The literal translation of Belarus
is “ White Russia,” after the ancient term “
Belaya Rus.” The “ white” may refer to the
beauty of the birch forests or to the snow that blankets the
earth every year. Another explanation is that in ancient times
the word “ white” meant free, in the sense of free
from conquering invaders.
Government Information
Chief
of State: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since
20 July 1994) Head of Government: Prime Minister
Sergei SIDORSKIY (since 19 December 2003) Government Type: republic in
name, although in fact a dictatorship
Population Demographics
Population:
10,293,011 (July 2006 est.) Languages: Belarusian, Russian,
other Religion: Eastern Orthodox 80%,
other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and
Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Life Expectancy: 69.08
Economic Information
Currency:
Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR) GDP(per capita): $6,900 (2005
est.) Overview: Belarus's economy
in 2005 posted 8% growth. The government has succeeded
in lowering inflation over the past several years. Trade
with Russia - by far its largest single trade partner
- decreased in 2005, largely as a result of a change
in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected.
Trade with European countries increased. Belarus has
seen little structural reform since 1995, when President
LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market
socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO
reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency
exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene
in the management of private enterprises. During 2005,
the government re-nationalized a number of private companies.
In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure
by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes
in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive
application of new business regulations, and arrests
of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners.
A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those
at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is
among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive
economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting
foreign investment, which remains low. Growth has been
strong in recent years, despite the roadblocks in a
tough, centrally directed economy with a high, but decreasing,
rate of inflation. Belarus continues to receive heavily
discounted oil and natural gas from Russia. Much of
Belarus' growth can be attributed to the re-export of
Russian oil at market prices.
Exports: machinery and equipment,
mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Import: mineral products, machinery
and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals
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Geography
Information
Location:
Eastern Europe, east of Poland Area: total: 207,600 sq km
land: 207,600 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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
than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus
and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8
December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic
integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework
to carry out the accord, serious implementation has
yet to take place. 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.
Independence Day: 25 August
1991 (from Soviet Union)
Capital City: Minsk Administrative divisions: 6
provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality*
(horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow,
Minsk, Vitsyebsk note: administrative divisions have
the same names as their administrative centers
