BELARUS IS MY BELARUS IS MY HOMELANDHOMELAND

“ “THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME”THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME”

K. ByulloK. ByulloI love my land my mother countryI love my land my mother countryWhere I was born and where I grewWhere I was born and where I grewWhere for the first time I met Where for the first time I met

gladnessgladnessAnd wept my tears of sorrow tooAnd wept my tears of sorrow tooI love our Belarusian peopleI love our Belarusian peopleTheir huts mid orchards green I loveTheir huts mid orchards green I loveThe golden grain upon the meadowsThe golden grain upon the meadowsThe rustle of the wooden grovesThe rustle of the wooden grovesI love my native songs resoundingI love my native songs resoundingWhich girls are singing on the roads.Which girls are singing on the roads.And deeper tones which overAnd deeper tones which over

meadowsmeadowsCome pouring forth and freely floatCome pouring forth and freely float

K. ByulloK. Byullo

Plan of discussionPlan of discussion Geographical positionGeographical position National symbolsNational symbols Flora and faunaFlora and fauna From the history of BelarusFrom the history of Belarus Belarus in Great Patriotic War Belarus in Great Patriotic War Industry and agricultureIndustry and agriculture Education, culture, scienceEducation, culture, science Political systemPolitical system

Geographical PositionGeographical Position

National

Symbols

The National Flag ofThe National Flag of Republic of BelarusRepublic of Belarus

The National Flag of The National Flag of Republic of BelarusRepublic of Belarus

The National Flag of the Republic of Belarus , which The National Flag of the Republic of Belarus , which is a symbol of state sovereignty of the Republic of is a symbol of state sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus , is a rectangular cloth consisting of two Belarus , is a rectangular cloth consisting of two longitudinal stripes: red upper stripe and green lower longitudinal stripes: red upper stripe and green lower stripe that are two-thirds and one-third of the flag stripe that are two-thirds and one-third of the flag width respectively. A vertical red-on-white Belarusian width respectively. A vertical red-on-white Belarusian decorative pattern, which occupies one-ninth of the decorative pattern, which occupies one-ninth of the flag’s length is placed against the flagstaff .The flag’s flag’s length is placed against the flagstaff .The flag’s ratio of width to length 1 to 2 . The flag is fixed on a ratio of width to length 1 to 2 . The flag is fixed on a flagstaff painted golden .flagstaff painted golden .

During ceremonies and other solemn events , the During ceremonies and other solemn events , the National Flag of the Republic of Belarus is used with National Flag of the Republic of Belarus is used with a diamond-shaped top edge containing a five-point a diamond-shaped top edge containing a five-point star. The star is analogous to the one depicted on star. The star is analogous to the one depicted on the national Emblem of the Republic of Belarus. The the national Emblem of the Republic of Belarus. The top edges are made of yellow metal. top edges are made of yellow metal.

The National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus

The National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus

The National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus, The National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus, which is a symbol of state sovereignty of the which is a symbol of state sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, represents a green-colored Republic of Belarus, represents a green-colored contour of the Republic of Belarus in golden rays contour of the Republic of Belarus in golden rays radiated by the sun over the globe. On top of the radiated by the sun over the globe. On top of the contour is a five-pointed red star. The emblem is contour is a five-pointed red star. The emblem is set in a frame of wreath of golden wheat-ears set in a frame of wreath of golden wheat-ears interlaced with clover flowers on the right and interlaced with clover flowers on the right and flax flowers on the left. Wheat-ears are flax flowers on the left. Wheat-ears are interlaced with a red-green ribbon carrying a interlaced with a red-green ribbon carrying a golden inscription ‘’ The Republic of Belarus’’ at golden inscription ‘’ The Republic of Belarus’’ at the bottom. the bottom.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Belarus was adopted by the President of Belarus on July 2,2002

The National Anthem of The National Anthem of the Republic of Belarusthe Republic of Belarus

Words by M.Klimkovich,U.Karyzna

Music by N.Sakalouski

Our landOur landTo describe our land one To describe our land one

needs to be a poet. If you needs to be a poet. If you go north, you will see a go north, you will see a land of Braslav lakes with land of Braslav lakes with crystal-clear blue waters crystal-clear blue waters surrounded by pine surrounded by pine groves. If you go west, you groves. If you go west, you will find yourself in the will find yourself in the Brest province—the land Brest province—the land of immense fields and of immense fields and meadows. In the south you meadows. In the south you will be engulfed by infinite will be engulfed by infinite forests and marches.forests and marches.

