View source for Minsk

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Belarus}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| name               = Minsk
| native_name        = {{ubl
  | {{native name|be|Мінск}}
  | {{native name|ru|Минск}}
  }}
| image_flag         = Flag of Minsk, Belarus.svg
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Minsk.svg
| flag_size          = 150
| shield_size        = 75
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
|perrow = 1/2/2/1
|border = infobox
| total_width =  288
|image1 = View of Minsk (180819) 09.jpg
|caption1 = Minsk business district (Pieramozhcaw Avenue)
|image2 = Miensk - Ratuša.jpg
|caption2 = Minsk City Hall
|image3 = Мінск. Петрапаўлаўская царква 2.jpg
|caption3 = Church of Sts. Peter and Paul
|image4 = Theatre opera&ballet, Minsk.JPG
|caption4 = [[National Opera and Ballet of Belarus|National Opera and Ballet Theatre]]
|image5 = Babrujskaja, Minsk.jpg
|caption5 = Railway Station Square
|image6 = Church of Saints Simon and Helena (Minsk).jpg
|caption6 = [[Church of Saints Simon and Helena|Red Church]]
}}
| image_map          = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=288|frame-height=288|zoom=10|frame-align=center|frame-lat=53.900|frame-long=27.5667|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=1|stroke-color=#333333|id=Q2280|title=Minsk}}
| map_caption        = Interactive map of Minsk
| pushpin_map        = Belarus#Europe
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|53|54|02|N|27|33|31|E|region:BY|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Belarus]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor of Minsk|Chairman]]
| leader_name        = [[Vladimir Kukharev]]<ref name="Minsk City Executive Committee">{{cite web |date=18 January 2019 |title=Minsk City Executive Committee |url=https://minsk.gov.by/en/org/10/head/ |language=en |access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=18 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618003626/https://minsk.gov.by/en/org/10/head/ |url-status=dead }} Official portal minsk.gov.by</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Minsk City Council of Deputies]]
| established_title  = First mentioned
| established_date   = 1067
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_blank1_title  = Total
| area_total_km2     = 409.53
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title= Gross domestic product and gross regional product by regions and Minsk city in 2024|url= https://www.belstat.gov.by/en/ofitsialnaya-statistika/real-sector-of-the-economy/national-accounts/current-data/gdp-and-grp/|website= www.belstat.gov.by|access-date= 18 January 2025|archive-date= 20 April 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250420194115/https://belstat.gov.by/en/ofitsialnaya-statistika/real-sector-of-the-economy/national-accounts/current-data/gdp-and-grp/|url-status= dead}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = Br 76.9 billion<br />([[US$]]23.5 billion)
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = Br 38,600<br />([[US$]]11,800)
| population_total   = 1,996,730
| population_as_of   = 2025
| population_footnotes = <ref name="pop">{{cite web|url=https://www.belstat.gov.by/ofitsialnaya-statistika/solialnaya-sfera/naselenie-i-migratsiya/naselenie/statisticheskie-izdaniya/index_148168/|title=Численность населения на 1 января 2025 г. и среднегодовая численность населения за 2024 год по Республике Беларусь в разрезе областей, районов, городов, поселков городского типа|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329210112/https://www.belstat.gov.by/ofitsialnaya-statistika/solialnaya-sfera/naselenie-i-migratsiya/naselenie/statisticheskie-izdaniya/index_148168/|archive-date=29 March 2025|website=belsat.gov.by|access-date=29 March 2025}}</ref>
| population_metro   = 
| population_demonym = {{lang|en|Minsker, Minskite}} ([[English language|en]]) <br/> {{lang|be|мінчанін, minčanin}} <br/> {{lang|be|мінчанка, minčanka}} ([[Belarusian language|be]]) <br/> {{lang|ru|минчанин, minchanin}} <br/> {{lang|ru|минчанка, minchanka}} ([[Russian language|ru]])
| population_note    = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_est     = 
| population_est_as_of = 
| timezone           = [[Moscow Time|MSK]]
| utc_offset         = +03:00
| elevation_m        = 280.6
| postal_code_type   = Postal Code
| postal_code        = 220001-220141
| area_code          = +375 17
| iso_code           = BY-HM
| blank_name         = License plate
| blank_info         = 7
| website            = {{URL|http://www.minsk.gov.by/en/|minsk.gov.by}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Minsk''' ({{langx|be|Мінск}}, {{IPA|be|mʲinsk|pron|audio=BEL-Minsk.ogg}}; {{langx|ru|Минск}}, {{IPA|ru|mʲinsk|pron}}) is the capital and largest city of [[Belarus]], located on the [[Svislach (Berezina)|Svislach]] and the now subterranean [[Nyamiha]] rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administrative centre of [[Minsk region]] and [[Minsk district]]. {{As of|2024|post=,}} it has a population of about two million,<ref name="pop"/> making Minsk the [[List of European cities by population within city limits|11th-most populous city in Europe]]. Minsk is one of the administrative capitals of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) and the [[Eurasian Economic Union]] (EAEU).

First mentioned in 1067, Minsk became the capital of the [[Principality of Minsk]], an [[appanage]] of the [[Principality of Polotsk]], before being annexed by the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] in 1242. It received [[town privileges]] in 1499.<ref>{{cite web |title=История Минска |url=http://minsk950.belta.by/history |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=minsk950.belta.by |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105141350/https://minsk950.belta.by/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 1569, it was the capital of [[Minsk Voivodeship]], an administrative division of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. It was part of the territories annexed by the [[Russian Empire]] in 1793, as a consequence of the [[Second Partition of Poland]]. From 1919 to 1991, after the [[Russian Revolution]], Minsk was the capital of the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic]], which became a [[Republics of the Soviet Union|republic]] of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1922. Following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], Minsk became the capital of the newly independent Republic of Belarus.

== Etymology and historical names ==
The [[Old East Slavic]] name of the town was {{Lang|orv|Мѣньскъ}} ({{Lang|orv-Latn|Měnsk}} &lt; [[Proto-Slavic language|Early Proto-Slavic]] or [[Proto-Indo-European language|Late Indo-European]] {{Lang|sla-x-proto|Mēnĭskŭ|italic=yes}}), derived from a river name ''Měn'' (&lt;&nbsp;{{Lang|orv-Latn|Mēnŭ}}).{{fact|date=January 2025}}
The resulting{{clarify|date=August 2020}} form of the name, ''Minsk'' (spelled either {{lang|ru-petr1708|Минскъ}} or {{Lang|ru-petr1708|Мѣнскъ}}), was taken over both in Russian (modern spelling: {{Lang|ru|Минск}}) and Polish ({{Lang|pl|Mińsk}}), and under the [[Russification of Belarus|influence of Russian]] this form also became official in Belarusian.  The direct continuation of the name in Belarusian is {{Lang|be|Miensk}} ({{wikt-lang|be|Менск}}, {{IPA|be|ˈmʲɛnsk|IPA}}),<ref>{{cite web |script-title=be:Происхождение названия Минска. |url=https://govorim.by/minskaya-oblast/minsk/stati-o-minske/7824-proishozhdenie-nazvaniya-minska.html |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=Городские порталы Беларуси – Govorim.by}}</ref> which some Belarusian-speakers continue to use as their preferred name for the city.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:79-лет назад Верховный совет БССР переименовал Менск в Минск |url=https://belsat.eu/ru/news/79-let-nazad-verhovnyj-sovet-bssr-pereimenoval-mensk-v-minsk/ |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=belsat.eu |language=ru-RU |archive-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530103216/https://belsat.eu/ru/news/79-let-nazad-verhovnyj-sovet-bssr-pereimenoval-mensk-v-minsk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

When Belarus was under Polish rule, the names {{Lang|pl|Mińsk Litewski}} ('Minsk of [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]]') and {{Lang|pl|Mińsk Białoruski}} ('Minsk of Belarus') were used to differentiate this place name from {{Lang|pl|[[Mińsk Mazowiecki]]}} 'Minsk in [[Mazovia]]'. In modern Polish, {{Lang|pl|Mińsk}} without an attribute usually refers to the city in Belarus, which is about 50 times bigger than Mińsk Mazowiecki; (compare [[Brest, Belarus|Brest-Litovsk]] and [[Brześć Kujawski]] for a similar case).<ref>{{cite web |title=Wirtualny Mińsk Mazowiecki |url=https://minskmaz.com/ |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=minskmaz.com}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Minsk}}
{{For timeline}}

=== Early history ===
The [[Svislach (Berezina)|Svislach River]] valley was the settlement boundary between two early East Slavic tribes&nbsp;– the [[Krivichs]] and [[Dregoviches]]. By 980, the area was incorporated into the [[Early Middle Ages|early medieval]] [[Principality of Polotsk]], one of the earliest East Slavic principalities of [[Kievan Rus']]. Minsk was first mentioned in the name form ''Měneskъ'' (Мѣнескъ) in the ''[[Primary Chronicle]]'' for the year 1067 in association with the [[Battle on the Nemiga River|Battle on the River Nemiga]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Въ лЂто 6563 [1055]&nbsp;– [6579 1071]. Іпатіївський літопис |url=http://litopys.org.ua/ipatlet/ipat08.htm#r1067 |access-date=5 May 2009 |publisher=Litopys.org.ua |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703115209/http://litopys.org.ua/ipatlet/ipat08.htm#r1067 |url-status=live }}</ref> 1067 is now widely accepted as the founding year of Minsk. City authorities consider the date of 3 March 1067 to be the exact founding date of the city,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Celebration of the 940th anniversary of Minsk will start with ringing of bells&nbsp;– Minsk City Executive Committee |url=http://www.minsk.gov.by/news/4.09.2007/5/8411/eng |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615151345/http://www.minsk.gov.by/news/4.09.2007/5/8411/eng |archive-date=15 June 2008 |access-date=5 May 2009 |publisher=Minsk.gov.by}}</ref> though the town (by then fortified by wooden walls) had certainly existed for some time by then. The origin of the name is unknown but there are several theories.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Минск: происхождение названия столицы |url=http://www.ctv.by/%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8/%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D1%8B |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=Столичное телевидение – СТВ |language=ru |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607082834/http://www.ctv.by/%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8/%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D1%8B |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the early 12th century, the [[Principality of Polotsk]] disintegrated into smaller fiefs. The [[Principality of Minsk]] was established by one of the [[Polotsk]] dynasty princes. In 1129, the Principality of Minsk was annexed by [[Principality of Kiev|Kiev]], the dominant principality of [[Kievan Rus']]; however in 1146 the Polotsk dynasty regained control of the principality. By 1150, Minsk rivalled Polotsk as the major city in the former Principality of Polotsk. The princes of Minsk and Polotsk were engaged in years of struggle trying to unite all lands previously under the rule of Polotsk.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Полоцкое княжество |url=http://history-belarus.by/pages/terms/polotsk_principality.php |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=history-belarus.by |language=ru |archive-date=14 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614104053/http://history-belarus.by/pages/terms/polotsk_principality.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Late Middle Ages ===
[[File:Miensk._Менск_(1772)_(2).jpg|thumb|Minsk in 1772]]
Minsk escaped the [[Mongol invasion of Rus'|Mongol invasion of Rus]] in 1237–1239. In 1242, Minsk became a part of the expanding [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]]. It joined peacefully and local elites enjoyed high rank in the society of the Grand Duchy. In 1413, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and [[Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Kingdom of Poland]] entered into a union. Minsk became the centre of [[Minsk Voivodeship|Minsk Voivodship]] (province). In 1441, as [[List of Lithuanian monarchs|Grand Duke of Lithuania]], [[Casimir IV Jagiellon|Casimir IV]] included Minsk in a list of cities enjoying certain privileges, and in 1499, during the reign of his son, [[Alexander Jagiellon]], Minsk received [[town privileges]] under [[Magdeburg rights|Magdeburg law]]. In 1569, after the [[Union of Lublin]], the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland merged into a single state, the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hill |first=Melissa |title=Belarus |url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T003&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CCX3652100245&docType=Country+overview&sort=RELEVANCE&contentSegment=&prodId=GVRL&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3652100245&searchId=R1&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&inPS=true# |access-date=4 June 2019 |website=Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations |publisher=Gale}}</ref>

By the middle of the 16th century, Minsk was an important economic and cultural centre in the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. It was also an important centre for the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. Following the [[Union of Brest]], both the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] and the Roman Catholic Church increased in influence.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

In 1655, Minsk was conquered by troops of [[Alexis of Russia|Tsar Alexis]] of Russia.<ref>Robert I. Frost. ''After the Deluge: Poland-Lithuania and the Second Northern War, 1655–1660''. [[Cambridge University Press]]. 2004. p. 48.</ref> Russians governed the city until 1660 when it was regained by [[John II Casimir Vasa|John II Casimir]], Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland. By the end of the [[Polish–Russian War (1654–1667)|Polish-Russian War]], Minsk had only about 2,000 residents and just 300 houses. The second wave of devastation occurred during the [[Great Northern War]], when Minsk was occupied in 1708 and 1709 by the army of [[Charles XII of Sweden]] and then by the army of [[Peter the Great]]. {{citation needed|date=December 2011}} The last decades of the Polish rule involved decline or very slow development, since Minsk had become a small provincial town of little economic or military significance.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

