The Basics
Country: Belarus
Where is it: Belarus is located in Eastern Europe, east of Poland.
Why do people go here: Although Belarus tends to be a stopover for those leaving or entering Lithuania/Poland/Russia/Ukraine, the country does provide a visitor with beautiful nature in the Belavezhskaja Pushcha Nature Reserve and modern architecture in the post-WWII capital, Minsk.
What are the main entry points: Trains cross into the country at ten different places, all with the same destination: the capital Minsk.
Currency used: Belarusian ruble
Country Code for Phones: 375
Area codes for Major Cities: Minsk 172
Religion: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20%
Population: 10.3 million
Ethnic Breakdown: Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish, Ukrainian, and other 7.4%
Government: Presidential republic
Languages: Belarusian and Russian
Travel Information
Major Cities: Minsk
Attractions: Belavezhskaja Pushcha Nature Reserve, Hrodna, Minsk
Accommodation: Belarus Hotels
Tourism Office locations and links: Belarus Tourism Office
Off-the-Beaten-Path: church of Brest, Monuments, Sozh River
Health Issues: No vaccines are required to enter Belarus
Tips for Visiting
When to go: Although you’ll never have a problem with tourists, spring is the best time to go, due to the weather.
Common Phrases: Welcome= Bitaem, Hello=Vitayu, How are you?=Jak spravy?, Pleased to meet you= Pryiemna paznajomicca, Good morning=Dobray ranitsy, Good evening=Dobry vechar, Good night=Dabranach
Specific Events/Holidays: Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note – 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Getting Around: Trains are your best bet as buses can be a hassle and a half due to overcrowding and difficulty securing a ticket.
Good to know: About 40% of the country is forested and its strongest economic parts are manufacturing and agriculture.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Belarus is the Minsk International Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Belarus travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
