In 2009, Belarus observes a “Year of Our Native Land”. Nearly 65 per cent of Belarus is pure nature, with over 10 thousand lakes, 20 thousand rivers and 40 per cent of the land covered by forests. The information on events taking place in Belarus as part of the "Year of Our Native Land" (English, Russian) was circulated as an official document of the 63rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.