Shuchin, Belarus

Climate in Belarus
( (Prepared by Tanya Kasperovich, Tanya Komar, Sveta Marmysh, Yuliya Timoshchuk, Veronica Siniysa, Sheygerevich Dasha)

1.What is the climate like where you live?
We live in Belarus. The country's climate is temperate continental because of the proximity of the Baltic Sea (257 meters at the closest point). Winters last between 105 and 145 days, and summers last up to 150 days. The average temperature in January is -6°C, and the average temperature for July is about 18°C, with high humidity. Average annual precipitation ranges from 550 to 700 millimeters and is sometimes excessive.
2.What type of houses do people traditionally have in your place? Why do
In big cities many storied buildings are usually built. Recently rather attractive block of flats have been built.
In villages people live in wooden houses. Many villages are being turned into agricultural towns due to the policy of our government. New cookie-cutters are usually built there.
3.What clothes do people wear? (winter- summer clothes; traditional clothes for men-women)
We used to wear sheepskin coats and fur coats in winter. But we don’t do it often now because winters have become warmer. So we wear coats and jackets. In summer we wear T-shirts, skirts and dresses.
4.What food do they eat? Why? Write a recipe of a traditional dish.
It’s a well-known fact that Belarusians are fond of potato. We really like it and grow a lot of it. And, of course our traditional dish is made of potatoes. It’s ‘Draniki’ – pancakes made of potatoes.
Ingredients:
4 large raw potatoes, grated.
4 tbs flour.
1/2 tsp baking powder.
2 eggs.
1/2 tsp salt.
oil.
Method
Grate potatoes, drain off surplus liquid; add salt, flour, baking powder and eggs. Mix well until all is combined. Cook by heaping tablespoonsful (spread out a little bit with back of spoon) in hot oil in heavy 10-inch skillet. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from skillet, drain on paper towels and keep warm in covered container. Serve with whipped sour cream

5.What activities do people do outdoors in your country? (in summer and in winter)
In summer people like to go for a picnic to the bank of a river, in villages they often engaged in agricultural activities, in autumn they pick up mushrooms. The hardly ever spend much time outdoors.
6.The climate can make a lot of problems. Do you have disasters in your country? What do people have to do if there is this kind of disaster? Please include 2-3 photos on each question
Fortunately, our climate is mild. We never have hurricanes or earthquakes. However sometimes we have small problems. In the last few years we have rather warm winters with practically no snow and temperature above zero. But the level of precipitation of rain in spring, summer and autumn is sometimes very high. This causes the destruction of harvest. Unfortunately, people can do nothing about it.