Geography
Area: 207,600 sq. km. (80,100 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Kansas.
Cities: Capital--Minsk.
Terrain: Landlocked, low-lying with thick forests, flat marshes and
fields.
Climate: Cold winters, cool and moist summers, transitional between
continental and maritime.
People
Nationality: Noun--Belarusian(s). Adjective--Belarusian.
Population (end of 2003): 9,849,000. Men 4,610,000; women 5,239,000.
Urban 71.5%; rural 28.5%.
Population decline (2003): -54,700.
Ethnic groups: Belarusian (81.2%), Russian (11.4%), Polish, Ukrainian,
other (7.4%).
Christian singles note-Religions (1997 est.):
Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic,
Protestant, Autocephalous Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim) 20%.
Languages: Belarusian and Russian (official).
Education: Literacy--98%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2003)--7.7/1,000. Life
expectancy (2002)--67.9 years.
Work force (4.4 million): Industry--26.2%; agriculture and
forestry--11.1%; construction--7.1%; transportation,
communications--8.1%; trade, catering--13.7%; health
services, sports, social services--7.6%; education--11%; other--15.2%.
Government
Type: Republic.
Constitution: March 30, 1994; revision by unrecognized national
referendum of November 24, 1996, gave presidency greatly expanded
powers and became effective November 27, 1996.
Independence: 1991 (from Soviet Union).
Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister
(head of government), Council of Ministers (cabinet). Legislative--bicameral:
the House of Representatives (110 deputies) and the Council of the
Republic (64 deputies). Judicial--Supreme Court; Constitutional
Court.
Administrative subdivisions: Six voblasts (regions) and one
municipality.
Political parties: Belarus has 18 registered political parties,
including: Agrarian Party (AP); Belarusian Communist Party (KPB);
Green Party; Belarusian Labor Party; Belarusian Social and Sports
Party; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (BPR); Belarusian Popular Front (BNF);
Belarusian Social-Democrat Party (BSDP); Social-Democratic Hramada
Party; Belarusian Socialist Party; United Civic Party (UCP); Liberal
Democratic Party (LDBP); Party of Communists Belarusian (PKB); Party
of Popular Accord; Republican Party of Labor and Justice (RPPS);
Social Democratic Party of Popular Accord (PPA); Women's Party
Nadezhda. Several of these parties exist in name only. Other,
unregistered parties are also active, such as: Christian Conservative
Party and Party of Freedom and Progress.
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
