UTENA COUNTY - Geography and history
Picturesque landscape
Utena county is situated in the north-eastern part of Lithuania, and is the heart of the Aukštaitija ethnic region.
The town of Utena is the administrative centre of the county and one of the oldest settlements in Lithuania, first mentioned in historical manuscripts in 1261. In the 18th and 19th centuries Utena was known as a settlement with developed crafts and trade. The rights of the town were granted in 1924.The castles built within the territory of the county in the 14th and 15th centuries defended Lithuania from the Sword-bearers.
Presently, Utena town is the main industrial, trade, cultural, educational and health care centre in the county. The county includes the districts of Anykšciai, Ignalina, Utena, Zarasai, Moletai and the municipality of Visaginas. The town of Visaginas is the second largest in the county and received the town status only in 1995, making it the youngest town in Lithuania. Visaginas has grown up around the nuclear power plant located there since 1975. The majority of the county's population speaks Lithuanian, with Russian also in use.
One of the largest boulders in Lithuania called 'Puntukas' has been found near Anykšciai. The stone weighs 265 tonnes, and is 5.7 m high.
'Lithuania's Switzerland'
The Aukštaitija uplands, where Utena county is located, are known as 'Lithuania's Switzerland', with its picturesque landscape, scenic hills, many lakes and rivers. As a result of this, the county is in a good position to develop tourism.
One of the most attractive centres for tourists is the Aukštaitija National Park. It covers an area of 400 km2, and 70% of it is covered by forests. A variety of endangered species are protected in the park, including 47 kinds of animals, 196 types of birds, 31 species of fish, and 920 varieties of plants. In addition, the county has 12 other regional parks and nature reserves, such as Anykšciai, Asveja, Grazute and Labanoras.
Conditions for recreational pursuits and tourism are especially favourable in the districts of Zarasai and Moletai, where local inhabitants are actively engaged in agro-tourism. Furthermore, the international folk music and dance festival, "Ezeru sietuva", attracts visitors and artists from all over the world. Many visitors are also attracted by the renowned horse races that have long-standing traditions.
Industrial enterprises are mainly concentrated in and around the town of Utena, while agriculture prevails in outlying areas. The main barrier to development of tourism, especially international tourism, is considered to be the poor accommodation facilities. This is due to the lack of investments necessary to upgrade existing hotels and other recreational facilities, as well as establish new ones.
The likely gradual closure of the Ignalina nuclear power station is of great concern and brings uncertainty to the future of the town of Visaginas.
Lithuania's largest and deepest lakes found here
With an area of 7 201 km2, the county covers just over one tenth of Lithuania's total area. It borders Latvia to the north and Belarus to the east. Within Lithuania, the county borders the counties of Panevezys and Vilnius.
Utena county is the furthermost from the sea, which has an influence on its climate, resulting in cold winters with thick snow cover, and warm summers. The lowest (-42.9ºC) and highest (+ 37.5 C) temperatures experienced in Lithuania have been recorded in this county. Average annual precipitation varies within the county from 550 to 700 mm per year.
While there are only two main rivers (the
Šventoji and the Dysna) which meander across the county, there are over 1 000 lakes. The district of Zarasai alone has over 300 lakes in it. Lithuania's largest lakes, Lake Drukšiai, Dysnai, and Luodis, are located in the region, while Lithuania's deepest lake, Lake Tauragnas, is situated in the middle of the Aukštaitija uplands.
Agricultural land covers slightly less than half of the county’s area. Forests cover 31% of the total area of the county. Two large woods, Azvinciai-Mincia and Šimoniai, are situated in the county.
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