BELARUS

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

ECONOMY

• Belarusian economy remains state controlled and has been described as soviet-style.
• Textiles and wood processing have constituted a large part of industrial activity.
• Belarus involved itself in the CIS, Eurasian economy community, and union with Russia.
• In the 1900s, industrial production plunged due to decreases in imports, investment.
• The banking system of Belarus consists of thirty state-owned banks and one privatized bank.

GOVERNMENT

• Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by a president and the National Assembly.
• The term for each presidency is five years.
• The government includes a council of Ministers.
• Also headed by the prime minister and five deputy prime ministers.
• The Belarusian constitution forbids the use of special extrajudicial courts.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

• Northern Belarus has a picturesque, hilly landscape with many lakes.
• Gently sloping ridges created by glacial debris.
• Soil pollution from pesticide use.
• Because of the proximity of the Baltic Sea.
• The country has temperature continental climate.

Tourism
Serving as both the capital of Belarus and the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Minsk is a hub of business and government. Although few older buildings survived WWII bombings and Stalinist construction projects, Belarusians are proud of their capital's long history and it's continued cultural importance. The city boasts 16 museums, 11 theaters, and 139 libraries, including the National Library of Belarus, with collections housed in a towering glass geometric ball.

Minsk, the horad

BREST PROVINCE (BREST)

MINSK PROVINCE (MINSK)