It’s interesting to know …

• The literal translation of Belarus is ‘White Russia’, after the ancient term ‘Belaya Rus’. The ‘white’ may refer to the beauty of the birch forests or to the snow that blankets the earth every year. Another explanation is that in ancient times the word ‘white’ meant free, in the sense of free from conquering invaders.

• Belarus was named ‘Byelorussia’ until 1991, when the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic decreed by law that the new independent republic should be called ‘Belarus’ in Russian and in all other language transcriptions of its name.

• Until the 20^th century, the Belarusians lacked the opportunity to create a distinctive national identity, since the lands of modern-day Belarus belonged to several countries, including the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.

• Belarus is twice as small as France, Spain, Sweden. It is twice as large as Greece and Bulgaria; three times as large as Ireland and the Czech Republic; five times as large as Estonia and Denmark.

• Belarus occupies some 2% of the territory of Europe and ranks 85^th in area in the world.

• The Belarusians account for 1.5% of the population of Europe and the country ranks 86^th among the countries of the world in population.

• On 31 May 2008 a memorial sign was put up in the city of Polotsk, Vitebsk region to mark the geographical centre of Europe.

• The relief of the territory bears the witness of the Ice Age, namely the Valday’s Glacier, which shaped the landscape 14-18 thousand years ago.

• For the first time Minsk was mentioned in chronicles in 1067 under the name of Mensk in connection with the battle of the Nemiga River during which it was completely destroyed. As for its original name – Mensk (the current name ‘Minsk’ was acquired only in the late 17^th century as a result of transferring the lands under the power of Rzecz Pospolita), there is an interesting version of its origin. Mensk originates from the word ‘menyat’ (to change), which allows to make a conclusion about intensive trade activities there since ancient times.

• Minsk has been the nation’s capital since 1919, and at present it is home to 1,741,400 of Belarus’ residents.

• There are about 0.88 males per female in Belarus. The average life expectancy is 63 years for males and 74.9 years for females.

• Belarus has a negative population growth rate. In 2007 Belarus’ population declined by 0.41% and its fertility rate was 1.22, well below the replacement rate.

• According to Article 16 of the Constitution, Belarus has no official religion, although the primary religion in the country is Russian Orthodox. While the freedom of worship is granted in the same article, religious organisations that are deemed harmful to the government or social order of the country can be prohibited.

• Belarus is the only nation in Europe that retains the death penalty for certain crimes during times of peace and war.

• Belarus has four World Heritage Sites: the Mir Castle Complex, the Nesvizh Castle, the Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve (shared with Poland), and the Struve Geodetic Arc (shared with nine other countries).

• The Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve is home to the European bison (or wisent), a relative of the American buffalo. This creature is often depicted in prehistoric wall paintings found all over Europe. It survives only in the reserve.

• In 1945 Belarus was one of the 50 member countries that formed the United Nations Organisation to promote peace and international cooperation and security.

• In December 1991 Belarus was one of the three Slavic republics of the former USSR to set up the Commonwealth of Independent States with the purpose of economic, financial and monetary cooperation. The headquarters of the CIS is in Minsk.

• Almost two thirds (61.5%) of the Belarusians do not support any political party.

Task IV. Consult a dictionary to fill in the missing parts of speech in the table below:

Noun	Verb	Adjective
		supervising
	constitute
declaration
	prevent
government
		independent
	preside
legislature
	authorize
union

Task V. Scan the text and find the words which correspond to these definitions. Complete the puzzle and find a key word in the centre boxes:

								1
2
						3
							4
								5
							6
					7
				8
								9
10

1. affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutual

2. to talk (with others) to achieve an agreement

3. a sudden failure or breakdown

4. the democratic practice of selecting a representative or a course of action by submitting the options to a vote of all qualified persons

5. a renewed use, acceptance of, or interest in past customs, styles, etc.

