Babruysk or Bobruisk is a city in the Mahilyow Voblast of Belarus on the Berezina river. It is a large city in Belarus with a population of approximately 227,000 people (2000). The name Babrujsk (as well as that of the Babrujka River) probably originates from the Belarusian word babyor(beaver), many of which used to inhabit the Berezina. However, beavers in the area have been almost eliminated by the end of the 19th century due to hunting and pollution.
Babrujsk occupies an area of 66 square km, and comprises over 450 streets whose combined length stretches for over 430 km.
Babrujsk is located at the intersection of railroads to Asipovichy, Zhlobin, Kastrychnitski and roads to Minsk, Gomel, Mogilev, Kalinkavichy, Slutsk, and Rahachow. It has the biggest timber mill in Belarus, and is also known for its chemical, machine building and metal-working industries. In march of 2002, 46,980 Babrujsk citizens have been employed in some form of manufacturing.
In 2003, there were 34 public schools in Babrujsk, with over 34,000 students. There are also three schools specializing in music, dance and visual arts. Additionally, there is a medical school and numerous professional technical schools. |