A third of Belarus is A third of Belarus is under forest. The largest under forest. The largest forests are called forests are called pushchas. The pushchas. The Byelovezhskaya Pushcha Byelovezhskaya Pushcha is famous for its aurochs is famous for its aurochs (European bisons). (European bisons). Fauna is rich and diverse Fauna is rich and diverse there: one can see elks there: one can see elks and deer, wild boars and and deer, wild boars and wolves, bears and foxes, wolves, bears and foxes, beavers and lynxes, not beavers and lynxes, not mentioning myriads of mentioning myriads of birds.birds.

Flora of BelarusFlora of Belarus Forests , Forests ,

pinewoods, pinewoods, mighty-oak groves, mighty-oak groves, birch groves and birch groves and all sorts of other all sorts of other mixed forest mixed forest formations are the formations are the charm, wealth and charm, wealth and pride of our pride of our homeland.homeland.

Influence of forestsInfluence of forests

Belarusian woods can Belarusian woods can also be a good place also be a good place for rest, especially for for rest, especially for towns-people. They towns-people. They also have a favorable also have a favorable influence on soil, influence on soil, climate, they climate, they constrain high waters, constrain high waters, storms, make the air storms, make the air purer and protect ,soil purer and protect ,soil from erosion, and they from erosion, and they also prevent some also prevent some other unpredictable other unpredictable natural phenomena.natural phenomena.

The Great Patriotic WarThe Great Patriotic War(1941-1945)(1941-1945)

June 22, 1941

June 22, 1941

Belarusian IndustryBelarusian IndustryThe industry of Belarus The industry of Belarus

submitted:submitted: Light IndustryLight Industry Automobile IndustryAutomobile Industry Machine-Tool and Tool IndustryMachine-Tool and Tool Industry Tractor and Agricultural EngineeringTractor and Agricultural Engineering Road Construction and Municipal Mechanical Road Construction and Municipal Mechanical

EngineeringEngineering Instrument Manufacture and Electrotechnical Instrument Manufacture and Electrotechnical

industryindustry Radio-Electronic IndustryRadio-Electronic Industry Chemical and Petrochemical industryChemical and Petrochemical industry Wood, Wood-Processing and Cellulose-Paper industryWood, Wood-Processing and Cellulose-Paper industry Food-Processing industryFood-Processing industry AgricultureAgriculture ForestryForestry

Introduction Industry production makes up 31.6% of Industry production makes up 31.6% of

gross production in the economy of gross production in the economy of Belarus.Nowadays Belarus is a country Belarus.Nowadays Belarus is a country of developed industry. There are of developed industry. There are hundreds of industrial enterprises in the hundreds of industrial enterprises in the city which produce tractors and city which produce tractors and automobiles, motor-cycles and bicycles, automobiles, motor-cycles and bicycles, TV-sets and radio-sets, watches and TV-sets and radio-sets, watches and refrigerators, electronic computers, refrigerators, electronic computers, textile, footwear, food and other goods.textile, footwear, food and other goods.

