Zhodzina


Zhodzina.

History

The settlement is first mentioned in 1688, belonging to the Radziwiłł family.
It has had city status since 1963.

Geography

The city, the most populated in the Smalyavichy Raion, is situated in north-east of Minsk and south-west of Barysaw. It is crossed by the Plisa river and has a little lake in its southern suburb.

Education

There are nine schools, two high schools, one professional lyceum and Zhodzina polytechnical college in the city. Currently, there are no higher educational institutions in the city.

Economy

The BelAZ automobile factory is the largest employer in the city, and with about 11,000 workers, about one-sixth of the local population work there. Every third mining truck in the world is produced by them - their biggest weighs 360 tonnes and can carry 450 tonnes. Another important factory is the clothing manufacturer "SVITANAK", which produces children's and adults' clothes. Its products are exported to European countries.

Transport

Zhodzina is served by the M1 motorway, part of the European route E30, an international highway that links Berlin and Warsaw to Moscow. It counts two railway stations on the international line Minsk-Moscow; and its main station is served by some international trains as the Sibirjak Berlin-Novosibirsk. Minsk International Airport is in from Zhodzina.

Sport

The local football club is the Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino, playing in the Belarusian Premier League. Its home ground is the Torpedo Stadium.

Personalities

Zhodzina is twinned with: