# Kaunas

> city and administrative center of Kaunas County in Lithuania

**Wikidata**: [Q4115712](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4115712)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaunas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kaunas

## Summary
Kaunas is a major city and the administrative center of Kaunas County in Lithuania. Situated on the Neman River, it is classified as a "big city" and a "Hanseatic city." Between 1920 and 1939, Kaunas served as the temporary capital of Lithuania.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Administrative center of Kaunas County, Lithuania; situated on the Neman River.
- **Geography**: Coordinates 54.9°N, 23.933°E; elevation 48 meters above sea level; area 157 sq km (as of 2017).
- **Population**: 305,120 (2023-01-01); 297,906 (2022-01-01); 298,753 (2021-01-01); 419,745 (1989).
- **Status**: City, Hanseatic city, big city.
- **Capital History**: Temporary capital of Lithuania (1920–1939).
- **Time Zone**: UTC+02:00 / UTC+03:00.
- **Mayor**: Visvaldas Matijošaitis (since 2015).
- **Licence Plate Code**: K.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 837.
- **Earliest Written Record**: 1361.
- **UN/LOCODE**: LTKUN.
- **Native Name**: Kaunas.
- **Aliases**: Kovno, Kovne, Kovna, Kowno, Kauen, Kouna.
- **Country Affiliations**: Russian Empire (1721–1918); Lithuania (1918–1939); Soviet Union (1945–1990); Lithuania (1990–present).

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Kaunas?**
Kaunas served as the temporary capital of Lithuania from 1920 to 1939. Its earliest written record dates back to 1361.

**What is the current population and demographic trend?**
As of January 1, 2023, the population was 305,120. The city experienced a population decline from a peak of 419,745 in 1989 to a low of 286,754 in 2019, before seeing a slight increase in subsequent years.

**What international organizations is Kaunas a member of?**
Kaunas is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a "City of Design" (since 2015) and the Union of the Baltic Cities.

**Who is the current leader of Kaunas?**
Visvaldas Matijošaitis has served as the head of government (mayor) of Kaunas since 2015.

**Where is Kaunas located geographically?**
Kaunas is located in Lithuania at coordinates 54.9°N, 23.933°E. It sits at an elevation of 48 meters above sea level and is situated on the Neman River.

## Why It Matters
Kaunas holds substantial historical and cultural significance, primarily due to its role as the temporary capital of Lithuania during the interwar period (1920–1939), a critical era for Lithuanian independence. Its designation as a Hanseatic city highlights its long-standing importance in Baltic trade and commerce. In the modern era, Kaunas maintains international relevance through its membership in the Union of the Baltic Cities and its recognition as a UNESCO City of Design, underscoring its commitment to cultural and creative industries.

## Notable For
- Serving as the temporary capital of Lithuania (1920–1939).
- Being a UNESCO City of Design (since 2015).
- Its status as a Hanseatic city.
- An extensive network of over 25 twin cities and partner regions, including Los Angeles, Kharkiv, and Wrocław.
- Documented history dating back to 1361.
- Being the administrative center of Kaunas County and the capital of Kaunas City Municipality.

## Body

### Governance and Administration
Kaunas is the administrative center of Kaunas County and has served as the capital of the Kaunas City Municipality since March 21, 1941. The city's local leadership is headed by Visvaldas Matijošaitis, who has held the office of mayor since 2015. Administratively, the city uses the postal code LT-44001, the license plate code "K," and the local dialing code 837.

### Geography and Demographics
The city is located at coordinates 54.9°N, 23.933°E, with an elevation of 48 meters above sea level. As of 2017, the city covered an area of 157 square kilometers. It is situated on the Neman River.

