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My native city

My native city is Gomel. It is an ancient city. It was founded in 1442.

Gomel is situated three hundred kilometers to the south of Minsk. The landscape of this part of the country is very beautiful. Gomel is situated on a high picturesque bank of the Sozh river. It is the second largest city in the Republic of Belarus and the largest city in Belarusian Polesye. Its population is more than 500 thousand people.

Chroniclers say that Radimichy were the distant ancestors of the present day Gomel citizens. They often defended their lands first against the inroads of nomads and later against the Tatar Yoke. For more than four centuries Gomel lands were part of the Great Principality of Lithuania and Rzecz Pospolita. In 1772 the Eastern part of Belarus was joined with Russia. In 1775 Empress Katherine II gave Gomel to colonel Rumyantsev-Zadunayky. In 1785 the construction of a Palace complex was started on the bank of the Sozh river. Other architectural monuments such as Peter and Paul’s cathedral, a chapel with a vault were erected nearby. A shady park with trees and shrubs stretched round them. Later on Prince Paskevich became the owner of the palace and park. It’s necessary to say some kind words about his wife Irin Paskevich. She built a hospital, an asylum for orphans, opened a musical school for poor children. In November in 1917 Soviet power was proclaimed in Gomel and district. In the course of first Five-Year periods Gomselmash, Glass-work named after Lomonosov, Wood-working and Fat-processing factories were put into operation. In 1941 The great Patriotic War began. German troops occupied Gomel in August 1941. It was liberated only in November 1943 but city was completely destroyed.

Nowadays Gomel is a modern European city with developed industry. It is the most important industrial centre in the Gomel region. The machine-tool plant is the oldest enterprise in the city. The factories produce goods which go to many parts of the Republic to different countries. In the city there are 200 enterprises of machine-building, light, food and chemical industries.

Gomel is also known as a city of science and students. Science and education are paid great attention to. In 1969 Gomel became a University city. Besides there are a number of technical colleges. Gomel has 72 secondary schools, lyceums and high schools. Most of the schools are modern and well-equipped. It’s necessary to mention that important work is carried out by research institutes.

The cultural life of the people is interesting. There is a Philarmonic, a Circus. Drama and Puppet theatres, a wide network of clubs, sport grounds, libraries, cinemas in the city. On weekends, when the weather is fine you can see many people walking with their children in the city park named after Lunacharsky.

Gomel is developing international relations with twin cities: Clemon Ferran in France, Aberdin in Scotland, Radom in Poland.

The citizens of Gomel are proud of their city. As for me, I like my native city veru much. I was born here and I spent my childhood in this nice city. So I Think it’s the most beautiful place in the world