Belarus

Area: 80,154 sq mi (207,600 sq km) / World Rank: 85 Location: Northern and Eastern Hemispheres, in Eastern Europe, east of Poland, west of Russia, south of Latvia and Lithuania, north of Ukraine Coordinates: 53°00′N, 28°00′E Borders: 1,925 mi (3,098 km) total / Latvia, 88 mi (141 km); Lithuania, 312 mi (502 km); Poland, 376 mi (605 km); Russia, 596 mi (959 km); Ukraine, 554 mi (891 km) Coastline: Landlocked country, Belarus has no coast- line Highest Point: Dzerzhinskaya Mountain, 1,135 ft (346 m) Lowest Point: Neman River, 295 ft (90 m) Longest Distances: 400 mi (640 km) SW-NE / 310 mi (490 km) N-S Longest River: Dnieper, 1,420 mi (2290 km) Largest Lake: Lake Naroch, 30 sq mi (80 sq km) Natural Hazards: None Population: 10,350,194 (July 2001 est.) / World Rank:74 Capital City: Minsk, located in the center of the country Largest City: Minsk, 1.7 million (2002 est.) OVERVIEW The Republic of Belarus is a landlocked country in east central Europe, about 161 mi (260 km) southeast of the Baltic Sea coastline. The topography is relatively flat (average elevation 100 ft / 162 m), and Belarus has no natural borders. The country features thousands of lakes, areas of marshland, and forests. Although its topography is chiefly flat-to-hilly, the country does have five distinct geographic regions. In the north is the Polotsk Lowland, an area of lakes, hills, and forests. The Neman Lowland in the northwest is similar. The lowlands are separated from each other and the rest of the country by the Belorussian Ridge and smaller uplands. Plains and grasslands lie in the east and central part of the country. The south is dominated by the Polesye Marshes, a vast swampy area that extends into Ukraine. The swampy plains of the south, the northern lakes, and the gently sloping ridges were all the work of glaciers. MOUNTAINS AND HILLS Although its terrain is generally level, the Belorussian Ridge, a region of highlands, runs across the center of the country from the southwest to the northeast. The highest elevation is Dzerzhinskaya Mountain (Dzyarzhynskaya Hara; 1135 ft / 346 m). INLAND WATERWAYS Lakes Belarus has over 4,000 lakes. Lakes Drisvyaty and Osveyskoye are near the northern border. The largest is Lake Naroch (Narach) covering 50 sq mi (80 sq km) in the northwest. Rivers The Dnieper is the longest river in Belarus at 1420 mi (2290 km). It is the third longest river in Europe; only the Volga and Danube are longer. After crossing the Russian border southwest of the Belorussian Ridge, the river bends south and flows across most of eastern Belarus, passing through the city of Mahilyow before entering Kiev. Main tributaries are the Berezina in the central region and the Pripyat in the south. THE COAST, ISLANDS, AND THE OCEAN Belarus is landlocked and has no coast. CLIMATE AND VEGETATION Tempe rature The Belarusian climate is considered transitional between continental and maritime. Cool temperatures and high humidity predominate, with helpful influence from the nearby Baltic Sea. In January the average temperature is 23°F (-5°C ); in July, 67°F (19°C ). Sometimes in the north, frosts of below -40°F (-40°C) have been recorded. Summer lasts up to 150 days, while winter ranges between 105 and 145 days. NATURAL RESOURCES Belarus’s major natural resources are its forests and peat deposits. The country also has small quantities of oil and natural gas. Manufacturing and commerce are the most important parts of the economy. ;

Belarus

Belarus free vector map

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Belarus