Minsk

Location

Minsk is the capital of Belarus and the Minks region, situated on the tributary of the Berezina.

Population

approx 1,610,000 (est 1990)

Economic Activity

Minks is a junction for the railroad and is a center for the production of machines, machine tools, tractors, automobiles, textiles, and food processing.

Overview

Minsk's first historical mention was in 1067, as part of the Polotsk principality, it served as an outpost on the road from Kiev to Polotsk. In 1101 the city became the capital of the Polotsk principality and in 1326 it became part of Lithuania. Towards the late 15th century it was an important center for crafts and trade. In 1569 it was absorbed into Poland and later, during the Partition of Poland (1793), it passed to Russia. During the Middle Ages, Minsk was one of the largest Jewish centers in Eastern Europe. For two years during World War II, Minsk was used as a concentration and detention camp by the Germans. Minsk serves as a major center of arts, education and culture. The Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Belarussian Lenin State University, the Lenin State Library, and the 17th century Ekaterin Cathedral are all located there.