Belarus
Belarus is located in east-central Europe. The country shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The extensive forests located in Belarus mean it has great potential as an ecotourist location.
Quick Facts
Population: 9.528 million
Ethnic Groups: Belarusian (83.7%), Russian (8.3%), Polish (3.1%), Ukrainian (1.7%), Other (2.4%), Unspecified (0.9%)
Languages: Russian (Official) (70.2%), Belarusian (Official) (23.4%), Other (3.1%), Unspecified (3.3%)
Religions: Orthodox (48.3%), Catholic (7.1%), Other (3.5%), Non-believers (41.1%)
Capital: Minsk
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 29, 2019
Useful Links
Much of the political leadership continues holding on to the Communist Past, so market reform and privatization are moving very slowly. Although religious freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, there is very little of it in practice. A law passed in 2002 makes registration of religious congregations mandatory. Registration is a long and expensive process — and on occasion it is impossible. The Belarus Orthodox Church has a privileged status, and religious minorities (especially Protestants and Jews) suffer from discrimination.
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- Central Intelligence Agency. (2019, December 17). The World Factbook: Belarus. Retrieved December 29, 2019, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belarus/
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- Mandryk, J. (2010). Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th ed.). Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing.
- Statistics Canada. (2017, October 25). Data Tables, 2016 Census – Ethnic Origin (279), Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3), Generation Status (4), Age (12) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2016 Census – 25% Sample Data. Retrieved December 14, 2017, from http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/olc-cel/olc.action?objId=98-400-X2016187&objType=46&lang=en&limit=0