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Belarus in Maps.Indd FOREWORD of its people. But if you look closer, its history not only reveals a true European identity, but also sheds light on shared Hungarian-Belarusian episodes in our past: István Báthory, Prince of Transylvania, was also King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania between 1575 and 1586. Today’s Lithuania and today’s Belarus both re- gard Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as their predecessor. István Báthory died in Hrodna, on the territory of present-day Belarus, in 1586, without succeeding in creating a great East- Central European state of Poles, Lithuanians, Belarusians and Hungarians that could counter German and Russian influence at the time. Despite heavy political issues around pres- ent-day Belarus, Hungarian geographers have worked hand in hand with their Belarusian col- leagues. They have always remained true to the idea of academic freedom to produce a work that presents scientific facts with an objective eye. I hope that their joint results will be widely dis- cussed and acknowledged in Budapest, Minsk, throughout Europe and beyond. Geography, the scientific study of terrain, is like By sponsoring the publication of 100 detailed mathematics: a common language of peoples and maps that define this ambitious enterprise, we are cultures, a universal discourse of mutual intel- proud to contribute to a learned dialog between ligibility. Its power to create common grounds scholars and political decision-makers about has always played an indisputable role in inter- Belarus. Belarus in Maps does not only enhance national relations. Unfortunately, for historical the prestige of Hungarian research in geography reasons, the horizons of geographic research in but, I hope, will also enable the application of sci- Hungary were confined within the country’s bor- entific results in policy-making both on national ders for many years. However, since 2005 the and international levels. publication of a series of atlases presenting coun- tries and regions by the Geographical Institute of László Lovász the Hungarian Academy of Sciences has indeed President broadened the horizon of geographic research Hungarian Academy of Sciences performed in Hungary. The present volume, Belarus in Maps, is the latest edition of this series. Belarus borders a country neighboring Hungary and the European Union. In geographical terms Belarus is undeni- ably a European country, nevertheless many of us European readers have only limited knowl- edge of its geography and the exciting history 9 Esteemed Reader, tions grounded on the principles of cooperation, mutual respect and understanding. I am glad that you are holding in your hands the I congratulate the Hungarian and Belarusian present publication, rich in content, maps and authors, involved institutions and individuals statistical data. This book might give answers on their great work on collecting, systematizing to your questions about what is the modern sociological, geographical, economic and other Belarus, who are the Belarusians and why we are statistical data that resulted in the publication of such. It will certainly raise some new questions, the present book. I believe that this publication, maybe will provoke interest in learning more, which by the way in many aspects differs from excite further scientific discussions for the benefit the official Belarusian vision, will become subject of the most complete and objective understand- of interest not only for specialists but also for the ing of Belarus by the foreigners. general public. Surprisingly, in the year of the 500th anniver- I do hope that this reading will encour- sary of the first Belarusian book printed in 1517 age people, for whom Belarus still remains un- by the prominent Francysk Skaryna from Polack, known, to visit my country, to see it with their despite of its long and rich history, Belarus still own eyes, and to draw their own conclusions. remains for many an unknown land that needs In February 2017 Belarus unilaterally abolished presentation and explanation. visas for short-term travels for the nationals of Indeed, in the course of centuries, in our 80 countries, including EU member-states, all the extremely interconnected and interdependent more reason for arranging such a visit. region, full of rivalry, devastating wars and reli- gious conflicts, whole peoples and nations were Aliaksandr Khainouski dissolved and assimilated by more powerful Ambassador of Belarus to Hungary neighbours. We have survived. During the alter- nate periods of flourishing, declines or external suppression we have managed to preserve our Studying Belarus – Toward a better national identity and our native – Belarusian – understanding of Europe language. Moreover, the hearts of Belarusians have not hardened and they have kept a high For a period of more than 1,155 years (since the level of ethnic and religious tolerance. first written reference to Polack, the oldest town The tragedies and sufferings of the past had in the Belarusian lands, which dates to 862), the led to the consolidation of the Belarusian nation, Belarusian nation has undergone various stages for which peace, stability and good neighbourly of ethnogenesis and socio-economic develop- relations became the core values, preconditions ment on the ridges of the divide between the for the very existence and for further evolution- Baltic and Black Seas and in the adjoining plains. ary development, which is based on the histori- These centuries-long processes have been record- cal experience and resulting mentality. ed in various forms, such as ancient chronicles, Not disposing of much of mineral resourc- travelogues and, more recently, encyclopaedias. es, Belarusians relied on achieving high level of These latter sources reveal to modern readers the organizational skills, educational and intellectual diversity of the world, the natural environment, potential, and succeeded in this endeavour. It is and the way of life of Europe’s nations. Maps most mportant that, by the end of the 20th centu- and atlases are a special form of representating ry, Belarus, on of the UN co-founders, regained the globe and its parts, and they offer a compre- and preserved its independence and statehood. hensive spatial picture of regions and countries. Hungary was among first countries to rec- More than 400 years ago, in the academic circles ognize sovereign Belarus and to establish diplo- and libraries of Europe, the first cartographic matic relations with my country exactly 25 years representation of the Belarusian lands appeared ago. This represented an important gesture of in the form of a map by Tomasz Makowski solidarity and a strong signal of support to a (1575–1630, painter and engraver at the court of newly reborn state. Since then both countries Prince Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł in Niasviž) have managed to build up together friendly rela- entitled “Magni Dvcatvs Lithvaniae, Caeterarumque 10 Regionum Illi Adiacentium Exacta Descriptio Illss globalization, and the strengthening European mi. ac Excellss mi. Principis et Dni. D.Nicolai identity. Prospective visitors to the country are Christophori Radziwil D.G.Olijcć ac in Nieswies strongly recommended to study the key chapters Ducis, S. Rom. Imperrii Principis in Szylowiec ac of this atlas before embarking on their journey. Mir Comitis et S.Sepulehri Hierosolimitani Militis The maps may also guide visitors as they seek to etc. opera. cura et impensis facta ac in lucem editaŕ. find out more about this unique European coun- – Amsterodami : excudebat Guilhelmus Janssonius, try. Similarly, the atlas may serve as a resource 1613”. The map depicted hydrography, the road for people in the business and cultural spheres network, over 340 human settlements, and other as they realize mutually beneficial projects aimed objects of the time. at fostering Pan-European unity. The subsequent history of this region of Europe was full of dramatic events, saw unique With an invitation to visit the country developments in the economic sphere, and yield- Regular member of the Geographical Society of ed a wealth of masterpieces in the field of indige- Belarus nous culture. The Belarusian lands have frequent- Professor Ivan Pirozhnik ly become the scene of clashes between stronger neighbouring nations, especially so in modern times. Such events curtailed the development of Dear Reader, civilization among the Belarusian ethnos, but it could not stop it. Having long experienced con- Belarus in Maps is a comprehensive reference and federative or union state structures, the Belarusian cartographic encyclopaedia on the history, econo- nation emerged in the first half of the 20th centu- my and geography of Belarus. The atlas has been ry as an independent state formation. Indeed, it published with a view to informing readers about played an active part in the creation of the new the country, which recently celebrated its 25th an- world order and of the United Nations in 1945. niversary. The independence of Belarus was de- The present atlas, which has been made clared on August 25, 1991, and on September 19, available to the European audience, introduces 1991 the official name of the country, the Republic the main stages of the formation of the present of Belarus, appeared for the first time. settlement pattern and the spatial structure of Belarus lies at the intersection of western the modern economy in the sovereign Belarus. and eastern European civilization, and its peo- It does so by way of thematic maps and ex- ple have both Baltic and Slavic roots. The coun- planatory notes. Initiated and published by try is the heir of the Principality of Polack and the Geographical Institute of the Hungarian the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Geographically, Academy of Sciences, it was prepared in collab- Belarus is situated at the centre of Europe, but oration with experts from the National Academy in geopolitical terms it is regarded as an Eastern of Sciences of Belarus and through the involve- European country. The area is about 207,600 km2, ment of university workshops in the two coun- which is more than the area of such countries as tries.
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