Minsk(the capital)

Minsk

To begin with, I’d like to say that Minsk is the capital of Belarus, its political, industrial, cultural centre. Minsk is situated in the centre of the Republic in a picturesque place on the river Svisloch. It is the largest city in Belarus. Its area is about 200 square miles. Its population is about 2 million people. It is one of the oldest cities. Scientists don’t know exactly when the city was founded but it was first mentioned in ancient chronicles in 1067. Some archaeologists say the name of the city comes from the name of the river Mena. According to other versions the name comes from the word ‘ Mena” which means exchange because there used to be a barter market. There is also a legend that there used to live a very strong giant and magician Menesk. He settled on the bank of the Svistloch river and built a mill. He made flour from stones. Nobody could see him but people could hear songs, dances and cries at his mill at night. He invited brave and courageous people in his team and they settled close to the mill. They founded the town and it was named after the giant.

Minsk suffered a lot during World War II. It was practically razed to the ground by the fascists and lay I ruins, few people survived. It was rebuilt and reconstructed after the war. Today Minsk is a beautiful city with many plants and factories, high-rise buildings, cafes, universities, kindergartens, sport and fitness centres, skating rinks,hospitals, chemist’s, department stores. Minsk underground is very convenient, it can take you to many places of interest. There are many beautiful sights in Minsk – parks and gardens, churches and cathedrals, museums and exhibition centres.

The monument in Victory( Peramoga)Square with the eternal flame was built to commemorate the people who fought against the fascist invaders.

The Troitskoe Suburb is a suburb in the centre. It is one of the oldest parts of Minsk, was built in the 19^th century. There you can see narrow streets, small squares, art galleries, shops and cafes.

The Church of Simon and Alena has another name: The Red Church. It is in Nezaleznast Square. It was built in 1910 by Edward Voinovich to commemorate his two children who died at a young age.

The National Library of Belarus is another attraction. It is a diamond-shaped structure. It has 22 floors One of the elevators is situated outside the building, so that visitors can enjoy the view [vjuː] from the top of the library.

To sum it up, I’d like to say that hospitable, friendly, generous and kind-hearted citizens of Minsk are the true symbol of the capital.

Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus, its political, economic, cultural and scientific center. It is an ancient city and dates back to the 11th century. There is one version of how it came into being. Gleb Vseslavovich took proposition of Minsk from his father and made it the capital of an independent Principality. There are certain proofs that it was a flourishing commercial center located at the crossroads of the traditional trade rout from east to west and from north to south.

Minsk is situated on the river Svisloch and occupies an area of 200 square kilometers. Its population is about 2 million people. During the Great Patriotic War Minsk was destroyed by German invaders almost completely. Minsk lay in ruins. The people of Belarus rebuilt the city. Victory Square, the Eternal Flame at the monument commemorates soldiers, underground fighters, partisans who fell in the battles for freedom f our motherland. The names of many streets of the city commemorate many heroes.

The industrial enterprises of Minsk include: the Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Computer Works, Ball-Bearing Plant, Refrigerator Plant, Watch Factory, and others. Industrial enterprises produce tractors and automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles, TV sets, radio-sets, watches and refrigerators, electronic computers, textile, footwear, food and other goods. It is also a big traffic center with a large network of railways, roads, air lines and two Metro lines. The Minsk Metro is the newest and very beautiful. Each station has some associations with historical events of the country or reflects the peaceful efforts of the people. Minsk is also known as a city of science and students. There is the Academy of Sciences and 16 higher educational establishments there, the biggest of which are the University and the Polytechnic Academy.

The city is noted for it's varied interesting cultural life. In Minsk there are 6 theaters, concert halls, a circus, dozens of cinemas, many places of culture, libraries, clubs. The most famous theaters are the Opera and Ballet theatre, the Yanka Kupala 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. The Art Museum is a real treasure-house of fine arts.

Minsk is a city of sports. There are good recreation and sports facilities: tennis courts, playgrounds, swimming pools in various parts of the city. The main sports structures are: the Dynamo Stadium, the Palace of Sports and Water Sports Centre.