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Destination Guides - Europe / Belarus
Travel Advice on Health, Climate, Local Info, Customs and Laws
| Travel Advice/Warnings |
| There is very little crime but do not be complacent, ensure you safe guard your valuables and travel documentation. |
| Vaccinations & Health Alerts |
| The general standard of health care is below that of the UK. It is recommended that you vaccinate against Hep A, Polio, Typhoid and Diphtheria. Drink only bottled water. Due to concerns over radiation you are advised to avoid local dairy produce and wild mushrooms. |
| Seasonal Climate |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Temp (c) |
-10 |
-6 |
0 |
9 |
13 |
16 |
15 |
14 |
8 |
2 |
-1 |
-5 |
| Rainfall (cm) |
3 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
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| Belarus is a landlocked country, the terrain is mostly low-lying with forests and flat marshes. The climate is continental with cold winters and warm and humid summers. |
BBC - Weather Centre - Forecast for Minsk, Belarus
| Tuesday |
Max Temp: 16°C (61°F), Min Temp: 10°C (50°F), Wind Direction: E, Wind Speed: 12mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1025mb, Humidity: 59%, Sunrise: 06:29EEST, Sunset: 19:45EEST |
| Wednesday |
Max Temp: 14°C (57°F), Min Temp: 9°C (48°F), Wind Direction: E, Wind Speed: 9mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1025mb, Humidity: 75%, Sunrise: 06:31EEST, Sunset: 19:43EEST |
| Thursday |
Max Temp: 14°C (57°F), Min Temp: 8°C (46°F), Wind Direction: ESE, Wind Speed: 13mph, Visibility: good, Pressure: 1028mb, Humidity: 56%, Sunrise: 06:32EEST, Sunset: 19:41EEST |
(by the BBC Weather Centre in association with the Met Office) |
| Local Customs/Laws |
| Do not take photographs of military or government buildings. There are severe penalties for drugs related crimes. You could be fined for 'J'-walking. |
| Getting Around |
| Road and rail links are good. Fees are payable for using the motorways, price varies depending on distance travelled. Expect long queues at the border due to lengthy and bureaucratic customs and immigration. |
| Public Holidays/Festivals |
| Minsk holds an International Language Festival (Expolingua) in April, Lake Svityaz has a festival of poetry in June and Minsk hosts the Autumn Music Festival. There are various cultural festivals such as the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, which showcases Belarusian performers, artists, writers, musicians, and actors and Radunista on 6 May. Orthodox Christian dates for 2010 are: Orthodox Christmas on 6 & 7 January, beginning of Lent on 15 February, Orthodox Easter from 2-5 April and Pentecost on 23 May. Muslim holidays for 2010 include: the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday on 3 March (not celebrated by all), Ramadam which commences from sunset on 11 August and culminates with Eid al-Fitr on 10 September, the Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha on 17 November and Ashura on 16 December. |
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| Religion |
| Russian Orthodox, Christian and Muslim |
| Visa Requirements |
| A Visa is required and can be obtained from the Belarus Embassy in the UK. Passports should have at least 6 months validity and two unused pages. |
| British Embassy Details |
| British Embassy, 37 Karl Marx Street, 220030 Minsk, Belarus. Tel: (375)(17) 2105920/1 |
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