Minsk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Minsk Мінск  · Минск —  City  — Clockwise: Holy Spirit Cathedral (Eastern Orthodox), Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic), House of Representatives of Belarus, Independence Square, "Gates of Minsk" at Train Station Square Flag Coat of arms Minsk Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Coordinates: 53°54′N 27°34′E / 53.900°N 27.567°E / 53.900; 27.567 Country Subdivision Belarus Founded 1067 Government  • Mayor Mikalai Ladutska (acting) (2009–present) Area  • City 409.5 km2 (158.1 sq mi) Elevation 280.6 m (920.6 ft) Population (2012)  • City 2,002,600  • Density 5,966/km2 (15,450/sq mi)  • Urban 2,101,018 Time zone EEST (UTC+3)  • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) Postal Code 220001-220141 Area code(s)

+375 17 +375 29 (mobile Velcom, MTS or Diallog) +375 25 (mobile Life) +375 33 (mobile MTS)

+375 44 (mobile Velcom) License plate 7 Website www.minsk.gov.by

Coordinates: 53°54′N 27°34′E / 53.900°N 27.567°E / 53.900; 27.567

Minsk (Belarusian: Мінск, pronounced ; Russian: Минск, ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, situated on the Svislach and Nyamiha rivers. It is the administrative centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As the national capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administrative centre of Minsk Region (voblast) and Minsk raion (district). In 2013, it had a population of 2,002,600.

The earliest historical references to Minsk date to the 11th century (1067), when it was noted as a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. The settlement developed on the rivers. In 1242, Minsk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It received town privileges in 1499.

From 1569, it was a capital of the Minsk Voivodship in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was part of a region annexed by the Russian Empire in 1793, as a consequence of the Second Partition of Poland. From 1919–1991, after the Russian Revolution, Minsk was the capital of the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union.