Population trends in Kaunas have been well-documented over the decades:
- **1989**: 419,745
- **2000**: 385,620
- **2011**: 315,993 (Census)
- **2019**: 286,754 (Jan 1)
- **2022**: 297,906 (Jan 1)
- **2023**: 305,120 (Jan 1)

### International Relations
Kaunas maintains a wide array of international partnerships. It has been twinned with Los Angeles (since 1991), Wrocław (since 1993), Tampere (since 1994), Grenoble (since 1997), Kharkiv (since 2001), and Xiamen (since 2001), among others. It also maintains partnerships with regions such as Hordaland (Norway), Vestfold (Norway), and Lippe (Germany).

### Historical Sovereignty
The city's national sovereignty has shifted over time:
- **Russian Empire**: 1721 – 1918
- **Lithuania**: 1918 – 1939
- **Soviet Union**: 1945-02-04 – 1990
- **Lithuania**: 1990 – Present

It has historically served as the capital of several administrative divisions, including the Kovensky Uyezd (1795–1920), Kovno Governorate (1842–1918), and the Kaunas Oblast (1950–1953).

### Identity and Symbols
The city's symbols include its flag, coat of arms, and a designated locator map image. Official names have varied historically:
- **Ковно** (Kovno): Prior to 1920.
- **Каунас** (Kaunas): Since 1920.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
Kaunas is identified by the UN/LOCODE "LTKUN." It operates within the UTC+02:00 and UTC+03:00 time zones. The city is connected via the Vytautas the Great Bridge, among others, and has extensive digital presence, including official websites in Lithuanian and English.

### Cultural and Academic Recognition
The city is documented in numerous authoritative sources, including:
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition and online)
- Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
- Great Russian Encyclopedia
- Grove Art Online
- Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija

### Images and Media
Visual representations of the city include:
- **Primary Image**: Vytautas the Great Bridge from hill, Kaunas, Lithuania.
- **Montage Image**: Kaunas montage.
- **Page Banner**: Kaunas banner.
- **Locator Map**: Kaunas city in Lithuania.svg.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/kaunas/#gallery1-2)
3. [Source](http://www.kaunas.lt/apie-kauna/miesto-partneriai/)
4. [Source](https://infocity.kharkiv.ua/obshchestvo/goroda-pobratimy-harkova/)
5. [Source](https://visitwroclaw.eu/miasta-partnerskie-wroclawia)
6. [Source](https://www.tampere.fi/en/organisation/international-affairs/twin-cities)
7. [Source](https://www.brno.cz/w/kaunas-litva)
8. [Source](https://en.brno.cz/w/partnership-agreements)
9. [Source](http://www.bialystok.pl/pl/dla_mieszkancow/wschodzacy_bialystok/wspolpraca-zagraniczna.html)
10. [Source](http://www.linkoping.se/Om-kommunen/Utveckling-och-samverkan/Internationellt-samarbete/Vanorter/)
11. [Source](https://www.linkoping.se/kommun-och-politik/internationellt-arbete/vanorter/)
12. [Source](https://www.lutskrada.gov.ua/en/pages/pobratymy-lutska)
13. [Source](http://old.lutskrada.gov.ua/en/kaunas)
14. [Source](https://www.vaxjo.se/sidor/politik-och-demokrati/internationellt/vanorter/kaunas.html)
15. [Source](https://www.torun.pl/pl/miasto/samorzad/kontakty-partnerskie-i-miedzynarodowe/miasta-blizniacze-torunia)
16. [Source](http://www.kutaisi.gov.ge/kutaisi/4)
17. RAMEAU
18. IdRef
19. [Source](https://ubc.net/cities/)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. [Source](http://datos.bne.es/tema/XX5255118.html)
22. MusicBrainz
23. Resident population by city / town at the beginning of the year
24. [Source](http://www.kaunas.lt/apie-kauna/statistika/)
25. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2017&endPeriod=2017)
26. Virtual International Authority File
27. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija Online
28. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
29. GeoNames
30. BBC Things
31. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/lt.htm)
32. Nationalencyklopedin
33. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
34. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/c2b556f9-388f-49f4-b37d-3aff22fbb0e1)
35. museum-digital