nasha Niva) is one of the oldest Belarusian weekly newspaper founded in 1906 and re-established in 1991. ... Vasil BykaÅ in Romania, 1944 Vasil Uladzimiravich BykaÅ (Belarusian: ; Russian: ) (June 19, 1924 - June 22, 2003) a prolific author of novels and novellas about World War II, is a monumental figure in Belarusian literature and civic thought. ... UÅ‚adzimir KaratkieviÄ also Uladzimir Karatkevich, Vladimir Korotkevich (Belarusian: , Russian: ) (November 26, 1930 - July 25, 1984) was a Belarusian romantic writer. ...

In the 17th century, Polish composer Stanislaw Moniuszko composed operas and chamber music pieces while living in Minsk. During his stay, he worked with Belarusian poet Vincent Dunin-Marcinkevich and created the opera Sielanka (Peasant Woman). At the end of the 19th century, major Belarusian cities formed their own opera and ballet companies. The ballet Nightingale by M. Kroshner was composed during the Soviet era and became the first Belarusian ballet showcased at the National Academic Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Minsk.^[101] After the Great Patriotic War, music focused on the hardships of the Belarusian people or on those who took up arms in defense of the homeland. During this period, A. Bogatyryov, creator of the opera In Polesye Virgin Forest, served as the "tutor" of Belarusian composers.^[102] The National Academic Theatre of Ballet, in Minsk, was awarded the Benois de la Dance Prize in 1996 as the top ballet company in the world.^[102] Although rock music has risen in popularity in recent years, the Belarusian government has suppressed the development of popular music through various legal and economic mechanisms.^[103] Since 2004, Belarus has been sending artists to the Eurovision Song Contest.^[104] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 883 KB) Own work. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 883 KB) Own work. ... Babka Babka (Ð±Ð°Ð±ÐºÐ°), also known as baba (Ð±Ð°Ð±Ð°), is a sweet spongy yeast cake that is traditionally baked for Easter Sunday. ... Stanisław Moniuszko Stanisław Moniuszko (b. ... Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich (Belarusian: ; Polish: ; c. ... 2005 memorial, Moscow Kremlin The term Great Patriotic War (Russian: , Velikaya Otechestvennaya Voyna[1]) is the term used in Russia and some other states of the former Soviet Union to describe the war of 1941 to 1945 between Nazi Germany and its Axis allies and the Soviet Union. ... The Benois de la Danse is a ballet competition founded by the International Dance Association in Moscow in 1991. ... Eurovision redirects here. ...

The Belarusian government sponsors annual cultural festivals such as the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, which showcases Belarusian performers, artists, writers, musicians, and actors. Several state holidays, such as Independence Day and Victory Day, draw big crowds and often include displays such as fireworks and military parades, especially in Vitebsk and Minsk.^[105] The government's Ministry of Culture finances events promoting Belarusian arts and culture both inside and outside the country. The International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk (Russian: ) is an annual festival held in Vitebsk, Belarus under the auspices of Alla Pugacheva since 1992. ... For other uses, see Independence Day (disambiguation). ... May 9, Soviet poster based on the famous photo of the Soviet flag being raised over the Reichstag in 1945. ...

The traditional Belarusian dress originates from the Kievan Rus' period. Because of the cool climate, clothes, usually composed of flax or wool, were designed to keep the body warm. They were decorated with ornate patterns influenced by the neighboring cultures: Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians, Russians, and other European nations. Each region of Belarus has developed specific design patterns.^[106] An ornamental pattern used on some early dresses is currently used to decorate the hoist of the Belarusian national flag, adopted in a disputed referendum in 1995.^[107] Image File history File links Belarus_dress. ... Image File history File links Belarus_dress. ... Trydent of Yaroslav I Map of the Kievan Rusâ€², 11th century Capital Kiev Religion Orthodox Christianity Government Monarchy Historical era Middle Ages - Established 9th century - Disestablished 12th century Currency Hryvnia Kievan Rusâ€² was the early, predominantly East Slavic[1] medieval state of Rurikid dynasty dominated by the city of Kiev... For other uses, see Flax (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wool (disambiguation). ... The current national flag of Belarus was formally changed on June 7, 1995, following the result of a referendum voted on by the Belarusian people in the previous month. ... The May 14, 1995 Belarus Referendum required the population of Belarus to vote on four issues: The state status of the Russian language Economic integration with Russia The introduction of new national symbols The Presidents right to dismiss the Parliament, if the latter violates the Constitution The first three...

