Belarus

 

Interesting Facts about Belarus

• The name Belarus derives from the term White Rus (White Russia), which first appeared in German and Latin medieval literature.
• Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by a president and the National Assembly.  
• Belarus is slightly smaller than Kansas.
• Landlocked, low-lying with thick forests, flat marshes and fields.
• Bordered by Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north.
• Its capital is Minsk.
• The weather in Belarus consists of cold winters, cool and moist summers, transitional between continental and maritime.
• Most of Belarus's population of 9.85 million reside in the urban areas surrounding Minsk and other oblast (regional) capitals.
• More than 80% of the population are native Belarusians, with sizable minorities of Russians, Poles and Ukrainians.
• Since a referendum in 1995, the country has had two official languages: Belarusian and Russian.
• Most of the Belarusian economy remains state-controlled, and has been described as "Soviet-style"; thus, 51.2% of Belarusians are employed by state-controlled companies, 47.4% are employed by private Belarusian companies (of which 5.7% are partially foreign-owned), and 1.4% are employed by foreign companies.
• The country relies on imports such as oil from Russia.  
• Belarusian cuisine consists mainly of vegetables, meat (especially pork), and breads. Foods are usually either slowly cooked or stewed.
• Natural Resources include forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay. 

 

Statistics for Belarus

Population:	9,648,533 (July 2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:	male: 65 years female: 76 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate:	1.2 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Religions:	The Constitution of Belarus does not declare an official religion, although the primary religion in the country is Russian Orthodox Christianity, the second most important is Roman Catholicism
GDP - per capita (PPP):	$12,291 (2008)
Literacy:	total population: 100%

 

Adoption Facts about Belarus

This program is: suspended

Belarus adoptions have been suspended while new legislation is considered.

 In 2008, U.S. citizens adopted approximately no children from Belarus. Once the program re-opens, the children available for adoption will likely include boys and girls, ages 6 months to 16 years, healthy and special needs. These children reside in orphanages. Since visa processing in completed in Poland, a trip to Warsaw is necessary once formalities are completed in Belarus.

Travel required: Yes; both parents (if married) must travel; one trip, approximately ten days.

Convention Country?: Yes.

Singles accepted: Yes

Other: Visa processing is done in Warsaw, Poland; child must maintain Belarusian citizenship until age 18 (dual citizenship), with post-placement reports.

Helpful Links

 

Karen's Adoption Links

Pre-Adoption Process & Paperwork

Accredited Agencies

JCICS

http://pear-now.blogspot.com/

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/bo/

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarus

http://belarus.adoption.com/

http://www.economywatch.com/economic-statistics/country/Belarus/