Modernity

GEOGRAPHY: TERRITORY, BORDERS, LOCATION ON THE MAP, CLIMATE, WATER RESOURCES, FLORA, FAUNA AND ECOLOGY

The city area is 13.5 ha.
Gomel is situated in the Northern part of the Dnieper lowland. According to physiographic zoning, the most part of its suburban area and the city within the North-Eastern part of the physiographic district of the Gomel Polesie.
Administrative boundary of the city of Gomel is on the East side of p. the victory of the South on the border with the land of glhu "Korenevsky exbase forest Institute of the national Academy of Sciences of Belarus" to the railway Bryansk – Saratov 262 km + 30 m – 272 km + 730 m, on the border with the land of SFC expasy to m-n No. 15, then along the border with m-n No. 15, on the border with the lands of SFC expasy and turns West to the lands of JSC "Gomel – Lada".
Further crosses the road M-8 Gomel-Chernigov (RUE "Gomelavtodor"), runs along the border with the lands of Republican unitary enterprise "gomelyenergo", glhu exbase, "Beltelecom", RDAP "PSC "Director" and turns to the North.
Crosses the road Gomel-Chonki, then runs along the border with the lands of RDSP "PSC "Chonki" to the river Sozh. Further along the river Sozh goes West, crosses the river Sozh and turns to the North-West. Goes along lands Borovickova selsoveta (D. Osivtsi), land CSEA "Combine – East", turns North, goes along lands Borovickova of the village Council (the gardens), glhu "Gomel forestry", Milcinski crosses the channel, OJSC "Gomel chemical plant", passes through the lands of glhu "Gomel forestry" crossing the highway Gomel – TGS – Bobovichi, crosses through the lands of glhu "Gomel forestry" to garage train Bryansk-Brest (RUE "Gomelavtodor"), passes through the lands of glhu "Gomel forestry" to the railway Bryansk – Saratov 287 km + 340 m – 300 km + 780 m.
Then the border goes along the railway to the West, turns Northwest, runs along the border with the reserve lands of the Gomel district, the lands of Republican unitary enterprise "gomelyenergo".
Next is the lands of glhu "Gomel forestry, crosses the highway E-95. Further in the same direction passes through the lands of the CSEA "Combine-East", turns East runs along glhu "Gomel forestry", comes to the highway Gomel – uritskoe, and further along the road to the North-East to village of uritskoe.
Bypasses of land in the city of Gomel D. uritskoe and then go along the road to the North-East, crosses the bypass road E-95, crosses the road N-4095 Centrolit – uritskoe Uvarovichi.
Next comes along the road M-10, will obyezdnoe crosses the road and goes along the road to the South, turns North, goes through the lands of JSC "Gomel telefabrika, CSEA "Combine – East", on lands Krasnenskiy rural Council (D. Myl'cha), then through the lands of the CSEA "Combine – East", in the North-East through the lands of the village Krasnensky (D. red) and to a bypass road E-5 Minsk – Gomel RUE "Gomelavtodor". Further along the road goes South-East to the agricultural town of Michurinskiy, crosses the road Gomel-Mogilev and along the railway Gomel – Gomel comes to SOT Plesy, bypasses a partnership with the North-West and South-West and on the river Sozh and reaches of the river Iput.
From the Iput river turns South, goes through the lands of RUE "plant Breeding Birch, turns East and comes to the railway Gomel-Gomel, and along the way goes South to the village of Victory Lukovskogo village Council, turns to the West. Further, the land expasy JSC Bank "Golden Taler", SP Goralski A. V., to the start point of boundary definition.