Belarusian cuisine consists mainly of vegetables, meat (especially pork), and breads. Foods are usually either slowly cooked or stewed. A typical Belarusian eats a very light breakfast and two hearty meals, with dinner being the largest meal of the day. Wheat and rye breads are consumed in Belarus, but rye is more plentiful because conditions are too harsh for growing wheat. To show hospitality, a host presents an offering of bread and salt when greeting a guest or visitor.^[108] Popular drinks in Belarus include Russian wheat vodka and kvass, a soft drink made from malted brown bread or rye flour. Kvass may also be combined with sliced vegetables to create a cold soup called okroshka.^[109] Although Belarusian cuisine derives from the same common sources as those of its neighbours - Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Poles, and in later times Russians - it is sometimes considered as somewhat less rich and impressive than those of its imposing neighbours. ... A glass of mint kvass. ...

Belarus has four World Heritage Sites: the Mir Castle Complex, the Niasvizh Castle, the Belovezhskaya Pushcha (shared with Poland), and the Struve Geodetic Arc (shared with nine other countries).^[110] Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... The Mirsky Castle Complex (Belarusian: ÐœÑ–ÌÑ€ÑÐºÑ– Ð·Ð°ÌÐ¼Ð°Ðº), is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Belarus located near Mir in the Karelichy District of the Hrodna voblast, at , 29 km to the north-west from another World Heritage site, Nesvizh Castle. ... Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh is the official name for UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the Radziwill family estate in Niasvizh, Belarus. ... Białowieża Primaeval Forest, known as Belavezhskaya Pushcha (Белавеская пушча) in Belarus and Puszcza Białowieska in Poland, is an ancient virginal forest straddling the border between Belarus and Poland, located 70 km north of Brest. ... Type Cultural Criteria ii, iv, vi Reference 1187 Regionâ€ Inscription History Inscription 2005 (29th Session) The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through ten countries and over 2,820 km. ...

The largest media holding group in Belarus is the state-owned National State Teleradiocompany. It operates several television stations and radio stations that broadcast content domestically and internationally, either through frequency signals or the Internet.^[111] The Television Broadcasting Network is one of the major independent television stations in Belarus, mostly showing regional programming. Several newspapers, printed either in Belarusian or Russian, provide general information or special interest content, such as business, politics or sports. In 1998, there were fewer than 100 total radio stations in Belarus: 28 AM, 37 FM and 11 shortwave stations.^[112] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The National State TV and Radio Company (TVR) is the state television and radio broadcasting service in the Eastern European nation of Belarus. ... AM broadcasting is radio broadcasting using Amplitude Modulation. ... FM broadcasting is a broadcast technology invented by Edwin Howard Armstrong that uses frequency modulation (FM) to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. ...

All media companies are regulated by the Law On Press and Other Mass Media, passed on January 13, 1995.^[113] This grants the freedom of press; however, Article 5 states that slander cannot be made against the president of Belarus or other officials outlined in the national constitution.^[113] The Belarusian Government has since been criticized for acting against media outlets. Newspapers such as Nasa Niva and the Belaruskaya Delovaya Gazeta have been targeted for closure by the authorities after they published reports critical of President Lukashenko or other government officials.^[114]^[115] The OSCE and Freedom House have commented regarding the loss of press freedom in Belarus. In 2005, Freedom House gave Belarus the score of 6.75 (not free) when it came to dealing with press freedom. Another issue for the Belarusian press is the unresolved disappearance of several journalists.^[116]
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Zhodzina (Belarusian: , Russian: ) - is a city in Belarus, located in the Minsk voblast, 50 km to east from Minsk. ... is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... NaÅ¡a Niva (ÐÐ°ÑˆÐ° ÐÑ–Ð²Ð°, Nasha Niva, lit. ... Freedom House is a United States-based international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights. ...

