# Klaipėda

> port city in Lithuania

**Wikidata**: [Q776965](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q776965)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaipėda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/klaipeda

## Summary
Klaipėda is a port city in Lithuania, situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Founded in 1252, it serves as the capital of Klaipėda County and the Klaipeda City Municipality. Historically known as Memel, the city has a complex political history, having been governed by Prussia, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Lithuania, and today functions as a significant cultural and economic hub with a population of 158,420 as of 2023.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of a city, port city, and big city.
- **Location:** Situated in Klaipeda City Municipality, Lithuania (coordinates: 55.7125°N, 21.135°E).
- **Area:** 98 square kilometres.
- **Elevation:** 21 metres above sea level.
- **Population:** 158,420 (as of January 1, 2023).
- **Inception:** Founded in 1252.
- **Time Zone:** Observes UTC+02:00 and UTC+03:00.
- **Head of Government:** Arvydas Vaitkus.
- **Postal Code:** LT-91001.
- **Local Dialing Code:** 846.
- **Official Website:** https://www.klaipeda.lt/
- **Historical Names:** Officially known as Memel from 1252 to 1923, and again during periods of German control (1939–1945); reverted to Klaipėda officially on August 2, 1945.

## FAQs
**What is the demographic history of Klaipėda?**
The city has experienced fluctuating population trends, peaking in the early 2000s with 193,220 residents in 2001, declining to a low of 147,892 in 2019, and subsequently rising to 158,420 by 2023.

**What countries has Klaipėda belonged to throughout history?**
Klaipėda has been governed by numerous entities, including the Kingdom of Poland (1525–1657), the Kingdom of Prussia (1701–1871), the German Empire (1871–1918), the Weimar Republic (1918–1920), Memelland (1920–1923), Lithuania (1923–1939), Nazi Germany (1939–1944), the Soviet Union (1944–1990), and finally Lithuania again starting in 1990.

**What international organizations is Klaipėda a member of?**
The city is a member of the League of Historical Cities and the Union of the Baltic Cities.

**What are the twin cities of Klaipėda?**
Klaipėda maintains sister-city relationships with numerous global cities, including Cleveland (USA), Gdynia (Poland), Liepāja (Latvia), Lübeck (Germany), Mannheim (Germany), Odesa (Ukraine), and Qingdao (China), among others. Its partnership with Kaliningrad, Russia, was terminated in March 2022.

## Why It Matters
Klaipėda holds critical importance as Lithuania's primary port city, acting as a vital gateway for maritime trade and transport in the Baltic region. Its strategic location has historically made it a contested territory, resulting in a rich, multicultural heritage influenced by German (Prussian), Russian, and Lithuanian governance. The city's identity as "Memel" is deeply embedded in European history, while its modern status as a "big city" and member of international coalitions like the Union of the Baltic Cities underscores its continuing relevance in regional politics, economics, and culture. It is a center of administration, serving as the capital of both Klaipėda County and the Klaipeda City Municipality.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance:** Founded in 1252, it is one of the oldest cities in the region, with the earliest written record dating to the same year.
- **Complex Sovereignty:** The city has transitioned between at least ten different sovereign states or polities, including the Duchy of Prussia, the German Empire, and the Soviet Union.
- **Port Status:** It is identified specifically as a port city, distinguishing it as a key maritime hub for Lithuania.
- **Extensive Diplomacy:** Klaipėda maintains one of the most extensive sister-city networks in the region, with partnerships spanning from Japan (Kuji) to the United States (New Orleans).
- **Cultural Resilience:** Despite shifting borders and name changes (from Memel to Klaipėda), the city has maintained a distinct identity, recognized by sources such as the YIVO Encyclopedia and various European historical gazetteers.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Klaipėda is located in Europe within the Klaipeda City Municipality, serving as the administrative capital. The city covers a total area of 98 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 21 metres above sea level. Its geographic coordinates are 55.7125° N latitude and 21.135° E longitude.

Demographically, the city has seen significant shifts over two decades. In 2001, the population stood at 193,220. This number generally declined over the following years, reaching a low of 147,892 in 2019. However, recent data indicates a recovery, with the population rising to 152,237 in 2022 and further increasing to 158,420 by January 1, 2023.

### Governance and Politics
The city is classified as a "big city" and serves as the capital of Klaipėda County. The current head of government is Arvydas Vaitkus. The city owns the Central stadium of Klaipėda and operates under the Lithuania timezone structure (UTC+02:00 / UTC+03:00). The official website is provided in the Lithuanian language.

