Capital: Minsk Time: +1 GMT Area: 207,600 sq km Population: 10,401,784 (July 1999 est.) Currency: Belarusian rubel Form of government: after seven decades as a Soviet republic, the newly named Belarus declared its independence in August 1991, republic,  bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; eight appointed by the president and 56 indirectly elected by deputies of local councils for four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Pretsaviteley (110 seats), president elected by popular vote for a five-year term, prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Languages: Byelorussian, Russian Religion: Eastern Orthodox (80%), other (20%) National holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1944)

Pictures from Belarus

Links

Official Sites:

• Administration of the President of Belarus
• Belarusan Democratic Republic
• Supreme Soviet Parliament of Byelarus
• Embassy of the United States in Minsk - Embassy and U.S. Information Service information.
• Constitution of the Republic of Belarus - final version (in Russian).

Magazines and Newspaper

• Minsk News - in English.
• Belarusian Market - weekly business newspaper (in Russian).
• DELO - analysis of economics situation, market reforms and integration processes.
• Construction Newspaper of Belarus - for businessmen and specialists in construction.

Radio on The Web

• Belarus Now - information service and analytical bulletin offers political, economic, and financial news.
• Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Belarus
• Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Belarus

Tourism and Travel

• Republic of Belarus - offers general information.
• U.S. Library of Congress Country Study - Belarus - comprehensive introduction to the history, geography, society and people of the country.
• Belarussian heritage
• Belaruss Tourist - map and information on hotels, travel agencies, and travel news.
• Miles Away - collective source of information on different aspects of life in Belarus gathered off Internet as well as from direct sources in Belarus.