Belarus, the name means "White Russian", is a difficult country to visit and progress has been sluggish compared with other independent nations of the former Soviet Union. The country's strategic location has always made it a battleground conquered and reoccupied by neighboring regional powers. Invasions destroyed most of Belarus' historic structures, and rapid industrialization robbed it of most of its charm.

In 1986, the nuclear reactor of Chernobyl, located just across the border in Ukraine, exploded and Belarus fell victim to the fallout. Experts say short-term visitors have little risk of contamination. But a quarter of the population of Belarus has endured chronic exposure to radiation fallout since the accident. The effects are expected to continue well into the new century.