The topography of the city is mostly flat. He is represented by the sloping water-glacial plain and above flood-plain terrace of the coolant in the right-Bank and low-lying alluvial plain and the left Bank. The slope of the topography from North to South (the highest point is 144 m above sea level, lies on the Northern outskirts of Gomel; the lowest is 115 m, the water level of the river Sozh). Left Bank Navabelitski district has elevation on average by 10-15 m lower than the Northern and Central parts. In the floodplain on the left Bank of the Sozh river beaches.
In the city of Gomel discovered major reserves of fresh mineralized hydrocarbonate and sulfate-chloride sodium waters. The latest are extracted and used as a therapeutic. In the South-Western outskirts of Gomel is located Osovskoe deposits of sand.
The natural soil cover of Gomel significantly transformed. Natural soils are replaced with urbanimage with mixed horizons, bedrock, rubble, sand, etc. In squares, parks and flower beds cultivated soil cover. Of the relatively undisturbed soils found in the city and the surrounding area is dominated by sod-podzolic marshy soils developing on glacial sandy-silty loess-like sandy loam; common sod and sod-calcareous, alluvial and peat soils.
The predominant tree species in the forests, parks, squares and streets are Scots pine, Norway spruce, pedunculate oak, Norway maple, Aesculus hippocastanum, the common ash, small-leaved lime, black poplar, white and trembling (aspen), Sorbus aucuparia, willow. Introduced species such as red oak, blue spruce, of Engelman spruce, European larch, Robinia leachate, spruce spruce (blue spruce), balsam fir, etc.; in Central Park, there are Ginkgo, cork tree and other exotic species. Spontaneous urban vegetation is represented mainly by communities of classes Plantaginetea majoris, Robinietea and Artemisietea vulgaris, floodplain meadows belong to the class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea.
In Gomel and its surroundings observed 66 species of mammals, 188 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians, about 25 species of fish. On the outskirts of the city there are the European hedgehog, ROE deer, wild boar. In parks and plantations frequent squirrels, hares, moles. Birds common house Sparrow, jackdaw, crow, doves, titmouses, in a suburban area, you can meet storks.
Gomel climate is moderately continental. Characterized by warm summers and mild winters due to the frequent advection of warm Maritime air masses from the Atlantic dominating the Western transfer. In winter, the prevailing winds are South-summer — Western and North-Western.
Surface water represented by rivers, lakes, ponds. Through the city flows the navigable river SOG, one of the largest rivers of Belarus. In the city it flows into the river Iput. In the suburban area of Gomel in the Coolant fall river Ut, UGA and teryukha. In the flood-plain of Sozh in the city limits there are several oxbow lakes (Lubenskoe, Volotovsky, etc.). In the Northern part of the city's many lakes formed in open pit mining of construction raw materials. They are widely used by citizens as places of recreation. In the Gomel Park is the oldest in Gomel pond "Swan lake".
The main environmental issues of Gomel should include radioactive contamination, air pollution, soil and water chemical elements. Environmental problems caused mainly by the position of Gomel as a major industrial centre.
Gomel is situated in the zone of contamination (cesium-137) from 1 to 5 ku/km2 (zone of residence with periodic radiation control).
Main pollutants are formaldehyde, hydrogen fluoride, phenol, ammonia, carbon monoxide. The main sources of pollution are motor vehicles, forest industry, production of mineral fertilizers (Gomel chemical plant), combined heat and power (CHP-2, Central boiler etc.). Observed average growth per year of carbon monoxide, due to the increased intensity of vehicular traffic.

