# Pakruojis

> city

**Wikidata**: [Q1004302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1004302)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakruojis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pakruojis

## Summary

Pakruojis is a city in northern Lithuania and the administrative center of Pakruojis District Municipality, located at coordinates 55.9833°N, 23.85°E with an elevation of 76 meters above sea level. The city, whose earliest written record dates to 1531, serves as the capital of both Pakruojis District Municipality and Pakruojis Eldership, and had a population of 4,490 as of January 1, 2023.

## Key Facts

- **Type**: City (instance_of: city)
- **Country**: Lithuania
- **Area**: 4 square kilometers
- **Coordinates**: latitude 55.983333333333334, longitude 23.85
- **Elevation**: 76 meters above sea level
- **Postal code**: LT-83001
- **UN/LOCODE**: LTPKJ
- **Earliest written record**: 1531
- **Population (2023-01-01)**: 4,490 (preferred value, demographic balance method)
- **Population (2022-01-01)**: 4,552
- **Population (2021-01-01)**: 4,594
- **Population (2020-01-01)**: 4,351
- **Population (2019-01-01)**: 4,403
- **Population (2018-01-01)**: 4,444
- **Population (2017-01-01)**: 4,632
- **Population (2016-01-01)**: 4,826
- **Population (2015-01-01)**: 4,896
- **Population (2014-01-01)**: 4,919
- **Population (2013-01-01)**: 4,984
- **Population (2012-01-01)**: 5,034
- **Population (2011-01-01)**: 5,160
- **Population (2010-01-01)**: 5,354
- **Population (2009-01-01)**: 5,444
- **Population (2008-01-01)**: 5,541
- **Population (2007-01-01)**: 5,651
- **Population (2006-01-01)**: 5,772
- **Population (2005-01-01)**: 5,917
- **Population (2004-01-01)**: 6,013
- **Population (2003-01-01)**: 5,988
- **Population (2002-01-01)**: 6,031
- **Population (2001-01-01)**: 6,065
- **Population (1989 census)**: 6,218
- **Population (1979 census)**: 4,809
- **Population (1970 census)**: 3,727
- **Population (1959 census)**: 2,427
- **Population (1923 census)**: 1,184
- **Located in**: Pakruojis District Municipality (1950-06-20 to 1994-07-07), Pakruojis Eldership (from 1994-07-07)
- **Capital of**: Pakruojis District Municipality, Pakruojis Eldership
- **Twin town**: Gurjaani, Georgia (since 2017)
- **Aliases**: Покрои, Покрой
- **Native label**: Pakruojis
- **Official name**: Pakruojis
- **Wikipedia languages**: ar, arz, bat_smg, be, be_x_old, ca, ceb, cs, de, diq, el, en, eo, es, et, fa, fi, fr, hsb, hu, it, ko, lt, lv, mdf, nl, no, pl, pms, ru, sv, tr, uk, ur, zh
- **Sitelink count**: 36

**Identifiers**:
- GND ID: 7537830-9
- VIAF ID: 127015033
- GeoNames ID: 596260
- Freebase ID: /m/02s_my
- Library of Congress authority ID: no2003092158
- National Library of Latvia ID: 000354835
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007494230205171
- Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija ID: pakruojis
- RKD Thesaurus ID: 96443
- Who's On First ID: 101818117
- GNS Unique Feature ID: -2617498

**Images**:
- Aerial view: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pakruojis.JPG
- Flag: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Pakruojis.gif
- Coat of arms: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Coat_of_arms_of_Pakruojis_(Lithuania).svg

**Related entities**:
- Category for people born here: Q8067528
- Category for associated people: Category:People from Pakruojis
- Topic's main category: Category:Pakruojis
- Commons category: Pakruojis

## FAQs

**What is Pakruojis and where is it located?**
Pakruojis is a city in northern Lithuania and the administrative center of Pakruojis District Municipality, situated at coordinates 55.9833°N latitude and 23.85°E longitude, approximately 76 meters above sea level.

**What is the population of Pakruojis?**
According to the most recent data from January 1, 2023, Pakruojis has a population of 4,490 residents. The population peaked at 6,218 in 1989 and has fluctuated between approximately 4,300 and 6,100 in recent decades.

**When was Pakruojis first mentioned in historical records?**
The earliest written record of Pakruojis dates back to 1531, making it a settlement with nearly 500 years of documented history.

**What administrative regions is Pakruojis part of?**
Pakruojis serves as the capital of both Pakruojis District Municipality and Pakruojis Eldership. The city has been located in Pakruojis Eldership since July 7, 1994, having previously been part of Pakruojis District Municipality from June 20, 1950 to July 7, 1994.

**What is Pakruojis twinned with?**
Pakruojis is twinned with Gurjaani, a town in Georgia, with the partnership beginning in 2017.

**What identifiers are associated with Pakruojis?**
Pakruojis has numerous identifier codes including GND (7537830-9), VIAF (127015033), GeoNames (596260), Freebase (/m/02s_my), UN/LOCODE (LTPKJ), postal code (LT-83001), and Library of Congress authority ID (no2003092158).

