Provinces

Belarus is divided into six provinces (voblasts), named after the cities that serve as their administrative centres. The city of Minsk, located in the Minsk province, has the special status of being a national subordinate as it isn't included in any voblast. Voblasts are further subdivided into raions (commonly translated as 'districts' or 'regions'). Local legislative authorities (raisovet, 'raion council') are elected by the raion's residents; local executive authorities (raion administration) are appointed by higher executive authorities. In the same way, each voblast has its own legislative authority (oblsovet), elected by residents, and an executive authority (voblast administration), whose leader is appointed by the President.