Location: Eastern Europe, bordering Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and the Russian Federation
Capital: Minsk
Tourist Attractions: A former Soviet republic, Belarus attained independence in 1991. Belarus is known for its scenic landscapes, medieval cities, and wooden villages amid rolling fields. Tourist attractions in Belarus include the capital city of Minsk, known for its museums, Troitskoye Predmestye, a suburb of Minsk with beautiful 19th century houses with colorful façades, and Hrodna, the most picturesque city in Belarus. Other tourist attractions include the Brest Fortress, Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the 15th century Mir Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the 16th century Njasvizh Palace and Castle Gate Tower, and Berezinsky Nature Reserve (a UNESCO protected biosphere reserve). Visitors can also enjoy activities like hiking, skiing, skating and boating in Belarus.
Access: Many airlines including Lufthansa operate direct flights to Minsk from major destinations in Europe and Russia. Regular trains are available between Belarus and neighboring Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine via 10 border crossings. Direct buses also run between Minsk, Vilnius (Lithuania) and Bialystok (Poland).
Climate: Belarus has a temperate continental climate characterized by cool and moist summers and freezing cold winters. While average January temperatures range between -4°C and -8°C, July experiences a high of 19°C. Heavy snowfall occurs from December to April, while June and August gets most of the rain.