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Belarus
Map of Belarus
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Belarus
Map of Belarus |
Population: 10 million
Capital: Minsk
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Polish 4.1%,
Ukrainian 2.9%, other 1.9%
Background: After seven decades as a constituent republic of
the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer
political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet
republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8
December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration but,
to date, neither side has actively sought to implement the accord.
(Source: Worldfackbook 2000, CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Belarus
Artists of Belarus:
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Estonia
Map of Estonia |
Population: 1,5 million
Capital: Tallinn
Offisial language: Estonian
Major ethnic groups: Estonian 65.1%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian
2.5%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.8% (1998)
Background: After centuries of Swedish and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Estonia
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Latvia
Map of Latvia |
Population: 2,5 million
Capital: Riga
Offisial language: Lettish
Major ethnic groups: Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian
4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%
Background: After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Latvia
Artists of Latvia:
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Lithuania
Map of Lithuania |
Population: 3,5 million
Capital: Villnius
Offisial language: Lithuanian
Major ethnic groups: Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish
7%, Byelorussian 1.6%, other 2.1%
Background: Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. In March of 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for eventual integration into Western European institutions. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Lithuania
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Moldvia
Map of Moldvia |
Population: 4,5 million
Capital: Chisinau
Official language: Moldovan (virtually the same as the Romanian
language)
Ethnic groups: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian
13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.)
note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Background: Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of
the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from
the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory
east of the Nistru (Dnister) River supporting the Slavic majority population
(mostly Ukrainians and Russians) who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Moldavia
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Ukraine
Map of Ukraine |
Population: 49 million
Capital: Kiev
Offisial language:
Major ethnic groups: Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%,
other 4%
Background: Richly endowed in natural resources, Ukraine has
been fought over and subjugated for centuries; its 20th-century struggle
for liberty is not yet complete. A short-lived independence from Russia
(1917-1920) was followed by brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial
famines
(1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died, and World War II, in
which German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 million more
deaths. Although independence was attained in 1991 with the dissolution
of the USSR, true freedom remains elusive as many of the former Soviet
elite remain entrenched, stalling efforts at economic reform, privatization,
and civic liberties.
(Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Ukraine
Artists of Ukrain: