The History of Minsk.

Minsk was first mentioned in 1067. It appeared as a military settlement and was the southern fortress of the Principality of Polotsk. The initial period of its formation is referred to the XI-the beginning of the XVI centuries on the banks of the river Svisloch where two most important trade and administrative ways met.

At the beginning of the XII century Minsk became the center of Appanage Principality of Minsk.

In 1499 Minsk obtained self-government according to--- right and in 1566 became the center of Minsk----

In 1793 after the second division of the Rech Pospolitaja (Commonwealth) Minsk was joined to Russia and became the center of Minsk province.

On the 1^st of January 1919 the Manifesto of education in BSSR was promulgated.

On the 27^th of July 1990 the Declaration of the state sovereignty of Belarus (the Independence Day) was proclaimed and Minsk became the capital of the sovereign state.

The main local authority is the Minsk city council. Its executive committe and the management of 9 administrative regions rule and govern the city.

Geographical information.

Minsk is situated on the south-eastern slope of Minsk hill at the height of 110-306,3 yards above sea-level.

Climate.

During the whole year the majority of winds blow from north-west. They bring humid air from the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes cold Arctic anticyclone in winter and dry hot air from the south in summer.

Average annual temperature 41,9°F

Average temperature in January 19,6°F

Average temperature in July 63,9°F

Annual amount of precipitation 275 inches

Distances from Minsk to the largest European cities, miles:

Amsterdam – 1160 Berlin – 686,6 Bern – 1406,8

Brussels – 1280 Warsaw – 340 Vienna – 780

Vilnius – 115 Hamburg – 868 Kiev – 347

Moscow – 435 Paris – 1435 Prague – 721

Riga – 296 Rome – 1444 St. Petersburg – 560

Stockholm –539 Tallinn – 487 Helsinki – 825

Minsk nowadays.

Minsk is the biggest economic political cultural and scientific center of the Republic of Belarus. The President of the Republic and its Government live here.

The beginning of the 3d millennium Minsk met among other 273 largest cities in the world with the population of more than 1 mln people and it takes the 116^th place in the list according to the size of population.

Minsk can be related to the number of those European capitals which had the highest population growth rates. From 1950 to 1995 the size of population in the capital of Belarus has increased 5,5 times.

Minsk is an absolute leader in the Republic on a whole number of other social and economic characteristics. For example, in the capital the level of income counting per head is much higher.

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 944