See also

Image File history File links Flag_of_Belarus. ... This is a list of topics related to Belarus. ... This article describes the history of Belarus. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ... Coat of arms Motto Si Deus Nobiscum quis contra nos (Latin: If God is with us, then who is against us) Pro Fide, Lege et Rege (Latin: For Faith, Law and King, since 18th century) Polishâ€“Lithuanian Commonwealth at its greatest extent (ca. ... National motto: None Official language Belarusian Capital Minsk, Currently in Exile Chairperson of the Rada Ivonka Survilla Independence - Declared - Forced into Exile Treaty of Brest-Litovsk March 25, 1918 January 5, 1919 The Belarusian National Republic (Belarusian: Белару́ская Наро́дная Рэспу́бліка, also translated as Belarusian Peoples Republic, Belarusian Democratic Republic... V. Mickevicius- Kapsukas Lithuanian-Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (LBSSR, Litbel) existed within the territories of modern Belarus and Lithuania for a brief period during 1919, before the area was annexed to Poland. ... language None. ... At the higher administrative level, Belarus is divided into 6 voblasts. ... There are two Biosphere Reserves in Belarus (1) Berezinskiy (1978) and (2) Belovezhskaya Pushcha (1993) that are recognized as Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. Categories: Geography of Belarus ... This table lists the most notable cities and towns of Belarus. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Under an arrangement with the former USSR, Belarus (known as Byelorussian SSR) was an original member of the United Nations. ... The turbulent history of Belarus, as well as its close relationship with Russia, have played a large role in its military structure and deployment. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues with the aim to participate in power, usually by participating in elections. ... Elections in Belarus gives information on election and election results in Belarus. ... Map of the Union of Russia and Belarus. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Telephones - main lines in use: 2. ... // Dress Children dressed in the traditional outfits of Belarus Traditional Belarusian dress originated from the time of Kievian Rus, and continues to be worn today at special functions. ... 20th century artists who were born and lived in Belarus: Marc Chagall Mai Dantsig Pavel Kastusik Michel Kikoine Pinchus Kremegne Chaim Livshits Kazimir Malevich Mikhail Savitsky Chaim Soutine Sergey Voychenko Ossip Zadkine Categories: | ... List of Belarusians is the list of people related to Republic of Belarus in some way or another. ... Kalvaryja (be: Кальварыя) is a Catholic Calvary cemetery in Minsk, Belarus which contains a small Catholic chapel, currently used for general worship. ... The Belarusian or Belorussian language (Ð±ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð²Ð°, BGN/PCGN: byelaruskaya mova, Scientific: bjelaruskaja mova) is the language of the Belarusian people and is spoken in Belarus and abroad, chiefly in Russia, Ukraine, Poland. ... Belarusian media, since the days when Belarus gained its independence, comprise state-owned and private newspapers and magazines, and state-owned radio and television. ... Belarus is an Eastern European country which has a rich tradition of unique folk and religious music. ... Flag of Belarus (Since 1995) Belarus (IOC country code:BLR) began their Olympic participation at the 1952 Summer Olympics, which were held in Helsinki, Finland. ... Public holidays in Belarus Categories: Public holidays by country | Belarus ... This is a list of topics related to Belarus. ... Awards and decorations of Belarus are governed by the Law of the Republic of Belarus on State Awards of May 18, 2004. ... In recent years, the government of Belarus has been accused of serious human rights violations, the most recent of these being the harassment of an organisation which represents ethnic Poles in the region. ... Upon the independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union, the country resurrected national symbols that were used before the Soviet-era. ... The Scout movement in Belarus consists of an unknown number of independent organizations. ... Action banner A Day of Solidarity with Belarus is an action proposed by a Belarusian journalist Iryna Khalip, supported by the civic initiative We Remember and the Zubr movement. ...

