Detailed interactive map Belarus
Belarus is basically a flat country with small hills. There are a few rivers, but a large area covered by forests and swamps. A vast territory is covered with Białowieża Primaeval Forest, known as Belavezhskaya Pushcha, which borders with Poland. The Belarusians are one of the East Slavic peoples, which lived in these areas for centuries. Until the end of the 12 th century this land was a part of the Ancient Russian state of Kievan Rus'. In the 14 th century the region was captured by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the 16 century Belarus came under the authority of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the XVIII th century Belarus has became a part of the Russia Empire. Since 1924 until 1991 Belarus was a part of the Soviet Union. During the so-called "parade of sovereignty" of Soviet republics (which means the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991), Belarus has declared its independence and later became a part of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Belarus is practically closed for tourists, but this fact does not make it any less interesting and attractive. This ancient land is literally full of monuments of history and culture of many peoples and different epochs. The unique nature, huge massives of relict forests, wildlife and wetlands of Polesie; the capital of Belarus, Minsk is a recognized cultural center. There are a lot of museums, among which are the Literary Museum of J. Kupala in the eponymous park, Belarusian National Museum of History and Culture, Art Museum with a superb collection of paintings XVII-XX centuries, the museum of ancient art, as well as the unusual Museum of stones in Uruchcha, in place of ancient pagan temples. In Minsk vicinities there are also a lot of places of interest - the lake Naroch, the ethnographic complex "Dudutki", the remnants of fortifications and the building of the theological school in Slutsk, the wooden church of Constantine and Helena and many others. But the main points of attraction for tourists in the Minsk region are the ancient Zaslauye and Shults, as well as a tragic memorial of Khatyn and the Brest Fortress. Around Brest there are also many interesting sights - the Museum of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the majestic ruins of the castle of Count Puslovsky, the wooden church of St. George and many others
