Решебник

Стр. 229, упр. 1

They describe some places from the National park.

Стр. 229, упр. 2a)

I expect to find some general information, its territory, kinds of species with detailed description and etc.

Стр. 229, упр. 2Ь)

1. History and culture

2. Directions to Everglades National park

3. Things to do

4. For kids

5. For students

6. Welcome to Everglades National Park, the only one of its kind

7. Did you know

8. Operating hours and seasons

9. Entrance fee

Стр. 231, упр. 3

I would like to go to 'Belovezhskaya Pushcha' by car.

Стр. 232, ynp.4a)b)

History of Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

A key tourist attraction of Belarus, Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is what's left of the primeval forest which used to stretch from the Baltic Sea to the Buh River and from Odder to the Dnieper River.

The park is located 340km to the south-west of Minsk in the Brest region of Belarus It is one of 5 National Parks in Belarus and the largest forest in the lowlands of central Europe. The first records of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park date back to the year 983. The name comes from a white tower in the vicinity (Belaya Vezha) erected 700 years ago, and the name Pushcha is mentioned in both Lithuanian and Polish historical documents dating back to the 15th century.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park has been a battleground throughout the ages. The Napoleonic War and world wars have all taken their toll on the forest.
In 1939 the land was declared a state reserve and in 1944 part of the reserve was given to neighbouring Poland.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. In 1993 it was granted UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park today

Today Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is one of the most famous places in Belarus and plays a very important role in the ecology of Belarus.

The park is famous for its ancient named oak trees dating back more than 500 years. In all there are almost 900 species of trees and flowers here including:

— old ash

— pine

— silver fir

— rare grass plants

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is also home to more than 250 animal and bird species, including:

— the largest population of the rare European bison

— wolf

— lynx

— otter

— tarpan European wild horse

— greater spotted eagle

— crane

— woodpecker

— long tailed tawny owl

As well as the forest, Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park also boats a zoo, library and a museum, and supports wood processing, handicrafts and various local industries.

Getting to Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park and where to stay

Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is about 70km west of Brest and 20km from the nearest town of Kamenyets.

It's best to take an organised tour to this important place in Belarus, as no other transport is allowed on the site.

There are five buses a day to Kamenyets from Brest, but Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is still a taxi ride away.

There are two small hotels on the site. Many visitors choose to stay in a hotel in Brest and take a tour to Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.

Things to see near Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park

There is plenty to keep you busy in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, but if you are in the region for a while other local attractions include:

— Brest Fortress

— Belaya Vezha tower in Kamenyets (13th century)
Project: FULL COLOUR ILLUSTRATED BROCHURE Mir Castle

Mir Castle in Grodno region is one of the most important tourist attractions in Belarus, an outstanding 16th-century fortification and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

History of Mir Castle The Mir Castle complex (Mirsky zamok) is an outstanding example of 16th-century fortification art. It's located in the to wn of Mir in the Grodno region of Belarus. The construction of this Belarus' Gothic style castle was started in the 1520s by Duke Ilinich. In 1568 the castle came into the hands of Mikolay Radziwil, who completed it in Renaissance style.

A three-storey palace was built along the eastern and northern walls of the castle which had forty fretted rooms. Earth walls were built around the castle with bastions at the corners, surrounded by a water moat.

An Italian garden was laid to the north of the walls and an artificial lake was established to the south. The Radziwills owned the castle for several centuries.

During the Napoleonic wars the castle was severely damaged.

In 1891, the castle is bought by Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky who started bringing order to his new property. His son continued his father's work, led by renowned architect Teodor Bursze.

A subsidiary of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus was located in the castle in 1992.

Mir Castle today

In 2000 UNESCO designated Mir Castle a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. The successful blend of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture makes Mir Castle one of the most impressive castles in Europe. Following intensive restoration works, Mir Castle was reopened to the public in December 2010. Renovation works on the Mir Castle Complex, however, are still underway. The plans are to repair the Italian Renaissance Park, the English Park and the pond, to restore the Svyatopolk-Mirsky Castle. The restoration works on this historic landmark are to be completed by 2013.
Getting to Mir Castle and where to stay

Mir Castle is situated 90km south-west of Minsk.

It is easily accessible by road, just 15 minutes off the main Minsk to Brest Ml motorway.

By bus, Mir is on the Minsk-Novogrudok route. The journey takes around two hours.

It is easy to stay in a Minsk hotel and take a day trip to Mir. Or you can stay in one of the hotels in Novogrudok, about 40km from Mir.

At present Mir Castle can host conferences, receive guests and tourists. The castle boasts a conference hall, a hotel, a restaurant. Things to see near Mir Castle

— If you are visiting Mir Castle, other sights of interest include:

— Jewish war memorial and burial site

— Mir town square and market

— Roman Catholic Church of Saint Nicholas (16th-17th centuries)

— Orthodox Trinity Church (16th century)