Geography and History
Where is Belarus located?
Belarus is located in Eastern Europe and is surrounded by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, Lithuania to the northwest, and Latvia to the northwest.
What is the nickname for Belarus, given its flat landscape and numerous rivers?
The Land of Lakes.
Which European city sits almost precisely on the 50th parallel north, running through Belarus?
Minsk, the capital.
Belarus was heavily affected by which major nuclear disaster in 1986?
The Chernobyl disaster.
What ancient forest covers significant parts of Belarus and neighboring countries, known for its biodiversity?
The Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
How many administrative regions, called "oblasts," are there in Belarus?
Six.
Name the medieval Grand Duchy that laid the foundation for modern Belarus?
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Which significant World War II battle took place near the Belarusian town of Lepel in 1941?
The Battle of Smolensk.
When did Belarus gain its independence from the Soviet Union?
25 August 199
Culture and Language
What is the official language of Belarus, alongside Russian?
Belarusian.
Which traditional Belarusian dance involves rhythmic clapping and intricate footwork?
The Lyavonkha.
Name the iconic Belarusian folk instrument with strings played by plucking or strumming.
The tsimbaly.
What is the national dish of Belarus, often served with sour cream and sausages?
Draniki (potato pancakes).
Which Belarusian novelist and playwright won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2015?
Svetlana Alexievich.
What traditional Belarusian festival celebrates the arrival of spring, involving bonfires and costumes?
Maslenitsa.
Name the ancient castle in Belarus, considered a symbol of the country's cultural heritage.
Mir Castle.
Modern Life and Trivia
What is the currency of Belarus?
The Belarusian ruble.
What is the largest protected area in Belarus, home to various endangered species?
Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.
Which Belarusian city hosts the famous Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, an annual international pop music festival?
Vitebsk.
What is the nickname for the Minsk Metro, known for its unique Soviet-era architecture and chandeliers?
The "Underground Palace."
Belarus is known for its production of a specific type of heavy vehicle. What is it?
BelAZ trucks (used in mining and construction).
What unusual sport, involving throwing axes at targets, originated in Belarus?
Kyokshin.
The national emblem of Belarus features a stylized flax blossom. What does flax symbolize in the country's culture?
Prosperity and unity.
Belarus has a unique tradition of celebrating birthdays over two days. What are these days called?
"Rozhdenie" (birthday) and "Imeniny" (name day).
Which Belarusian city is known for its Soviet-era architecture and the KGB Museum?
Grodno.
Belarus has one of the lowest population densities in Europe. What is the approximate population of the country?
4 million.
Bonus Questions
Name the Belarusian rock band that represented the country at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 and achieved third place.
Litesound.
What unique natural phenomenon can be observed in Belarus, where rivers sometimes flow uphill due to an optical illusion?
The Mirage of Polotsk.
Belarus claims to have the world's longest trolleybus route. How long is it, in kilometers?
53 kilometers (36 miles).