Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Its capital and largest city is Minsk. The country covers an area of about 207,600 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 9.1 million. Over 40 percent of the nation is forested, and major rivers include the Nioman, Pripiat, and Dnieper.

Belarus was formerly part of the Soviet Union and became independent in 1991. Since 1994, Alexander Lukashenko has served as president, and the government operates as a presidential republic, with a strong executive branch. Belarus is a member of the UN and regional organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States. The country has a largely flat landscape, significant industrial and agricultural sectors, and maintains close political and economic ties with Russia.