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Minsk: Cities
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Minsk is an ancient city of the Republic of Belarus first settled about 900 years ago. It's ... the capital of Belarus, and accordingly its cultural and economical center. The city is rich in history, traditions, culture and arts. It is also a real treasure house of old churches and cathedrals. Notwithstanding that Minsk was almost ruined during World War II, now it's a rapidly growing city in Eastern Europe. This magnificent city with a rich cultural heritage, many great sights, well-developed infrastructre and moderately continental climate is a good place to visit at any time.
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The area of today's Minsk was settled by the Early East Slavs by the 9th century. The Svislach River valley was the settlement boundary between two Early East Slavs tribes - the Krivichs and Dregovichs. By 980, the area was incorporated into the early medieval Principality of Polatsk, one of the earliest East Slav states. Minsk was first mentioned in the name form Měneskъ (Мѣнескъ) in the Primary Chronicle for the year 1067.[1] 1067 is now widely accepted as the founding year of Minsk. City authorities consider the date of September 2, 1067, to be the exact founding date of the city[2], though the town (by then fortified by wooden walls) had certainly existed for some time by then.
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[M]entioned in the Medieval Chronicles under the year of 1067, Minsk, the capital of Belarus and its geographical heart, has a population of 1.7 million. The city is situated in a picturesque place on the banks of the Svisloch river which in old days used to be one of the busiest trade routes connecting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. The climate is moderate continental with an average January temperature of –6°C and an average July temperature of +18°C.
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Because so much was destroyed in World War II, Minsk today has the look of a modern city. There are broad boulevards and large complexes of modern high-rise residential, administrative, and public buildings. The city's modern attractions include the main post office, the Palace of Sports, and the Ice Sports Palace complex.
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Minsk or Miensk (Мінск (official spelling in Belarus), Менск; Минск ; Mińsk) is the capital and a major city of Belarus. 1.8 million people live in the city. Minsk is ... a headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States. As a capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is also the capital of Minsk voblast (province) and Minsk raion. Minsk is situated by the Svislach and Niamiha rivers. The timezone in Minsk is GMT +2.
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Minsk is famous for its cultural component. 16 museums, which include National Arts Museum, Museum of History and Culture of Belarus, Museum of history of Great Patriotic War. 11 Theatres among them State Russian Drama Theatre and Belorussian Academic Theatre, National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Besides that there are 20 cinemas, 139 libraries in the city. About 300 magazines and more than 700 newspapers are edited there.
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