=== Russian rule ===
[[File:Троицкое предместье. Historical quarter of Minsk - Trayetskaye - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Trinity Suburb]]]]
Minsk was annexed by Russia in 1793 as a consequence of the [[Second Partition of Poland]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=(RU) История |language=en-US |url=http://minsktourism.by/en/istoriya |access-date=31 May 2019 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907005434/http://minsktourism.by/en/istoriya |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Минск — Столица Белоруссии |url=https://geographyofrussia.com/minsk-stolica-belorussii/ |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=geographyofrussia.com |date=17 March 2010 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928005459/https://geographyofrussia.com/minsk-stolica-belorussii/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1796, it became the centre of the [[Minsk Governorate]]. All of the initial [[Street name|street names]] were replaced by Russian names, though the spelling of the city's name remained unchanged. It was briefly occupied by the [[Grande Armée]] during [[French invasion of Russia]] in 1812.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 December 2012 |script-title=ru:Какие следы оставили войска Наполеона на территории современной Беларуси? |url=https://news.tut.by/society/322931.html |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=TUT.BY |language=ru |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814232748/https://news.tut.by/society/322931.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Throughout the 19th century, the city continued to grow and significantly improve. In the 1830s, major streets and squares of Minsk were cobbled and paved. A first public library was opened in 1836, and a fire brigade was put into operation in 1837. In 1838, the first local newspaper, ''Minskiye gubernskiye vedomosti'' ("Minsk province news") went into circulation. The first theatre was established in 1844. By 1860, Minsk was an important trading city with a population of 27,000. There was a construction boom that led to the building of two- and three-story brick and stone houses in ''Upper Town''.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=darriuss |date=25 September 2015 |title=Было — стало: Минск вековой давности и сейчас – Недвижимость Onliner |url=https://realt.onliner.by/2015/09/25/revolution |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=Onliner |language=ru |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704150656/https://realt.onliner.by/2015/09/25/revolution |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=История |url=https://minsk-starazhytny.by/history |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=minsk-starazhytny.by |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607072824/https://minsk-starazhytny.by/history |url-status=live }}</ref>

Minsk's development was boosted by improvements in transportation. In 1846, the Moscow-[[Warsaw]] road was laid through Minsk. In 1871, a railway link between Moscow and Warsaw ran via Minsk, and in 1873, a new [[Libava–Romny Railway|railway from Romny in Ukraine to the Baltic Sea port of Libava]] ([[Liepāja]]) was also constructed. Thus Minsk became an important rail junction and a manufacturing hub. A [[water supply network|municipal water supply]] was introduced in 1872, the telephone in 1890, the horse tram in 1892, and the first power generator in 1894. By 1900, Minsk had 58 factories employing 3,000 workers. The city also boasted theatres, cinemas, newspapers, schools and colleges, as well as numerous monasteries, churches, synagogues, and a mosque. According to the 1897 [[Russian Empire census|Russian census]], the city had 91,494 inhabitants, with some 47,561 Jews constituting more than half of the city population.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |last=darriuss |date=9 August 2017 |title=Было — стало: Минск, который мы, к счастью, потеряли – Недвижимость Onliner |url=https://realt.onliner.by/2017/08/09/vyoska |access-date=31 May 2019 |website=Onliner |language=ru |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531142837/https://realt.onliner.by/2017/08/09/vyoska |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 20th century ===
[[File:Miensk, Vysoki Rynak, Jezuicki-Katedra. Менск, Высокі Рынак, Езуіцкі-Катэдра (1911) (2).jpg|thumb|The [[Jesuit College in Minsk|Jesuit Collegium]] and town hall (to the right) in 1912]]
In the early years of the 20th century, Minsk was a major centre for the worker's movement in Belarus. The [[1st Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party|1st Congress]] of the [[Russian Social Democratic Labour Party]], the forerunner to the [[Bolsheviks]] and eventually the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]], was held there in 1898. It was also one of the major centres of the [[Belarusian national revival]], alongside [[Vilnius]]. However, the [[World War I|First World War]] significantly affected the development of Minsk. By 1915, Minsk was a battlefront city. Some factories were closed down, and residents began evacuating to the east. Minsk became the headquarters of [[Western Front (Soviet Union)|the Western Front]] of the Russian army and also housed military hospitals and [[military logistics|military supply]] bases.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}[[File:Miensk,_BNR._Менск,_БНР_(1918).jpg|thumb|[[White-red-white flag|Belarusian national flag]] over the building of the People's Secretariat of the Belarusian People's Republic, 1918]]The [[Russian Revolution]] had an immediate effect in Minsk. A Workers' Soviet was established in Minsk in October 1917, drawing much of its support from disaffected soldiers and workers. After the [[Treaty of Brest-Litovsk]], [[Belarusian-Polish administration of Minsk|German forces occupied Minsk]] on 21 February 1918.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 October 2013 |title=History |work=Belarusian Tour operator |url=http://www.belintourist.com/eng/learn_about_belarus/region/minsk/ |url-status=dead |access-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103093706/http://www.belintourist.com/eng/learn_about_belarus/region/minsk/ |archive-date=3 November 2013}}</ref> On 25 March 1918, Minsk was proclaimed the capital of the [[Belarusian Democratic Republic|Belarusian People's Republic]]. The republic was short-lived; in December 1918, Minsk was taken over by the [[Red Army]]. In January 1919 Minsk was proclaimed the capital of the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]], though later in 1919 (see [[Operation Minsk]]) and again in 1920, the city was controlled by the [[Second Polish Republic]] during the course of the [[Polish–Soviet War|Polish-Bolshevik War]] between 8 August 1919 and 11 July 1920 and again between 14 October 1920 and 19 March 1921. Under the terms of the [[Treaty of Riga]], Minsk was handed back to the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]] and became the capital of the Byelorussian SSR, one of the founding republics of the [[Soviet Union|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]].{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

A programme of reconstruction and development began in 1922. By 1924, there were 29 factories in operation; schools, museums, theatres and libraries were also established. Throughout the 1920s and the 1930s, Minsk saw rapid development with dozens of new factories being built and new schools, colleges, higher education establishments, hospitals, theatres and cinemas being opened. During this period, Minsk was also a centre for the development of Belarusian language and culture.<ref>{{cite web
 |language     = ru
 |url          = https://minsk.gov.by/ru/freepage/minsk/history/history_2.shtml
 |title        = End of XVIII - 1941
 |publisher    = Official Site of Minsk Government
 |accessdate   = 2021-12-09
 |archive-date = 9 December 2021
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195445/https://minsk.gov.by/ru/freepage/minsk/history/history_2.shtml
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
[[File:Kurapaty 1989 meeting.jpg|thumb|Meeting in the [[Kurapaty]] woods, 1989, where between 1937 and 1941 from 30,000 to 250,000 Belarusian [[intelligentsia]] members were murdered by the [[NKVD]] during the [[Great Purge]]]]

Before the [[World War II|Second World War]], Minsk had a population of 300,000 people. The Germans captured Minsk in the [[Battle of Białystok–Minsk]], as part of [[Operation Barbarossa]]; [[Bombing of Minsk in World War II|after it had been devastated]] by the [[Luftwaffe]]. However, some factories, museums, and tens of thousands of civilians had been evacuated to the east. The Germans designated Minsk the administrative centre of ''[[Generalbezirk Weißruthenien]]''. Communists and sympathisers were killed or imprisoned, both locally and after being transported to Germany. Homes were requisitioned to house invading German forces. Thousands starved as food was seized by the German Army and paid work was scarce. Minsk was the site of one of the largest Nazi-run [[Jewish ghettos established by Nazi Germany|ghettos]] in the Second World War, temporarily housing over 100,000 Jews (see [[Minsk Ghetto]]). The Germans operated the Dulag 126 and Dulag 127 transit camps for prisoners of war in Minsk in 1941, and then the Stalag 352 [[German prisoner-of-war camps in World War II|prisoner-of-war camp]] for Soviet and [[Italian Military Internees|Italian]] POWs from 1941 to 1944.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Megargee|first1=Geoffrey P.|last2=Overmans|first2=Rüdiger|last3=Vogt|first3=Wolfgang|year=2022|title=The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV|publisher=Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|pages=79–80, 354–355|isbn=978-0-253-06089-1}}</ref> Some anti-Soviet residents of Minsk, who hoped that Belarus could regain independence, did support the Germans, especially at the beginning of the occupation, but by 1942, Minsk had become a major centre of the [[Soviet partisans|Soviet partisan]] [[resistance movement]] against the invasion, in what is known in some post-Soviet states as the ''[[Eastern Front (World War II)|Great Patriotic War]]''. For this role, Minsk was awarded the title ''[[Hero City (Soviet Union)|Hero City]]'' in 1974.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inyourpocket.com/minsk/Hero-City_136881v |title=Hero City &#124; Sightseeing &#124; Minsk |publisher=Inyourpocket.com |date= |accessdate=2022-02-26 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004024152/https://www.inyourpocket.com/minsk/Hero-City_136881v |url-status=live }}</ref>

Minsk was recaptured by Soviet troops on 3 July 1944 in the [[Minsk offensive]] as part of [[Operation Bagration]]. The city was the centre of German resistance to the Soviet advance and saw heavy fighting during the first half of 1944. Factories, municipal buildings, [[power station]]s, bridges, most roads, and 80% of the houses were reduced to rubble. In 1944, Minsk's population was reduced to a mere 50,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.roughguides.com/articles/minsk-belarus/ |title=Explore Minsk: the Belarusian capital |publisher=Rough Guides |date=2021-06-18 |accessdate=2022-02-26 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705193500/https://www.roughguides.com/articles/minsk-belarus/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Gates of Minsk (2016).jpg|thumb|Railway Station Square, an example of Minsk [[Stalinist architecture]]]]
The historical centre was replaced in the 1940s and 1950s by [[Stalinist architecture]], which favoured grand buildings, broad avenues and wide squares. Subsequently, the city grew rapidly as a result of massive industrialisation. Since the 1960s Minsk's population has also grown apace, reaching 1&nbsp;million in 1972 and 1.5&nbsp;million in 1986.
Construction of [[Minsk Metro]] began on 16 June 1977, and the system was opened to the public on 30 June 1984, becoming the ninth metro system in the Soviet Union.
The rapid population growth was primarily driven by mass migration of young, unskilled workers from rural areas of Belarus, as well as by migration of [[skilled worker]]s from other parts of the [[Soviet Union]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marples |first=David R. |date=1 November 2016 |title=The "Minsk Phenomenon:" demographic development in the Republic of Belarus |journal=Nationalities Papers |volume=44 |issue=6 |pages=919–931 |doi=10.1080/00905992.2016.1218451 |s2cid=131971740 |issn=0090-5992}}</ref> To house the expanding population, Minsk spread beyond its historical boundaries. Its surrounding villages were absorbed and rebuilt as ''mikroraions'', districts of high-density apartment housing.<ref>{{cite web
 |language     = ru
 |url          = https://minsk.gov.by/ru/freepage/minsk/history/history_4.shtml
 |title        = 1945-1991
 |publisher    = Official Site of Minsk Government
 |accessdate   = 2021-12-09
 |archive-date = 9 December 2021
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20211209151700/https://minsk.gov.by/ru/freepage/minsk/history/history_4.shtml
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

=== Recent developments ===
Throughout the 1990s, after the fall of communism, the city continued to change. As the capital of a newly independent country, Minsk quickly acquired the attributes of a major city. Embassies were opened, and a number of Soviet administrative buildings became government centres. During the early and mid-1990s, Minsk was hit by an [[Financial crisis|economic crisis]] and many development projects were halted, resulting in high unemployment and underemployment. Since the late 1990s, there have been improvements in transport and infrastructure, and a housing boom has been underway since 2002. On the outskirts of Minsk, new ''[[Microdistrict|mikroraions]]'' of [[residential area|residential development]] have been built. Metro lines have been extended, and the road system (including the [[MKAD (Minsk)|Minsk BeltWay]]) has been improved. In recent years Minsk has been continuously decentralizing,<ref name="realty1">{{Cite news |title=Минск-2030: где будут новые жилые центры города |url=https://realty.tut.by/news/offtop-realty/568263.html?crnd=69395 |access-date=11 November 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303201003/https://realty.tut.by/news/offtop-realty/568263.html?crnd=69395 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with a third line of the [[Minsk Metro]] opening in 2020. More development is planned for several areas outside the city centre, while the future of the older neighborhoods is still unclear.<ref name="realty1" />

== Geography ==
Minsk is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills, a region of rolling hills running from the southwest (upper reaches of the river [[Neman]]) to the northeast<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hOoAwAAQBAJ&dq=minsk+hills&pg=PT73 |title=Two Years in a Gulag: The True Wartime Story of a Polish Peasant Exiled to ... - Frank Pleszak |via=Google Books |isbn=9781445626048 |date=2013-02-15 |accessdate=2022-02-26|last1=Pleszak |first1=Frank |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited }}</ref>– that is, to Lukomskaye Lake in northwestern [[Belarus]]. The average altitude above sea level is {{convert|220|m}}. The physical geography of Minsk was shaped over the two [[Quaternary glaciation|most recent ice ages]]. The [[Svislach (Berezina)|Svislach River]], which flows across the city from the northwest to the southeast, is in the ''[[urstromtal]]'', an ancient river valley formed by water flowing from melting [[ice sheet]]s at the end of the last Ice Age. There are six smaller rivers within the city limits, all part of the [[Black Sea]] basin.

Minsk is in the area of [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests|mixed forests]] typical of most of Belarus. Pinewood and mixed forests border the edge of the city, especially in the north and east. Some of the forests were preserved as parks (for instance, the [[Chelyuskinites Park]]) as the city grew.

The city was initially built on the hills, which allowed for defensive fortifications, and the western parts of the city are the most hilly.

Only {{Cvt|5|km}} from the northwestern edge of city lies the large [[Zaslawskaye reservoir]], often called the Minsk sea. It is the second largest reservoir in Belarus, constructed in 1956.<ref>{{cite web |title=Минское море (Заславское водохранилище) |url=https://planetabelarus.by/sights/minskoe-more-zaslavskoe-vodokhranilishche/ |website=planetabelarus.by |access-date=7 June 2022 |language=ru |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702144521/https://planetabelarus.by/sights/minskoe-more-zaslavskoe-vodokhranilishche/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Minsk has a warm summer [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification#Dfb/Dwb/Dsb: Warm summer continental or hemiboreal climates|Köppen ''Dfb'']], [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]] ''Dcbo''), although its weather is oftentimes unpredictable, given its location between the strong influence of the moist air over the Atlantic Ocean and the dry air over the [[Eurasia]]n landmass. Its weather is unstable and tends to change relatively often. The average January temperature is {{convert|−4.2|°C}}, while the average July temperature is {{convert|19.1|°C|1|abbr=on}}. The lowest temperature was recorded on 17 January 1940, at {{convert|−39.1|°C|0|abbr=on}} and the warmest on 8 August 2015 at {{convert|35.8|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Fog is frequent, especially in the autumn and spring. Minsk receives {{convert|686|mm|in}} of [[precipitation]] annually, of which one-third falls during the cold period of the year (as snow or rain) and two-thirds during the warm period. Throughout the year, winds are generally westerly or northwesterly, bringing cool and moist air from the Atlantic.

