Gomel

Gomel
<map lat='52.445278' lng='30.984167' zoom='10' view='3' />
Information
Country:	Belarus
State:	Homiel voblasć
Population:	481,197 (2004)
Licence plate:	3
Major roads:	M8 (E95), M10, M5 (E271)
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Homiel (also Homel, Gomel, bel.: Гомель) is the second-largest city in Belarus. It is situated in the southeastern part of the country, on the right bank of Sož river, close to the borders of Ukraine and Russia.

Public transportation is represented by city buses and trolleybuses. It is generally inexpensive. The city is an important railroad hub in the southeastern part of Belarus being positioned midway on the Minsk-Kyiv railroad link. There is an airport in Homiel, which is located 8 kilometers north-east from the city.

If you hitchhike within the city you will be expected to pay a small sum (up to $10 within the city). On the road draw a sign in Russian and ask for a free ride. Always specify you want to go for free. Belarus is rather safe country to travel but you must know at least some Russian. People are friendly enough but they (especially an older generation) rarely speak foreign languages.