TAURAGE COUNTY - Geography and history
Scene of important historical events
Taurage county, in the southwestern Lithuania is the second smallest county by size. Nemunas River flows along the southern border of the county, separating it from neighbouring Marijampole county. Taurage county has a state border with Russia (Kaliningrad).
Historical manuscripts first mention the castle of Veliuona in the 11th century, when it played an important role in defending the area. In 1443 Veliuona was granted town status. Two international agreements have been signed in the county, the 1807 peace agreement of Taurage-Tilze between France and Russia, and the Taurage convention signed in 1812 between Russia and Prussia concerning joint action against Napoleon.
Situated on the Jura River , the town of Taurage is the county’s administrative centre. It was first mentioned in written manuscripts in 1507, when the first church was built and the first Zemaitija parish school opened. The parish of Evangelistic Lutherans was established in 1567. Between 1688 and 1793 Taurage belonged to Prussia and was then a part of the Russian Empire from 1795. The town was completely destroyed during the First World War and had to be rebuilt afterwards.
Taurage county includes the districts of Taurage, Jurbarkas, Šilale and the municipality of Pagegiai. The second-largest town of the county - Jurbakas - is the oldest town in the county and was first recorded in historical sources in 1258. The majority of the county's population speaks Lithuanian.
In 1998 Taurage county has become a Member of Assembly of European Regions. In 1999 Euroregion "SAULE" was established. This Euroregion consists of Taurage and Šiauliai counties (Lithuania), three districts from Kaliningrad region (Sovetsk, Neman, Slavsk), Jelgava region (Latvija) and Skone County (Sweeden).
In 1999 Taurage county signed a partnership agreement with the Kaliningrad region.
Non-traditional activities are being introduced into rural areas. They cover areas such as agrotourism, ecological agriculture, the growing of rare and medicinal herbs. Alternative energy sources, such as water, wind, are being experimented with in urban and rural areas.
Baltic Sea influences the climate
Taurage county covers 4 411 km 2 or 6.75 % of Lithuania ’s total area. It is surrounded by the counties of Marijampole, Kaunas , Šiauliai, Telšiai and Klaipeda .
The relief here is typical of the northern part of the county, with the presence of the hilly
Zemaiciai
upland. The highest hill situated in the region is the Medvegalis, which reaches 234.6 m. The southern part of the county comprises the
Karšuva lowland.
The Baltic Sea has a considerable impact on the climate of the county. Winters are not severe, with an average January temperature of -4.5 C, while summers are warm, with an average July temperature of 17.0 C. South-westerly winds prevail, bringing more rain to this part of Lithuania than to any other part. The highest average annual precipitation is in Šilale district, where 900 mm fall annually.
The southern part of Taurage county stretches alongside the Nemunas River and the eastern part of the county borders the picturesque Dubysa river. Although rivers in the county carry considerable volumes of water, only 25 lakes are located here.
Agricultural land covers 54% of the county's area. Forests cover one third of the county's territory, the biggest ones being in Tyrelis, Taurage and Sakaline.
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