Belarus: the lungs of Europe

From childhood, I always felt that I have a second home country. Originally, I am from Georgia, but my great grandmother was from Belarus, where I spent a big part of my life as well. In this article, I am going to introduce you to Belarus. Among other thins, I am going to explain to you why people call it the lungs of Europe.

Belarus is located in Eastern Europe. Its neighboring countries are Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. To start with its name, you may hear some people calling it “White Rus.” The real origin of those words is unknown, but according to one of the versions, people were calling “White Rus”  the lands that were free from the invasions. 

Nature and Climate

Belarus is a very clean country, and because of its beautiful and green nature, people call it the lungs of Europe. While visiting Belarus, you can enjoy the unique climate, that is beneficial for your health. Somehow, it is crazy that the temperature can decrease up to -30 C° in winter, while you can enjoy +30 C° in summer. Belarus is a heaven for people who love to fully relax and be healthy, as there are many resorts and sanatoriums, where visitors can enjoy the great conditions. So, the first things that come to my mind while thinking about this country are magical forests, long rivers, and breathtaking lakes. You can also visit the oldest primeval forest Biełaviežskaja Pušča in Europe. 

Biełaviežskaja Pušča National Park

Białowieża Forest Bus Station, Belarus

A mix of Soviet and modern styles

The biggest city and the capital of Belarus is Minsk. You have to visit Minsk, if you want to see the atmosphere of the Soviet Union, that can be still felt here. One can see huge prospects such as the Independence Avenue, different symbols of the Soviet Union and old buildings are mixed with a modern part of the city. Minsk is a very diverse city, and it can satisfy any kind of traveler’s taste. While you can visit different great theaters and historical museums, you can also enjoy pubs, bars with live music and night clubs. Also, there are other big cities such as Vitebsk, Grodno, Brest and Gomel, that are worth visiting. 

Independence Avenue, Minsk

praspiekt Niezaliežnasci, Minsk, Belarus

More facts about Belarus

What is more, Belarus is an Orthodox country, but you will see many Catholic churches as well. You will be amazed by the architecture of churches, that look great and simple at the same time.  Belorussian cuisine has Slavic roots, and the most famous ingredient in the dishes is a potato. My favorite one is ‘draniki’, that is a potato pancake. I will tell you more about Belarussian cuisine in my following articles. 

In my opinion, Belarus is attractive to visit during all seasons. However, it depends on your taste. If you like winter, Belarus awaits you with lots of fun winter activities such as ice-skating, skiing, etc. In summer, you can swim in the lakes, enjoy nature and visit several historic palaces from the 16th century. So, all you need is to explore Belarus by yourself and understand why people call it the lungs of Europe.

Video © Credits to Geography Now