Minsk

Population: 1 836,8 thousand people
Territory: 306 sq. km.

Major Sights
The National Library of Belarus, The Minsk-Arena Complex, Trinity Precinct, Upper Town, Estate and Park complex in Loshitsa, Victory Park, the Minsk Hero City Obelisk, Victory and Independence Squares, City Hall, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary, The Red Church (the Church of Sts. Simeon and Helen), the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, the National Arts Museum of Belarus, the Central Botanical Gardens of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The capital of Belarus stands on the banks of the River Svisloch. About 17 percent of the population of Belarus, or almost one in five citizens of the country, live here. Minsk is the 116th largest city in the world in terms of population.

Although Minsk looks quite young today, it is one of Europe’s oldest cities. Minsk (or Mensk) was first mentioned in the chronicle as the outpost of the Principality of Polotsk located on the banks of the River Nemiga in the year 1067.

Geographically Minsk is in the center of the continent. It is an important historical, scientific, cultural, educational, and administrative and political center of Europe.

It is home to the state residence of the President of the Republic of Belarus. The Belarusian Parliament – the National Assembly – and the Government – the Council of Ministers – as well as the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus have their headquarters in Minsk. Minsk is also the seat of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States, home to residences of diplomatic missions, the city where consulates and offices of international institutions and organizations have their seats in the Republic of Belarus.