Light industryLight industry Light industry is one of the major Light industry is one of the major

branches of industrial production in branches of industrial production in the Republic of Belarus. It numbers the Republic of Belarus. It numbers more than 1170 enterprises and more than 1170 enterprises and manufacturers, with more than 220 manufacturers, with more than 220 thousand people engaged. The share thousand people engaged. The share of light industry in the total volume of of light industry in the total volume of industrial production makes up industrial production makes up 7.4%.The largest enterprises of the 7.4%.The largest enterprises of the branch are incorporated into the branch are incorporated into the structure of the Belarusian concern on structure of the Belarusian concern on production and marketing of light production and marketing of light industry goods (“Bellegprom”). The industry goods (“Bellegprom”). The share of these large enterprises in the share of these large enterprises in the production of light industry of the production of light industry of the republic amounts to more than 87%. republic amounts to more than 87%. There are also some other medium and There are also some other medium and small enterprises. Industrial small enterprises. Industrial opportunities of the Belarusian light opportunities of the Belarusian light industry are focused on producing a industry are focused on producing a wide range of products: flax fiber, wide range of products: flax fiber, washed wool, cotton yarn, flax yarn, washed wool, cotton yarn, flax yarn, volumetric yarn, staple yarn, cotton volumetric yarn, staple yarn, cotton fabric , linen woolen and silk fabrics, fabric , linen woolen and silk fabrics, carpets and carpetware, nonfabric carpets and carpetware, nonfabric materials of fabric type, sewing materials of fabric type, sewing threads, textile dry goods, knitted threads, textile dry goods, knitted products, stockings and socks, sewed products, stockings and socks, sewed products, corset products, tough products, corset products, tough leather products, artificial leather, leather products, artificial leather, artificial fur on a knitted base, tanning artificial fur on a knitted base, tanning dry goods, oilcloth, furs and fur dry goods, oilcloth, furs and fur products, leather footwear, zippers, products, leather footwear, zippers, etc.etc.

Automobile Automobile industryindustry

Belarus within the framework of Belarus within the framework of the former USSR specialized in the former USSR specialized in machine tool production, machine tool production, production of blacksmith-production of blacksmith-extruding and foundry extruding and foundry equipment, metal- and wood-equipment, metal- and wood-processing tools and processing tools and technological equipment. The technological equipment. The share of these branches in the share of these branches in the total volume of mechanical total volume of mechanical engineering makes up 3.3%, and engineering makes up 3.3%, and with regard to the aggregate with regard to the aggregate number of workers-more than number of workers-more than 7%. Machine-tool factories are in 7%. Machine-tool factories are in Minsk, in Gomel, in Kobrin, in Minsk, in Gomel, in Kobrin, in Baranovichi and in Orsha.Baranovichi and in Orsha.

The automobile industry is the The automobile industry is the leading branch of mechanical leading branch of mechanical engineering. Its share in machine-engineering. Its share in machine-building production makes up more building production makes up more than 30%.The enterprises of the than 30%.The enterprises of the automobile industry comprise more automobile industry comprise more than 14.5% of the workforce engaged than 14.5% of the workforce engaged in mechanical engineering. The in mechanical engineering. The enterprises of the above sector of enterprises of the above sector of mechanical engineering produce mechanical engineering produce lorries, buses, trolleybuses, trailers lorries, buses, trolleybuses, trailers for automobile and tractors electrical for automobile and tractors electrical equipment and devices. Its structure equipment and devices. Its structure incorporates also two enterprises incorporates also two enterprises which produce bearings. At the Minsk which produce bearings. At the Minsk Automobile Factory (MAZ)- the Automobile Factory (MAZ)- the flagship of the home motor industry-a flagship of the home motor industry-a set of arrangements on modernization set of arrangements on modernization and creation of new modifications of and creation of new modifications of automobiles and expansion of automobiles and expansion of nomenclature has been carried uot. nomenclature has been carried uot. The automobiles factories are in The automobiles factories are in Grodno, Borisov, Mogilyov .Grodno, Borisov, Mogilyov .

