About Belarus: Land of thousand lakes

Belarus is located in Eastern Europe. The country is bordered with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The capital of Belarus – Minsk is the Hero City.

The country’s population is approximately 9,463,300 people, territory, 207.6 km ².

The climate is temperate – continental, and in winter is often observed thaw.

In summer the average temperature is +17 ° C – +19 ° C. The maximum rainfall occurs in autumn and winter. In the forest parks and woodlands the snow cover reaches 1-1.2 m

The main river Dnieper has many tributaries: Pripyat, Sozh, Western Dvina, the Neman and others, are the main water arteries, which combined a variety of channels: the Dnieper-Neman, Berezinskii, etc. In Belarus there are more than 10,000 lakes, Narach is the largest of them, and occupies the area of 80 km². Also are known Osveiskoye Lake, Polesie and others.

Cities of Belarus – Gomel, Brest, Vitebsk, Mogilev and others are among the largest. There are ski resorts in Belarus -Mozyr, Logoysk Silichi etc. Belarus is known far beyond the country through its national parks, such as the unique The Belovezhskaya Pusha and many old castles.

The rich and distinctive heritage of Belarus are relict forests, epic melodic songs, historical sites and of course a generous and sincere people.

900 years ago due to the confluence of rivers Svisloch and Nyamiha was arisen and formed the island and grew the bright city of Minsk. The history of the city is replete with invasions and wars, but fortunately survived the Upper City, Trinity and Rakovskoe suburb, Site of ancient castle, which kept the atmosphere of the past.

At the Liberty Square placed Jesuit College, a little bit further the beautiful Church of Mary Magdalene and the Calvary Church. The historical values also include Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church, the Church of the Most Holy Trinity with ancient icons and the miraculous statue of St. Roch (“Red Church”).

In the vicinity of the capital is the ethnographic complex “Dudutki.”

The country may also be proud of its citizens, whose names are known to the whole world. Scientists such as Sophia Kavalevskaya, Alexander Chizhevsky, the founder of heliobiology, Nobel laureate Jaures Alferov. In art, let’s start with the avant-garde artist Marc Chagall and filmmaker Louis Burt Mayer, the founder of the Hollywood film studio “Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,” famous composers Michal Oginsky, Mikhail Glinka, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Dmitri Shostakovich and, of course, Igor Stravinsky. As well as historical figures: the famous educator of the 15th century Francis Skoryna, playwright, poet and topologist Simeon Polotsky, who took part in the education of the royal family children, including Peter the I-st. It is noteworthy that M. Dostoevsky’s ancestors came from village Dostoevo. The list could be continued indefinitely!

As Belarus sacred place is considered the village Hatyn, completely burnt by the Nazis during the Second World War. The memorial was erected on the site of Khatyn called “Unbowed man” and the legendary “Wall of memory” with an eternal flame.

Brest is a symbol of heroism and dramatic events of the Second World War. The famous Brest Fortress, nearby St. Nikolay Church and the Archaeological Museum attracts many tourists.

Trinity Catholic Church in Chernavchitsy is the oldest monument of stone architecture. The heroic past of the country is reflected in the ruins of the castle of Count Puslovsky to Kosovo.

Vitebsk is one of the oldest Belarusian cities, situated on the left bank of the river Western Dvina. The famous Church of the Annunciation of Vitebsk was founded by Princess Olga. St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Church of the Assumption, Church of St. Barbara, the Governor’s Palace and many more have been erected in the 18-19 centuries. In the building of the old Town Hall is opened the museum. Vitebsk is the birthplace of the famous avant-garde artist Marc Chagall, whose paintings can be seen in the museum. There is a

Museum-Estate of Russian artist Ilya Repin located in the suburbs of Vitebsk. Also in Vitebsk for many years held an annual summer arts festival “Slavic Bazaar”.

The small town of Polotsk is famous primarily because of the St. Sophia Cathedral, built in the 11th century, with the organ hall and the Museum of the cathedral architecture’s history, which is considered a symbol of Polotsk.

The relics of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk is stored in the convent of Holy Cross Cathedral.

Gomel is famous for its palace and park architecture of the 19th century: Palace of Rumyantsev-Paskevich, Peter and Paul Cathedral and other destinations await you in Gomel.

Nesvizhski castle complex is an impressive palace, Benedictine monastery and church in Nyasvizh and Parish Church of the Jesuits, castle tower, etc.

At Leeds Castle of Gedemin is held annual international jousting tournament at the end of the summer, you could take participation.

Grodno Old and New Castles, August palace, Boris and Gleb (Kolozhskaya Church) are particularly notable and outstanding architectural of Grodno. Old Castle was built in the 12th century, and now serves as a historical and archeological museum. New Castle was built in the 18th century and was the royal residence. In the Basilica of St.. Francis Xavier can contemplate rare frescoes dating from the 18th century.

Picturesque canals, trips on the boat, a favorite route for lovers of romantic travel.

Narach resort area, offers different form of leisure time spending: horseback riding, hunting and fishing or historic sites of ancient settlements, sites of primitive people or Christian monuments, the church of the Holy Virgin Mary.

Belarusian cuisine is rich with potato, meat and mushroom dishes. Remarkable national dishes as ”mochanka” and “verashchaki”, cold summer soups – all originally from Belarus. A unique hot alcoholic drink hails from honey and spices-“krambabulya” – can compete with many well-known brands of herbal tinctures! If you’ve ever tried in Belarus mushroom soup, you‘ve probably became his ardent fan.

Land of 10,000 lakes waiting for you to tell its stories, reveal the ancient secrets and just surprise with the rich natural forests of Belovezhskaya Pusha and other nature reserves!

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