6. relating to the administration of justice

7. the system or body of fundamental principles according to which a nation or state is constituted and governed

8. to assign officially, as for a position, responsibility, etc

9. an addition, alteration, or improvement to a document

10. supreme and unrestricted power, as of a state

Task VI. Check your understanding of the text by marking these statements as True or False. Provide evidence from the text to support your answers:

1. The geographical position of Belarus is tactic, linking Western Europe with the Russian Federation.

2. More than 80% of the population is native Belarusians, with sizable minorities of the Russians, the Ukrainians and the Poles.

3. Approximately 34% of the country’s territory is forested.

4. The Republic of Belarus as a sovereign country was formed in 1990, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

5. A national Constitution was adopted in March 1994 in which the functions of the Prime Minister were given to the President.

6. According to the Constitution, the Republic of Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by the President and the National Assembly.

7. Alexander Lukashenko has been the President of Belarus since 1992.

8. The unicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Republic and the House of Representatives.

9. The Council of Ministers is the legislative branch of state power, and is appointed by the President of Belarus.

10. Control over the constitutional compliance of normative acts in the country is fulfilled by the Supreme Court.

Task VII. Read the text more carefully and complete the suggested statements:

1. The Republic of Belarus is …

2. The landscape of Belarus …

3. State power is formed and realized through …

4. Executive power is exercised by …

5. Legislative power is vested in …

6. The judicial power is performed by …

7. In accordance with the Constitution, the President …

8. In Belarus there exist several political parties …

9. At present Belarus is in close cooperation with …

10. The Republic of Belarus possesses (owns, has) …

Task VIII. Read the text again and give extensive answers to the following questions:

1. What do you know about the origin of the words ‘Belarus’ and ‘Minsk’?

2. How does Belarus rank among the countries of the world in area and population?

3. Is Belarus an urban nation? Why did Belarus change from a rural nation to an urban nation?

4. Is the territory of Belarus favourable for life and economic activities? Why? Why not?

5. What losses did the country suffer during World War II?

6. Why does Belarus have two official languages?

7. What are the country’s supreme legislative, executive and judicial authorities?

8. What is the official name of the Belarusian Parliament? What chambers does it consist of?

9. Who is the country’s President at the moment? Who is the head of the Government nowadays?

10. Is it true that Belarus is a country of well-developed science, culture and education?

Task IX. Check how well you know your country by choosing the correct variant from the alternatives below:

1. What is the territory of the Republic of Belarus?

   1. 207,600 km² b. 206,700 km² c. 208,700 km² d. 206,800 km²

2. How many countries does Belarus border on?

   1. 4 b. 5 c. 6 d. 7

3. Belarus has the longest common border with …

   1. Poland b. Ukraine c. Russia d. Lithuania

4. The geographical centre of Belarus is situated in …

   1. Puhovichi district c. Dzerzhinski district

   2. Smolevichi district d. Molodechno district

5. The geographical centre of Europe is situated in …

   1. Vitebsk b. Polotsk c. Novopolotsk d. Glubokoe

6. Which is the second largest city in Belarus in terms of its population?

   1. Gomel b. Grodno c. Vitebsk d. Brest

7. Which of the combinations ‘the city – the river on which it stands’ is erroneous?

   1. Minsk – the Svisloch c. Grodno – the Neman

   2. Mogilev – the Sozh d. Vitebsk – the Berezina

8. Minsk’s 950^th anniversary will be celebrated in …

   1. 2012 b. 2022 c. 2017 d. 2027

9. The highest peak (345m) in Belarus is the hill …

   1. Lisaya b. Dzerzhinskaya c. Mayak d. Zamkovaya

10. The longest river flowing within the territory of Belarus is …

    1. the Berezina b. the Dnieper c. the Prypyat d. the Neman

11. The deepest lake in Belarus is …

    1. the Dolgoe b. the Naroch c. the Svityaz d. the Glubokoe

12. The largest lake in Belarus is …

    1. the Osveiskoe b. the Dolgoe c. the Naroch d. the Seliava

13. Which of the regions ranks first in the number of nature conservation territories?

    1. Minsk b. Vitebsk c. Brest d. Grodno

14. … is called ‘Belarusian Switzerland’.

