SLONIM

city and centre of Slonim rayon (sector), Grodno oblast (province), western Belarus. The city arose in the latter part of the 10th century as a fortified point and later developed into a market centre. After becoming a railway junction, it expanded its industrial base, and it now has varied food, consumer, and engineering industries, as well as a medical school. Pop. (1991 est.) 47,200.