Water pollution of the river Sozh Gomel is characterized as moderate (WPI = 1,1—1,9).

POPULATION: THE POPULATION DYNAMICS, POPULATION DENSITY, ETHNIC COMPOSITION, WELL-KNOWN RESIDENTS AND NATIVES.

Gomel is situated in the South-East of the Republic of Belarus and is the regional center of the Gomel region. Footprint is 13.5 thousand hectares. On 01.01.2018 years, the population of Gomel is 535 693 people. Population Gomel ranks second in the Republic after Minsk.

In 4 of the administrative district (Rail, Novobelitsky, Soviet, Central).

The soul of the city is manifested not only in its appearance. The most important and valuable is the people who live in it and work for it. Gomel residents at all times differed by activity and initiative, willingness to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
Gomel grateful and cherish the memory of those people, thanks to whom the city survived during the great Patriotic war, prospered and looking confidently into tomorrow.
The first honorary citizen of the city of Gomel was Fedor Ivanovich Paskevich. Him this award was given in 1888 by decree of Alexander III. The tradition was revived almost a century later...

ECONOMY

Gomel today is the second largest and the economic potential of the cities in Belarus, with a developed infrastructure, industry, science and culture.
The basis for a prosperous development of Gomel is the economic leaderactivities of economic entities of different ownership forms.
The economic potential of the city is about 103 industrial enterprises, 69 construction companies, 23 companies of transport and communication, 110 specialized consumer services of the population.
The main branch of real sector of economy is industry.
About 4% of the total volume of industrial output in the Republic and 20% in the Gomel region accounts for the industrial complex of the city of Gomel.
Industry in the city includes 13 types of economic activities other than the manufacture of coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear materials.
In the sectoral structure of industrial complex of the Gomel dominant industries are the processing industry - share in total volume of industrial production - 75,7%, production and distribution of electricity, gas and water – 21,3%, mining – 3%.
First place in production volume - more than 33% in the city, is the production of machinery and equipment. Followed by food manufacturing (18%), chemical industry (14%), manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (9.5 percent). manufacture of furniture, jewellery, coins, medals, pocessing of metal waste and scrap (5,5%), metallurgical production and finished metal products (5%) and others.
In the city produce forage and combine harvesters, machine tools, glass and glass containers, starting engines and radio equipment, construction items and furniture, cable, chemical fertilizers, footwear, garments and knitwear, meat and dairy products, confectionery, Wallpapers, products of processing of diamonds.
It should be noted that an important role in the development of the economy of the city is the successful development of such large companies as "Gomselmash", joint stock society "Gomel chemical plant", "Gomelstroimaterialy", "Gomelglass", "Seismotekhnika", "Komintern", etc. About 36% of production of consumer goods in Gomel falls on the JV JSC "Spartak", JSC "Dairy products" and OJSC "Meat plant".
With the aim of maintaining positions in both domestic and foreign markets, and further expand the market, enterprises of city carries out the work on modernization of equipment and introduction of new technologies.
For the implementation of investment projects in the city of Gomel concluded an investment agreement with the granting of preferences in the framework of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 06.08.2009 №10 "On creation of additional conditions for investment activity in the Republic of Belarus".
More than 600 companies and organizations of the city to engage in foreign trade with 100 countries of the world.
The main trade partners of the city are: the Russian Federation 38.3 per cent of the total turnover, Germany and 33.7%, Ukraine 8%, Poland – 2.5%, Lithuania – 2.2%, the USA – 1.6% Kazakhstan – 1%.
By volumes of foreign trade of Gomel is the second largest after the capital city of Minsk.
Main export commodity groups: mineral products – 53%, machinery – 17 %, chemical products – 5%, plastic, rubber, rubber is 5%. The share of exports of goods and services in the amount of Gomel region is more than 50%.
Imports imported: mineral products – 28%, machinery at 22%, base metals and their products – 18%, chemical products – 10%.
The city of Gomel maintains friendly and business relations with many cities of the world. Today Gomel has 32 sister city.
In order to expand trade and economic cooperation with foreign countries, increasing the export potential and attracting investment in innovative technologies the city has a free economic zone "Gomel-Raton".
Sphere of activity of the enterprises - residents of FEZ: metallurgy, chemical, electrical, glass, food, metal working, instrument-making industry, radio industry, processing of precious stones and metals, woodworking, and agriculture.
The legal base of functioning of the FEZ provides adequate safeguards of investment and provides significant tax and customs privileges for FEZ residents.
The high concentration of industrial enterprises, availability of infrastructure and skilled manpower lead to the orderly growth of the real sector of economy and social sphere.
In the city there are 2238 objects of retail trade and public catering, including 1692 shop, pavilion shopping hall, shopping centres, sales area of Komi was up RUR 207.4 thousand sq. m. and 546 of catering to 36.2 thousand seats.
Intercity transportation of passengers performed on 46 routes on which work 201 bus 175 bus. On 23 routes are passengers in an Express post for these routes involved about 330 buses of individual businessmen and legal entities without departmental subordination.
Gomel – one of the largest cultural centers of Belarus. Every year the city hosts about 20 different festivals, concerts, 1500, 180 art exhibitions.
In many countries the Gomel-known festivals and competitions "SOJSC Karagod", "Golden lynx", the "Renaissance guitar", "Slavonic theatrical meetings" and many others. The participants with his art prove that boundaries have no creativity.
The city is included into "Golden ring of Gomel region" - the main tourist route of the South-Eastern region of Belarus.
Gomel became the winner of the competition among regional centers of the Republic of Belarus on improvement and sanitary condition. In 2007, the city of Gomel the winner in the first International contest "the Best city of the CIS" for the introduction of innovative technologies in the urban economy and the preservation and support of cultural and historical heritage. In 2011, the city of Gomel had a status of "Cultural capital of Belarus 2011" and "Cultural capital of the Commonwealth 2011".

TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Gomel is the largest transport junction at the intersection of rail, road and air routes leading to Moscow, St.-Petersburg, the North Caucasus, Kiev, Crimea, Odessa, Brest, the Baltic trading ports – Klaipeda, Kaliningrad and others.
Intercity transportation of passengers performed on 46 routes on which work 201 bus 175 bus. On 23 routes are passengers in an Express post for these routes involved about 330 buses of individual businessmen and legal entities without departmental subordination.
The Gomel trolleybus network opened on 20 may 1962. 15 Dec 2010 after laying the contact network on the streets of Oharenko, Sviridov-government, the opening of new trolleybus line to the Terminus "Neighborhood "Klinkowski"" that led to the change of trolleybus routes No. 9, 16, 17. The length of the street network with the transport lines is about 74 km and the total length of trolleybus routes — 475 km Rolling stock represented by machines ACSM-201, ACSM-321, ACSM-213, ACSM-101, ZIU-682.
The number of bus routes 51 a total length of 667 kilometers, for a number of routes there are Express options. Rolling stock — mainly buses MAZ-105, MAZ-107, MAZ-103 and Ikarus 280, less presents MAZ-104, MAZ-203. Express routes operate buses Radimich-A092 shortcomings. On 23 routes are passengers in an Express message, which involved about 330 buses, taxis, mostly vans Ford Transit, GAZelle, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot.
Commuter and intercity bus service is carried out with the Gomel bus station. Bus routes Gomel is connected to all the cities of the Gomel region and all regional centers of Belarus (also Grodno), as well as Chernigov, Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Truskavets, Moscow, Brest, Kursk, Orel, Pskov, Klimovo, Klintsy a, Bremen, Frankfurt am main, Tiraspol, Poltava, Kharkov, Nikolayev, Riga.
Railway long-distance routes Gomel connected with many cities of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Long-distance trains go from Gomel to Minsk and Moscow (through Smolensk, and Bryansk), St. Petersburg, Grodno, Brest, Polotsk (via Vitebsk), Kaliningrad, Shchors, Chernigov, Adler (via Voronezh). Non-stop cars go to Volgograd, Adler (through Kharkov), Murmansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk. Passing trains, both annual and seasonal cruising, Gomel was also associated with Odessa, Simferopol, Kiev, Anapa, Evpatoria, Kislovodsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson, Feodosiya.
In 1996 commissioned a commuter station, located near the railway station long-distance. Commuter rail is within the Gomel region.

SOCIAL SPHERE: EDUCATION SYSTEM, HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Gomel – one of the largest scientific and educational centers. Educational network of the city is represented by 218 institutions. Kindergartens, schools, lyceums, gymnasiums, centers of adult education and pre-conscription training. In the city there are 6 highertheir schools, 18 vocational schools and colleges, 11 secondary specialized educational institutions.

To fight against diseases Gomel are called specialists of high medical qualification. The structure of health care institutions of the city of Gomel are 87 health care organizations: 5 city hospitals, 2 district hospitals, 2 hospitals for nursing care.
The outpatient service is represented by the 4 clinics with the status of legal entities (SME "Gomel Central city clinic" SME "Gomel Central city children's clinic", SME "Gomel Central city dental clinic", SME "Gomel city polyclinic No. 1"), with 24 branches, 14 clinics of General practitioners, 29 health posts.
Emergency medical assistance is provided 48 teams raspornymi 7 substations in the administrative districts of Gomel and members of SME "Gomel city ambulance station".
Medical aid to the population of Gomel is also located in the city public health:
- "Republican scientific and practical center of radiation medicine and human ecology";
- 11 health care institutions of regional subordination;
- 7 regional outpatient clinics.
Operate in Gomel and highly specialized assistance to the population centers of regional subordination: the Gomel regional infectious clinical hospital, the Gomel regional endocrinological dispensary, narcological, tuberculosis, dermatovenerologic, oncologic, and pulmona-TB, cardiac and other dispensaries.
In the city, as well as throughout the Republic, the state program on forming a healthy lifestyle.

