MARIJAMPOLE COUNTY - Geography and history
Land of historical monuments
Marijampole county is situated in the south-western part of Lithuania, covering the ethnic region of Suvalkija (Suduva). Almost the entire territory of the county is situated in the lower reaches of the ?e?upe river, with only the southern part being in the Suduva hills, which are part of the Baltic mountain range.
In ancient times, the Suduviai and Jotvingiai tribes inhabited this territory. In the 13th century the Jotvingiai tribe, the ancestors of the Lithuanians, completely disappeared. Lithuanians started to settle in this area only after the Grunwald battle in 1410. After the last division of the Polish - Lithuanian Republic in 1795, this area became the property of Prussia. In 1807 Prussia, together with the region of U?nemune, which was its property as well, were occupied by Napoleon. Furthermore, the land was occupied for a time by Tsarist Russia and then given to the Kingdom of Poland.
Today, Marijampole is the administrative centre of the county, often called the capital of Suvalkija (Suduva). The town is situated on the crossroads from Lithuania to Poland and Kaliningrad (Russia). The town was founded around the Pa?e?upio village, which was first mentioned in historical manuscripts in 1667, and its name is derived from a sect of monks who founded it. The town started to develop rapidly when the Kaunas - Warsaw road was constructed in 1829, and when the railway was built at the beginning of the 20th century from Kazlu Ruda to ?e?tokai.
The county consists of Marijampole, Kalvarija, Kazlu Ruda, ?akiai district and Vilkavi?kis district municipalities. Majority of its population speaks Lithuanian.
Active participant in regional development programmes
The county has developed strong ties and actively co-operates with other countries, and participates in programmes of regional development and cooperation. Cooperation agreements with Burgenland county (Germany), Kaliningrad region (Russia) and Vyborg county (Denmark) have already been signed. Marijampole county actively participates in the ?Nemunas? Euroregion (association of border-regions from Lithuania, Poland, Belarus and Kaliningrad region. Its aim is strengthening co-operation in the fields of economy, environment, transport, culture, education, sports?). Together with its partners the county had actively participated in the joint projects, financed by EU programmes, such as: Phare-Tacis CBC, ?Ecos-Ouverture Food I? and ?Food II?, Phare-Intereg IIC Direct twinning links with foreign municipalities have also been established.
Marijampole county has been identified in the National development plan for 2000-2002 as a target region for funding to stimulate social and economic development through support provided by national budget and EU Phare 2000 ESC initiative. 5,3 MEUR had been allocated for the development of business and human resources in the region. 98 projects under this programme had been implemented, comprising introduction of new technologies, IT, ISO standards, a distance education system, the preparation of new training programmes...
Enterprises and farmers from Marijampole county actively participate in EU pre-accession programmes: a modern turkey growing enterprise had been built in Marijampole, and a new slaughter-house is under construction with the EU Sapard programme support. Introduction of a new regional solid waste treatment system has begun in the region under support of EU Ispa programme.
The road network is very well developed in the county, which is crossed by the ?Via Baltica?. A railway meeting European standards from the Lithuanian-Polish border to Kaunas via Marijampole is projected. This rail link will, in the future, join up with the European rail network. The foreseen construction of a loading terminal near Marijampole will provide opportunities for the development of logistics business.
Fertile region
The total area of the county of Marijampole is 4 463 km2 or 6.8% of Lithuania?s total area. It borders Russia (Kaliningrad region) in the west and Poland in the south. Within Lithuania, it borders the counties of Kaunas, Alytus and Taurage. The county has a large number of small towns.
Marijampole county is situated in the fertile U?nemune lowland. The Suduva range of hills is situated on the border with Poland and Russia?s Kaliningrad region, and contains the highest point of the county at Dunojus (282.6 m). The county?s northern boundary stretches alongside the Nemunas river.
The average temperature in winter and summer in the county is slightly lower than the average in the country, and varies from - 3.5 to - 4.5 C in January, and is no higher than 17 C in July. Average annual precipitation is lower than the average in the Republic and varies from 500 mm to 630 mm.
Few rivers cross the county, and, except for the Nemunas, they do not have a very high water level. The largest and most prominent river in Suvalkija is the ?e?upe, and its water level is highest where it runs along the border with the Kaliningrad region.
Small lakes, of which there are 100 in the county, add diversity to the landscape of plains, especially in the region of Vilkavi?kis. The largest lake, Vi?tytis, is situated in the Suduva hills.
Two thirds of Marijampole is covered by agricultural land, the highest ratio of any Lithuanian county. Suvalkija is also known for its fertile soil.
Forests are not characteristic of the region, and with only 19 % of the county covered by forest, this makes Marijampole the least forested county in Lithuania. The largest forested area can be found in Kazlu Ruda, situated in the northwest of the county.
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