KLAIPEDA COUNTY - Geography and history
Sea gateway to Europe and link between East and West
Klaipeda county is situated in the western part of Lithuania, in the Pajuris lowland. The county adjoins the Kur?iu marios (the Curonian Bay) and the Baltic Sea, and includes the districts of Klaipeda, Kretinga, Skuodas, and ?ilute, the city of Klaipeda as well as the resorts of Neringa and Palanga. At the heart of the county is Klaipeda city, the third largest city by size in Lithuania, and its only seaport, the functioning of which influences the economy of the region, its structure as well as the lifestyle of inhabitants.
The county occupies an uneasy position at the crossroads of Lithuania?s history. Through the centuries it has been occupied by foreign powers on numerous occasions, the most recent being in 1937 when it was annexed by Germany.
The majority of the county?s population speaks Lithuanian. The local dialect is called ??emaiciai?.
Klaipeda city forms a long, narrow strip beside the Curonian Bay and the Baltic Sea. Within its boundaries at the mouth of the Dane river, the remains of a fortress, built by the Balt tribes to defend Lithuania from attack by Norman Vikings, have been discovered. The rectangular street network, characteristic of the Middle Ages, is typical of the city.
With its seaside areas of Palanga, Karkle, Giruliai, Melnrage, and the Curonian Spit, Klaipeda has much to offer in terms of tourism and recreation. Palanga, the largest resort situated on the broad sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea, is known for its healthy climate, spas, and mud baths.
Considerable foreign investment
The strength of Klaipeda county relates to its thriving economy, third to that of Vilnius and Kaunas counties. In particular, its large seaport plays a vital role in this development.
Direct foreign investment has been increasing rapidly, thanks to improvements in the investment climate and conditions in the county. Klaipeda ranks in third place after the capital of the country by amount of foreign direct investment. Major European enterprises are present in the county, with Danish and Norwegian capital invested in shipbuilding and repair. Foreign companies are also attracted by the possibility of Lithuania?s major seaport enterprises being privatised. There has also been foreign investment in oil extraction (partnership ?Minijos nafta? and ?Genciu nafta?), and in the production of construction material (joint stock company ?Garg?du mida?). Enterprises such as ?Vakaru laivu gamykla ? (ship building and repair), and ??vyturys-Utenos alus? also play a significant part in the positive economic climate of the county.
The county?s weaker point lies in the uneven development of regions within it. While the potential from industry, and from the transport and real estate sectors, is concentrated in Klaipeda City and Klaipeda district, agriculture prevails in outlying areas, namely in the districts of Skuodas and ?ilute, which are less attractive for investment. The district of ?ilute, situated on the Nemunas River, constantly suffers from spring flooding, the solution to which requires considerable investment and drastic engineering decisions.
A unique landscape
Klaipeda county has an area of 5 209 km2, which represents just under 8.8 % of Lithuania?s total area. Klaipeda county borders on the Russian enclave Kaliningrad in the south and Latvia in the north. An outstanding feature of the county, which has influenced its development, is its 100 km long seacoast. Klaipeda is the only Lithuanian county bordering the Baltic Sea.
The landscape is mostly flat, with the exception of the Zemaiciai Highlands, in the eastern part. The Pajurio lowland covers the majority of Klaipeda, with the lowest land found in the Nemunas delta (1.3 m below sea level). A major part of the Curonian Spit, which separates the Baltic Sea from Kursiai lagoon, belongs to Klaipeda county. This narrow peninsula is formed from high sand dunes, some over 60 m in height.
Klaipeda is distinguished by its maritime climate, with little variation in mean daily temperature. Winters here are much warmer than the average temperature in Lithuania, there is little snow, and summers are cooler. Furthermore, spring in the region comes later, whereas autumn is warmer and lasts longer. In winter, storms and foggy spells are frequent. Annual precipitation in some places amounts to 876 mm per year.
Several rivers meander from the ?emaiciai upland across the Pajurio lowland including the Jura, the ?y?a, and the Minija rivers, which flow into the Nemunas, while the ?ventoji and the Dane rivers flow into the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Bay. There are almost no lakes in the county, although there are several swamps in the southern part of the Pajurio lowland.
Agricultural land covers 56%, while the share of wooded land (24%) is one of the lowest among Lithuanian counties.
This unique coastal area has been preserved by the State with the establishment of the Curonian Spit national park, the Nemunas delta, Pajurio, Salantu and Rambyno regional parks, and the Minija valley reservoir.
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