Europe’s Last Dictatorship
Belarus has been ruled by Alexander Lukashenko since 1994 — over three decades, making him the longest-serving president in Europe. The country has been described as “Europe’s last dictatorship” by the US State Department and human rights organisations.
The 2020 presidential election — widely regarded as fraudulent — triggered massive protests that were brutally suppressed. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Belarus has served as a launching pad for Russian forces and a close Russian ally, deepening the country’s international isolation.
A Brief History
Belarus was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then the Russian Empire from 1795. The country was devastated in WWII (up to 25% of the population killed). Belarus was a founding UN member (a quirk of Soviet diplomacy). Independence came in 1991; Lukashenko won the 1994 election and has remained in power through increasingly controlled elections.
Geography and Climate
Belarus covers 207,600 km² and is flat and forested (about 40% forest cover). The country is landlocked, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Culture, Language and Religion
Belarusian and Russian are both official, with Russian dominant in everyday use. Religion: approximately 48% Orthodox, with Catholic and Protestant minorities.
The Economy
Belarus has a state-dominated economy (~$70 billion GDP in 2024). Heavy industry, potash mining, agriculture, and refining are key sectors. Sanctions since 2020 (protests) and 2022 (Ukraine war support) have significantly impacted the economy.
UNESCO Sites
Belarus has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Białowieża Forest (shared with Poland), Mir Castle, Nesvizh Castle, and the Struve Geodetic Arc.
Travel Guide
Entry: Following the 2022 Ukraine war, visa policies and international connections have shifted substantially. Most Western governments advise against travel.
Surprising Facts
- Belarus and Russia are the only European countries that still use the death penalty.
- Białowieża Forest — shared with Poland — is Europe’s last remaining primeval forest.
- Belarusian as a daily spoken language is used by only about 25-30% of Belarusians; most speak Russian.
- Minsk was virtually rebuilt from scratch after WWII in Stalinist neoclassical style.
- Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, leading opposition figure, fled Belarus after the 2020 election and operates from Lithuania.
- Belarus has held almost no free elections since 1994.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.