Industry, agriculture, science

Belarusian industry plays the major part in our economy. Our country is one of the biggest manufacturers of fertilizers, fodder harvesters, tractors, trucks, buses, chemical fibres, commercial wood and other products. Such famous brands as “Horisont” and “Vityaz” producing TV-sets, “Atlant” refrigerators and “Belarus” tractors enjoy world popularity. The “Gefest” gas stoves produced in Brest are widely spread all over European and Asian countries.

Agriculture in Belarus specializes in milk and meat production. Potatoes, flax, grain, herbs and vegetables are cultivated here.

Belarus is a country of well developed science. A great contribution to the development of the national economy is made by the scientists of Belarus. There is the Academy of Sciences with numerous research institutes which work on various topical problems in such fields as mathematics, optics, spectroscopy, energetics, genetics, biology and other branches of learning. About 37 higher educational establishments and about 400 professional schools train highly qualified specialists for various sectors of national economy.

 

Political set-up

Officially our country is called the Republic of Belarus. It is a sovereign independent state with its government, constitution, state emblem, flag and anthem. The Declaration of State Sovereignty was adopted on July 27, 1990.

Belarus is a presidential republic. The highest executive power belongs to a President elected for a five-year term. The parliament, which is the National Assembly, is known as a representative and legislative body of the country. The Parliament consists of two chambers: Representatives and Soviet of the Republic. The executive power is performed by the Council of Ministers headed by a Prime Minister who is appointed by the President of the Republic.

Nowadays the Republic of Belarus is a founder-member of the United Nations Organization (UNO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It has its permanent representatives in the CIS, UN, UNESCO and in other international organizations.

Exercises

1. Use the text to complete the sentences from the text:

1. Belarus is … into six regions.

2. Belarus is... located.

3. It is situated in the centre of Europe, where....

4. Belarus is one of the biggest producers of....

5. Belarus is famous for....

6. …specializes in milk and meat production.

7. The climate of Belarus is influenced by... blowing from....

8. Our country... on Russia, on the Ukraine, on Poland, on the Lithuania and Latvia.

9. There are no mountains in our country, so Belarus is... country.

10. Tractors, TV sets, gas stoves and other products are... in Belarus.

11. Naroch is... lake in our country.

12. The Baltic Sea... the... of Belarus.

 

2. Decide if the following statements are false or true:

1. Belarus is a monarchy.

2. The real power belongs to the Parliament.

3. The executive power is performed by the Council of Ministers.

4. The Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

5. Belarus is situated in the centre of Eastern Europe.

6. Belarus has a lot of mountains.

7. The climate of the republic is influenced by the Pacific Ocean.

8. Belarus borders on 3 countries.

9. The republic imports fertilizers, big lorries, refrigerators, TV sets, gas stoves, potatoes and flax.

10. Nowadays Belarus is a member of the European Union.

 

3. Answer the questions on the text:

1. How many regions is our republic divided into? What are they?

2. What is the capital of our republic?

3. What countries does our republic border on?

4. What can you say about the population of Belarus?

5. What do you know about different branches of Belarusian industry?

6. What does agriculture in Belarus specialize in?

7. What is Belovezhskaya Pushcha famous for?

8. What can you say about the climate of our republic?

9. Is Belarus a country of well developed education?

10. Are you proud of your country? Why?