A landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, it gained independence in 1991.
From the Belarusian words 'bela' (white) + 'Rus' (Ruthenia, an old name for the region). Literally means 'White Ruthenia' or 'White Russia,' possibly referring to the white clothing worn by locals or the white-barked birch forests common in the region.
Belarus is literally 'White Russia,' but this creates endless confusion since it's a completely separate country from Russia - the name refers to an ancient geographical region called Ruthenia, not modern Russia. The 'white' part might come from the white bark of birch trees that dominate the landscape, making it a country named after its forests.
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