{{Clear}}{{Weather box
| location = Minsk (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1887–present)
| width = auto
| metric first = Yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 10.3
| Feb record high C = 13.6
| Mar record high C = 24.6
| Apr record high C = 28.8
| May record high C = 30.9
| Jun record high C = 35.8
| Jul record high C = 35.2
| Aug record high C = 35.8
| Sep record high C = 31.0
| Oct record high C = 24.7
| Nov record high C = 16.0
| Dec record high C = 11.1
| year record high C = 35.8
| Jan high C = −2.0
| Feb high C = −0.8
| Mar high C = 4.5
| Apr high C = 12.8
| May high C = 18.9
| Jun high C = 22.4
| Jul high C = 24.3
| Aug high C = 23.6
| Sep high C = 17.5
| Oct high C = 10.3
| Nov high C = 3.6
| Dec high C = −0.6
| year high C = 11.2
| Jan mean C = −4.2
| Feb mean C = −3.6
| Mar mean C = 0.7
| Apr mean C = 7.6
| May mean C = 13.4
| Jun mean C = 17.1
| Jul mean C = 19.1
| Aug mean C = 18.2
| Sep mean C = 12.7
| Oct mean C = 6.7
| Nov mean C = 1.4
| Dec mean C = −2.6
| year mean C = 7.2
| Jan low C = −6.3
| Feb low C = −6.0
| Mar low C = −2.6
| Apr low C = 2.9
| May low C = 8.3
| Jun low C = 12.2
| Jul low C = 14.4
| Aug low C = 13.4
| Sep low C = 8.7
| Oct low C = 3.8
| Nov low C = −0.5
| Dec low C = −4.5
| year low C = 3.7
| Jan record low C = −39.1
| Feb record low C = −35.1
| Mar record low C = −30.5
| Apr record low C = −18.4
| May record low C = −5.0
| Jun record low C = 0.0
| Jul record low C = 4.3
| Aug record low C = 1.7
| Sep record low C = −4.7
| Oct record low C = −12.9
| Nov record low C = −20.4
| Dec record low C = −30.6
| year record low C = −39.1
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 47
| Feb precipitation mm = 40
| Mar precipitation mm = 41
| Apr precipitation mm = 43
| May precipitation mm = 66
| Jun precipitation mm = 79
| Jul precipitation mm = 97
| Aug precipitation mm = 71
| Sep precipitation mm = 51
| Oct precipitation mm = 55
| Nov precipitation mm = 49
| Dec precipitation mm = 47
| year precipitation mm = 686
| Jan snow depth cm = 11
| Feb snow depth cm = 16
| Mar snow depth cm = 13
| Apr snow depth cm = 0
| May snow depth cm = 0
| Jun snow depth cm = 0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0
| Nov snow depth cm = 2
| Dec snow depth cm = 6
| year snow depth cm = 16
| Jan humidity = 86
| Feb humidity = 83
| Mar humidity = 77
| Apr humidity = 67
| May humidity = 66
| Jun humidity = 70
| Jul humidity = 71
| Aug humidity = 72
| Sep humidity = 79
| Oct humidity = 82
| Nov humidity = 88
| Dec humidity = 88
| year humidity = 77
| Jan rain days = 11
| Feb rain days = 9
| Mar rain days = 11
| Apr rain days = 13
| May rain days = 18
| Jun rain days = 19
| Jul rain days = 18
| Aug rain days = 15
| Sep rain days = 18
| Oct rain days = 18
| Nov rain days = 17
| Dec rain days = 13
| year rain days = 180
| Jan snow days = 24
| Feb snow days = 21
| Mar snow days = 15
| Apr snow days = 4
| May snow days = 0.3
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0.04
| Oct snow days = 3
| Nov snow days = 13
| Dec snow days = 22
| year snow days = 102
| Jan sun = 37.4
| Feb sun = 59.1
| Mar sun = 136.9
| Apr sun = 196.6
| May sun = 255.3
| Jun sun = 275.4
| Jul sun = 267.4
| Aug sun = 239.6
| Sep sun = 172.0
| Oct sun = 96.0
| Nov sun = 34.0
| Dec sun = 24.2
| year sun = 
| Jan percentsun = 18
| Feb percentsun = 24
| Mar percentsun = 37
| Apr percentsun = 43
| May percentsun = 52
| Jun percentsun = 54
| Jul percentsun = 53
| Aug percentsun = 53
| Sep percentsun = 43
| Oct percentsun = 30
| Nov percentsun = 14
| Dec percentsun = 12
| year percentsun = 40
| source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name="pogoda.ru.net">{{cite web |title=Weather and Climate- The Climate of Minsk |url=http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/26850.htm |access-date=8 November 2021 |publisher=Weather and Climate (Погода и климат) |language=ru |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326232401/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/26850.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| source 2 = Belarus Department of Hydrometeorology (percent sun from 1938, 1940, and 1945–2000),<ref>{{cite web |title=Солнечное сияние. Обобщения II часть: Таблица 2.1. Характеристики продолжительности и суточный ход (доли часа) солнечного сияния. Продолжение. |url=http://www.pogoda.by/climat-directory/?page=288 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426030656/http://www.pogoda.by/climat-directory/?page=288 |archive-date=26 April 2017 |access-date=25 April 2017 |publisher=Department of Hydrometeorology |language=ru}}</ref> [[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Belarus/XLS/MINSK_26850.csv |title=Minsk Climate Normals 1991–2020 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=1 November 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| date = November 2011
}}

=== Ecological situation ===
The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Centre of Radioactive and Environmental Control.<ref name="eco.1" />

During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 [[Tonne|tons]].<ref name="eco.1">{{Cite news |date=18 September 2009 |script-title=ru:Не сосновый бор, но дышать можно смело |language=ru |publisher=naviny.by |url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2009/09/18/ic_articles_116_164550/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327122947/https://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2009/09/18/ic_articles_116_164550 |url-status=live }}</ref> The change from gas as industrial fuel to [[mazut]] for financial reasons has worsened the ecological situation.<ref name="eco.1" /> However, the majority of overall air pollution is produced by cars.<ref name="eco.1" /> Belarusian traffic police ''DAI'' every year hold operation "Clean Air" to prevent the use of cars with extremely polluting engines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2007 |script-title=ru:Минская ГАИ проводит акцию "Чистый воздух" |language=ru |publisher=naviny.by |url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/auto/2007/06/09/ic_news_120_272008/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327134436/https://naviny.by/rubrics/auto/2007/06/09/ic_news_120_272008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sometimes the maximum normative concentration of [[formaldehyde]] and [[ammonia]] in air is exceeded in [[Zavodski District]].<ref name="eco.1" /> Other major contaminants are [[Chromium]]-VI and [[nitrogen dioxide]].<ref name="eco.1" /> [[Zavodski District|Zavodski]], [[Partyzanski District|Partyzanski]] and [[Lyeninski District, Minsk|Leninski]] districts, which are located in the southeastern part of Minsk, are the most polluted areas in the city.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 June 2009 |title=Самый загрязненный воздух в Минске&nbsp;— на улице Тимирязева |language=ru |trans-title=The most polluted air in Minsk is on Timiryazev Street |publisher=naviny.by |url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2009/06/03/ic_news_116_312342/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327134508/https://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2009/06/03/ic_news_116_312342 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
[[File:City of Minsk population pyramid in 2022.svg|thumb|City of Minsk population pyramid in 2022]]
{{Historical populations
|1500|3000
|1550|4000
|1600|7000
|1650|10000
|1700|3000
|1750|8000
|1800|11000
|1850|25000
|1897|90912
|1926|123613
|1939|238948
|1959|515975
|1970|907104
|1979|1261869
|1989|1589436
|1999|1680567
|2009|1836808
|2019|2018281
|2025|1996730
|source=<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Buringh |first1=Eltjo |title=The Population of European Cities from 700 to 2000 |journal=Research Data Journal for the Humanities and Social Sciences |date=23 December 2021 |volume=6 |issue=1 |doi=10.1163/24523666-06010003 |url=https://ssh.datastations.nl/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=doi:10.17026/dans-xzy-u62q|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cities & towns of Belarus|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/belarus-cities.htm|publisher=Population statistics of Eastern Europe & former USSR}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Number and territorial distribution of the population|url=https://census.belstat.gov.by/saiku/?guest=true&lang=en&default_view_state=edit#query/open//public/F101N_ru.saiku|publisher=[[National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus]]|access-date=22 April 2025|archive-date=14 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214065813/https://census.belstat.gov.by/saiku/?guest=true&lang=en&default_view_state=edit#query/open//public/F101N_ru.saiku|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Инфографика "Население Республики Беларусь, на 1 января 2025 г." |url=https://www.belstat.gov.by/upload-belstat/upload-belstat-pdf/oficial_statistika/2025/naselenie_2025.pdf |publisher=[[National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614074537/https://www.belstat.gov.by/upload-belstat/upload-belstat-pdf/oficial_statistika/2025/naselenie_2025.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2025 |language=ru}}</ref>}}During its first centuries, Minsk was a city with a predominantly Early East Slavic population (the forefathers of modern-day [[Belarusians]]). 

After the 1569 [[Union of Lublin|Lublin Union]], Minsk became part of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. With the religious [[Union of Brest]], Minsk underwent religious and linguistic [[Polonization]].<ref name="Epstein">{{cite book |last1=Epstein |first1=Barbara |title=The Minsk Ghetto 1941-1943 Jewish Resistance and Soviet Internationalism |date=28 July 2008 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520931336 |pages=67-68 |url=https://www.google.com.ua/books/edition/The_Minsk_Ghetto_1941_1943/ivcA93p1afIC?hl=uk&gbpv=1&dq=In+the+mid-seventeenth+century+Jews+had+constituted+as+much+as+8+percent+of+the+population&pg=PA68&printsec=frontcover}}</ref> This pressure intensified after the [[Polish–Russian War (1654–1667)|Russo-Polish War of 1654–1667]], which led to the transfer of property to the Polish nobility due to the deaths of the previous owners.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kaganovich |first1=Albert |title=The Long Life and Swift Death of Jewish Rechitsa A Community in Belarus, 1625–2000 |date=8 March 2013 |publisher=University of Wisconsin Press |isbn=9780299289836 |page=40 |url=https://www.google.com.ua/books/edition/The_Long_Life_and_Swift_Death_of_Jewish/52ad3bo8NFYC?hl=uk&gbpv=1&dq=polonization+minsk&pg=PA40&printsec=frontcover}}</ref> The period of Polish rule also led to a massive migration of Jews to Belarusian lands, with their share in cities growing from less than 10% to half.<ref name="Epstein" />

After the [[Second Partition of Poland|second partition of Poland]] in 1793, Minsk and its larger region became part of the [[Russian Empire]]. Despite the Imperial authorities' attempts to eradicate Polish influence by promoting [[Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rieber |first1=Alfred J. |title=The Struggle for the Eurasian Borderlands From the Rise of Early Modern Empires to the End of the First World War |date=20 December 2014 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781107043091 |page=112 |url=https://www.google.com.ua/books/edition/The_Struggle_for_the_Eurasian_Borderland/s6roAgAAQBAJ?hl=uk&gbpv=1&dq=uvarov+triad+poles&pg=PA112&printsec=frontcover}}</ref> Poles continued to dominate the city council and control most of the income-producing real estate in the early 20th century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hamm |first1=Michael F. |title=Kiev A Portrait, 1800-1917 |date=11 January 1996 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=9780691025858 |page=224 |url=https://www.google.com.ua/books/edition/Kiev/SpRa5ZPaZzwC?hl=uk&gbpv=0}}</ref>

At the time of the [[Russian Empire Census|1897 census]] under the Russian Empire, Jews{{efn|Classified based on religion.{{sfn|Troynitsky|1904|p=91}}}} were the largest religious group in Minsk, accounting for 52% of the population, with 47,562 out of 90,912 residents.<ref>Joshua D. Zimmerman, ''Poles, Jews and the Politics of Nationality'', Univ of Wisconsin Press, 2004, {{ISBN|0-299-19464-7}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=6sbr9cZyw_4C&dq=population+Brest+Poles+Jews&pg=PA16 Google Print, p.16]</ref> [[Russian language|Russian]] was the mother tongue of 25.5% of the population, [[Polish language|Polish]] – 11.4%, and [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]] – 9.0%.{{sfn|Troynitsky|1904|p=80}} Their respective literacy rates were 65.2%, 55.4%, and 34.4%. Among Jews, 46.2% were literate.{{sfn|Troynitsky|1904|p=88-91}}
80% of residents were born in [[Minsk Governorate]].{{sfn|Troynitsky|1904|p=38}}

A small traditional community of [[Lipka Tatars]] had been living in Minsk for centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |title=Belarus: The last European dictatorship |date=2021 |isbn=978-0-300-26087-8 |location=New Haven |publisher=Yale University Press |pages=30 |oclc=1240724890}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tatars In Belarus Hope For Help From Tatarstan |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Tatars_In_Belarus_Hope_For_Help_From_Tatarstan/2126354.html |access-date=2022-08-17 |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=31 August 2010 |language=en |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021103903/https://www.rferl.org/a/Tatars_In_Belarus_Hope_For_Help_From_Tatarstan/2126354.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Between the 1880s and 1930s, many Jews emigrated from the city to the United States as part of a [[Jewish diaspora]].{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}
The high mortality of the First World War and the Second World War affected the demographics of the city, particularly the destruction of Jews under the [[Nazism|Nazi]] occupation of the Second World War. Working through local populations, Germans instituted deportation of Jewish citizens to concentration camps, murdering most of them there. The Jewish community of Minsk suffered catastrophic losses in [[the Holocaust]]. From more than half the population of the city, the percentage of Jews dropped to less than 10% more than ten years after the war. After its limited population peaked in the 1970s, continuing anti-Semitism under the Soviet Union and increasing nationalism in Belarus caused most Jews to emigrate to Israel and western countries in the 1980s; by 1999, less than 1% of the population of Minsk was Jewish.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute for Jewish Policy Research: Belarus |url=https://www.jpr.org.uk/country?id=14 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.jpr.org.uk |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811061745/https://jpr.org.uk/country?id=14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the first three decades of the post-war years, the most numerous new residents in Minsk were rural migrants from other parts of Belarus; the proportion of ethnic Belarusians increased markedly. Numerous skilled Russians and other migrants from other parts of the [[Soviet Union]] migrated for jobs in the growing manufacturing sector.<ref name="Zimmerman 2004">Zimmerman (2004), ''Poles, Jews, and Politics''</ref> In 1959 Belarusians made up 63.3% of the city's residents. Other ethnic groups included Russians (22.8%), Jews (7.8%), Ukrainians (3.6%), Poles (1.1%) and Tatars (0.4%). Continued migration from rural Belarus in the 1960s and 1970s changed the ethnic composition further. By 1979 Belarusians made up 68.4% of the city's residents. Other ethnic groups included Russians (22.2%), Jews (3.4%), Ukrainians (3.4%), Poles (1.2%) and Tatars (0.2%).<ref name="Zimmerman 2004" />

