Vawkavysk

Vawkavysk, city, western Belarus. It dates from at least the 11th century; its traditional founding date is 1005. It later served as a fortified point on the frontier between the principality of Hrodna and the grand duchy of Lithuania, in which locale it suffered many reversals of fortune. By the 19th century it was a centre of trade and handicrafts, and its modern growth began with the coming of the railway. It now has food and engineering industries. Pop. (2006 est.) 46,500.