Where is Belarus located?

Belarus is located in eastern Europe. The nation is completely landlocked, surrounded by Poland to the west, Russia to the east, Latvia and Lithuania to the northwest and Ukraine to the south.

Belarus is in the northern and eastern hemispheres. Its capital city of Minsk is located at approximately 53 degrees N and 27 degrees E. Because of its location, Belarus has traditionally been a target for larger, stronger nations located around it. After World War I, it was divided between Poland and the Soviet Union, but it was taken over by the Soviets in the invasion of 1939 and then by the Germans in 1941. It then went back to Soviet control after World War II and finally became independent in 1991.