Belarus as an official autonomous country only achieved independence in 1991. With its history full of conflict, culture, and many different rulers, this former member of the Soviet Union must now face a future trying to balance influence and values from both the East and the West. The people of Belarus have struggled to find a national identity, but today they hold strong to their traditions, language, beliefs, lifestyle, and culture. Readers will learn about historic and modern Belarus through detailed writing, captivating photographs, engaging sidebars, and much more.