The Republic of Belarus is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. It has been an independent nation since 1990 when it declared its independence from the Soviet Union. The abbreviation for Belarus is BEL which stands for Belarussian Nationality. This abbreviation was adopted in 1990 when Belarus became an independent nation. BEL is an acronym for both English and Belarussian words which are used to refer to Belarus in different contexts. In English it stands for Belarussian Nationality while in Belarussian it stands for Bielarus or “the White Russia”. The English version was adopted as part of a new national identity which was developed after independence from the Soviet Union. Belarus also has its own flag which features two horizontal stripes – red on top and green on the bottom – with a red and white ornament at its center representing national unity. Additionally, there are two national symbols: a firesteel representing strength; and an oak leaf representing peace and prosperity. Both symbols feature prominently on coins throughout Belarus as well as on official documents such as passports and visas. See 800zipcodes for Belarus Geography and Population. In Belarus, there are several major newspapers that are widely read and respected. The most popular newspaper is the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA), which was established in 1918 and is printed in both Russian and Belarusian languages. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international news, as well as its political commentary. The daily also features investigative pieces, editorials, opinion columns and interviews with prominent figures in the country. Another popular newspaper is Vecherny Minsk (The Evening Minsk), which was established in 1991 and is printed in Russian language. It focuses on local politics, economy, culture and sports. Then there’s Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta (The Belarussian Business Gazette), an Belarus-based daily printed in Russian language that focuses on social issues such as health care, education, justice system and human rights abuses. Finally, there’s Nasha Niva (Our Field), another Belarus-based daily that features investigative reports on politics and business across the country. These four newspapers are the most widely read publications in Belarus today, providing readers with vital information about their country’s current affairs. Check simplyyellowpages for other media in the country of Belarus.