Belarus

National Name:
Respublika Byelarus’

Government :
Republic.

Geography
Much of Belarus (formerly the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic of the USSR, and then Byelorussia) is a hilly lowland with forests, swamps, and numerous rivers and lakes. There are wide rivers, forests cover over one-third of the land and its peat marshes are a valuable natural resource. The largest lake is Narach, 79.6 sq km.

Historical Background
After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexander LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue. In September 2008, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka won all 110 seats in parliamentary elections

Capital

Minsk

Government

Presidential republic

Language

Byelorussia

Area

207,595 km2 (85th) 80,155 sq mi

Population

9,648,533[3] (86th)  2009 census 9,503,807 

Currency

Belarusian ruble (BYR)

GDP

2010 estimate Total $130.780 billion Per capita $13,864