Belarus - Travel Report

Belarus became an independent republic on August 25, 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Both Belarusian and Russian are official languages, and Russian is widely spoken throughout the country, particularly in the cities. Tourist facilities are not highly developed, but food and lodging in thecapital and some regional centers are adequate. The average annual GDP of Belarus is 61.91 billion (2003 est.). Belarus’ major exports are machinery, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals, and textiles. Belarus’ major trading partners are Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany and Lithuania. The predominant religion in Belarus is Eastern Orthodox, so most of the traditional Eastern Orthodox holidays are observed by the majority of the Belarusian population. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. Most hotels do accept American Express or Visa credit cards. In addition, one hotel in Minsk, The Planeta, provides cash from Visa credit cards during business hours. Travelers face arrest if they try to buy items with currency other than Belarusian rubles. Authorized currency exchange centers are widely available throughout major cities. ATMs are also available for use. Travelers should be aware that there is a high incidence of credit card fraud in Belarus.