According to the [[1989 Soviet census|1989 census]], 83% of Minsk residents were born in Belarus, including 42% born in Minsk, 22% in the [[Minsk region]], and 19% in other parts of Belarus (6% of whom were from [[Grodno region|Grodno]] and [[Brest region|Brest]] regions). Those born in other republics accounted for 17% of Minsk residents, with 10% from the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Soviet Russia]] and 3% from the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Soviet Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года. Распределение населения республик СССР и их регионов по месту рождения |url=https://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_pob_89.php?reg=122 |website=demoscope.ru |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250714131116/https://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_pob_89.php?reg=122 |archive-date=14 July 2025 |language=ru |trans-title=All-Union Population Census of 1989. Distribution of the population of the USSR republics and their regions by place of birth}}</ref>

According to the 1999 census, [[Belarusians]] made up 79.3% of the city's residents. Other ethnic groups included [[Russians in Belarus|Russians]] (15.7%), [[Ukrainians in Belarus|Ukrainians]] (2.4%), [[Poles in Belarus|Poles]] (1.1%) and Jews (0.6%). The Russian and Ukrainian populations of Minsk peaked in the late 1980s (at 325,000 and 55,000 respectively). Since Belarus's independence, many of them chose to move to their respective mother countries, although some families had been in Minsk for generations. Another factor in the shifting demographics of the city was the changing self-identification of Minsk residents of mixed ancestry – in independent Belarus they identify as Belarusians.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

The [[History of the Jews in Belarus|Jewish population]] of Minsk peaked in the early 1970s at 50,000 according to official figures; independent estimates put the figure at between 100,000 and 120,000. Beginning in the 1980s, there has been mass-scale emigration to Israel, the US, and Germany. Today only about 10,000 Jews live in Minsk. The traditional minorities of Poles and Tatars have remained at much the same size (17,000 and 3,000 respectively). Rural Poles have migrated from the western part of Belarus to Minsk, and many Tatars have moved to Minsk from [[Tatarstan]].{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

Some more recent [[minority group|ethnic minority]] communities have developed as a result of immigration. The most prominent are immigrants from the [[Caucasus]] countries – [[Armenians in Belarus|Armenians]], [[Azerbaijanis in Belarus|Azerbaijanis]] and [[Georgians]] each numbering about 2,000 to 5,000. They began migrating to Minsk in the 1970s, and more immigrants have joined them since. Many work in the [[Retail|retail trade]] in open-air markets. A small but prominent Arab community has developed in Minsk, primarily represented by recent economic immigrants from [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], [[Egypt]], [[Algeria]], etc. (In many cases, they are graduates of Minsk universities who decide to settle in Belarus and bring over their families). A small community of [[Romani people in Belarus|Romani]], numbering about 2,000, are settled in suburbs of north-western and southern Minsk.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

=== Languages ===
[[File:Chinese sinage, Main Railway Station, Minsk, Belarus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Trilingual Belarusian, English, and Chinese signage, Minsk railway station (2018)]]
Throughout its history Minsk has been a city of many languages. Initially most of its residents spoke [[Ruthenian language|Ruthenian]] (which later developed into modern [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]]). However, after 1569 the [[official language]] was [[Dialects of Polish#Northern Borderlands dialect|Polish]].<ref>Między Wschodem i Zachodem: international conference, Lublin, 18–21 June 1991</ref> In the 19th-century Russian became the official language and by the end of that century it had become the language of administration, schools and newspapers. The Belarusian national revival increased interest in the Belarusian language – its use has grown since the 1890s, especially among the [[intelligentsia]]. In the 1920s and early 1930s Belarusian was the major language of Minsk, including use for administration and education (both secondary and tertiary). However, since the late 1930s Russian again began gaining dominance.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

A short period of Belarusian national revival in the early 1990s saw a rise in the numbers of Belarusian speakers. However, in 1994 the newly elected president [[Alexander Lukashenko]] slowly reversed this trend. Most residents of Minsk now use Russian exclusively in their everyday lives at home and at work, although Belarusian is understood as well. Substantial numbers of recent migrants from the rural areas use [[Trasianka]] (a Russo-Belarusian mixed language) in their everyday lives.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Liskovets |first=Irina |date=2009 |title=Trasjanka: A code of rural migrants in Minsk |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1367006909348678 |journal=International Journal of Bilingualism |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=396–412 |doi=10.1177/1367006909348678 |s2cid=144716155 |issn=1367-0069|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== Religion ===
There are no reliable statistics on the religious affiliations of those living in Minsk, or among the population of Belarus generally. The majority of Christians belong to the [[Belarusian Orthodox Church]], which is the [[exarchate]] of the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] in Belarus. There is a significant minority of [[Catholic Church in Belarus|Roman Catholics]].{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

[[File:New synagogue in Minsk.jpg|thumb|New synagogue in Minsk]]

As of 2006, there are approximately 30 religious communities of various denominations in Minsk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.local-life.com/minsk/articles/churches|title=Churches and Cathedrals &#124; Minsk Life|website=www.local-life.com|access-date=16 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516161726/https://www.local-life.com/minsk/articles/churches|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.by/docs/en/bf_2006/12.Churches%20and%20religious%20communities.pdf|title=''gov.by''|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908070327/http://www.mfa.gov.by/docs/en/bf_2006/12.Churches%20and%20religious%20communities.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>  The only functioning monastery in the city is [[St Elisabeth Convent, Minsk|St Elisabeth Convent]]; its large complex of churches is open to visitors.

=== Crime ===
Minsk has the highest crime rate in Belarus&nbsp;– 193.5 crimes per 10,000 citizens.<ref name="prest.3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2011 |title=Уровень преступности в Минской области&nbsp;– один из самых высоких в стране |language=ru |publisher=TUT.BY |url=http://news.tut.by/society/212780.html |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826025235/http://news.tut.by/society/212780.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 20–25% of all serious crimes in Belarus, 55% of bribes and 67% of mobile phone thefts are committed in Minsk.<ref name="prest.3">{{Cite news |date=29 June 2010 |script-title=ru:Лукашенко недоволен минскими властями |language=ru |publisher=TUT.BY |url=http://news.tut.by/society/175052.html |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826023515/http://news.tut.by/society/175052.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="prest.2">{{Cite news |date=18 April 2011 |script-title=ru:Кражи составляют в Минске около 70% преступлений |language=ru |publisher=TUT.BY |url=http://news.tut.by/society/223781.html |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826030547/http://news.tut.by/society/223781.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, attorney general Grigory Vasilevich stated that the homicide rate in Minsk in 2008 was "relatively fine".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2008 |script-title=ru:Генпрокуратура анализирует состояние с преступностью в Беларуси по коэффициенту преступности |language=ru |publisher=interfax.by |url=http://www.interfax.by/news/belarus/46593 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826130140/http://www.interfax.by/news/belarus/46593 |archive-date=26 August 2011}}</ref>

The crime rate grew significantly in 2009 and 2010:<ref name="prest.3" /> for example, the number of corruption crimes grew by 36% in 2009 alone.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2010 |title=В Минске увеличивается число выявленных коррупционных преступлений&nbsp;– Генпрокуратура |language=ru |publisher=interfax.by |url=http://www.interfax.by/news/belarus/68970 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826125751/http://www.interfax.by/news/belarus/68970 |archive-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> Crime detection level varies from 13% in burglary<ref name="prest.1">{{Cite news |date=2 January 2009 |script-title=ru:Я из ЖЭСа. Разрешите вас обокрасть! |language=ru |publisher=interfax.by |url=http://www.interfax.by/article/36323 |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316014450/http://www.interfax.by/article/36323 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to 92% in homicide<ref name="prest.4" /> with an average 40.1%.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2009 |title=В Минске снижается число хищений сотовых телефонов&nbsp;– Генпрокуратура |language=ru |publisher=interfax.by |url=http://www.interfax.by/news/belarus/62597 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102085851/http://www.interfax.by/news/belarus/62597 |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> Many citizens are concerned for their safety at night and the strongest concern was expressed by residents of Chizhovka and Shabany [[microdistrict]]s (both in [[Zavodski District]]).<ref name="prest.4">[http://www.pravo.by/showtext.asp?1139568277743 Рейтинг всех служб и подразделений ГУВД Мингорисполкома вырос], ''National Law Portal of Belarus'' (10 February 2006). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723185810/http://www.pravo.by/showtext.asp?1139568277743 |date=23 July 2011 }}</ref>

The SIZO-1 detention center, IK-1 general prison, and the [[State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus|KGB]] special jail called "''Amerikanka''" are all located in Minsk. [[Alexander Lukashenko]]'s rivals in the [[2010 Belarusian presidential election|2010 presidential election]] were imprisoned in the KGB jail<ref>[http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/12/21/ic_articles_259_171752/ Lukashenka's presidential rivals held in KGB jail] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518141325/http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/12/21/ic_articles_259_171752/ |date=18 May 2013 }}, ''Belarus News'' (21 December 2010)</ref> along with other prominent politicians and civil activists. [[Ales Michalevic]], who was kept in this jail, accused the KGB of using torture.<ref>[http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2011/02/28/ic_news_259_362284/ Mikhalevich to complain to UN Committee Against Torture about his detention conditions in KGB jail] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518163659/http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2011/02/28/ic_news_259_362284/ |date=18 May 2013 }}, ''Belarus News'' (28 February 2011)</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12606265 Belarus 'tortured protesters in jail'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617051458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12606265 |date=17 June 2011 }}, [[BBC News]] (1 March 2011)</ref>

On 15 November 2020, more than 1,000 protesters were arrested during an anti-government protest. Protesters took to the streets in the capital, Minsk, following the death of an opposition activist, [[Death of Raman Bandarenka|Raman Bandarenka]]. The activist died after allegedly being beaten up by the security forces. The protesters put flowers at the site where he was detained before succumbing to his injuries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54953599|title=Belarus: 'Over 1,000 arrested' at latest anti-government protest|work=BBC News|date=15 November 2020|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115223918/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54953599|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 30 August p0017.jpg|thumb|[[2020–2021 Belarusian protests|2020–21 Belarusian protests]] — Minsk, 30 August 2020]]

== Economy ==
{{See also|Economy of Belarus}}

Minsk is the [[Capital city|economic capital]] of Belarus. It has developed industrial and services sectors which serve the needs not only of the city, but of the entire nation. Minsk's contributions form nearly 46% of Belarusian budget.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Четвертую часть поступлений в бюджет Минска обеспечили 5 плательщиков |trans-title=The fourth part of receipts in the budget of Minsk was provided by 5 payers |url=http://afn.by/news/i/131974 |website=afn.by |language=ru |access-date=20 August 2011 |archive-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825194406/http://afn.by/news/i/131974 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to 2010 results, Minsk paid 15&nbsp;trillion BYR to state budget while the whole income from all other regions was 20&nbsp;trillion BYR.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bdg.by/news/finance/13645.html|title=Минск - основной плательщик НДС|date=26 January 2011|website=БДГ Деловая газета|access-date=16 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516161723/https://bdg.by/news/finance/13645.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the period January 2013 to October 2013, 70.6% of taxes in the budget of Minsk were paid by non-state enterprises, 26.3% by state enterprises, and 1.8% by individual entrepreneurs. Among the top 10 taxpayers were five oil and gas companies (including two [[Gazprom]]'s and one [[Lukoil]]'s subsidiaries), two mobile network operators ([[MTS Belarus|MTS]] and [[A1 Belarus|A1]]), two companies producing alcoholic beverages (Minsk-Kristall and Minsk grape wines factory) and one producer of tobacco goods.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 November 2013 |title=73,7 % поступлений в консолидированный бюджет города Минска за 10 месяцев 2013 года обеспечено негосударственным сектором экономики. – Новости инспекции – Министерство по налогам и сборам Республики Беларусь |url=http://www.nalog.gov.by/ru/news_ministerstva_minsk_ru/view/737-postuplenij-v-konsolidirovannyj-bjudzhet-goroda-minska-za-10-mesjatsev-2013-goda-obespecheno-9443/ |website=nalog.gov.by |access-date=6 December 2013 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701033809/http://www.nalog.gov.by/ru/news_ministerstva_minsk_ru/view/737-postuplenij-v-konsolidirovannyj-bjudzhet-goroda-minska-za-10-mesjatsev-2013-goda-obespecheno-9443/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, [[Gross regional domestic product|Gross Regional Product]] of Minsk was formed mainly by industry (26.4%), wholesale (19.9%), transportation and communications (12.3%), retail (8.6%) and construction (5.8%).

