Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. It has a population of around 9.5 million and its capital is Minsk. Belarus has a complex history, including periods under Polish-Lithuanian rule and Soviet control, gaining independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its economy is largely state-controlled, and its political system is often described as authoritarian, with President Alexander Lukashenko having been in power since 1994. The country is known for its vast forests, strong industrial sector, and its unique cultural traditions.