Republic of Belarus - is a state located in Eastern Europe.Capital - the city of Minsk.Belarus to the east by Russia, in the south of Ukraine, in the west of Poland, in the northwest of Lithuania and Latvia.
little about the country
The state is divided into six regions and 117 districts.The number of cities in Belarus reaches 102, in addition, there are 109 townships.The country's population, according to the census conducted in 2003, 10.3 million people.Of these, 80% of Belarusians, 12% Russian, 5% Poles, 2.5% of Ukrainians.Urban population of Belarus is 71% of the total.
main water artery - it Dnieper (its tributaries Sozh, Pripyat, Berezina), Western Dvina River (a tributary Vilia) and the Western Bug.There are over ten thousand lakes, the largest are Naroch Lukoml, Drisvyaty and Osveyskoye.Over a third of the territory covered by swamps.One-third of the country is covered by forests, mainly coniferous, but in the south there are hornbeam, maple, oak, ash.
major cities of Belarus
Let's get acquainted with the most populated areas of the country.In addition to the capital are only five.So, the major cities of Belarus: Brest, Vitebsk, Grodno, Gomel and Mogilev.Here we consider the settlements on their occupied space, but the gradation of the population may be different.For example, the city of Brest is the second after Minsk - its territory is 146 square kilometers.However, in terms of population it nahoditsyavsego only in sixth place and inferior to the capital, Gomel, Mogilev, Vitebsk and Grodno.So, the biggest city of the country is Minsk, with an area of 348 km2.Follow the five ranges from 118 to 146 km2.The following list of applicants in the largest cities are not exceeded even abroad in 90 km2 - is Bobruisk and Baranovichi.
City Belarus populous
now see a list of the largest settlements of the country in the number of population living in them.We have already cited the example of the fact that a large area does not necessarily correspond to higher density and citizens.So the city in terms of population of Belarus: Minsk (1.9 million people), Gomel (512 thousand), Mogilev (370 thousand), Vitebsk (363 thousand), Grodno (356 thousand), Brest (330 thousand).Followed Bobruisk and Baranovichi - 217,000 and 177,000 respectively.
now consider in more detail the largest city in Belarus.
Minsk
Evil tongues say that the entire examination of Minsk enough for two days.In fact, chasing places in this city is not necessary.On the first day, we recommend a walk along the avenue, you can not even take a map, because Minsk is a monument in itself - a monument of Soviet architecture.It may take quite some time, and this city will be considered as an open air museum, symbolizing the era of socialism.However, these words refer only to the center of Minsk.Here there are the "old" city whose history has more than nine years.Antiques lovers will be able to visit the Cathedral and the Town Hall, explore the ancient buildings.The peculiarity of Minsk may be called incredible purity, affability and passers unhurried pace of life here is truly cosmic serenity reigns.
Brest
This city-hero and the Soviet soldiers who died defending the fortress of the same name with him in the early days of the Great Patriotic War, every schoolchild knew the Soviet Union.Brest - is suffering the outskirts of the republic of Belarus.This ancient city, located on the border of three countries - Russia, Poland and Lithuania, in its history, has repeatedly been attacked enemies.He was literally torn apart, destroyed, burned and even move from one place to another.As a result, Brest can not boast of the architectural masterpieces of the oldest buildings date back to the 19th century.But on the part of all kinds of myths and mysteries of the city has succeeded.Why are only the remains unclear how miraculously survived to this day ancient wooden citadel (he was only able to survive the Second World War?), Or secret passages dug under the castle.The first mention of Brest as a well-developed village, found in the "Tale of Bygone Years" (1019).This date is now considered the founding year of the city.