The GRP of Minsk measured in Belarusian rubles was 55 billion (€20 billion) or around 1/3 of the GDP of Belarus.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.belstat.gov.by/upload-belstat/upload-belstat-excel/Oficial_statistika/2021/GDP_GRP-2112-en.xlsx |title= GRP of regions and Minsk city in 2021 |access-date= 16 July 2022 |archive-date= 24 February 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230224010558/https://www.belstat.gov.by/upload-belstat/upload-belstat-excel/Oficial_statistika/2021/GDP_GRP-2112-en.xlsx |url-status= live }}</ref>

Minsk city has highest salaries in Belarus. As of December 2023 average gross salary in Minsk was 3,240 BYN per month (~ US$1,000).<ref name="myfin.by">{{cite web|url= https://myfin.by/wiki/term/srednyaya-zarplata-v-belarusi|title= News|website= www.myfin.by|access-date= 5 October 2022|archive-date= 5 October 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221005031130/https://myfin.by/wiki/term/srednyaya-zarplata-v-belarusi|url-status= dead}}</ref>

There are more than 400 travel agencies in Minsk, about a quarter of them provide agent activity, and most of them are tour operators.<ref name="agencies-regions">{{cite web |last=Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. |year=2011 |title=Number of organizations engaged in tourist activities in 2010 in Belarus |url=http://landofancestors.com/travel/statistics/250-number-of-organizations-engaged-in-tourist-activities-in-2010-in-belarus.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013172816/http://landofancestors.com/travel/statistics/250-number-of-organizations-engaged-in-tourist-activities-in-2010-in-belarus.html |archive-date=13 October 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013 |website=Land of Ancestors |publisher=National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus}}</ref><ref name="agencies-activiry">{{cite web |last=Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. |year=2011 |title=Number of organisations engaged in tourist activities in Belarus by region |url=http://landofancestors.com/travel/statistics/252-number-of-organisations-engaged-in-tourist-activities-in-belarus-by-region.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013172350/http://landofancestors.com/travel/statistics/252-number-of-organisations-engaged-in-tourist-activities-in-belarus-by-region.html |archive-date=13 October 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013 |website=Land of Ancestors |publisher=National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus}}</ref>

=== Industry ===
Minsk is the major industrial centre of Belarus. According to 2012 statistics, Minsk-based companies produced 21.5% of electricity, 76% of trucks, 15.9% of footwear, 89.3% of television sets, 99.3% of washing machines, 30% of chocolate, 27.7% of distilled alcoholic beverages and 19.7% of tobacco goods in Belarus.<ref>[http://belstat.gov.by/homep/en/indicators/regions/i2.php Shares of region and Minsk City in the national output of selected industrial products in 2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210152713/http://belstat.gov.by/homep/en/indicators/regions/i2.php |date=10 December 2013 }}</ref>

Today the city has over 250 factories and plants. Its industrial development started in the 1860s and was facilitated by the railways built in the 1870s. However, much of the industrial infrastructure was destroyed during World War I, especially during World War II. After the last war, the development of the city was linked to the development of industry, especially of [[Research and development|R&D]]-intensive sectors (heavy emphasis of R&D intensive industries in [[urban planning|urban development]] in the USSR is known in Western geography as 'Minsk phenomenon').{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} Minsk was turned into a major production site for trucks, tractors, gears, optical equipment, refrigerators, television sets and radios, bicycles, motorcycles, watches, and metal-processing equipment. Outside machine-building and electronics, Minsk also had textiles, construction materials, food processing, and printing industries. During the Soviet period, the development of the industries was linked to suppliers and markets within the USSR. The break-up of the union in 1991 led to a serious economic meltdown in 1991–1994.<ref name="Intereconomics">{{cite journal |title=The Political Economy of the Belarusian Crisis |url=https://www.intereconomics.eu/contents/year/2020/number/5/article/the-political-economy-of-the-belarusian-crisis.html |journal=Intereconomics |year=2020 |volume=2020 |issue=5 |pages=274–275 |last1=Guriev |first1=Sergei |doi=10.1007/s10272-020-0913-1 |doi-access=free |archive-date=30 December 2020 |access-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230131749/https://www.intereconomics.eu/contents/year/2020/number/5/article/the-political-economy-of-the-belarusian-crisis.html |url-status=live |hdl=10419/231943 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

However, since the adoption of the neo-Keynesean policies under [[Alexander Lukashenko]]'s government in 1995, much of the gross industrial production was regained.<ref name="Intereconomics" /> Unlike many other cities in the CIS and Eastern Europe, Minsk was not heavily de-industrialised in the 1990s. About 40% of the workforce is still employed in the [[Secondary sector of the economy|manufacturing sector]].<ref name="Intereconomics" />

Major industrial employers include:
*[[Minsk Tractor Works]]&nbsp;– specialised in manufacturing tractors. Established in 1946 in eastern Minsk, is among major manufacturers of wheeled tractors in the CIS. Employs about 30,000 staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://abcnews.go.com/International/belarus-opposition-calls-national-strike-key-test-protest/story?id=73842209|title = Belarus opposition calls for national strike in what could be key test for protest movement|website = [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date = 25 February 2022|archive-date = 25 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220225211727/https://abcnews.go.com/International/belarus-opposition-calls-national-strike-key-test-protest/story?id=73842209|url-status = live}}</ref>
*[[Minsk Automobile Plant]]&nbsp;– specialising in producing trucks, buses, and mini-vans. Established in 1944 in south-eastern Minsk, is among major vehicle manufacturers in the CIS.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}
*Minsk Refrigerator Plant (also known as [[Atlant (appliance company)|Atlant]])&nbsp;– specialised in manufacturing household goods, such as refrigerators, freezers, and recently also of [[washing machine]]s. Established in 1959 in the north-west of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About ATLANT. High-tech, dynamically developing enterprise |url=https://en.atlant.by/about/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=ATLANT |language=en |archive-date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123082556/https://en.atlant.by/about/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Horizont&nbsp;– specialised in producing TV-sets, audio and video electronics. Established in 1950 in north-central Minsk.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

=== Unemployment ===
In 2011 official statistics quoted unemployment in Minsk at 0.3%.<ref name="nav.2302">{{Cite web|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2011/02/23/ic_articles_116_172587/|title=Сколько реально безработных в Минске? &#124; naviny.by|date=23 February 2011 |access-date=20 August 2011|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111203529/http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2011/02/23/ic_articles_116_172587/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2009 census 5.6% of Minsk residents of employable age called themselves unemployed.<ref name="nav.2302" />
The government effectively discourages official unemployment registration because of tiny unemployment benefits and obligatory public works. In 2015–2017 there was an attempt (cancelled in January 2018) to collect the {{ill|Decree on the prevention of social parasitism|lt='free rider tax'|ru|Декрет о предупреждении социального иждивенчества}} taken from those who were unemployed unregistered for more than 6 months.<ref>{{cite web
 |language     = ru
 |url          = https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-42826759
 |title        = Лукашенко отменил "налог на тунеядцев". Но лишит льгот неработающих
 |trans-title  = Lukashenko Cancells 'Unemployment Tax' but Suspends Benefits
 |publisher    = BBC
 |date         = 2018-01-25
 |accessdate   = 2021-12-09
 |archive-date = 9 December 2021
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20211209152413/https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-42826759
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>

== Government and administrative divisions ==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Minsk}}[[File:Mińsk ratusz 01.jpg|alt=The city hall (rebuilt in 2003) at night.|thumb|Minsk Old Town Hall (rebuilt in 2003)]]

[[File:House_of_Representatives_of_Belarus.jpg|thumb|[[House of Representatives (Belarus)|House of Representatives]], Belarusian parliament]]
[[File:Мінск. Плошча Перамогі, красавік 2020 01.jpg|thumb|[[Victory Square, Minsk|Victory Square]]]]
[[File:Minsk all districts color-2011-05-02.png|600px]]

Minsk is subdivided into nine ''[[raion]]s'' (districts):
# {{legend|#E3D2E3|'''[[Tsentralny District (Minsk)|Tsentralny]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Цэнтральны}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Центральный}}), or "Central District"}}
# {{legend|#FDFD5D|'''[[Savetski District (Minsk)|Savetski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Савецкі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Советский}}, Sovetsky), or "[[Soviet (council)|Soviet]] District"}}
# {{legend|#7EDBEF|'''[[Pershamayski District|Pershamayski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Першамайскі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Первомайский}}, Pervomaysky), named after [[May Day|1 May]]}}
# {{legend|#EFDB72|'''[[Partyzanski District (Minsk)|Partyzanski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Партызанскі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Партизанский}}, Partizansky), named after the [[Soviet partisans]]}}
# {{legend|#CFDBFD|'''[[Zavodski District (Minsk)|Zavodski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Заводскі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Заводской}}, Zavodskoy), or "Factory district" (initially it included major plants, [[Minsk Tractor Works]] (MTZ) and [[Minsk Automobile Plant]] (MAZ), later the Partyzanski District with MTZ was split off it)}}
# {{legend|#5DFB5D|'''[[Leninski District (Minsk)|Leninski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Ленінскі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Ленинский}}, Leninsky), named after [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]]}}
# {{legend|#F1FBC8|'''[[Kastrychnitski District|Kastrychnitski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Кастрычніцкі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Октябрьский}}, Oktyabrsky), named after the [[October Revolution]]}}
# {{legend|#F68282|'''[[Maskouski District|Maskouski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Маскоўскі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Московский}}, Moskovsky), named after Moscow}}
# {{legend|#6FA3F1|'''[[Frunzenski District (Minsk)|Frunzenski]]''' ({{langx|be|link=no|Фрунзенскі}}, {{langx|ru|link=no|Фрунзенский}}, Frunzensky), named after [[Mikhail Frunze]]}}

In addition, a number of residential neighbourhoods are recognised in Minsk, called [[microdistrict]]s, with no separate administration.

== Culture ==

Minsk is the major cultural centre of Belarus. Its first theatres and libraries were established in the middle of the 19th century. It presently has 11 theatres and 16 museums, along with 20 cinemas and 139 libraries.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}[[File:Church of Saints Simon and Helena, 15, Soviet str., Minsk - the capital of Republic of Belarus 04.JPG|thumb|[[Independence Square, Minsk|Independence Square]] with the [[Church of Saints Simon and Helena|Red Church]]]]

=== Churches ===
*The Orthodox [[Holy Spirit Cathedral, Minsk|Cathedral of the Holy Spirit]] is actually the former church of the [[Cistercians|Bernardine]] convent. It was built in the simplified [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style in 1642–87 and went through renovations in 1741–46 and 1869.
*The [[Cathedral of the Holy Name of Saint Virgin Mary|Cathedral of Saint Mary]] was built by the [[Jesuits]] as their principal church in 1700–10, restored in 1951 and 1997; it overlooks the recently restored 18th-century city hall, located on the other side of {{ill|Plošča Svabody|be|Плошча Свабоды (Мінск)}}.
*Another two historic churches are the [[St. Joseph Church, Minsk|Church of Saint Joseph]], formerly affiliated with the Bernardine monastery, built in 1644–52 and repaired in 1983, and the fortified church of Sts. Peter and Paul, originally built in the 1620s and recently restored, complete with its flanking twin towers.
*[[Church of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Dominican monastery in Minsk|Church of St. Thomas Aquinas]] with a [[Catholic Church in Belarus|Catholic]] monastery complex was founded in the early 17th century, destroyed in 1950. It was built in the Baroque style.
*The  Neo-Romanesque Roman Catholic [[Church of Saints Simon and Helena|Red Church]] (Church of Sts. Simeon and Helene) was built in 1906–10 immediately after religious freedoms were proclaimed in Imperial Russia and the tsar allowed dissidents to build their churches.
*The largest church built in the Russian imperial period of the town's history is dedicated to St. [[Mary Magdalene]].
*[[Church of St. Adalbert and Benedictine monastery]] was a Roman Catholic monastic complex in Minsk originally belonging to the [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] order. Currently, the General Prosecutor's Office of Belarus is located on this site.
*Many Orthodox churches were built after the [[History of the Soviet Union (1982–1991)|dissolution of the USSR]] in a variety of styles, although most remain true to the [[Russian Revival architecture|Neo-Russian]] idiom. A good example is St. Elisabeth's Convent, founded in 1999.

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.jpg|Church of Sts. Peter and Paul (Russian Orthodox)
File:Belarus-Minsk-Church of Mary Magdalene-8.jpg|Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Russian Orthodox)
File:Belarus-Minsk-Church of Exaltation of the Holy Cross-8.jpg|Church of [[Feast of the Cross|Exaltation of the Holy Cross]] (Roman Catholic)
File:Касцёл Святога Роха. 2019 (01).jpg|[[Church of Holy Trinity, Minsk|Church of Holy Trinity]] (Saint Rochus; Roman Catholic)
File:Vsekh svyatykh sobor 1998.jpg|Church of All Saints and in Memory of the Victims of War (Russian Orthodox; consecrated 2010)<ref>{{cite news |last1=van der Vorst |first1=Patrick |title=Gospel in Art: Solemnity of All Saints |url=https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50992 |work=ICN |date=31 October 2024 |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2024 |access-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214014248/https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50992 |url-status=live }}</ref>
File:Евфросиниевская церковь.jpg|Church of St. Yevfrosinya of Polotsk (Russian Orthodox)
File:St Elizabeth Monastery 1997 1.jpg|Church of [[St Elisabeth Convent (Minsk)|St. Elisabeth Convent]] (Russian Orthodox)
File:Kaścioł śv. Jazepa - 3.jpg|[[St. Joseph Church, Minsk|Church of St. Joseph]] (formerly Uniate, used as an archive)
File:Мінск. Касцёл Дзевы Марыі.jpg|[[Cathedral of the Holy Name of Saint Virgin Mary|Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary]] (Roman Catholic)
File:Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk.jpg|[[Holy Spirit Cathedral, Minsk|Cathedral of the Holy Spirit]] ([[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox]])
</gallery>
=== Cemeteries ===
*[[Kalvaryja]] (Calvary Cemetery) is the oldest surviving cemetery in the city. Many famous Belarusians are buried here. The cemetery was closed to new burials in the 1960s.
*[[Military Cemetery (Minsk)|Military Cemetery]]
*Eastern Cemetery 
*Čyžoŭskija Cemetery
*Northern Cemetery

=== Theatres ===
[[File:Nacyjanalny akademičny teatar imia Janki Kupały.JPG|thumb|[[Janka Kupala National Theatre]]]]
Major theatres are:
*[[National Opera and Ballet of Belarus|National Opera and Ballet Theatre]]
*Belarusian State Musical Theatre (performances in Russian)
*Maxim Gorky National Drama Theatre (performances in Russian)
*[[Janka Kupala National Theatre]] (performances in Belarusian)

=== Museums ===
Major museums include:
*[[The National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus|National Art Museum]]
*[[Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum]]
*[[Belarusian National History Museum]]
*[[Belarusian Nature and Environment Museum]]
*[[Maksim Bahdanovich Literary Museum]]
*[[Old Belarusian History Museum]]
*[[Museum of Jewish History and Culture in Belarus]]
*Yanka Kupala Literary Museum[[File:Ygallery.jpg|alt=Ў Gallery.|thumb|[[Ў Gallery]]]]

Art galleries include:
*[[Ў gallery]]

=== Recreation areas ===
*[[Chelyuskinites Park]]
*[[Children's Railroad (Minsk)|Children's Railroad]]
*[[Gorky Park (Minsk)|Gorky Park]], former Governor's Garden
*[[Yanka Kupala Park]]

== Sports ==
[[File:Стадион "Динамо" (Минск).jpg|thumb|[[Dinamo Stadium (Minsk)|Dinamo National Olympic Stadium]]]][[File:Минск-Арена 🇧🇾.jpg|thumb|[[Minsk-Arena|Minsk Arena]]]]
=== Football ===
*[[FC Dinamo Minsk]]
*[[FC Minsk]]
*[[FC Energetik-BGU Minsk]]
*[[FC Krumkachy Minsk]]
=== Ice hockey ===
*[[HC Dinamo Minsk]]
*[[Yunost Minsk|HC Yunost Minsk]]

=== Handball ===
*[[SKA Minsk]]

=== Basketball ===
*[[BC Minsk|BC Tsmoki-Minsk]]

=== International sporting events ===
In 2013, Minsk hosted the European Junior Rowing Championships at the Republican Center of Olympic Training for Rowing And Canoeing to the north-west of the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=ERJCH 2013 Minsk, Belarus |url=http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/ranking_tables/2013_ERJCH_-_Results1.pdf |access-date=29 May 2020 |publisher=World Rowing |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804071826/http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/ranking_tables/2013_ERJCH_-_Results1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Minsk hosted the [[2014 IIHF World Championship]] at the [[Arena|Minsk Arena]].

