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Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Belarus

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Belarus.

Speed

Overview

landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay

Detailed geography

Physical Features

Terrain
generally flat and contains much marshland
Climate
Belarus is located on the 53rd latitude — roughly the same as Hamburg, Germany; Dublin, Ireland; and Edmonton, Canada. It has a temperate continental climate. Average summer temperatures are in the mid-60’s to mid-70’s. (July is the warmest month.) It can be cold from October to April. Average winter temperatures are in the low teens and 20’s F. Frost can occur 6 to 7 months of the year. Snow/ice can be expected from December to March, and occasionally into April. Winter days are short. Spring, summer, and fall bring long hours of welcome light. Average annual precipitation is 22–28 inches; June, July, and August are the wettest months.
Weather Patterns
http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/BOXX0005?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point
346 — Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
Lowest Point
90 — Nyoman River 90 m

Borders and Area

Area (Comparative)
slightly smaller than Kansas
Border Countries
Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km
Maritime Claims
none (landlocked)

Natural Resources and Hazards

Natural Resources
forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay
Natural Hazards
NA

Environment and Land Use

Current Environmental Issues
soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
International Agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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