Belarus is a small, landlocked country situated in the north east of Europe. It covers an area of 207 600 sq km and is bordered by Poland, Lithuania, Russia and the Ukraine. Its capital city, Minsk, has a population of approximately 2 million.
In 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus became an independent republic. During the post-war years this Soviet state had been one of the most prosperous in the USSR, but its newly gained independence brought with it a period of marked economic decline. Private business and foreign investment are still all but non-existent in Belarus and the country is heavily dependent on Russia to meet its energy needs. Recent rifts between president Lukashenko and the Russian president Vladimir Putin have caused gas prices to soar and cast a veil of uncertainty over the country's future stability.
The climate in Belarus can be harsh. In summer temperatures soar, whilst winter is characterized by months of sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice. These conditions are particularly problematic in the more rural areas, where many villagers live in wooden houses and still depend on wells for their water.
The post Chernobyl clean-up operations in the areas of Belarus most affected by the blast continue to be a huge drain on the country's financial resources. Over 100 000 people living in the most contaminated areas have been relocated, the majority to specially built high-rise apartment blocks in Minsk. Many have found it difficult to adjust to urban life and, unable to find work, have become prey to depression and alcoholism.
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