 
INFORMATION AND MEDIA WORK

Media market of the city of Gomel are 53 urban print and electronic media. In the city is also a regional edition of the newspaper "Gomelskaya Prauda", 10 correspondents known to the national media and national TV channels, there is a representation of one of the largest news agencies of Belarus – the Belarusian Telegraph Agency BelTA.
Among urban publications most popular among Gomel use the state public-political newspaper "Gomel Gazette" and "the Soviet area" and advertising-information newspaper "Vecherny Gomel".
One-time edition of the state regional social-political Newspapers much more than the circulation of non-state and is 52 754 instances.
In the city to broadcast regional (8h.40min.) and the Gomel city radio (2H.10min.).
In Gomel are 3 local television Studio: RUE RTC "TV and radio company "Gomel", the broadcaster of "Nereus" and the First city channel. Since 2012, broadcast of the First city channel in the framework of the social package of cable TV on a separate frequency that allows you to provide a daily broadcast of news and thematic programs "first-person", "Year of life" and etc.
All the state media of the region and city have their own Internet sites. Operates the Internet portal "media, Gomel region."

CULTURE

Gomel – one of the largest cultural centers of Belarus. Every year the city welcomes guests of about 20 different festivals, the city hosts more than 1500 concerts.
The music is in the soul of each young man. Regional Philharmonic hall, the city's Symphony and wind orchestras, music schools develop an aesthetic taste of the residents of the regional center. Of the more than 140 creative collectives of Gomel are 90 years 44 – exemplary 2 – well deserved.
The most significant cultural event held in Gomel is an international festival of choreographic art "SOJSC Karagod". The festival is attended by local and foreign dance groups, hosts various competitions. He gained credibility among the true fans of dance and professional choreographers not only from Belarus, but also in countries near and far abroad. In the contests of the festival is attended by creative groups and delegations from France, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Poland. The contest is held in nominations: folk-scenic and modern dance. Second nomination includes pop and hip-hop. In a separate competition dedicated to breakdance. The festival takes place the international tournament on sports ballroom dances for Gomel Cup "Golden lynx".
International theatre festival "Slavic theatrical meetings" is a joint project of three regional centers of the border of the Gomel, Bryansk and Chernigov. Since 1989 the leading theatrical collectives of the three Slavic republics have met annually at the festival to showcase their best performances. Key participants in the festival are theatres in the city of Gomel, the city of Chernigov and Bryansk, as well as theatres in Moscow, Kiev, Odessa, Minsk and other cities of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
Festival of arts "Gomel spring"
Festival events take place not only in the regional center, but also at venues of almost all districts of the Gomel region. In the framework of the festival are performances of the best collectives of the Republic.
Festival of instrumental music "Renaissance of guitar"
The history of the festival of instrumental music "guitar Renaissance" began in 1995, when in Gomel was the first concert electro - classic guitar. In 1996, the festival has received international status. Over the years, on the stage of the festival of the best guitarists of the CIS countries, Western Europe, USA, Peru and Vietnam. The festival program is not limited to speeches of famous guitar virtuosos. The festival organises lectures and seminars, master classes for beginners.
The main significant event for the city of Gomel in 2011 was giving high status "Cultural capital of Belarus and CIS countries". In this regard, in the city of Gomel was organized and conducted a large number of diverse events - concerts with participation of the best soloists and creative collectives of Belarus, CIS countries, near and far abroad, exhibitions, theatrical productions.
In 2011, in the city of Gomel under the auspices of the "Gomel - cultural capital of Belarus and Commonwealth 2011" held on 12 festivals and competitions, including 9 international level; 27 concert projects - concerts of the state choreographic ensemble "Khoroshki", the National academic folk choir of Belarus named after G. of the Tsitovich National academic folk orchestra of Belarus named after I. Zhinovich, the National ballet of Georgia "Sukhishvili-Ramishvili", the concert of symphonic orchestra with the participation of M. Moreover, (France) and many others. The Days spent display of the best films (Belarus, CIS, France); held 84 exhibition projects - 20 exhibitions on display at the state institution "Museum of history of Gomel". Most important: "back to secession" – a photo exhibition "Retrohale". Director – Alexey Glushkov, known under the name retrograde. (Ukraine, Kyiv) (June, 2011); the exhibition "Game of imagination" – painting and graphics of Elena Starikova (Minsk); "Kazakhstan: 20 years of peace and creation" dedicated to the Constitution Day and 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan's Independence. In organizing the exhibition was attended by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Belarus, Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Belarus – Anatoly Smirnov. (Kazakhstan) (August, 2011). "Scattering" - a photo project by Alexey Nikitin. (Russia, Kaluga) (October, 2011). "We live in CIS" exhibition of children's drawings and decorative arts from the CIS countries, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the CIS. Among the organizers are the interstate Fund for humanitarian cooperation of States-participants of CIS, Ministry of education and science of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, "Balagan" Kyrgyz Republican center of aesthetic development, culture Department of the Gomel city Executive Committee. (Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek) (November, 2011). 