Machine –Tool industry

Tractor and Agricultural Tractor and Agricultural EngineeringEngineering

There are 36 enterprises of There are 36 enterprises of tractor and agricultural tractor and agricultural mechanical engineering on mechanical engineering on the territory of the Republic the territory of the Republic of Belarus with more then 80 of Belarus with more then 80 thousand workers. These thousand workers. These highly specialized enterprises highly specialized enterprises produce universal-furrow produce universal-furrow wheeled tractors, engines, wheeled tractors, engines, starting engines, units and starting engines, units and details for tractors, self-details for tractors, self-propelled combine-propelled combine-harvesters, potato diggers, harvesters, potato diggers, organic fertilizer spreaders, organic fertilizer spreaders, tractor trailers and other tractor trailers and other agricultural vehicles and agricultural vehicles and components. PA Minsk components. PA Minsk Tractor Works is the largest Tractor Works is the largest in the world producer of in the world producer of wheel tractors. Its share in wheel tractors. Its share in the world output of tractors the world output of tractors of this type equals to 8-10%.of this type equals to 8-10%.

Instrument Manufacture Instrument Manufacture and Electrotechnical and Electrotechnical

IndustryIndustry Enterprises of these branches Enterprises of these branches

number about 15% of all number about 15% of all engaged in mechanical engaged in mechanical engineering and produce one engineering and produce one tenth of machine-building tenth of machine-building production. The basic types of production. The basic types of electrotechnical devices made electrotechnical devices made in the republic are electric in the republic are electric motors of alternating current, motors of alternating current, electric lamps, cable products, electric lamps, cable products, wires and cords for electric wires and cords for electric household appliances, and as to household appliances, and as to the instrument-making branch-the instrument-making branch-computing and managing computing and managing complexes, personal computers complexes, personal computers and various types of devices. and various types of devices. The most famous factories are The most famous factories are The Kozlov memorial The Kozlov memorial electrotechnical factory in electrotechnical factory in Minsk, The Vitebsk PA Minsk, The Vitebsk PA “Izmeritel”, The Mogilyov “Izmeritel”, The Mogilyov “Electric Motor” factory.“Electric Motor” factory.

Radio-Electronic Radio-Electronic IndustryIndustry

The radio-electronic industry The radio-electronic industry of Belarus within the of Belarus within the framework of the uniform framework of the uniform economic complex of the USSR economic complex of the USSR specialized mainly in specialized mainly in manufacturing computer manufacturing computer facilities, mobile automated facilities, mobile automated control systems, optical control systems, optical devices, communication devices, communication facilities and systems, air facilities and systems, air equipment, telemetering equipment, telemetering equipment, products of equipment, products of electronic engineering and electronic engineering and other elements of armaments other elements of armaments and military engineering In and military engineering In Minsk it is located two Minsk it is located two factories. There are The Minsk factories. There are The Minsk PA “Calibre” and The Minsk PA “Calibre” and The Minsk Factory “Thermoplast”.Factory “Thermoplast”.

ForestryForestry The Republic of Belarus possesses huge The Republic of Belarus possesses huge

wood resources, the total area of wood wood resources, the total area of wood stock makes about 43% of the territory stock makes about 43% of the territory of the country. According to the national of the country. According to the national legislation, woods are public propriety legislation, woods are public propriety and are owned by the state. The quality and are owned by the state. The quality of timber, especially coniferous, is fairly of timber, especially coniferous, is fairly high. The most widespread woods are high. The most widespread woods are pine woods, covering 3032.6pine woods, covering 3032.6thth ha ,fir ha ,fir woods-674.2 thousand hectares, birch-woods-674.2 thousand hectares, birch-10451045thth, black alder-427,4, black alder-427,4thth, oak 211, oak 211thth, , aspen-104.6aspen-104.6thth ha. The total stock of ha. The total stock of woods makes 1093.2 m cubic m., and woods makes 1093.2 m cubic m., and lately it has increased by 118 m cubic lately it has increased by 118 m cubic m., and the standing stock of woods has m., and the standing stock of woods has increased from 30m cubic m. up to increased from 30m cubic m. up to 5252m cubic m. 5252m cubic m.

