PANEVEZYS COUNTY - Geography and history
Panevezys County is the land of plains, woods and forests, abounding in rich soil, and diligent and creative people. It has retained the variety of traditional culture and is permanently seeking for new implementation forms of spiritual and cultural values and to show its authentic and universal tang to the whole world.
Panevezys County is situated in the North – Eastern part of Lithuania , in the ethnic region known as Western Aukštaitija . Upyte, situated on the banks of the meandering river Nevezis, separates two main ethnic regions in Lithuania , namely the Zemaitija (Lowland) and Aukštaitija ( Highland ). Upyte was firstly mentioned in written manuscripts in 1254 and was known for its well-constructed castle, which defended Lithuania from foreign invaders.
Panevezys County consists of six administrative territorial units, i.e. the municipalities of: Panevezys city and districts of Birzai, Kupiškis, Panevezys, Pasvalys and Rokiškis. Panevezys city, situated mid-way between the two capitals - Vilnius ( Lithuania ) and Riga ( Latvia ), was established in 1503. It started growing rapidly in 1873 when the Panevezys-Daugavpils ( Latvia ) railway was built. Panevezys expanded further after the Second World War and became the fifth largest city in Lithuania and also the centre of culture, education, industry and transport not only of Aukštaitija but also of the Northern Lithuania .
Panevezys County has a convenient geographical location transport infrastructure. The Lithuanian capital Vilnius is easily reached in 1.5 hours by the A2 motorway. Ice-free Klaipeda port is 240 km and Riga ( Latvia ) port is 150 km away from Panevezys.
Panevezys County covers 7 881 km 2 or 12.1% of the total area of Lithuania . It has the longest border with Latvia of all the Northern counties.
Situated in the Middle Lowlands, the county is surrounded in the east by the Baltic Uplands, whose hills extend into the district of Rokiškis.
In winter, the average air temperature is particularly cold in the Eastern part of the county; the climate is continental. In summer, the temperature is close to the national average except in the central part of the region where it is slightly higher. Annual precipitation is below average and amounts to 509 - 626 mm.
Peat moss and dolomite are found in the county and mineral waters are discovered near Birzai and Rokiškis.
Panevezys County has a dense network of rivers, the Nevezis river being the most impressive. 150 small lakes are located in the county. The largest Lake Sartai is situated in the Eastern part of the county where it borders with Utena county.
The county is known for its fertile soil, which is a valuable asset. Agricultural area makes up 61% of the total area of the county and in Pasvalys district - 75%.
Woodlands vary in the county ranging from 31.6% in Panevezys district to 16.3% in Pasvalys district. 26% of the county is covered by forests.
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