Vileyka

Vileyka (officially transliterated as Viliejka, Belarusian: Віле́йка [vʲiˈlʲɛjka], also Вялейка; Russian: Вилейка; Lithuanian: Vileika; Polish: Wilejka) is a city in Belarus and the administrative center of the Vileyka District of Minsk Region. It is located on the River Viliya, 100 km northwest of Minsk. The first historical record dates from 16 November, 1460.

Vileyka

Вілейка (Belarusian)
Вилейка (Russian)
City
Vileyka Church of Rev. Mary of Egypt
Flag
Coat of arms
Vileyka
Coordinates: 54°29′50″N 26°54′40″E
Country Belarus
RegionMinsk Region
DistrictVileyka District
Elevation
183 m (600 ft)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total26,736
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
222410
Area code(s)+375 1771
License plate5
WebsiteOfficial website

Time zone: II (GMT +2 hours). Population of Vileyka district in 2009: 55 thousand people (Vileyka 28.5 thousand). International phone code: +375 1771 xxxxx. Postal index: 222410.

The 43rd Russian Navy's long-haul communications center is located near Vileyka (54°27′50″N 26°46′40″E). It provides VLF communication between Russian Navy's headquarters and atomic submarines in the Atlantic, Indian and parts of the Pacific Ocean.

History

In the 10th–13th centuries, the territory was under the Principality of Polotsk, and in XIV-XVII under Grand Duchy of Lithuania as manor house Kurenets. The city was first mentioned in 1460 as a borough center of the Vileyka Starostwo of the Ashmyany county in Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Geography

The modern city is located on the right bank of the river Viliya, in the northwest part of the Minsk region, 100 kilometers from Minsk. The town’s population numbers 30,000 people. There is a railway station of the Molodechno-Polotsk line in the city. The roads to Maladzechna, Smarhoń, Myadzel, Dokshytsy, Pleshchanitsy run through the city. The town’s industry is represented by the Zenit plant, wood processing enterprises (including a furniture factory), a motor repair plant, building materials plants, light and food enterprises. Vileyka also houses the Museum of Regional Studies.

The territory of the Vileyka district is 2,400 km2 (930 sq mi). Forests account for 41% of the territory. The main part of the district is situated within the borders of Narach-Vileyka lowland. In the year 1974, near the town of Vileyka Belarus's largest artificial reservoir was built — Vileyka Reservoir with a total area of 63.3 km2 (24.4 sq mi) and a volume of 238 million cubic metres (8.4×10^9 cu ft).

Points of interests

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Belarus

Twin towns — Sister cities

Vileyka is twinned with:

References
  1. Dr. Smilovitsky, Vileika (Polish: Wilejka) JewishGen, Yizkor Book Project. From materials of the Extraordinary Commission.
  2. Zenit-BelOMO, zenit-belomo.by
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