The wood, wood-processing and cellulose-The wood, wood-processing and cellulose-paper industry is one of the oldest branches paper industry is one of the oldest branches of the industrial complex of Belarus. It has of the industrial complex of Belarus. It has managed to continue functioning stebly managed to continue functioning stebly even during the difficult transitional period. even during the difficult transitional period. The branch has 210 enterprises with the The branch has 210 enterprises with the status of a legal entity, and also 3.8 status of a legal entity, and also 3.8 thousand subsidiary manufactures, being on thousand subsidiary manufactures, being on the balance of industrial, constructional, the balance of industrial, constructional, agricultural and other economic subjects. In agricultural and other economic subjects. In its turn enterprises of the wood, wood-its turn enterprises of the wood, wood-processing and cellulose-paper industry of processing and cellulose-paper industry of Belarus import from Germany and other Belarus import from Germany and other countries of Europe engineering equipment countries of Europe engineering equipment and tools, and also various materials for the and tools, and also various materials for the manufacture of furniture.manufacture of furniture.

Wood, Wood-Processing and Cellulose-Paper industry

Agriculture of the Agriculture of the RepublicRepublic

Almost half of the territory of the Almost half of the territory of the Republic of Belarus, covering 20.7 Republic of Belarus, covering 20.7 m ha, is occupied by agricultural m ha, is occupied by agricultural lands. The number of workers lands. The number of workers engaged in agricultural production engaged in agricultural production in 1997 reached 740 thousand in 1997 reached 740 thousand people or 17.0% of all the workers, people or 17.0% of all the workers, engaged in the national economy. engaged in the national economy. Agriculture produces more than Agriculture produces more than 11% of the gross national product 11% of the gross national product of the republic. The profitability of of the republic. The profitability of agricultural production makes agricultural production makes about 20%. Each agricultural about 20%. Each agricultural worker “feeds” nearly 13 people. A worker “feeds” nearly 13 people. A large part of agricultural large part of agricultural production is made by large production is made by large agricultural enterprises: collective agricultural enterprises: collective farms-ready-made production and farms-ready-made production and all their assets are the property of all their assets are the property of all the members of these farms, and all the members of these farms, and state farms-ready-made production state farms-ready-made production and all their assets are the property and all their assets are the property of the state, and their workers are of the state, and their workers are state employees.state employees.

Education in BelarusEducation in BelarusThe National Academy of Sciences of The National Academy of Sciences of

Belarus, founded in 1929, is the Belarus, founded in 1929, is the leading scientific center of leading scientific center of Belarus. The Academy scientists Belarus. The Academy scientists have achieved significant success have achieved significant success in R&D activities in the field of in R&D activities in the field of mathematics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, Earth science, social biology, Earth science, social sciences and the humanities. As of sciences and the humanities. As of 01.07.2002, the staff of the 01.07.2002, the staff of the Academy and affiliated institutions Academy and affiliated institutions included more than 17,000 included more than 17,000 researchers and technicians, 611 researchers and technicians, 611 Doctors of Sciences (equivalent of Doctors of Sciences (equivalent of Prof.) and about 2,270 Candidates Prof.) and about 2,270 Candidates of Sciences (equivalent of Ph.D.). of Sciences (equivalent of Ph.D.). Intergovernmental agreements on Intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the field of sciences cooperation in the field of sciences and technologies have been signed and technologies have been signed with 60 countries, including Great with 60 countries, including Great Britain, Germany, India, China, Britain, Germany, India, China, Russia, the US, and Japan.Russia, the US, and Japan.

Belarus is a country with highly Belarus is a country with highly developed science and advanced developed science and advanced education. The adult literacy rate education. The adult literacy rate in Belarus is 99.7%, and the in Belarus is 99.7%, and the country has a high primary, country has a high primary, secondary and tertiary gross secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (the highest in the enrolment ratio (the highest in the CIS countries according to CIS countries according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics). UNESCO Institute for Statistics). The ratio of university students The ratio of university students (303 per 10,000 people) is the level (303 per 10,000 people) is the level of leading European countries, of leading European countries, including Germany, the including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland.Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland.

