BY-1542414 Minsk, capital of Belarus

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

Minsk has an extensive public transport system. Passengers are served by 8 tramway lines, over 70 trolleybus lines, and over 100 bus lines. Trams were the first public transport used in Minsk (since 1892 – the horse-tram, and since 1929 – the electric tram). Public buses have been used in Minsk since 1924, and trolleybuses since 1952.

Victory Square in Minsk

Minsk is the only city in Belarus with an 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 two lines: Moskovskaya and Avtozavodskaya.

 

This beautiful postcard shows Minsk at night in a winter setting and it came from Lisa (11 March 2015) Postcrossing. She has used a Belarussian Postcrossing stamp.

This second postcard of Minsk shows Victoria Square at night.  It came from Svetlana (9 April 2015) Postcrossing. She has used a stamp showing the Belarusian flag as well as the flag of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).
This third postcard of Minsk is a vintage one. It shows the city 100 years ago.  This postcard came from Nick (25 April 2015) Postcrossing.