References

^ The Ministry of Statistics and Analysis of the Republic of Belarus
^ UN Statistics Division (2007-08-28). Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49). United Nations Organization. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
^ ^a ^b Axell, Albert (2002). Russia's Heroes, 1941–45. Carroll & Graf Publishers, 247. ISBN 078671011X.
^ About Belarus - Population. United Nations Office in Belarus (2003). Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Bielawa, Matthew (2002). An Understanding of the Terms 'Ruthenia' and 'Ruthenians. Genealogy of Halychyna/Eastern Galicia. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
^ ^a ^b Alies, Bely (2000). The chronicle of the White Russia: an essay on the history of one geographical name. Minsk, Belarus: Encyclopedix. ISBN 985-6599-12-1.
^ Law of the Republic of Belarus - About the name of the Republic of Belarus (Russian). Pravo - Law of the Republic of Belarus (1991-09-19). Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
^ Katkouski, Uladzimir (2003-02-03). Belarus: Belarusian and Belarusan the correct adjective forms. Pravapis.org. Retrieved on 2006-03-08.
^ Belarus - Government. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency (2007-12-13). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ ^a ^b Rambaud, Alfred; Edgar Saltus (1902). Russia. P. F. Collier & Son, 46–48.
^ Treuttel; Various (1841). The Foreign Quarterly Review. New York, New York: Jemia Mason, 38.
^ Plokhy, Serhii (2006). The Origins of the Slavic Nations. Cambridge University Press, 94–95. ISBN 0521864038.
^ Robinson, Charles Henry (1917). The Conversion of Europe. Longmans, Green, 491–492.
^ Zaprudnik, Jan (1993). Belarus: At a Crossroads in History. Westview Press, 27. ISBN 0813317940.
^ Lerski, George Jan; Aleksander Gieysztor (1996). Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966–1945. Greenwood Press, 181–182. ISBN 0313260079.
^ Edited by Michael Jones; Albert Rigaudière, Jeremy Catto, S. C. Rowell and others (2005). The New Cambridge Medieval History (Vol.6). Cambridge University Press, p.710. ISBN 0521362903.
^ Nowak, Andrzej (1997-01-01). The Russo-Polish Historical Confrontation. Sarmatian Review XVII. Rice University. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Scheuch, E. K.; David Sciulli (2000). Societies, Corporations and the Nation State. BRILL, 187. ISBN 9004116648.
^ Birgerson, Susanne Michele (2002). After the Breakup of a Multi-Ethnic Empire. Praeger/Greenwood, 101. ISBN 0275969657.
^ Olson, James Stuart; Lee Brigance Pappas, Nicholas C. J. Pappas (1994). Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires. Greenwood Press, 95. ISBN 0313274975.
^ ^a ^b ^c (Birgerson 2002:105–106)
^ ^a ^b (Olson 1994:95)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Fedor, Helen (1995). Belarus - Stalin and Russification. Belarus: A Country Study. Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ Belarus History and Culture. iExplore.com. Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ ^a ^b Fedor, Helen (1995). Belarus- Perestroika. Belarus: A Country Study. Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
^ {Birgerson 2002:99)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Fedor, Helen (1995). Belarus - Prelude to Independence. Belarus: A Country Study. Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ World Factbook: Belarus (TXT). Central Intelligence Agency (1994-10-20). Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
^ ^a ^b Section IV:The President, Parliament, Government, the Courts. Constitution of Belarus. Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus (2004). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ OSCE Report on the October 2004 parliamentary elections (PDF). Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (December 2004). Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
^ Belarus rally marred by arrests. BBC News (2 March 2006). Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ Profile: Alexander Lukashenko. BBC News (20 March 2006). Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ Mulvey, Stephen. "Profile: Europe's last dictator?", BBC News, British Broadcasting Corporation, 2001-09-10. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
^ Belarus suspended from the Council of Europe. Press Service of the Council of Europe (January 17 1997). Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ Essential Background - Belarus. Human Rights Watch (2005). Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ Human rights by country - Belarus. Amnesty International Report 2007. Amnesty International (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Capital Punishment in Belarus and Changes of Belarus Criminal Legislation related thereto. Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Opening Statement by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (PDF) (January 18, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ At-a-glance: 'Outposts of tyranny'. BBC News (19 January 2005). Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d United States Government (2007). Background Note: Belarus. United States State Department. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
^ "Russia-Belarus Union Presidency Dismissed", The Moscow Times, 2007-12-10. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
^ Radio Free Europe (2006). CIS: Foreign Ministers, Heads Of State Gather In Minsk For Summit. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
^ EU imposes Belarus travel ban. BBC News. BBC (2002-11-19). Retrieved on 2007-12-03.)
^ ^a ^b Foreign Policy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ U.S. Government Assistance FY 97 Annual Report. United States Embassy in Minsk, Belarus (1998). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ "Belarus Democracy Act Will Help Cause of Freedom, Bush Says", USINO, United States State Department, 2007-10-22. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Relations between Belarus and the United States of America. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Pan, Letian. "China, Belarus agree to upgrade economic ties", Xinhua News Agency, 2005-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ "Syria and Belarus agree to promote trade", BBC News, British Broadcasting Corporation, 1998-03-13. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ "Belarus-Syria report subsantial progress in trade and economic relations", Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus, 2007-08-31. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RB (2007). Membership of the Republic of Belarus in International Organizations. Retrieved on 2007-11-04.
^ Growth in United Nations membership, 1945-present. Department of Public Information. United Nations Organization (2006-07-03). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ High-ranking Military Officials of the Republic of Belarus. Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Section IV:The President, Parliament, Government, the Courts. Constitution of Belarus. Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus (2004). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ History (Russian). Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Routledge, IISS Military Balance 2007, p.158–159