    1. The Naroch District c. Polessie region

    2. Braslav Lakes District d. Polotsk Lakeland

15. Choose the largest artificial water-storage reservoir on the territory of Belarus.

    1. Minsk Sea c. Soligorsk water-storage reservoir

    2. Zaslavl water-storage reservoir d. Vileika water-storage reservoir

16. The oldest national park in Belarus is …

    1. Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve c. Braslav national park

    2. Nalibokskaya Forest Nature Reserve d. Berezina biosphere reserve

17. … was created for protection of beavers.

    1. Nalibokskaya Forest Nature Reserve c. Berezina biosphere reserve

    2. Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve d. Braslav national park

18. How many health resorts are there in Belarus?

    1. 4 b. 5 c. 3 d. 6

19. Which of these sports complexes is not a ski resort?

    1. Silichi b. Logoisk c. Raubichi d. Staiki

20. Which climate is characteristic of Belarus?

    1. moderately continental c. continental

    2. acutely continental d. maritime

21. Which part of the country is considered to be relatively favourable in terms of ecology?

    1. central b. northern c. southern d. eastern

22. More than … of Belarus’ territory is contaminated with radioactive substances.

    1. 20% b. 15% c. 25% d. 30%

23. What is the state system of the Republic of Belarus?

    1. a constitutional monarchy c. a federal republic

    2. a parliamentary republic d. a presidential republic

24. When do the Belarusians celebrate Independence Day?

    1. 15 March b. 9 May c. 3 July d. 7 November

25. According to the Constitution the President of Belarus is elected for …

    1. a four-year term c. a six-year term

    2. a five-year term d. a two-year term

26. Parliament is the supreme … body in Belarus.

    1. legislative b. executive c. judicial d. governing

27. In Belarus there are … elected members of the House of Representatives.

    1. 64 b. 110 c. 164 d. 90

28. The number of Representatives which each region sends to the House of Representatives depends …

    1. on its territory c. on its population

    2. on its industrial development d. on the wish of the voters

29. The country has had two official languages, Belarusian and Russian, since the referendum in …

    1. 1994 b. 1995 c. 1996 d. 1992

30. What is the official religion in the Republic of Belarus?

    1. Catholicism c. Protestantism

    2. Orthodoxy d. there’s no official religion

Task X. Try to give an adequate translation of the following sentences:

1. Беларусь – страна с уникальной историей и богатым культурным наследием.

2. Согласно Конституции, Республика Беларусь – унитарная демократическая социально-правовая держава, которая самостоятельно осуществляет внутреннюю и внешнюю политику.

3. Минск – столица современной Беларуси, крупнейший центр экономической, культурной и социальной жизни общества.

4. По последним расчетам ученых, географический центр Европы расположен именно на территории Беларуси.

5. Избрание депутатов Палаты представителей осуществляется на основе всеобщего, равного, прямого избирательного права при тайном голосовании.

6. Беларусь находится в союзных отношениях с Россией, сотрудничает со многими международными организациями, поддерживает дипломатические и торговые связи почти с 160 странами мира.

7. Беларусь является членом ООН, СНГ, ОДКБ, ЕврАзЭС, Союзного государства России и Беларуси, МВФ и Всемирного банка.

8. Стратегической целью Республики Беларусь как европейского государства является членство в Европейском Союзе ​путем выполнения стандартных политических, экономических и ​институциональных требований.

9. Несмотря на то, что Беларусь – единственная страна в Европе, где нет ни моря, ни гор, у нее есть значительный потенциал для развития сельского туризма.

10. Туристы, посетившие Беларусь, увозят домой богатые впечатления об озере Нарочь и Беловежской пуще, о красоте Полоцкого Софийского собора, средневекового Мирского замка, многих других памятниках истории и культуры.

C. Follow-up Activities

Task XI. Share your opinions on the following:

1. What are the most typical features of the Belarusian national character?

2. Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of the geographical position of Belarus.

3. If you were a guide, what places of interest in Belarus would you show the tourists? Which of them can give a visitor a good idea of the historic past of the country?

4. If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why?

5. What future would you forecast for the Republic of Belarus?

D. Optional Reading