Belarus Travel Guide

Previously known by the name Belorussia (White Russia), the name Belarus was adopted when the country became independent from the Soviet Union as the USSR disintegrated in 1991.

The post-independence leadership was keen to maintain political and economic links with Moscow and was a leading proponent of the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States - a loose alliance of ex-Soviet republics that came into being shortly afterwards and whose headquarters were in the Belarusian capital of Minsk.

Belarus's close links with Russia has led the country into deeper international isolation. Today, the majority of all industry remains under the control of the state and is heavily regulated. Foreign investment has been limited due to an unfriendly business environment. Belarus's human rights record since President Lukashenko came to power in 1994 has been poor.

Despite this, Belarus does not deserve its reputation as a transit area on the way to or from Russia. Wide plains, picturesque villages, ancient castles and monasteries, deep forests, scenic landscapes, and thousands of lakes await nature-lovers, culture fans and sport enthusiasts. One-third of the Belarusian territory is covered with forests where birches, oaks, maple and pine trees dominate with a rich and diverse fauna: here one can find European bison, elk and deer, wild boar and wolf, bear and fox, beaver and lynx — not to mention myriad birds. Belarus also has a unique history and a rich cultural heritage, with hundreds of architectural monuments dating back to the 12th century.


History of Belarus

Belarus was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the 13th and 14th centuries. The Grand Duchy was united with Poland in the 1500s. Belarus then became part of the Russian Empire, following the dismemberment of Poland at the end of the 18th century.

The Republic became part of the Soviet Union, after the Russo-German treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918, which ended World War I in Eastern Europe.

Between 1941 and 1944, Belarus was occupied by German forces invading Russia, and an estimated two million people were murdered during this period.

Post-war, Belarus returned to its former status as a Soviet republic, but was granted membership of the United Nations in its own right as a concession to Soviet requests for greater voting power at the assembly.

Lacking the specific grievances that affected other Soviet areas, such as the Baltic republics, there was less pressure for reform during the Gorbachev era. The principal opposition formation, the Belarusian Popular Front, was formed in 1988, achieving some success at the elections to the Congress of People's Deputies in Moscow.

As the USSR disintegrated in 1991, the Republic's Communist Party (CPB) moved quickly to reassert itself as the dominant political force. The post-independence leadership was keen to maintain links with Moscow, and was a leading proponent of the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States - a loose alliance of ex-Soviet republics that came into being shortly afterwards.

Alexander Lukashenka came to power in 1994, promising to end corruption. But Lukashenka's rule became characterised by ever greater corruption, nepotism, censorship and arbitrary decision-making; it has since deteriorated further, with restrictions on religious and political assembly and, in the worst cases, the disappearance and death of prominent critics.

In 1996, a dubious referendum had endorsed Lukashenka's intention to extend both his powers and his term of office to 2001. The former trade union leader, Vladimir Goncharik, stood against Lukashenka at the September 2001 presidential poll. However, despite extensive support from the USA, Goncharik suffered a heavy defeat.

In early 2005, Belarus was listed by the US as Europe's only remaining outpost of tyranny.

Belarus Culture

Religion:
Christian, mainly Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic with small Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities.

Social conventions:
Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is part of the tradition and people are welcoming and friendly. Company or business gifts are well received. Avoid taking photographs of military or government installations.

Language in Belarus

The official languages are Belarusian and Russian.


Weather & climate

Best time to visit:
Temperate continental climate.

Required clothing:
Medium- to heavyweights in winter. Waterproofs are advisable throughout the year.

Geography
Belarus is bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. It is covered largely by forests and lakes, which are rich in wildlife, and is crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper.



Doing business in Belarus

For business meetings, visitors should dress smartly. English is widely used in management circles and knowledge of German might also be useful. Appointments should be made well in advance and should be confirmed nearer the time. Business cards should have a Russian translation on the back. Business transactions are likely to take quite a long time.

