Belarus

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Belarus, officially known as the Republic of Belarus, is a country in Eastern Europe. Its modern history has been heavily influenced by its strategic location between two major powers, Russia and the European Union. Formerly a part of the Soviet Union, Belarus gained independence in 1991. The country's recent history has been characterized by a long-term authoritarian rule under President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. Lukashenko's regime has been marked by human rights abuses and political suppression, which have led to significant international criticism. Two other significant figures in Belarusian history are Francysk Skaryna, a Renaissance-era humanist, physician, and translator who contributed to the development of the Belarusian language by printing the Bible in Old Belarusian in the 16th century; and Marc Chagall, a 20th-century Belarusian-French artist renowned for his unique style that fused elements of fantasy, symbolism, and Cubism.

The regions of Belarus

Belarus is divided into six regions, also known as oblasts:

Brest Region (Brestskaya)
Vitebsk Region (Vitebskaya)
Gomel Region (Gomelskaya)
Grodno Region (Grodenskaya)
Minsk Region (Minskaya)
Mogilev Region (Mogilevskaya)

In addition to these, the capital city of Minsk is considered a separate administrative unit with the same status as the regions.

Belarus history

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Belarus history

Belarus geography

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Belarus geography

Researching family history in Belarus

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Belarus ethnicity

The predominant ethnicity in Belarus is Belarusian. Russians are the second largest group, reflecting historical ties and geographical proximity. Other significant ethnic minorities include Poles and Ukrainians. Additionally, there are smaller communities of Jews, Lithuanians, and other ethnicities. This rich ethnic tapestry is a result of the nation's complex history and its location at the crossroads of different cultural and geopolitical spheres in Eastern Europe.

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Belarus surnames

Belarusian surnames play a crucial role in the pursuit of family history research, offering valuable insights into ancestral lineages and connections. These surnames often reflect the country's historical, cultural, and linguistic influences. For instance, "Ivanovich" is a common Belarusian surname that is patronymic-based, meaning it is derived from the father's given name. Common Belarusian surnames can be categorized into various types, including occupational surnames indicating a person's profession, toponymic surnames associated with specific places or regions, and descriptive surnames based on physical characteristics or personal traits. "Koval" is a Belarusian occupational surname that means "blacksmith," indicating that an ancestor worked in this profession. Examples of different Belarusian surnames:

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