BEREZINA RIVER

The 'Berezina' (alternative spelling 'Beresina') (Belarusian: Бярэ́зіна) is a river in Belarus and a tributary of the Dnieper River.
The Berezina Preserve by the river is in the UNESCO list of Biosphere Preserves.

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Cities and towns by Berezina

Historical significance

Cities and towns by Berezina

★ Babruysk

★ Barysau

★ Svetlahorsk

Historical significance

★ Napoleon Bonaparte's army suffered heavy losses (about 36,000) when crossing the Berezina in November 1812 during his retreat from Russia (see Battle of Berezina). Since then, "Berezina" is used in French as a synonym of catastrophe. (See also Charles Joseph Minard for a visual graphic of the army's fate.)

★ Charles XII of Sweden's army crossed the Berezina on June 25, 1708 during his campaign against Peter the Great of Russia in the Great Northern War. (see ISBN 0-306-80863-3 for details)

★ See also Battle of Berezina (disambiguation).
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