Belarus (Republic of Belarus) is a country in Eastern Europe, bordering Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. Its capital is Minsk. The population is approximately 9.3 million. The official languages are Belarusian and Russian.
The country has a long history, including periods as part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire. In the 20th century, Belarus was one of the Soviet Union's republics, gaining independence in 1991 after its dissolution.
The political system is characterized by an authoritarian regime. President Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994. Since 2020, Belarus has been under Western sanctions for human rights violations, political repression, and support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The economy of Belarus is based on industry, agriculture, and trade. Key sectors include machinery production, petrochemicals, and food processing.