In January 2016, the [[2016 European Speed Skating Championships]] were held in the Minsk Arena&nbsp;– the only indoor speed skating rink in Belarus.

Minsk hosted the [[2019 European Games]] in June.<ref>{{cite web |title=2ND EUROPEAN GAMES 2019 MINSK, BELARUS |url=https://minsk2019.by/en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627014321/https://minsk2019.by/en |archive-date=27 June 2019 |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=minsk2019.by |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2019 European Figure Skating Championships]] were held in the Minsk Arena from 21 to 27 January.

== Transportation ==

=== Local transport ===
{{Main|Trolleybuses in Minsk|Trams in Minsk}}

Minsk has a high-developed public transport system.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 October 2012 |title=Public transport in Minsk |url=http://www.apartmentinminsk.com/news-blog/public-transport.htm |access-date=4 October 2012 |publisher=D-Minsk |archive-date=26 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026120236/http://www.apartmentinminsk.com/news-blog/public-transport.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Passengers are served by 8 tramway lines, over 70 [[Trolleybuses in Minsk|trolleybus lines]], 3 subway lines and over 100 bus lines. Trams were the first public transport used in Minsk (since 1892&nbsp;– the horse-tram, and since 1929&nbsp;– the electric tram). Public buses have been used in Minsk since 1924, and trolleybuses since 1952.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-31 |title=History |url=https://minsktrans.by/en/history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031145204/https://minsktrans.by/en/history.html |archive-date=2020-10-31  |access-date=2022-08-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F6xIEAAAQBAJ&dq=Minsk+trolleybuses+1952&pg=PA436 |title=Innovations and Traditions for Sustainable Development - Google Books |date=2021-10-16 |isbn=9783030788254 |accessdate=2022-02-26|last1=Filho |first1=Walter Leal |last2=Krasnov |first2=Eugene V. |last3=Gaeva |first3=Dara V. |publisher=Springer }}</ref>
[[File:AKSM E321 electrobus in Minsk 1.jpg|thumb|Electrobus [[Belkommunmash|AKSM E321]] in Minsk]]
Most of public transport is operated by Minsktrans, a city-owned and -funded transport [[Non-profit organisation|not-for-profit]] company. As of November 2021, Minsktrans used 1,322 buses (plus 93 electric buses), 744 trolleybuses and 135 tramway cars in Minsk.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 November 2021 |title=Minsktrans received 450 new buses and trolleybuses |url=https://reform.by/274457-minsktrans-poluchil-450-avtobusov-i-trollejbusov |access-date=7 November 2021 |publisher=Reform.By |archive-date=7 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207030555/https://reform.by/274457-minsktrans-poluchil-450-avtobusov-i-trollejbusov |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Minsk city government in 2003 decreed that local transport provision should be set at a minimum level of 1 vehicle (bus, trolleybus or tram) per 1,500 residents. The number of vehicles in use by Minsktrans is 2.2 times higher than the minimum level. {{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

Public transport fares are controlled by the ''city's executive committee'' (city council). Single trip ticket for bus, trolleybus or tramway costs 0.75 [[Belarusian ruble|BYN]] (≈&nbsp;USD 0.3),<ref name="t.1">{{Cite web|url=https://minsktrans.by/oplata-proezda/tarify/|title=Тарифы &#124; Минсктранс|access-date=16 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516161729/https://minsktrans.by/oplata-proezda/tarify/|url-status=live}}</ref> 0.80 BYN for metro and 0.90 BYN for express buses.<ref name=t.1/> Monthly ticket for one kind of transport costs 33 BYN and 61 BYN for all five.<ref name=t.1/> Commercial [[marshrutka]]'s prices varies from 1.5 to 2 BYN.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

=== Rapid transit ===
{{Main|Minsk Metro}}
[[File:Станция метро Вокзальная 1.jpg|thumb|[[Vakzaĺnaja (Minsk Metro)|Vakzalnaja]] station of the [[Minsk Metro]]]]
Minsk is the only city in Belarus with an [[Rapid transit|underground metro]] system. Construction of the metro began in 1977, soon after the city reached over a million people, and the first line with 8 stations was opened in 1984. Since then it has expanded into three lines: [[Maskoŭskaja line|Maskoŭskaja]], [[Awtazavodskaya line|Awtazavodskaya]], and [[Zelenaluzhskaya line|Zelenaluzhskaya]] which are {{convert|19.1|,|18.1|and|3.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} long with 15, 14 and 4 stations, respectively. On 7 November 2012, three new stations on the Moskovskaya Line were opened and another on 3 June 2014.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}. Construction of the third line began in 2011 and the first stage opened in 2020. Some layout plans speculate on a possible fourth line running from Vyasnyanka to Serabranka micro-rayons.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

The system uses [[Metrovagonmash 81-717/81-714|Metrovagonmash]] and [[Stadler METRO]] trains. On a typical day Minsk metro is used by 800,000 passengers. In 2007 ridership of Minsk metro was 262.1&nbsp;million passengers,<ref>{{cite web |date=21 June 2010 |title=CIS Metro Statistics |url=http://www.mrl.ucsb.edu/~yopopov/rrt/maps/statistics.html |access-date=4 July 2010 |publisher=Mrl.ucsb.edu |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804050310/http://www.mrl.ucsb.edu/~yopopov/rrt/maps/statistics.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> in 2017 ridership of Minsk metro was 284,1&nbsp;million passengers,<ref>{{cite web |date=2018 |title=Метро сегодня |url=http://metropoliten.by/o_metropolitene/metro_today |publisher=metropoliten.b |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628214312/https://metropoliten.by/o_metropolitene/metro_today/ |url-status=live }}</ref> making it the 5th busiest metro network in the [[Post-Soviet states|former USSR]] (behind [[Moscow Metro|Moscow]], [[Saint Petersburg Metro|St. Petersburg]], [[Kyiv Metro|Kyiv]], and [[Kharkiv Metro|Kharkiv]]). During peak hours trains run each 2–2.5 minutes. The metro network employs 3,435 staff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minsk Metro |url=https://eng.asmetro.ru/metro/metro/minsk/minsk_full/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=International Metro Association |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625191618/https://eng.asmetro.ru/metro/metro/minsk/minsk_full/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Most of the urban transport is being renovated to modern standards. For instance, all metro stations built since 2001 have passenger lifts from platform to street level, thus enabling the use of the newer stations by disabled passengers.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}<ref>{{cite web|date=|title=Minsk Metro|url=https://www.belarus.by/en/travel/transport-in-belarus/minsk-metro|access-date=26 June 2021|website=www.belarus.by|archive-date=14 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914050522/https://www.belarus.by/en/travel/transport-in-belarus/minsk-metro|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Railway and intercity bus ===
[[File:Minsk-Central-Bus-Station.jpg|thumb|Minsk Central Bus Station]]
[[File:Stadler FLIRT Minsk.jpg|thumb|[[Stadler FLIRT]] train (EPg), Minsk train station]]
Minsk is the largest transport hub in Belarus. Minsk is located at the junction of the [[Warsaw]]-Moscow railway (built in 1871) running from the southwest to the northeast of the city and the  [[Libava–Romny Railway|Liepāja–Romny railway]] (built in 1873) running from the northwest to the south. The first railway connects Russia with Poland and Germany; the second connects Ukraine with Lithuania and Latvia. They cross at the [[Minsk railway station|Minsk-''Pasažyrski'']] railway station, the main railway station of Minsk. The station was built in 1873 as Vilenski Vazkal. The initial wooden building was demolished in 1890 and rebuilt in stone. During World War II the Minsk railway station was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt in 1945 and 1946 and served until 1991. 

The new building of the Minsk-''Pasažyrski'' railway station was built during 1991–2002. Its construction was delayed due to financial difficulties. There were plans to move all [[Regional rail|suburban rail]] traffic from Minsk-''Pasažyrski'' to the smaller stations, Minsk-''Uschodni'' (East), Minsk-''Paŭdniovy'' (South) and Minsk-''Paŭnočny'' (North), by 2020. However, those plans were scrapped in favour of developing a more integrated system of suburban rail (branded as City Lines, operated by [[Belarusian Railway|Belarusian Railways]]). The system currently consists of 3 routes (to [[Zaslawye]], [[Smalyavichy district|Čyrvony Ściah]], and [[Rudzyensk|Rudziensk]]) all terminating at the central train station and is being served by 6 Stadler FLIRT train sets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Расписание поездов БЖД {{!}} Купить билеты на поезд |url=https://pass.rw.by/ru/help/trains/message-types/city-lines.html |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=pass.rw.by |language=ru-RU}}</ref>

There is an intercity bus station that links Minsk with the nearby airport, with the suburbs and other cities in Belarus and the neighboring countries. There are frequent services to Moscow, [[Smolensk]], [[Vilnius]], [[Riga]] and [[Warsaw]].{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

=== Cycling ===
According to a 2019 survey of 1,934 people,<ref>{{cite web |title=(SATIO) ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ ПРЕДПОЧТЕНИЙ И ОТНОШЕНИЯ К ВЕЛОСИПЕДУ В ГОРОДАХ БЕЛАРУСИ (24-09-2019).pdf |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8yso-CRBAwwVzE0MFRIRVc1LWJaUXR2QkVUeG1Zd2M3eFVB/view |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=Google Docs |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605174500/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8yso-CRBAwwVzE0MFRIRVc1LWJaUXR2QkVUeG1Zd2M3eFVB/view |url-status=live }}</ref> Minsk had around 811,000 adult bicycles and 232,000 child and adolescent bicycles. In Minsk there is one bike for every 1.9 people. The total number of bicycles in Minsk exceeds the total number of cars (770,000 personal automobiles). 39% of Minsk residents have a personal bike. 43% of Minsk residents ride a bicycle once a month or more. As of 2017, the level of bicycle use is about 1% of all transport movements (for comparison: 12% in [[Cycling in Berlin|Berlin]], 50% in [[Copenhagen]]).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Развитие_городского_велосипедного_движения_в_Беларуси 2017-2019.pdf |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E81dRIdl0xQC4XZkBozFWqmY4J8_Uu1u/view |access-date=8 June 2020 |website=Google Docs |archive-date=16 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116104157/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E81dRIdl0xQC4XZkBozFWqmY4J8_Uu1u/view |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Мінск. З Добрых Мысляў у цэнтр (149).jpg|thumb|Bike lane in Minsk]]
Since 2015, an annual bicycle parade / bicycle carnival is held in Minsk, during which vehicles are blocked for several hours along Pobediteley (Peramohi) Avenue. The number of participants in 2019 was more than 20,000 and the number of registrations was about 12,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belarus in pictures {{!}} Belarus in photo {{!}} Belarus in images {{!}} International VIVA, Bike carnival-parade in Minsk {{!}} Belarus in pictures {{!}} Belarus in photo {{!}} Belarus in images |url=https://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/photo/international-viva-bike-carnival-parade-in-minsk_i_26116.html |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=www.belarus.by |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607072824/https://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/photo/international-viva-bike-carnival-parade-in-minsk_i_26116.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bike carnival in Minsk gathers over 20K cyclists – in pictures |url=https://euroradio.fm/en/bike-carnival-minsk-gathers-over-20k-cyclists-pictures |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=euroradio.fm |date=19 May 2019 |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605190150/https://euroradio.fm/en/bike-carnival-minsk-gathers-over-20k-cyclists-pictures |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Video about bicycle parade / carnival |website = [[YouTube]]| date=13 May 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDsVmf61nlc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/qDsVmf61nlc| archive-date=2021-10-30}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Text and video about cycling parade |url=https://www.tvr.by/eng/news/obshchestvo/viva_rovar_v_5_y_raz_proshel_v_minske_/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=www.tvr.by |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607074326/https://www.tvr.by/eng/news/obshchestvo/viva_rovar_v_5_y_raz_proshel_v_minske_/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, the [[European Union]] funded the project "Urban cycling in Belarus" at a cost of €560,000, within the framework of which the public association Minsk Cycling Society together with the Council of Ministers created the regulatory document National Concept for the Development of Cycling in Belarus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Development of urban cycling for public benefit in Belarus |url=https://euprojects.by/projects/Green-Economy-Environment-and-Sustainable-development/development-of-urban-cycling-for-public-benefit-in-belarus/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=euprojects.by |language=en-US |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607072825/https://euprojects.by/projects/Green-Economy-Environment-and-Sustainable-development/development-of-urban-cycling-for-public-benefit-in-belarus/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=19 July 2017 |title=Project "Urban cycling in Belarus" |url=https://bike.org.by/news/minsk/project-urban-cycling-in-belarus/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=Minsk Cycling Community NGO |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605191614/https://bike.org.by/news/minsk/project-urban-cycling-in-belarus/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2020, Minsk entered the top 3 most cycling cities in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] – after Moscow and [[Saint Petersburg]].<ref>{{cite web |date=3 June 2020 |title=Minsk among top three CIS bike-friendly cities |url=https://eng.belta.by/society/view/minsk-among-top-three-cis-bike-friendly-cities-130792-2020/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=eng.belta.by |language=en-EN |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603150500/https://eng.belta.by/society/view/minsk-among-top-three-cis-bike-friendly-cities-130792-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Airports ===