Vitebsk - Chagall Paris
It was under this name Vitebsk known throughout the world.Here I was born the world-famous avant-garde artist.Chagall studied in St. Petersburg for a long time lived in Paris.However, it still returned to their hearth and home, and even arranged here City Art School.
explore the city of Belarus, Vitebsk can not be avoided, because it can safely be called the soul of this country.Here it is preserved the flavor of old times and the national color.According to legend, the city was founded by order of Princess Olga in 974 year.It was located on a busy trade route "from the Vikings to the Greeks."Olga was captivated by the extraordinary beauty of the river confluence Vitba and Western Dvina.This beauty is so impressed her that she exclaimed: "Let it be standing here city of Vitebsk."Here and now it is my story of this event.Although it is useful to note that there are mentions of settlements here Krivichy even in the ninth century.The convenient location of the city trade stood him a disservice militarily.He, like Brest, he has repeatedly attacked the enemy army, but was able to go through all the hardships and today is included in the list of "The most beautiful city of Belarus."
Grodno
This tranquil and quiet town.It is famous for grandiose walls, erected long before the present capital of Belarus.The share fell Grodno, perhaps most of all adversity compared to other cities of the republic.And only thanks to an old castle with its robust walls of the city managed to survive.During the Great Northern War Grodno still fell.The castle was literally razed to the ground.Later, in its place was erected at least a majestic and beautiful New Castle, decorate the city to this day.
Belarus to explore the city, friendly people may notice one feature Grodno inherent throughout the country, but most clearly noticeable here.This land has always been a multi-religious - are peacefully co-exist in the neighborhood of Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Lutherans, Orthodox, and even the Old Believers.In Grodno, you can watch the neighborhood Lutheran church and a synagogue, a mosque and a Christian church.
Gomel
Like most ancient cities, Gomel can not remember the year of birth.The first mention of him found in the chronicles of the twelfth century.However, we are told that the city already existed, and when it was founded, it is not known.His Detinets was on a promontory, which is formed by the right bank of the river Sozh and the left bank of the stream Gomiyuk, it is now the territory of the Gomel Park.According to archaeological data, in the 11th century, there have been developed jewelry and bronze casting, iron-, pottery, woodworking, weapons and bone carving handicrafts.Through trade routes Gomel was connected with Kiev, Chernigov, northern Rus, Smolensk, Volyn and Byzantium.Today, this city is one of the most beautiful in the country, has a rich cultural, historical and scientific potential, have a unique style and look.Today Gomel has developed industry, culture and science;This socio-political center and an important transportation hub.Its very advantageous geographical position promotes the national economy.Among other things, Gomel is the intellectual center of the country, as well as a venue for major sporting and cultural events.This is the city tree-lined avenues, ancient buildings, openwork chestnuts, broad avenues and the extraordinary people who used to do his story.
Mogilev
first time this city is mentioned in the "List of Russian cities far and near" (14th century).From this period, Mogilev part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and in the end of the century, it goes into the possession of Jadwiga - the wife of the Polish king and part of the Lithuanian Prince Jagiello.There are many legends that describe the appearance of the locality.
modern Mogilev rich in architectural monuments, such as the complex of St. Nicholas convent.There is an old Christian church from the early 16th century.In the city center you can see the church of St. Stanislaus, built in 1752.Originally it belonged to the Order of Carmelites, but by decree of Catherine the Great was placed under the bishop's residence.In 1785, high-shaft city was built a beautiful palace of the Orthodox leader of the 18th century - George Konissky.In addition, there are many preserved buildings of 18-19 centuries and a memorial arch of the period, building of regional theater and the former City Council.
Belarus - an appendage of Russia?
majority of Russians perceive this country as a kind of "provinces" of the once great Russian empire, behind Russia both territorial boundaries, and in cultural and historical significance.If you ask the younger generation, which cities in Belarus, very few people can name even two or three settlements outside the capital of this republic.However, such an attitude to the state fair, and the approval of the "province" does not stand up to scrutiny.It was here, and has evolved over many centuries Duchy of Lithuania, created castles, beautiful cultural and architectural monuments, many of which can be seen today.That is such a nice country - Belarus.City (which are listed above, and other, smaller in size, but not at the historical value) of the country support this.Any of them on closer examination is able to open the deepest historical layers.So the question of "provincialism" of Belarus at least incorrect.