The Belarusian educational system The Belarusian educational system includes more than 5,000 includes more than 5,000 preschool institutions, nearly the preschool institutions, nearly the same number of comprehensive same number of comprehensive schools, colleges and lyceums, and schools, colleges and lyceums, and 58 higher educational institutions. 58 higher educational institutions. Students from 83 countries study Students from 83 countries study at the Belarusian universities.at the Belarusian universities.

Nowadays the number of Nowadays the number of students attending different students attending different educational establishments educational establishments has not changed. The has not changed. The republic guarantees its republic guarantees its citizens the right to citizens the right to universal secondary universal secondary education and creates means education and creates means for further professional for further professional education. It tries to education. It tries to preserve the democratic preserve the democratic character of education, character of education, paying much attention to paying much attention to common human values, common human values, developing independent developing independent critical thinking instead of critical thinking instead of simple perception of simple perception of information.information.

The republic is reforming its system of education today with the aim of creating an independent, qualitatively new national school, corresponding to international standards and ensuring each citizen the right to the high-quality education according to his abilities and inclinations.

The republic is reforming its system of education today with the aim of creating an independent, qualitatively new national school, corresponding to international standards and ensuring each citizen the right to the high-quality education according to his abilities and inclinations. The reform envisages a continuity of The reform envisages a continuity of study at all stages, such as pre-school, secondary school, vocational training and study at all stages, such as pre-school, secondary school, vocational training and specialized secondary school, and at the higher school level. It gives teachers and specialized secondary school, and at the higher school level. It gives teachers and students freedom in the choice of educational forms and methods, while the students freedom in the choice of educational forms and methods, while the results must correspond to the state educational standards.results must correspond to the state educational standards.

The main principles of the educational system in Belarus are the priority of human The main principles of the educational system in Belarus are the priority of human values, national culture as the basis of education, humanism, sense of ecological values, national culture as the basis of education, humanism, sense of ecological purpose, scientific basis, democracy, support of gifted children and so on.purpose, scientific basis, democracy, support of gifted children and so on.

In the period from 1996 till 2010 the reform envisages:In the period from 1996 till 2010 the reform envisages:12 year secondary school. Academic education in the 11—12th forms according to the 12 year secondary school. Academic education in the 11—12th forms according to the

main trends of the higher education: humane, natural, aesthetic and main trends of the higher education: humane, natural, aesthetic and technological.technological.

Primary vocational training at vocational schools.Primary vocational training at vocational schools.Secondary vocational training at secondary specialized schools and colleges.Secondary vocational training at secondary specialized schools and colleges.Higher education at two levels: the first level for those seeking a bachelor's degree (4Higher education at two levels: the first level for those seeking a bachelor's degree (4

—5 years) and the second level to obtain a master's degree (5—6 years).—5 years) and the second level to obtain a master's degree (5—6 years).Possibility for masters to obtain doctoral degree.Possibility for masters to obtain doctoral degree.There have been changes in the organization of education itself. New types of There have been changes in the organization of education itself. New types of

educationaleducational

The political portrait The political portrait of the country.of the country.

The President of the Republic Belarus

The Premier Minister of Belarus

Sergey Sidorsky

The Minister of DefenseLeonid Maltsev

The House of the Government

The State Power in The State Power in BelarusBelarus

The Executive The Legislative The Executive The Legislative The JudicialThe Judicial

Power Power Power Power Power Power

(The National Assembly) (The National Assembly) The President of The The President of The

ConstitutionalConstitutionalthe Republic Court the Republic Court The Council of Ministers regional courtsThe Council of Ministers regional courts (The Government)(The Government)

The House of Representatives The Council of the RepublicThe House of Representatives The Council of the Republic (110 deputies are elected by the people of RB) (8 members are appointed by the (110 deputies are elected by the people of RB) (8 members are appointed by the

President)President)

BELARUS IS MY BELARUS IS MY HOMELANDHOMELAND

“ “THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME”THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME”