ocal service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity -
Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently
serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus' fiber optics form
synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries'
systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational
international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the
Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line,
and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic
segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and
Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this
infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat,
Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)

Radios:
3.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:
2.52 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.by

Internet hosts:
5,308 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
23 (2002)

Internet users:
1,391,900 (2003)

Transportation Belarus

Railways:
total: 5,523 km
broad gauge: 5,523 km 1.520-m gauge (875 km electrified) (2003)

Highways:
total: 74,385 km
paved: 66,203 km
unpaved: 8,182 km (2000)

Waterways:
2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by
shallowness) (2003)

Pipelines:
gas 5,223 km; oil 2,443 km; refined products 1,686 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:
Mazyr

Airports:
135 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 50
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 21
under 914 m: 21 (2003 est.)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 85
under 914 m: 64 (2003 est.)
914 to 1,523 m: 11
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

Heliports:
1 (2003 est.)

Military Belarus

Military branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Force

Military manpower - military age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript
service obligation - 18 months (May 2004)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 2,764,856 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 2,164,923 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 86,716 (2004 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$176.1 million (FY02)