### Historical Timeline and Sovereignty
The city's inception is dated to 1252. Its political allegiance has shifted frequently:
- **1525–1657:** Part of the Duchy of Prussia and the Kingdom of Poland.
- **1657–1701:** Under Brandenburg-Prussia.
- **1701–1871:** Part of the Kingdom of Prussia.
- **1871–1918:** Incorporated into the German Empire.
- **1918–1920:** Part of the Weimar Republic.
- **1920–1923:** Designated as Memelland.
- **1923–1939:** Part of Lithuania.
- **1939–1944:** Under Nazi Germany.
- **1944–1990:** Part of the Soviet Union.
- **1990–Present:** Part of the Republic of Lithuania (re-established March 11, 1990).

The official name "Memel" was used from its founding until 1923, and again during the Nazi German occupation (1939–1945). The name "Klaipėda" became the official designation again starting August 2, 1945.

### International Relations
Klaipėda is an active member of the **League of Historical Cities** and the **Union of the Baltic Cities**. It maintains a vast network of twinned administrative bodies, including:
- **Debrecen, Hungary** (since 1989)
- **Karlskrona, Sweden** (since 1989)
- **Kuji, Japan** (since 1989)
- **Lübeck, Germany** (since 1990)
- **Cleveland, USA** (since 1992)
- **Gdynia, Poland** (since 1993)
- **Mannheim, Germany** (since 2002)
- **Odesa, Ukraine** (since 2004)
- **Qingdao, China** (since 2004)
- **Sassnitz, Germany** (since 2013)
- **New Orleans, USA** (since 2012)
- **Akhmeta, Georgia** (since 2011)

Partnerships with **Kaliningrad**, Russia (established 1993), were terminated on March 1, 2022.

### Infrastructure and Symbols
The city utilizes the postal code LT-91001 and the local dialing code 846. Key visual identifiers include the **Logo of Klaipėda**, a **Flag**, and a **Coat of Arms**. The city is also recognized by its banner image and a locator map image found in Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/manheimas-mannheim-vokietija/3516)
3. [Source](https://www.mannheim.de/de/stadt-gestalten/europa-und-internationales/partner-und-freundesstaedte/klaipeda)
4. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/liepoja-liepaja-latvija/3514)
5. [Source](https://www.liepaja.lv/sadraudzibas-pilsetas/)
6. [Source](http://portal.debrecen.hu/varosunk/testvervarosok/klaipeda_testvervarosok.html)
7. [Source](https://www.debrecen.hu/hu/debreceni/testvervarosok/klaipeda)
8. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/kudzi-kuji-japonija/3513)
9. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/liubekas-lbeck-vokietija/3515)
10. [Source](https://www.luebeck.de/de/rathaus/partnerschaften/partnerstaedte.html)
11. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/klyvlendas-cleveland-jav/3511)
12. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/gdyne-gdynia-lenkija/3508)
13. [Source](https://www.gdynia.pl/bip/miasta-siostrzane,1760/klajpeda,341503)
14. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/savivaldybe/meras/miestai-partneriai/225)
15. [Source](https://bip.um.gdynia.pl/miasta-siostrzane,1760/wspolpraca-z-miastami-siostrzanymi,341487)
16. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/kaliningradas-rusija/3509)
17. [Source](https://www.klgd.ru/city/pasport_07052021.pdf)
18. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/naujienos/naujienos/7655/nutrauktas-bendradarbiavimas-su-rusijos-ir-baltarusijos-miestais:2577/)
19. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/kotka-suomija/3512)
20. [Source](http://www.kotka.fi/tietoa_kotkasta/kansainvalinen_toiminta)
21. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/siaures-tainsaidas-north-tyneside-jungtine-karalyste/3521)
22. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/scecinas-lenkija/3520)
23. [Source](https://bip.um.szczecin.pl/chapter_11296.asp?soid=FC52B7BD7A2141849DD6EC3177B83B53)
24. [Source](https://bip.um.szczecin.pl/files/A787EDEEDD5F45D2A38D5ACC38E1E5EE/K%C5%82ajpeda_2002_pl.pdf)
25. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/odesa-ukraina/3518)
26. [Source](https://omr.gov.ua/ua/international/goroda-partneri/klaypeda-litva/)
27. [Source](https://www.klaipeda.lt/lt/meras/miestai-partneriai/riugenas-zasnicas-vokietija/3519)
28. [Source](https://www.sassnitz.de/seite/204148/klaip%C3%A9da.html)
29. [Source](https://nola.gov/mayor/news/archive/2018/20180105-pr-mayor-landrieu,-orleans,-france-mayor/)
30. [Source](https://akhmeta.gov.ge/en/node/348)
31. Virtual International Authority File
32. [Source](https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/index.php)
33. [Source](https://ubc.net/cities/)
34. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
35. MusicBrainz
36. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2017&endPeriod=2017)
37. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2018&endPeriod=2018)
38. Resident population by city / town at the beginning of the year
39. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija Online
40. GeoNames
41. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
42. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Klajpeda;3923146.html)
43. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
44. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/2bcb56c9-b88c-4197-97bf-c5ab4e6142c4)
45. museum-digital