54 the exhibition project was organized and represented in state historical-cultural institution "Gomel Palace-Park ensemble". Visitors remember the exhibition "Historic Armenia" from the collections of the Museum of the city of Yerevan, "the Baltic Gold" from the collection of Kaliningrad amber Museum and "the patron Saints of the Slavic lands", co-organized by GD of yuzao of Moscow "Gallery "Belyaevo". They got acquainted with the works of artists of the Tudor Zbirnea (Republic of Moldova), (Tajikistan), Olga Alexandrova and Vitaly Kasatkina (Russia), Museyib Amirov and Elnur Babayev (Azerbaijan), etc.; are 10 important exhibitions in a public institution "Art gallery G. H. Vaschenko". The main Slavic plein air "the land sravaka" (Belarus, Russia, Ukraine) (April, 2011). the exhibition "Union of Russian artists" (Russia) (September-October, 2011). the socio-creative Belarusian-Georgian project "Malyavanka-Naxatebi" (Belarus, Georgia) (September, 2011). exhibition of Gabriel and Constantine Vashchenko (Belarus) (September, 2011). exhibition of Leonid Shchemelev (Belarus) (November,2011); Belarusian-Swedish project "Himself-the NASA s klimatem..." (Belarus, Sweden) (August-September, 2011.).
On the theatrical stages of the city was shown 117 performances –hosted a tour of the state Autonomous cultural institution "Ryazan state regional theater for children and youth"; on the stage of the theatrical establishment "Gomel state puppet theatre" was shown 91 performance. Held an exchange tour with the Mogilev puppet theatre, who presented 23 performances. Went on a tour of the Tajik puppet theatre.
The Gomel city centralized library system contains an extensive library structure, consisting of 16 public libraries-branches located in different neighborhoods of the city. Founded in 1977 with the Goal of bringing public libraries – even, balanced distribution of library resources and services in the infrastructure of the city.
City public libraries provide citizens in accordance with their requests and other printed sources of information, carry out information search, organization of leisure of the population, providing additional paid services.
For readers of the library reading rooms are functioning with computer and copying equipment, ski passes, providing literature for use at home, open public centers of legal information with a data Bank "Etalon" (11), work of Amateur associations (20). Automated work places for readers are available in 12 libraries-branches GGCMS in public centers of legal information (including 2 children's libraries). For users in 11 libraries have high-speed Internet via ADSL technology, working and daily updated website. In addition to the basic is 55 types of extra services.
Total library Fund public library system is universal and amounts to 1.07 million copies of publications of various kinds (books, brochures, Newspapers, magazines, CDs, etc.). The last few years, given the demand, the libraries actively acquire new electronic publications, encyclopedic, reference, educational character, voiced by literature.
Services of the city's public libraries each year are about 85 thousand Gomel, 39% are children. Readers serve 6 libraries for all categories of citizens, 5 children's libraries and 5 libraries for the adult population. Every sixth resident is a reader of the library system. Every year users are issued more than 1.6 million publications, number of visits per year, about 520 thousand.
Considering the modern library as a multimedia center, providing information in a convenient form, Gomel GTSBS brings to the fore problems associated with the introduction in practice of work of libraries, information technologies, the widespread use of multimedia sources in information services.
Among the main objectives GGCMS − completion of automation of library processes across all business units and create a local network GGCMS integrated into regional and national corporate library network.
The priority is also the educational activity of libraries of the system, it is all the traditional GGCMS areas: ideology, grazhdansko-Patriotic and spiritually-moral education, legal awareness, environmental education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, promotion of a reading. Special attention is paid to children and young people.
Readers of city libraries have the ability to use information regional databases of own generation: Full text database “Environment and modernity” , Full text database “Artists and writers of Gomel” includes biographical information on 44 individuals (614 bibliographic records), Full text database “Gomel: pages of history” are 39 topics (522 bibliographic records), Full text database “shall be stored memory the names” of veterans of the great Patriotic war of the Soviet area.”
Currently, the database includes 36 topics, the material is illustrated with 150 photographs from the home archives of veterans. Created full-text database "the Museum of the autograph". Submitted more than 700 signatures of people who entered his name in the history of the town: writers, popular actors and musicians, honorary citizens, veterans, guests, officials, scientists, winners of the Olympic games. Among the rare autographs of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, Marshal Semyon Budyonny, workers of culture and art Krzysztof Zanussi, Vladimir Mulyavin, Yuri Bashmet and other famous personalities. The most extensive section of the exhibition – literary autograph, you can see books with inscriptions by famous Belarusian and Russian writers Ivan Shamyakin, Ivan Serkova, Vasil Bykov, Alexey Dudarev, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Yevgeny Yevtushenko and many others.
Part of the exhibits obtained in the framework of the project "Gomel – cultural capital of Belarus and CIS 2011". Many of the autographs donated to the library by townspeople. For the convenience of users developed an electronic database of autographs.
Heads the Central city library named. A. I. Herzen, a coordinating and methodological center for the libraries of the system.

