Minsk

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  1.   1.  Description
  2.   2.  Culture
    1.   2.1  Gender
  3.   3.  Significance
  4.   4.  References

Territory Statistics

StatusOPEN ?
Alternate TextМінск, Менск, Минск, Mińsk, Мѣньскъ, Минскъ, Měnsk, Miensk
Name MeaningDerived from the name of a river, "Měn"
Name OriginOld East Slavic
Date of Founding9th Century CE (AD)
Primary SpeciesWolfdogs
Luperci DominantYes
Population~50
ReligionEastern Orthodox

Minsk (Belarusian: Мінск, pronounced [mʲinsk], traditionally Belarusian: Менск, [mʲensk]; Russian: Минск, Polish: Mińsk) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, situated on the Svislač and the Nyamiha Rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administrative centre of Minsk Region (voblasć) and Minsk District (rajon). The earliest historical references to Minsk date to the 11th century (1067), when it was noted as a provincial city within the Principality of Polotsk. The settlement developed on the rivers. In 1242, Minsk became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It received town privileges in 1499.

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

1.  Description

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 Nioman) to the northeast – that is, to Lukomskaye Lake in northwestern Belarus. The average altitude above sea level is 220 metres (720 ft). The physical geography of Minsk was shaped over the two most recent ice ages. The 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 sheets 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 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.

Minsk has a warm summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) though unpredictable many a times, owing to its location between the strong influence of the moist air of the Atlantic Ocean and the dry air of the Eurasian landmass. Its weather is unstable and tends to change relatively often. The average January temperature is −4.5 °C (23.9 °F), while the average July temperature is 18.5 °C (65.3 °F). The lowest temperature was recorded on 17 January 1940, at −40 °C (−40 °F) and the warmest on 8 August 2015 at 35.8 °C (96 °F). Fog is frequent, especially in the autumn and spring. Minsk receives annual precipitation of 690 millimetres (27 in), of which one third falls during the cold period (as snow and rain) and two thirds in the warm period. Throughout the year, most winds are westerly and northwesterly, bringing cool and moist air from the Atlantic.

Image by NASA [Public Domain]!

2.  Culture

Most of the Luperci in Minsk are God-fearing people, although because of this fear of falling into sin, the upside is that they remain polite and honest to those around them: even to outsiders. This creates a friendly atmosphere in the small town, and a generosity is shared between townspeople that may not be common in other surrounding towns. Though small, the people in this town are tight-knit, a lot of Luperci present falling between Lawful Good and Neutral Good. They would give their lives in service of the community they have.

Outsiders, although treated with respect, may have a hard time melding with the personality of the town. Nearing a hivemind in values, the town goes to Church every Sunday and those who are not present are secretly mistrusted if they do not have a good reason for skipping. News travels fast in Minsk, and gossip is a favorite pastime. Not conforming to the religion is seen as a danger, and some are so devout that they will try hard to convert outsiders, wanting to save them from Hell.

The religious aspect of this town comes from dog ancestors: families that have stayed within the town for one generation or more typically have some dog blood in them. Full blooded coyotes and jackals, if they make the trip, are a rarity. They typically aren't discriminated against outright, but due to them being a minority, they may feel that cold shoulder that Minsk residents give to those non-religious even more plainly.

2.1  Gender

There is a division of labor by gender. Women are expected to clean and cook, and men are expected to hunt, build and protect. Luperci are expected to marry and have children if they prefer a traditional household, but zadrugas (joint families) also exist within the town. There are only about one to two joint families at a time. Even just one can grow to a medium size that makes up almost a quarter of the population in Minsk.

3.  Significance

Are there any significant characters or families on 'Souls from here? Did your family's ancestors come from here?

4.  References

Category: Open Territories