Buzz
Despite numerous wars, civil conflicts, and territorial divisions throughout its millennia-long history, Belarus continues to strive to preserve its rich cultural heritage. Various breathtaking attractions in Belarus astonish visitors with their majestic beauty. Unique cultural landmarks can be found in each of the country's six provinces. Sometimes, castles and special natural reserves, old family estates and churches, monasteries, and ethnographic villages can be discovered in the most unexpected corners of the Republic of Belarus. We introduce you to the most famous tourist attractions of the Republic of Belarus that every citizen and, if possible, even guests must visit.
The Naroch Territory, Memorial Area, National Park, Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace and Park Ensemble, Vetka Museum of Ancient Believers and Belarusian Traditions, Legendary Brest Fortress, Bialowieza Forest, Struve Arc, Marc Chagall House Museum, and Sophia Cathedral. Thus, tourism in Belarus can be just as vibrant as in European countries. And to have a time filled with comprehensive information and excitement, it's not necessary to go far outside the country. As they say, wonders are nearby.
6. Population
The majority of Belarus's population are native Belarusians, accounting for 81.2% of the total population of 10,293,011 people. Russians are the second-largest ethnic group, comprising 11.4% of the population. Poles and Ukrainians account for 3.9% and 2.4% of the population, respectively. The languages commonly used in Belarus are Russian and Belarusian, both of which are official languages of Belarus. The population density is about 50 people per square kilometer (127/square mile), with 71.7% of the total population living in urban areas. Among the urban population, 24% live in Minsk, the capital and largest city in the country. The total population of Minsk is approximately 1,741,400 people. Homel, with 481,000 people, is the second-largest city in Belarus and the capital of Homel Oblast. Other major cities include Mogilev (365,100), Vitebsk (342,400), Hrodna (314,800), and Brest (298,300).
The majority of the population, 69.7%, is between the ages of 14 and 64. Sixteen percent of the population is under 14 years old, while 14.6% are over 65 years old. The average age of the population is 37. The average life expectancy of Belarusians is 68.72 years; for men, it is 63.03 years, and for women, it is 74.96 years. The literacy rate in Belarus (the percentage of people aged 15 and older who can read and write) is 99%, with 99.8% for men and 99.3% for women. The male-to-female ratio in 2005 was estimated at 0.88. Most population indicators in Belarus are similar to those of European countries, notably the population growth rate and the natural population growth rate of the native population. The current population growth rate is -0.06% in 2005, with a birth rate of 1.43. The population is aging, and by 2050, the majority of the population will be over 50 years old. The migration rate is +2.3 per 1,000 Belarusians.
7. Economy
Belarus's economy remains largely state-controlled, akin to the Soviet era. Over half of the businesses are state-controlled, with foreign-owned companies accounting for less than 4%. The country has a relatively stable economy but heavily relies on raw material supplies, such as oil, from its neighboring ally, Russia. Both industry and agriculture are predominantly traditional. The majority of agriculture is collective farms, with key products being potatoes and livestock farming.
Industries of historical importance include textiles and wood processing. After 1965, new heavy industries emerged, and mechanical engineering (tractors, refrigerators, etc.) significantly boosted the country's development. Within the Soviet Union, Belarus was one of the most industrially advanced republics. Economically, Belarus is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Community, and maintains close ties with Russia.
Immediately after 1990, industrial production declined due to restructuring plans towards free-market orientation in the former Soviet Union. Economic growth resumed in 1996, and by 2001 Belarus was the first republic within the Commonwealth of Independent States to return to Soviet-era levels of industrial and agricultural production.
