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Gomel (pronounced /ˈɡoʊmel/),[1] also Homiel, Homel (Belarusian, Russian: Гомель, IPA: [ˈɣomʲelʲ] (Bel.), [ˈɡomʲelʲ] (Rus.),[1] translit: Homieĺ; is the administrative center of Homiel Voblast and the second-largest city in Belarus. It has a population of 479,935 (2006 estimate). Gomel is situated in the southeastern part of the country, on the right bank of Sozh river, close to the border with Ukraine, in close proximity to Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Although it has been heavily contaminated with radioactive debris following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, residents were never evacuated from Gomel and general population continued to grow. The city is serviced by Gomel Airport.
[edit] History The exact date when Gomel was founded is not known. Gomel was first mentioned in the chronicles in the first half of the 12th century; the officially accepted date is 1142. In 1854 Gomel merged with the neighbouring town of Bielica located across Sozh, on the left bank of the river. Now Bielica is one of four boroughs of Gomel.[2]  Until the Second World War and the Holocaust, Gomel, like many other cities in eastern Europe, had a significant Jewish population: according to Russian census of 1897, out of the total population of 37,800, Jews constituted 8,400 (around 25% percent).[3] On the eve of World War II, the Jewish population had grown to fifteen thousand. Some Jewish residents fled in the early months of the war, but those who remained were later confined to ghettos and most eventually executed by the Nazis. [edit] TransportationPublic transportation is represented by over 1,000 city buses and trolleybuses. Public transportation is generally inexpensive ($14 monthly). Over 210 million passenger rides were registered in 2006.[4] Taxi services ($10 for a one-way intra-city ride) are available 24 hours a day. The city is an important railroad hub in the southeastern part of Belarus being positioned midway on the Minsk-Kiev railroad link. Strategic location of Gomel near the border with Russia and Ukraine provides a direct connection to the vast railroad network. Gomel Airport is located 8 kilometers north-east from the city. .JPG) [edit] Culture
[edit] Educational centerGomel is a well-known educational center. The following universities are located in Gomel:
Since 1990, P.O. Sukhoy Homiel State Technical University and Homiel State Medical University have been attracting many international students from countries around world, including United States, Germany, China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Iran and Latin America. Homiel State Medical University provides classes in both English and Russian. Many famous scientists work here as senior lecturers. [edit] People 
[edit] International relationsMain article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Belarus [edit] Twin towns and Sister citiesGomel is twinned with:
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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