Minsk
Minsk is the capital of Belarus and also the largest city of the nation. Located on both the Svislach and Niamiha rivers, Minsk has a population exceeding 1.8 millions.
The earliest references to Minsk are from the year 1067. Minsk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1242 and in 1569 it became the capital of the Minsk Voivodship in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. By the end of the 18th century, Minsk was annexed by Russia as a result of the Second Partition of Poland.
The industrial infrastructure of Minsk was severely damaged during the Word War I and II, but once the wars were over Minsk was rebuilt and turned into a major producer of trucks, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, and similar. Minsk is today home to over 250 factories and plants and about 40 percent of the work force is employed by the manufacturing sector.
Minsk is also the major cultural centre of Belarus with no less than 139 libraries. There are also 11 theatres, 16 museums and 20 cinemas.
Around Minsk, you will find the type of mixed forest that is typical for most parts of Belarus, and you can also find forested regions within the city. Some of the forests are used as parks, e.g. the Chelyuskinites Park.
