Novopolotsk

Novopolotsk (Belarusian: Наваполацк (Cyrillic), Navapołack (Łacinka), romanized: Navapolatsk, [n̪äväˈpɔɫ̪ät̻͡s̪k]; Russian: Новополоцк, romanized: Novopolotsk, [n̪əvɐˈpo̞ɫ̪ət̻͡s̪k]) is a city in Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus, with a population (2008 estimate) of 107,458. Founded in 1958,[2] it is located close to the city of Polotsk and the name literally means "New Polotsk."

Novopolotsk
Navapolatsk
Navapołack
City
Наваполацк
Новополоцк
Flag
Coat of arms
Novopolotsk
Coordinates: 55°32′N 28°39′E
Country Belarus
RegionVitebsk Region
DistrictPolotsk District
Founded1958
Area
 • City48.49 km2 (18.72 sq mi)
Elevation
133 m (436 ft)
Population
 (2015)[1]
 • Urban
108,000
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
211440
Area code(s)+375 213
Vehicle registration2
Websitenovopolotsk.by

History
Novopolotsk, 47 Maladziozhnaya str.
Winter in Novopolotsk. Catholic church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.

The history of Novopolotsk dates back to the year of 1958, when a large number of enthusiasts, workers and builders, seeking new experiences and romantic feelings came here to establish a new town. There was reason for that: a big oil refinery plant was to be set up. When new factories were being built, they were placed far enough away from Polotsk so that the radiation and dangerous gases would not reach the city. However, it was later decided that it would be acceptable to build a few buildings closer to the factories for the workers to live in. With them came a hospital, a fire station, and a school. A few more buildings were built and the city of Novopolotsk was born.

The city now has 12 secondary schools and 2 gymnasiums, many kindergartens and the two subsidiary of Polotsk State University.

Industry

Out of all the cities in the Vitebsk Oblast, Novopolotsk is the leading producer in the refining and chemical industry business. The entire city of Novopolotsk and Polotsk live and survive because of this industry.

OJSC "Naftan"
Main article: Naftan Oil Refinery

Naftan is the leading oil refinery. It was constructed in 1959. This refinery takes crude oil from the Volga Region of Russia and generates diesel, gasoline, and kerosine, along with other technological products. In addition to Naftan, Belarus built a large chemical plant, called "Polymir". This plant produces plastic and polyethylene. There are multiple products that could be produced from polyethylene, for example artificial fur.

Tourism

Novopolotsk is not very big in the tourism business. However, there are six hotels in the city available for tourists.

Sport

Novopolotsk has produced several players for Belarus national bandy team.[3] Daniil Garnitsky[4] is President of the Belarusian Bandy Federation.[5] Khimik-SKA Novopolotsk of the Belarusian Extraleague is the local pro hockey team.

Culture

There are several culture centres, music schools, of which the Novopolotsk State Musical College,[6] art schools, and libraries in the city. There is also a museum of history and culture of Novopolotsk. The city has an a cappella music group, which won an international award.

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

Novopolotsk is twinned with:[7]

Former twin towns:

In March 2022, the Polish city of Płock suspended its partnership with Novopolotsk as a response to the Belarussian involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[8]

See also

References
  1. "World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 2013-01-11.
  2. Novopolotsk - a Brief History of the Town Archived 2005-12-26 at the Wayback Machine
  3. http://www.bandyvm.se/eng2/read.asp?newsID=103
  4. "Информация об игроке Гарницкий Даниил (Новополоцк) - Игроки - Реестр - Федерация хоккея с мячом России".
  5. "FIB - Members".
  6. "NGMU (Novopolotsk State Musical College)". www.ngmk.by. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  7. "Города-побратимы. Партнерские отношения". novopolotsk.by (in Russian). Novopolotsk. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  8. "Płock zawiesza partnerską współpracę z rosyjskimi i białoruskimi miastami" (in Polish). Retrieved 13 March 2022.


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