The capital of the belarus repulic

THE CAPITAL OF THE BELARUS REPULIC.

More than 2000 years ago on the banks of the Nemiga and Svisloch rivers came into existence the city of Minsk or Mensk as it was called before. The name of the city is believed to be associated with the river Menka that Flowed into lake Ptych not far from the city. But the legends say that the city derives its name from the word «mena» as in ancient, times there was a barter market on the right bank of the Svisloch. Mensk was first mentioned in a chronicle in 5067. In the 12^th century Mensk became the centre of the independent principality. In the late 13th century the principality of Mensk became part of the Great Duchy of Lithuania.

The 14^th – 15^th centuries were very important in the life of Mensk and its inhabitants. It was the period when the Belarusian nation was formed with its national language and culture. In the middle of the 16th century the Lithuania Princes united with the Polish Kingdom and formed a joined State Rzecz Pospolita. It was at that period when Mensk, was renamed into Minsk. Till the 18^th century the Belarusian people were placed in bondage to Polish feudal lords who exploited them cruelly.

In the 18^th century (1793) Belarus was annexed by Russia. It was turned into a province with Minsk as its centre. In 1812 the Napoleon troops burnt the city. In the 20th century die foreign invaders not once occupied the Belarusian capital: in 1918 it was occupied by Germany; in 1919—1920 by Poland.

The most horrible disaster befell the city of Minsk in 1941—1944 in the years of fascist invasion. When on July 3, 1944 Minsk was liberated there were practically no houses and no streets-just rubble and ruins. And out of the rums came the emaciated figures of its inhabitants. Of the 240 thousand people that had lived in Minsk on the eve of the invasion only some 45 thousand were left. Of the 332 enterprises that had been in operation only 19 small factories were now able to function. 83 % of all dwelling houses had been destroyed. In post-war years the city was rebuilt anew. Modem Minsk situated on the river Svisloch with its population of about 1,8 million people is a city of numerous plants and factories, high buildings, tree-lined streets, beautiful parks and gardens. It is also a big traffic centre with a large network of railways, roads, airlines and Metro lines.

Minsk today is the leading economic centre in Belarus. It has a powerful heavy industry, a highly developed light and food industries, a building industry, a transport system, many research institutes. Minsk is the city of industrial giants. Tractors and lorries, motor cycles and bicycles, radio-sets and TV-sets, watches and most-complicated computers, refrigerators, textile, footwear, food, furniture and other goods are produced here. Our Belarus tractors and Maz trucks enjoy a high reputation both in our country and abroad.

Minsk is also known as a city of science and students. There is the Academy of Sciences and 16 higher educational establishments there (institutions of higher learning). The cultural life of people in the Belarusian capital is varied and interesting. In Minsk there are 8 theatres, concert halls, a circus, dozens of cinemas, museums and exhibitions, many places of culture, libraries and clubs. The most famous theatres are the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Yanka Kupala State Academic Theatre, the Gorky Russian Drama Theatre. Among the most interesting museums one can mention the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, the Art Museum and Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas Museums. It is necessary to mention the most beautiful square in Minsk. It is Victory Square with its obelisk, Order of Victory at the top and the Eternal Flame at the foot.

Minsk is a city of sports. There are more than 64 sports schools there. The major sports structures are: the Dynamo Stadium, the Palace of Sports, the Palace of Water Sports, the Belarusian Equestrian School, etc.

    Minsk is a Hero-City. It was honored with the title m 1974 for outstanding courage and heroism during the Great Patriotic War. The citizens of Minsk are proud of their city. It is beautiful at any rime of the year. A lot of tourists from our country and abroad come to Minsk to see its sights.