^ Bykovsky, Pavel; Alexander Vasilevich (2001–05). Military Development and the Armed Forces of Belarus. Moscow Defense Brief. Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
^ Belarus - Military. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency (2005). Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
^ Belarus and NATO. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (2002). Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
^ ^a ^b Section I: Principles of the Constitutional System. Constitution of Belarus. Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus (2004). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Section V: Local government and self-government. Constitution of Belarus. Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus (2004). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Carvalho, Fernando Duarte; North Atlantic Treaty Organization (2004). Defence Related SME's: Analysis and Description of Current Conditions. IOS Press, 32. ISBN 1586034081.
^ About Minsk. Minsk City Executive Committee. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Belarus - Geography. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency (2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
^ ^a ^b Bell, Imogen (2002). Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2003. Taylor & Francis, 132. ISBN 1857431375.
^ (Zaprudnik, xix)
^ ^a ^b Fedor, Helen (1995). Belarus - Climate. Belarus: A Country Study. Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Rainsford, Sarah (April 26 2005). Belarus cursed by Chernobyl. BBC News. Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ The United Nations and Chernobyl - The Republic of Belarus. United Nations (2004). Retrieved on 2007-10-04.
^ Smith, Marilyn. "Ecological reservation in Belarus fosters new approaches to soil remediation", International Atomic Energy Agency. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
^ State Border - Delimitation History. State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ Lithuania's Cooperation with Belarus. Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
^ Ministry of Statistics and Analysis of the Republic of Belarus (2006). Labour. Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
^ Dr. Kaare Dahl Martinsen (2002). The Russian-Belarusian Union and the Near Abroad (PDF). Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. NATO. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
^ "Russia may cut oil supplies to ally Belarus - Putin", Reuters, 2006-10-25. Retrieved on 2007-10-08.
^ ^a ^b ^c The World Factbook - Belarus - Economy. Central Intelligence Agency (2006). Retrieved on 2007-10-08.
^ Library of Congress (1994). Belarus - Exports. Country Studies. Retrieved on 2007-11-04.
^ Economic and Investment Review (pdf). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
^ World Bank. "Belarus: Prices, Markets, and Enterprise Reform," pp. 1. World Bank, 1997. ISBN 0821339761
^ Belarus - Industry. Country Studies. Library of Congress (1995). Retrieved on 2007-10-08.
^ ^a ^b World Bank (2006). Belarus - Country Brief 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-09.
^ ^a ^b Council of Ministers Foreign trade in goods and services in Belarus up by 11.5% in January-October. Published 2006. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
^ ^a ^b European Union The EU's Relationship With Belarus - Trade (PDF). Published November 2006. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
^ World Trade Organization Accessions - Belarus. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Ministry of Statistics and Analysis Labor Statistics in Belarus. Published 2005. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
^ National Bank of the Republic of Belarus History of the Belarusian Ruble. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
^ Pravda.ru Belarus abandons pegging its currency to Russian ruble. Published August 23, 2007. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
^ Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom - Belarus. Retrieved on March 18, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j CIA World Factbook (2007) - Belarus - People. Retrieved on 2007-11-07.
^ "Languages across Europe." BBC Education at bbc.co.uk. Accessed November 6, 2007.
^ Data of the 1999 Belarusian general census In English. Reviewed October 6, 2007.
^ Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/.
^ World Gazette Largest Cities of Belarus (2007). Published in 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
^ Population Pyramid Summary for Belarus. US Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ The literacy rate is defined as the percentage of people aged 15 and older who can read and write.
^ Library of Congress Country Studies Belarus - Religion. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
^ Minsk Jewish Campus Jewish Belarus. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
^ Webportal of the President of the Republic of Belarus Section One of the Constitution. Published 1994, amended in 1996. Retrieved June 6, 2007.
^ Old Belarusian Poetry. Virtual Guide to Belarus (1994). Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Belarus." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-33482>.
^ Zou, Crystal. "Ballets for Christmas", Shanghai Star, 2003-12-11. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
^ ^a ^b Virtual Guide to Belarus - Classical Music of Belarus. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
^ Freemuse Blacklisted bands play in Poland. Published on March 17, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
^ National State TeleradiocompanyPage on the 2004 Belarusian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. Published 2004. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
^ Belarusian National Culture. Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America. Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ Virtual Guide to Belarus Belarusian traditional clothing. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
^ Flags of the World Belarus - Ornament. Published November 26, 2006. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
^ Canadian Citizenship and Immigration - Cultures Profile Project - Eating the Belarusian Way. Published in 1998. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
^ University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Institute of Agriculture and National Resources. Situation and Outlook - People and Their Diets. Published in April 2000. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
^ Belarus - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved on 2006-03-26.
^ National State Teleradiocompany About us. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
^ CIA World Factbook (2007) - Belarus - Communications. Retrieved on 2007-10-04.
^ ^a ^b Law of the Republic of Belarus Law On Press and Other Mass Media. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
^ Eurozine Independent Belarusian newspaper "Nasha Niva" to close. Published April 19, 2006.
^ United States Department of States Media Freedom in Belarus. Press release by Philip T. Reeker. Published May 30, 2003.
^ Freedom House Country Report - Belarus. Published 2005. Reviewed October 6, 2007.