RELIGION

Today, Gomel is widely represented range of religious organizations. Of the 56 registered religious communities – 20 Orthodox parishes and 2 monasteries, 8 communities of Evangelical Christian 5 – Christian full gospel churches, 4 Evangelical Christians-Baptists, 3 to the Jewish community, 3 community Seventh-Day Adventist, old believer parish 2 and 2 Roman Catholic, 1 community, Greek-Catholic (Uniate), Jehovah's Witnesses, Krishna Consciousness, Baha'i, Apostolic, Evangelical-Lutheran, Muslim.
The decisive role in the religious life of the region belongs to the Orthodox Church. Traditional annual Easter festival, the city contest "the joy of Easter through the eyes of children" photo exhibition "Light of Orthodoxy", the other cultural and charitable events. The Orthodox denomination has an important mission in the spiritual education of people and the preservation of their cultural traditions.
The Gomel eparchy of the Belarusian Orthodox Church organizes work in orphanages, institutions, homes for the elderly.
For his great personal contribution to revival of spirituality in the Gomel region, close cooperation with the city authorities, active work on spiritually-moral education of the younger generation in September 2011. The Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin Aristarchus the decision of the Gomel city Council of deputies awarded the title "Honorary citizen of the city of Gomel".
Most charitable and spiritual-educational work is carried out by the Roman Catholic parishes. A vivid example is the construction in 2004 on the outskirts of the Novobelitsky district of Gomel hospice for orphans with mental and physical development, officially opened in may 2011. In the first phase, built five houses, a convent for the sisters, and building. In the next step in the village plan to build a rehabilitation centre and a small school. The project of building a hospice in the Gomel belongs to the rector of the Gomel Roman Catholic parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God the priest Slawomir Laskowski.
The Roman Catholic parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God, together with the House of mercy sisters of the Order Mother Teresa is doing a great charity work to help the disabled, low-income and low-income families, and persons without a certain residence. Every day, about 70 people, persons without a certain residence, the lonely, the sick are provided with hot lunch.
The presence of sects and pokojowych organizations in the city are not installed.