About Minsk

General information
Minsk is a political, cultural and economic centre of the Republic of Belarus. Minsk covers an area of 256 square kilometers. City is divided into 9 administrative regions. Population is 1,728,900 persons. Time in Minsk is: Central European Time + 2 hours.

Geographical position
The city lies over the Minsk Hills upon the both banks of the river Svisloch. Height on sea level within city varies from 184 before 280 metres. Being on crossing the strategic ways from the West to the East and from the North to the South, from Moscow to Warsaw and from Kiev to Vilnius, Minsk is a large transport centre with several bus stations, railway station, two airports (1 national) and underground.

Climate
Climate is temperately continental, with significant influence atlantic sea air flows. The summer is warm, but not hot. The average temperature in July is +18C.The winter is mild, with frequent thaws, the average temperature in January -6C.

Distances from Minsk to European Cities
Warsaw / Poland - 500 km
Vilnius / Lithuania - 185 km
Kiev / Ukraine - 565 km
Moscow / Russia - 720 km
Riga / Latvia - 470 km
Berlin / Germany - 1050 km
London / England - 2100 km
Paris / France - 2150 km

History
Minsk is a city of quite an ancient history. It was firstly mentioned in chronicles in 1067 A.D.

Origin of name of the city is interpreted by the historians differently. According to the one of the legend a name of founder a city was Menesk. Scientist-historians consider that the name of the city occurs or from the name of the small Menka river, on which was founded Minsk, or from Slavic word «Mena», what means «change».
In 1974 Minsk obtained a title of City-Hero in the commemoration of its citizens' services in their struggle against Nazism during World War II. At the present moment the residence of the executive committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States is located in Minsk.
The Government and the Parliament of the Republic of Belarus are there too.

Science
Minsk is a large centre of science and technology. 164 scientific research centers are concentrated there with the National Academy of Sciences.

Education
There are more than 50 higher educational establishments in Minsk. The most significant among them are the Belarusian State University, Belarusian State Economics University, Minsk State Linguistic University and others. Besides 28 specialized vocational schools are in function, 258 vocational schools, more than 500 preschool institutions.

Culture
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.

Transport

Minsk transport includes buses, mini-buses, trams, trolley-buses and underground metro. City transport starts to work at 5:35 a.m. and is available by 0:30 a.m. Metro starts at 5:30 a.m. and is open by 1:00 a.m. For the use in metro there are special plastic cards and tokens.

Also you can use taxi to get to any part of the city. To order it please dial: 135, 161, 181, 157 or 107.

Using the materials http://minskinfo.com/en and http://welcometobelarus.narod.ru/Belarus_Sights.html