id="Further_reading"> Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 341st day of the year (342nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Factbook (ISSN 1553-8133; also known as the CIA World Factbook)[2] is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. ... CIA redirects here. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lovett Hall William Marsh Rice University (commonly called Rice University and opened in 1912 as The William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Letters, Science and Art) is a private, comprehensive research university located in Houston, Texas, United States, near the Museum District and adjacent to the Texas Medical... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Construction of the Thomas Jefferson Building, from July 8, 1888 to May 15, 1894. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Construction of the Thomas Jefferson Building, from July 8, 1888 to May 15, 1894. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Construction of the Thomas Jefferson Building, from July 8, 1888 to May 15, 1894. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amnesty international Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization which defines its mission as to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is an overview article about the Crown chartered British Broadcasting Corporation formed in 1927. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the United Nations, for other uses of UN see UN (disambiguation) Official languages English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic Secretary-General Kofi Annan (since 1997) Established October 24, 1945 Member states 191 Headquarters New York City, NY, USA Official site http://www. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is a British research institute (or think tank) in the area of international affairs. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus (Russian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ð¸Ð¸ Ð ÐµÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ, Belarusian: ÐšÐ°Ð½ÑÑ‚Ñ‹Ñ‚ÑƒÑ†Ñ‹Ñ Ð ÑÑÐ¿ÑƒÐ±Ð»Ñ–ÐºÑ– Ð‘ÐµÐ»Ð°Ñ€ÑƒÑÑŒ) is a formal document crated by the Government of Belarus to organize their government and to set up the rights and freedoms of their citizens. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Construction of the Thomas Jefferson Building, from July 8, 1888 to May 15, 1894. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... {| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The EncyclopÃ¦dia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by EncyclopÃ¦dia Britannica, Inc. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 109th day of the year (110th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Contents