[[Minsk National Airport]] is located {{convert|42|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the east of the city. It opened in 1982 and the current railway station opened in 1987. It is an [[international airport]] with flights to Europe and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web
 |language     = ru
 |url          = https://en.belavia.by/gates/
 |title        = Minsk National Airport
 |publisher    = Belavia
 |accessdate   = 2021-12-09
 |archive-date = 17 May 2022
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20220517043134/https://en.belavia.by/gates/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>

The former [[Minsk-1 Airport]] closed in 2015.<ref name="Russian Aviation Insider 2016 b473">{{cite web | title=Belarusian airports see traffic growth in 2015 | website=Russian Aviation Insider | date=January 29, 2016 | url=https://www.rusaviainsider.com/belarusian-airports-see-traffic-growth-in-2015/ | access-date=March 25, 2024 | archive-date=25 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325152841/https://www.rusaviainsider.com/belarusian-airports-see-traffic-growth-in-2015/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Minsk Borovaya Airfield (UMMB) is located in a suburb north-east of the city, next to Zaliony Luh Forest Park, housing Aero Club Minsk and Minsk Aviation Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world-airport-codes.com/belarus/borovaya-airfield-82793.html|title=Borovaya Airfield - Belarus|website=World Airport Codes|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212125448/https://www.world-airport-codes.com/belarus/borovaya-airfield-82793.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Education ==
Minsk has about 451 kindergartens, 241 schools, 22 further education colleges,<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:комитет по образованию Мингорисполкома |trans-title=Committee of Education (Minsk City Executive Committee) |url=http://minsk.edu.by/ |access-date=23 July 2018 |language=ru |archive-date=3 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703174942/http://minsk.edu.by/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 29 higher education institutions,<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Управление высшего образования |trans-title=the management of higher education |url=http://edu.gov.by/sistema-obrazovaniya/glavnoe-upravlenie-professionalnogo-obrazovaniya/vysshee-obrazovanie/ |access-date=23 July 2018 |publisher=Ministry of education of the Republic of Belarus |language=ru |archive-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423221107/http://edu.gov.by/sistema-obrazovaniya/glavnoe-upravlenie-professionalnogo-obrazovaniya/vysshee-obrazovanie/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> including 12 major national universities. {{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

=== Major higher educational institutions ===

*[[Academy of Public Administration (Belarus)|Academy of Public Administration]], established in 1991 and it acquired the status of a presidential institution in 1995. The Academy has 3 institutes: ''Institute of Administrative Personnel'' which has 3 departments, ''Institute of Civil Service'' which has 3 departments and ''Research Institute of the Theory and Practice of [[Public administration]]''.
*[[Belarusian State University]], founded in 1921. In 2006 had 15 major departments (Applied Mathematics and Informatics; Biology; Chemistry; Geography; Economics; [[International relations]]; Journalism; History; Humanitarian Sciences; Law; Mechanics and Mathematics; Philology; Philosophy and [[Social science|Social sciences]]; Physics; Radiophysics and Electronics). It also included 5 R&D institutes, 24 Research Centres, 114 R&D laboratories. The University employs over 2,400 lecturers and 1,000 research fellows; 1,900 of these hold PhD or Dr. Sc. degrees. There are 16,000 undergraduate students at the university, as well as over 700 PhD students. In 2018 [[Olga Chupris]] was the first female Vice-Rector appointed to the institution (Academic Work and Educational Innovations).
**[[Research Institute for Nuclear Problems of Belarusian State University]]
*[[Belarusian State University of Agricultural Technology]], specialised in [[agricultural machinery|agricultural technology]] and agricultural machinery.
*[[Belarusian National Technical University]]
*[[Belarusian State Medical University]]. Since 1921&nbsp;– Medicine Department of the Belarusian State University. In 1930 becomes separate as ''Belarusian Medical Institute''. In 2000 upgraded to university level. Has six departments.
*[[Belarus State Economic University|Belarusian State Economic University]], founded in 1933 as ''Belarusian Institute for National Economy''. Upgraded to university level in 1992.
*[[Maksim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University|Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University]], specialised in [[teacher education|teacher training]] for secondary schools.
*[[Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics]], established in 1964 as ''Minsk Institute for Radioelectronics''.
*[[Belarusian State University of Physical Culture|Belarusian State University of Physical Training]]
*[[Belarusian State Technological University]], specialised in chemical and [[pharmaceutics|pharmaceutical technology]], in printing and forestry. Founded in 1930 as ''Forestry Institute'' in [[Gomel|Homel]]. In 1941 evacuated to Sverdlovsk, now [[Yekaterinburg]]. Returned to Gomel in 1944, but in 1946 relocated to Minsk as ''Belarusian Institute of Technology''. Upgraded to university level in 1993. Has nine departments.
*[[Minsk State Linguistic University]], founded in 1948 as ''Minsk Institute for Foreign Languages''. In 2006 had 8 departments. Major focus on English, French, German and Spanish.
*[[Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts]], founded in 1975 as ''Minsk Institute of Culture''. Reorganized in 1993.
*[[International Sakharov Environmental Institute]], established in 1992 with the support from the United Nations. Focus on study and research of radio-ecological consequences of the [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster]] in 1986, which heavily affected Belarus.
*[[Minsk Innovation University]], the largest private higher educational institution in Belarus. Established in 1991. Specializes in Economics, Management, Marketing, Finance, [[Psychology]] and Information technology.

<div class="center"><gallery mode="packed">
File:MSLU Minsk 2006.JPG|[[Minsk State Linguistic University]]
File:Ул.Бобруйская - panoramio.jpg|[[Faculty of International Relations, Belarusian State University]]
File:Ректорат БГУ.jpg|Rector's office of the [[Belarusian State University]]
File:Main building of BNTU.jpg|[[Belarusian National Technical University]]
</gallery></div>

== Honors ==
A [[minor planet]], [[3012 Minsk]], was discovered by Soviet astronomer [[Nikolai Chernykh]] in 1979 and is named after the city.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=ru&q=3012+minsk+1979+QU9 |title=Dictionary of Minor Planet Names&nbsp;– p.248 |access-date=4 July 2010}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{main category|People from Minsk}}
*[[Andrei Pavlovich Ablameyko]] (born 1970), [[Belarusian Greek Catholic Church|Belarusian Greek Catholic]] priest
*[[Anton Adamovič]] (1909–1998), literary critic, novelist, publicist and historian
* [[Viktar Babaryka]] (born 1963), Belarusian public and opposition political figure, political prisoner<ref>{{cite web |title=VIKTAR BABARYKA Belarusian banker and public figure, presidential candidate, sentenced to 14 years in prison |url=https://prisoners.spring96.org/en/person/victar-babaryka |access-date=20 May 2022 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816004720/https://prisoners.spring96.org/en/person/victar-babaryka |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Maksim Bahdanovič]] (1891–1917), poet, considered one of the founders of modern Belarusian literature<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://belarusjournal.skaryna.org.uk/sites/default/files/JBS_1965_6_Maksim%20Bahdanovic%20in%20Byelorussian%20Literature.pdf |title=Maksim Bahdanovic in Byelorussian Literature BY VERA RICH |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227233010/http://belarusjournal.skaryna.org.uk/sites/default/files/JBS_1965_6_Maksim%20Bahdanovic%20in%20Byelorussian%20Literature.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Masha Bruskina]] (1924–1941), World War II partisan
*[[Siarhei Bulba]] (born 1967), Belarusian politician, army officer and former leader of the paramilitary organisation White Legion
*[[Albert CanCook]] (born 1988), chef and media personality
* [[Veronika Cherkasova]] (1959–2004), journalist<ref>{{cite web |title=Veronika Cherkasova Solidarnost {{!}} Killed in Minsk, Belarus {{!}} October 20, 2004 |url=https://cpj.org/data/people/veronika-cherkasova/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420223141/https://cpj.org/data/people/veronika-cherkasova/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 
*[[Olga Chupris]] (born 1969), first female Vice Rector of the Belarusian State University
*[[Avraham Even-Shoshan]] (1906–1984), Israeli linguist and lexicographer
*[[Olga Fadeeva]] (born 1978), actress
*[[Sophie Fedorovitch]] (1893–1953), ballet, opera and theatre designer, birthplace
*[[Ella German]] (born 1937), girlfriend of [[Lee Harvey Oswald]]
*[[Moisei Ginzburg]] (1892–1946), constructivist architect
*[[Gennady Grushevoy]] (1950–2014), academic, politician, human rights and environmental activist, winner of the 1999 Rafto Prize<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rafto.no/the-rafto-prize/gennady-grushevoy |title=Laureate 1999 Gennady Grushevoy |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802193605/https://www.rafto.no/the-rafto-prize/gennady-grushevoy |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Alés Harun]] (1887–1920), poet, writer and journalist<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001523/http://www.belarus-misc.org/writer/a-harun.htm Poet Alies' Harun]</ref>
* [[Anatol Hrytskievich]] (1929–2015), Belarusian historian<ref>{{cite web |title=Well-known Belarusian historian Anatol Hrytskevich dies |date=21 January 2015 |url=https://euroradio.fm/en/well-known-belarusian-historian-anatol-hrytskevich-dies |access-date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215221359/https://euroradio.fm/en/well-known-belarusian-historian-anatol-hrytskevich-dies |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Hienadź Karpienka]] (1949–1999), scientist and politician<ref>{{cite web |title=How Lukashenka dealt with competitors for the presidential seat |date=12 July 2021 |url=https://news.house/42243 |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref>
* [[Uładzimir Katkoŭski]] (1976–2007), one of the founders of the Belarusian Wikipedia<ref>{{cite web |title=У "Беларускай Вікіпедыі" 200 тысяч артыкулаў (There are [now] 200,000 articles in the Belarusian Wikipedia)(in Belarusian) |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/396/7816/Artykul/2650592,%D0%A3-%C2%AB%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B9-%D0%92%D1%96%D0%BA%D1%96%D0%BF%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%8B%D1%96%C2%BB-200-%D1%82%D1%8B%D1%81%D1%8F%D1%87-%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D1%8B%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%9E |access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref>
* [[Jauhien Kulik]] (1937–2002), artist and graphic designer who designed the 1991–95 coat of arms of Belarus, which was a version of the medieval symbol [[Pahonia]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Jauhien Kulik's first exhibition at the National Art Museum. 7 episodes about the artist from "Attic" (Першая выстава Яўгена Куліка ў Нацыянальным мастацкім музэі. 7 эпізодаў пра мастака з "Паддашку" )(in Belarusian) |newspaper=Радыё Свабода |date=30 October 2018 |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/29573514.html |access-date=23 April 2022 |last1=Карней |first1=Ігар }}</ref>
* [[Pavel Latushka]] (born 1973), Belarusian politician and opposition leader<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/05-05-2021-pavel-latushka-announces-new-protest-action-in-may|title=Pavel Latushka announces new protest in May|website=belsat.eu|access-date=1 August 2021|archive-date=1 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801133622/https://belsat.eu/en/news/05-05-2021-pavel-latushka-announces-new-protest-action-in-may/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://kupalauski.by/en/teatr/news/pavel-latushka-has-been-appointed-as-general-director-of-janka-kupa-a-theatre/ |title=Pavel Latushka Has Been Appointed as General Director of Janka Kupała Theatre |access-date=1 August 2021 |archive-date=1 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801133624/https://kupalauski.by/en/teatr/news/pavel-latushka-has-been-appointed-as-general-director-of-janka-kupa-a-theatre/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Maryna Linchuk]] (born 1987), fashion model
*[[Ivan Lubennikov]] (1951–2021), Russian painter, birthplace
* [[Janka Lučyna]] (Jan Niesłuchowski) (1851–1897), poet<ref>[https://budzma.org/news/janka-luchyna-170-gadou.html Янка Лучына: 170 гадоў з дня нараджэння (Janka Lučyna: 170 years from birth)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228210052/https://budzma.org/news/janka-luchyna-170-gadou.html |date=28 December 2021 }} (in Belarusian)</ref>
* [[Leanid Marakou]] (1958–2016), journalist, writer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://charter97.org/en/news/2016/12/19/234921/|title=Writer And Historian Leanid Marakou Died|website=charter97.org|access-date=24 January 2022|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124204556/https://charter97.org/en/news/2016/12/19/234921/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Valery Marakou|Valery Marakoǔ]] (1909–1937), Belarusian poet and translator, victim of [[Great Purge|Stalin's purges]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marakou.org/en/v-marakou.html|title=Valery Marakou • Leanid Marakou|date=30 July 2012|website=Leanid Marakou|access-date=16 May 2024|archive-date=16 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516161727/https://www.marakou.org/en/v-marakou.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
* [[Yan Matusevich]] (1946–1998) Catholic priest, and dean of the [[Belarusian Greek Catholic Church]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Айцец Ян Матусевіч, першы пробашч парафіі Сьв.Язэпа (1948-1998) (Father Yan Matusievich, first pastor of St. Joseph Parish (1948-1998) (in Belarusian) |url=http://svjazep.org/index.php?newsid=23 |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124231024/http://svjazep.org/index.php?newsid=23 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Louis B. Mayer]] (1884–1957), American film producer, one of the founders of [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
*[[Bronislava Nijinska]] (1890–1972), ballerina and choreographer of the Ballets Russes, birthplace
*[[Lee Harvey Oswald]] (1939–1963), assassin of US President [[John F Kennedy]], resided in Minsk from January 1960 to June 1962
*[[Hillel Pewsner]] (1922–2008), Chabad posek (legal scholar)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gur |first=Nachman |date=2008-10-03 |title=הגאון רבי הלל פבזנר זצ"ל - בחדרי חרדים |url=https://www.bhol.co.il/news/69465 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=www.bhol.co.il |language=he |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901183613/https://www.bhol.co.il/news/69465 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Grigoriy Plaskov]] (1898–1972), Soviet artillery lieutenant, birthplace
*[[Alexander Rybak]] (born 1986), winner of the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009]] for Norway, birthplace
* [[Uładzimier Samojła]] (1878–1941), Belarusian critic, philosopher, journalist and a victim of Stalin's purges
* [[Vitali Silitski]] (1972–2011), political scientist, analyst, the first director of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies<ref>{{cite web |title=10 years ago Vitali Silitski passed away. His ideas live |url=https://belinstitute.com/en/article/10-years-ago-vitali-silitski-passed-away-his-ideas-live |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219224004/https://belinstitute.com/en/article/10-years-ago-vitali-silitski-passed-away-his-ideas-live |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Aliaksiej Skoblia]] (nom de guerre Aliaksiej "Tur") (1990–2022), Belarusian fighter-volunteer of the [[Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion]] posthumously awarded the title “Hero of Ukraine”<ref>{{cite news |title="Беларускага байца Аляксея Скоблю пасьмяротна ўганаравалі званьнем Героя Ўкраіны" [Belarusian fighter Aliaksiej Skoblia posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine]. Радыё Свабода / Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Belarusian). |newspaper=Радыё Свабода |date=13 April 2022 |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/31800987.html |access-date=15 April 2022 |last1=Свабода |first1=Радыё |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413114621/http://www.svaboda.org/a/31800987.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Vanda Skuratovich]] (1925–2010), Roman Catholic activist
*[[Stanislav Shushkevich]] (1934–2022), Belarusian politician and scientist, the first head of state of independent Belarus<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arbeitaneuropa.com/interviews/stanislav-shushkevich/|title=Arbeit an Europa|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713104751/https://arbeitaneuropa.com/interviews/stanislav-shushkevich/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=First leader of independent Belarus Stanislau Shushkevich has died. The life story of personality and politician (Памёр першы кіраўнік незалежнай Беларусі Станіслаў Шушкевіч. Шлях асобы і палітыка)(in Belarusian) |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/31822342.html |access-date=4 May 2022 |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504062706/https://www.svaboda.org/a/31822342.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Stefaniya Stanyuta]] (1905–2000), theater and movie actress<ref>{{cite web |title=Stefaniya Stanyuta |url=https://moviefit.me/persons/115030-stefaniya-stanyuta |access-date=29 April 2022 |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429225641/https://moviefit.me/persons/115030-stefaniya-stanyuta |url-status=live }}</ref> 
*[[Death of Alexander Taraikovsky|Alexander Taraikovsky]] (1986–2020), entrepreneur killed during the protests against the [[2020 Belarusian presidential election]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/shot-right-in-the-chest-partner-denies-belarus-protester-was-killed-by-own-bomb|title='Shot right in the chest': partner denies Belarus protester died from own bomb|agency=Associated Press|date=16 August 2020|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
*[[Barys Tasman]] (1954–2022), journalist, sports writer
*[[George Tsisetski]] (born 1985), film director, screenwriter, dramatist and visual artist
*[[Rachel Wischnitzer]] (1885–1989), architect and art historian
*[[Jazep Jucho]] (1921–2004), lawyer, historian and writer and a leading Belarusian authority on the [[Statutes of Lithuania|laws of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania]]<ref>[https://law.bsu.by/pub/31/Uho_2.pdf Памяць і слава: Іосіф Аляксандравіч Юхо. Да 90-годдзя з дня нараджэння [Memory and Glory: Josif Aliaksandravič Jucho<nowiki>]</nowiki> / Рэдкал.: С.А. Балашэнка і інш. Мінск: БДУ, 2011]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805071617/https://law.bsu.by/pub/31/Uho_2.pdf |date=5 August 2021 }}</ref>
*[[Simcha Zorin]] (1902–1974) World War II partisan
*[[Asher ben Löb Günzburg]] (1754–1823), rabbi