Office hours:
Mon-Fri 0900-1800.

Economy:
Despite a paucity of natural resources, Belarus enjoyed a relatively high level of prosperity during the Soviet era compared to other ex-Soviet republics. However, the economy has slowed in recent years.

The main agriculture crops are sugar beet, grain and potatoes; livestock breeding is also substantial. The manufacturing industry is focused on the production of agricultural machinery vehicles and chemicals, most of which have been exported in the past. Apart from a few oil and gas deposits, Belarus has no energy reserves and relies on imports, most of which come from the Russian Federation.

Like other Soviet republics, Belarus suffered a sharp decline in output and a variety of other problems following the dissolution of the Soviet Union; this was then followed by a period of stabilisation, which took hold during the mid 1990s as the government and people adjusted to new economic circumstances. The economy recorded GDP growth of 9.2% in 2005 and inflation of 10.3%.

Reluctance to implement measures recommended by the IMF, World Bank and the EBRD (which Belarus joined in 1992) has limited access to these sources of finance. The government has since been engaged in a tentative programme of privatisation. In 2002, 200 state-owned enterprises in the Minsk area were privatised; the government has (under Russian pressure) committed itself to selling major national enterprises.

Belarus' trade is largely conducted with the countries of the former Soviet Union. In 2002, these accounted for two-thirds of Belarusian trade (nearly 80% of that was with Russia). Belarus has been trying to develop its trade links with the Arab world, especially Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, with limited results.
The 3-star Hotel Yubileynaya offers conference facilities for up to 250 persons, including simultaneous translation services. This facility is operated by Belintourist (see Contact Addresses).

GDP:
US$29.6 billion (2005).

Main exports:
Machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals and textiles.

Main imports:
Energy, mineral products and foodstuffs.

Main trading partners:
Russia, Latvia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, UK, The Netherlands and Italy.

Keeping in Touch in Belarus

Telephone:
To make international calls it is necessary to dial 8, wait for a tone, then dial 10. Calls from Belarus to some countries must be booked through the international operator. Public telephones take cards. Grey booths are for internal calls and blue ones for international calls.

Mobile phone:
Coverage is limited to main towns. Handsets can be hired at the airport (Belcel office) and in Minsk.

Internet:
There are a few Internet cafes in Minsk. Access is also available at some post offices.

Post:
Airmail to Western Europe takes a minimum of 10 days. The Central Post Office (Minsk, near the railway station) and the Yubileynaya and Planeta hotels in Minsk offer express mail services. DHL Worldwide Express and Federal Express also have branches in Minsk.

Post office hours:
0800-2000 (central office in Minsk).

Media:
The Belarusian authorities have been heavily criticised by human rights and media organisations for suppressing freedom of speech, muzzling the independent press and denying the opposition access to state owned media. The president's administration controls decisions on content and the appointment of senior editors of state media.
Government-controlled newspapers enjoy considerable state subsidies and financial privileges, while many of the opposition print media have faced increased charges, been forced to close down, change name or publish abroad. But some leading privately-owned newspapers survive thanks to popular demand.
The Belarusian National State Teleradio Company operates domestic radio and TV channels and an external radio service. Some radio stations target Belarusian listeners from outside the country.

Press:
The English-language paper Belarus Today is published weekly. The principal dailies are Narodnaya Hazeta and Respublika, all printed in Belarusian and Russian. Sovetskaya Beloroussiya is printed in Russian. Zvyazda is printed in Belarusian. Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta, which temporarily closed in 2003, has since resumed publication and is the main private daily paper. Belorusskaya Gazeta is a weekly private publication.

Television:
• Belarusian TV, which is state-run, operates three channels, including satellite station Belarus-TV.

Radio:
• Belarusian Radio, which is state-run, operates three national networks and an external service.
• Radio Baltic Waves brodcasts from Lithuania while Radio Ratsyya is based in Poland.


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