Minsk is the capital of Belarus and of the Minsk region, on a tributary of the Berezina. It is a railroad junction with machine, machine-tool, tractor, automobile, textile, and food-processing factories. It is the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Minsk was first mentioned in the chronicles for 1067. It is situated on the watershed of the river routes linking the Baltic to the Black Sea. The city owes its name to the word "miena" (barter). Early Minsk formed part of the Principality of Polatsk, which was ruled over by Scandinavian princes. In the 13-th century Minsk Principality was the part of the Great Duchy of Lithuania. In 1499 Minsk was given a special autonomous status known as Magdeburg privilege. In the 16-th century Minsk played an important role in the political union with the Kingdom of Poland. In the 18-th century Minsk was under russian rule. Minsk has a glorious history and deserves to be the capital of an independant republic. Unfortunately, the city has been ruined many times and constant wars have buried its prosperous past. The modern face of the city doesn't reflect its rich ancient Belarusian history.