===Musicians===

* [[Angelica Agurbash]] (born 1970), Belarusian singer, Eurovision participant<ref>{{cite web |title=Belarus places extradition request for Eurovision 2005 star Angelica Agurbash, who faces a potential prison sentence for supporting the pro-democracy protests |date=7 July 2021 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/07/07/belarus-places-extradition-request-for-angelica-agurbash/265968/ |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref>
*[[Marina Gordon]] (1917–2013) soprano, birthplace<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yiddishcenter.org/post/marina-masha-gordon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422211937/https://www.yiddishcenter.org/post/marina-masha-gordon|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2021|title=Marina (Masha) Gordon|date=24 March 2021}}</ref>
*[[Irma Jaunzem]] (1897–1975), mezzo-soprano singer and folk song specialist
*[[Boris Khaykin]] (1904–1978), conductor
*[[Yung Lean]] (born 1996), Swedish rapper & musician, birthplace
* [[Źmicier Sidarovič]] (1965–2014), musician<ref>{{cite news |title=Зьміцер Сідаровіч, музыка з Краіны талераў (Źmicier Sidarovič, a musician from the Taler Country)(in Belarusian) |newspaper=Радыё Свабода |date=26 January 2015 |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/26803399.html |access-date=15 February 2022 |last1=Арлоў |first1=Уладзімер }}</ref>
*[[Lavon Volski]] (born 1965), musician<ref>{{cite web |title=Banned In Belarus |date=13 September 2016 |url=https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/lavon-volski/27983759.html |access-date=6 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517043151/https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/lavon-volski/27983759.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Sport ===
[[File:Raskina10-syd20000929blr-450ver2.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Yulia Raskina]]]]
[[File:2022-12-22 ALBA Berlin gegen Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. (EuroLeague 2022-23) by Sandro Halank–066.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Roman Sorkin]]]]
*[[Andrei Arlovski]] (born 1979), grew up and lived in Minsk before moving to the US to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
*[[Victoria Azarenka]] (born 1989), former World No. 1 tennis player and 2012 and 2013 Australian Open winner, born in Minsk moving to [[Arizona]] at 16
*[[Yuri Bessmertny]] (born 1987), kickboxer
*[[Svetlana Boginskaya]] (born 1973), gold medal-winning gymnast at the 1988 and [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]], birthplace
*[[Isaac Boleslavsky]] (1919–1977), chess grandmaster
*[[Darya Domracheva]] (born 1986), gold (4 times) and bronze medal-winning biathlete at the 2010 and [[2014 Winter Olympics]]
*[[Boris Gelfand]] (born 1968), Israeli chess Grandmaster
*[[Max Geller (Wrestler)|Max Geller]] (born 1971), Israeli Olympic wrestler
*[[Alexei Ignashov]] (born 1978), kickboxer, multiple Muay Thai and K-1 world champion
*[[Oleg Karavayev]] (1936–1978), wrestler and Olympic champion
* [[Viktor Kupreichik|Viktar Kuprejčyk]] (1949–2017), chess grandmaster<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chess.co.uk/products/victor-kupreichik-the-maestro-from-minsk|title=Victor Kupreichik: The Maestro from Minsk|website=Chess and Bridge|access-date=23 January 2022|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123220511/https://chess.co.uk/products/victor-kupreichik-the-maestro-from-minsk|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Isaak Mazel]] (1911–1945), chess master
*[[Max Mirnyi]] (born 1977), tennis player
*[[Aleksey Orlovich]] (born 2002), Belarusian professional footballer
*[[Artsiom Parakhouski]] (born 1987), basketball player
*[[Yulia Raskina]] (born 1982), individual rhythmic gymnast, won the All-Around Silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
* [[Roman Rubinshteyn]] (born 1996), Belarusian-Israeli basketball player in the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]]
*[[Aryna Sabalenka]] (born 1998), [[2023 Australian Open – Women's singles|2023 Australian Open]] winner and current [[List of WTA number 1 ranked singles tennis players|world No. 1 tennis player]], born in Minsk moving to [[Miami]] at 23
* [[Yegor Sharangovich]] (born 1998), ice hockey player
*[[Yuri Shulman]] (born 1975), Belarusian-American chess grandmaster
*[[Mark Slavin]] (1954–1972), Israeli Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler and victim of the [[Munich massacre]] at the 1972 Summer Olympics
*[[Anna Smashnova]] (born 1976), Belarusian-born Israeli tennis player
*[[Roman Sorkin]] (born 1996), Belarusian-born Israeli basketball player in the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]]
*[[Diana Vaisman]] (born 1998), Belarusian-born Israeli sprinter

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Belarus}}
Minsk is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Twin towns of Minsk|url=https://minsk.gov.by/en/city/|website=minsk.gov.by|publisher=Minsk|access-date=2021-05-07|archive-date=9 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909212350/https://minsk.gov.by/en/city/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{flagicon|UAE}} [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates (2007)
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Ankara]], Turkey (2007)
*{{flagicon|IND}} [[Bangalore]], India (1986)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Beijing]], China (2016)
*{{flagicon|KGZ}} [[Bishkek]], Kyrgyzstan (1997)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Bonn]], Germany (1993)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Changchun]], China (1992)
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Chişinău]], Moldova (2000)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Detroit]], United States (1979)<ref>{{cite web|title=Minsk, Belarus: Detroit's Sister City Living Under Russia's Shadow|url=http://www.dailydetroit.com/2020/04/03/minsk-belarus-detroits-sister-city-living-under-russias-shadow/|website=dailydetroit.com|publisher=Daily Detroit|date=2020-04-03|access-date=2020-12-15|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130203630/http://www.dailydetroit.com/2020/04/03/minsk-belarus-detroits-sister-city-living-under-russias-shadow/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|TJK}} [[Dushanbe]], Tajikistan (1998)
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Eindhoven]], Netherlands (1994)
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Gaziantep]], Turkey (2018)
*{{flagicon|VIE}} [[Hanoi]], Vietnam (2004)
*{{flagicon|CUB}} [[Havana]], Cuba (2005)
*{{flagicon|VIE}} [[Ho Chi Minh City]], Vietnam (2008)
*{{flagicon|PAK}} [[Islamabad]], Pakistan (2015)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kaluga]], Russia (2015)
<!--Łódź, Lyon - twinning ended-->
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Murmansk]], Russia (2014)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Nizhny Novgorod]], Russia (2017)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Novosibirsk]], Russia (2012)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Rostov-on-Don]], Russia (2018)
*{{flagicon|JAP}} [[Sendai]], Japan (1973)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shanghai]], China (2019)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shenzhen]], China (2014)
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Tbilisi]], Georgia (2015)
*{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Tehran]], Iran (2006)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Ufa]], Russia (2017)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Ulyanovsk]], Russia (2015)
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[List of squares in Minsk]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{see also|Timeline of Minsk#Bibliography}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |last=Bohn |first=Thomas M. |title=Minsk – Musterstadt des Sozialismus: Stadtplanung und Urbanisierung in der Sowjetunion nach 1945 |date=2008 |publisher=Böhlau |isbn=978-3-412-20071-8 |location=Köln}}
*{{Cite book |last=Бон |first=томас м. |title="Минский феномен". Городское планирование и урбанизация в Советском Союзе после Второй мировой войны |date=2013 |publisher=РОССПЭН |location=Москва |translator-last=Слепович |translator-first=Е.}}
*{{Cite book |last=Бон |first=томас м. |title="Мінскі феномен". Гарадское планаванне і ўрбанізацыя ў Савецкім Саюзе пасля 1945 г. |date=2016 |publisher=Зміцер Колас |editor-last=Сагановіч |editor-first=Г. |location=Мінск |translator-last=Рытаровіч |translator-first=М.}}
*{{cite book|last=Troynitsky|first=Nikolai A.|title=Минская губерния Первая Всеобщая перепись населения Российской империи 1897 г.|volume=22|date=1904|language=ru|trans-title=Minsk Governorate, First All-Russian Population Census of the Russian Empire, 1897|url=https://rusneb.ru/catalog/000200_000018_v19_rc_1629454/}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==

{{refbegin}}
*{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Minsk (town) |volume= 18 |page= 556}}
* {{Cite news |last=Nechepurenko |first=Ivan |date=5 October 2017 |title=How Europes Last Dictatorship Became a Tech Hub |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/world/europe/belarus-minsk-technology.html |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |access-date=5 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005185809/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/world/europe/belarus-minsk-technology.html |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Minsk}}
* [https://34travel.me/post/minsk-english-guide{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} A city guide for Minsk]
* [http://www.belarus.by/en/about-belarus/geography/minskcity Minsk city] on the official website of Belarus
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140302204907/http://belarusdigest.com/story/why-minsk-not-other-capitals-16858 Why Minsk Is Not Like Other Capitals.]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170505183554/http://belarusdigest.com/story/lost-translation-minsk-real-belarus-travel-tips-7402 Lost In Translation In Minsk – The "Real Belarus" Travel Tips.]
* [http://minskherald.com/  The Minsk Herald online magazine in English]
* {{JewishGen-LocalityPage|1946324|Minsk, Belarus}}
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127040825/https://news.tut.by/society/677738.html }} Photos of old Minsk
*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101002055/https://news.tut.by/society/681629.html }} Photos of Minsk during World War II

{{Districts of Minsk}}
{{Minsk Raion}}
{{Minsk Voblast}}
{{Belarus Seats}}
{{First-level administrative divisions of Belarus}}
{{Hero Cities}}
{{List of European capitals by region}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Minsk| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Populated places in Belarus]]
[[Category:Magdeburg rights]]
[[Category:Polochans]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 11th century]]
[[Category:Populated places in Minsk region]]
[[Category:Subdivisions of Belarus]]
[[Category:1069 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Rus' towns]]