Belarus is settled between several Slavic countries but it’s still a relatively unpopular tourist destination. If you’re interested in exploring corners of the world that aren’t crowded with tourists and that have something unique to offer, Belarus may just the destination for you. Here are three things to know about the country.
It Has Many Forests
Belarus has amazing nature, and even if you know this fact, you will still be surprised by it when you see it in person. 40% of the country is covered with forest, which is why it’s sometimes called the “Lung of Europe”. The green stripe on the national flag represents the rich forests.
Over 200 Potato Specialties
Potatoes are a “second bread” in Belarus and there are over 200 specialties made with them. From the most famous draniki, which is actually a potato pancake, to hundreds of other dishes, potatoes are a staple in any Belarusian home and restaurant.
Nobel Prize Winners
Many Nobel Prize winners came from Belarus. Simon Kuznets won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 1971, Zhores Alfredov got the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000, two Nobel Peace Prize Winners (Shimon Peres in 1994 and Menachem Begin in 1978) were born in Belarus, and Svetlana Alexievich won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 2015.
