Minsk is the capital city of Belarus and its industry, politic, science and culture. It is situated in the crossroads of trade routes of all four World's lands.

Minsk is an ancient Russian town founded in 1067, first time mentioned (and ruined) as a fortress in the Polotsk Principality on the banks of the Svisloch and the Nerniga rivers and surrounded by swamps and woods.

In the late of the XIth century it was incorporated in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania till 1793, when it was transformed into a gubernia centre. Gradually Minsk became into one of the largest industrial and trade centres, despite of innumerable internecine battles, 8 great wars and 5 devastating fires.