MOZYR

also spelled Mozyr ', city and centre of Mozyr rayon (sector), Gomel oblast (province), Belarus. It is situated on the high bank of the Pripet River. The city dates from at least the 12th century, and from the 18th century it was a centre of trade and handicrafts. Mozyr was a woodworking centre in the early Soviet period but now also has important oil-refining, machine-building, and metalworking industries, as well as clothing and food industries. It is an important river terminal and has significant salt deposits. A pipeline carrying oil to eastern Europe branches in two at Mozyr. There is a teacher-training institute and a medical school in the city. Pop. (1991 est.) 103,000.