BELARUS

History

• Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
   
• It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.
   
• The history of Belarus is a narrative shaped by the ebb and flow of empires, the resilience of its people, and its strategic geographic location in Eastern Europe. In ancient times, the region was inhabited by East Slavic tribes and became part of the medieval state of Kievan Rus. In the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania extended its influence over Belarus, forming a political and cultural union that lasted until the Grand Duchy merged with the Kingdom of Poland in 1569. The subsequent centuries were marked by shifting borders and foreign dominance, including periods of rule by the Russian Empire.
   
• Belarus suffered greatly during World War II, enduring significant destruction and loss of life. In the post-war era, it became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to Belarus declaring its independence. Despite facing political and economic challenges, Belarus continues to assert its identity and sovereignty on the global stage, with a history that reflects both struggle and resilience.