Belarus is a country that has recently appeared frequently in the international media, what is so special about this European country? Here are ten trivia about Belarus:
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >1. About 40% of Belarus is covered by forests. </h1>
Known as the "lungs of Europe," Belarus has one of the last and largest parts of the vast primeval forest that once covered the European plains – the Białowieza Forest.
The green stripes on the flag of Belarus represent the country's forests.
<h1 class = "pgc-h-arrow-right" >2. More than 15 km of Independence Avenue</h1>
Spanning more than 15 kilometers across the capital Minsk, Independence Avenue is the longest street in the country and runs through five different squares, including Victory Square and October Square.
Throughout its history, it has not only grown in length and width, but has also changed its name 14 times – more than any other street in Minsk.
Independence Avenue
< h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" >3. Pancake Week</h1>
This Slavic festival is known as Maslenitsa Week, and pancakes rustle in every home and can be enjoyed with friends and family, as well as at local street festivals.
Nor do Belarusians shy away from creative toppings, from caviar to hearty stewed mushrooms – the possibilities for selection are endless.
Pancake Week
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >4. Likes sports</h1>
There are 23,000 sports venues throughout Belarus that are open to the public, and Belarusians are watching if they do not participate in sports competitions.
Favorite sports for Belarusians include football, handball, ice hockey and tennis.
The famous tennis player Victoria Azarenka is from Belarus and is the only Belarusian professional tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Azarenka
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" >5</h1>
Belarusians are one of the warmest and friendliest people tourists have ever seen. Even if they don't speak your language, they will go out of their way to help strangers.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >6. </h1>
The Belarusian National Library, also known as the "Diamond of Knowledge", is an imposing building with a height of 74 meters, 23 floors and an observation deck at the top.
National Library of Belarus
It is known as one of the most unusual buildings in the world, but also one of the ugliest.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >7. Potatoes are important. </h1>
Humble potatoes are a staple food of Belarusians, with over 300 potato recipes to choose from.
Potato beef patties
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >8. Street art lovers will love Minsk. </h1>
Strolling through the city streets of Minsk, one can see many large, colorful murals painted by various street artists.
Some of the largest murals can be found on Oktyabrskaya Street. The town was once an industrial area, but the local youth have breathed new life into it.
Since 2014, Minsk has hosted Vulica Brazil, a street art festival launched in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy that brings together artists from Belarus and all over Brazil.
Large, brightly colored murals
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >9</h1>
When choosing their native animals, Belarusians chose the heaviest surviving land mammal in all of Europe, the European bison.
wisent
In the early 1950s, bison recovered from the brink of extinction and two European bison were released into the Białoviyeza forest.
Today, around 600 European bison are found here. Other national symbols include storks and cornflowers.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" >10. Superstition is king. </h1>
Belarusians love superstition, and a particularly popular saying is that you should never whistle at home or you'll run out of money.
They also say that once guests leave until they reach their final destination, you shouldn't clean your house or people believe you're sweeping them out of your life once and for all.