## Why It Matters

Pakruojis serves as an important regional administrative center in northern Lithuania, functioning as the capital of Pakruojis District Municipality. Despite its relatively small population of approximately 4,500 residents, the city maintains administrative significance and serves as a hub for the surrounding rural area. The city's historical documentation since 1531 demonstrates its long-standing presence as a settled location in the region.

The city's twinning with Gurjaani in Georgia since 2017 reflects Lithuania's engagement in international municipal partnerships, particularly with Eastern European partners. This relationship demonstrates Pakruojis's role in fostering cross-border cooperation and cultural exchange between the two regions.

From a demographic perspective, Pakruojis exhibits population trends characteristic of smaller Lithuanian urban centers, with population declining from a peak of 6,218 in 1989 to current levels. The city maintains a stable population base that supports local administrative functions, services, and community life.

The city's inclusion in numerous language versions of Wikipedia (36 sitelinks across 33 languages) indicates its recognition as a notable entity within the global knowledge ecosystem, with articles available in languages ranging from Arabic and Chinese to Lithuanian, Russian, and Ukrainian.

## Notable For

- Administrative center of Pakruojis District Municipality in northern Lithuania
- City status as a large human settlement with documented history dating to 1531
- Twin town relationship with Gurjaani, Georgia (established 2017)
- Comprehensive demographic data spanning nearly a century (1923-2023)
- Presence in 33 language versions of Wikipedia
- Located at elevation of 76 meters above sea level in the Šiauliai County region
- UN/LOCODE identifier LTPKJ for international logistics and trade purposes
- Postal code LT-83001 serving as the city's mailing address identifier

## Body

### Geography and Location

Pakruojis is situated in northern Lithuania at coordinates 55.983333333333334°N latitude and 23.85°E longitude. The city lies at an elevation of 76 meters above sea level, placing it in the central part of the Baltic plain region. The total area of Pakruojis spans 4 square kilometers, making it a compact urban center within the larger rural district.

The city is located within Šiauliai County and serves as the administrative seat of Pakruojis District Municipality. The municipal structure places Pakruojis as the primary urban center serving the surrounding rural communities and agricultural areas of the district.

### Administrative Status

Pakruojis holds dual administrative significance within the Lithuanian local government system. It serves as the capital of Pakruojis District Municipality, which encompasses the surrounding region and provides municipal services to residents. Additionally, Pakruojis is the seat of Pakruojis Eldership, the smallest administrative unit in Lithuania's local government structure.

The city's administrative placement has evolved over time. From June 20, 1950 to July 7, 1994, Pakruojis was located within Pakruojis District Municipality. Since July 7, 1994, the city has been part of Pakruojis Eldership, reflecting Lithuania's post-independence administrative reorganization.

### Demographics and Population

Pakruojis has experienced significant population fluctuations over the past century. The population data reveals several distinct periods:

**Census data (historical)**:
- 1923: 1,184 residents
- 1959: 2,427 residents
- 1970: 3,727 residents
- 1979: 4,809 residents
- 1989: 6,218 residents (peak)

**Annual demographic balance data (2001-2023)**:
- 2001: 6,065
- 2002: 6,031
- 2003: 5,988
- 2004: 6,013
- 2005: 5,917
- 2006: 5,772
- 2007: 5,651
- 2008: 5,541
- 2009: 5,444
- 2010: 5,354
- 2011: 5,160
- 2012: 5,034
- 2013: 4,984
- 2014: 4,919
- 2015: 4,896
- 2016: 4,826
- 2017: 4,632
- 2018: 4,444
- 2019: 4,403
- 2020: 4,351
- 2021: 4,594
- 2022: 4,552
- 2023: 4,490 (preferred value)

The population peaked in 1989 at 6,218 residents during the Soviet era, followed by a decline through the 1990s and 2000s, stabilizing around 4,500-5,000 residents in the 2010s and 2020s.

### International Relations

Pakruojis maintains a twin town relationship with Gurjaani, a town in Georgia. This partnership was established in 2017 and represents Lithuania's municipal cooperation with Eastern European partners. The twinning reflects broader trends in European town-twinning programs that promote cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and mutual understanding between communities in different countries.

### Historical Context

The earliest written record of Pakruojis dates to 1531, establishing nearly five centuries of documented history for the settlement. This historical documentation places Pakruojis among the older settlements in the region, predating many administrative changes and political transformations that have shaped Lithuania over the centuries.

The city's historical development occurred within the context of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, later becoming part of the Russian Empire, independent Lithuania, the Soviet Union, and finally the modern Republic of Lithuania.

### Identification and Classification

Pakruojis is classified as a city (instance_of: city), reflecting its status as a larger human settlement within the Lithuanian administrative system. The city carries multiple identification codes for various databases and systems:

- **Geographic identifiers**: GeoNames ID 596260, GNS Unique Feature ID -2617498
- **Library identifiers**: GND ID 7537830-9, VIAF ID 127015033, Library of Congress authority ID no2003092158, National Library of Latvia ID 000354835, National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007494230205171
- **Administrative codes**: UN/LOCODE LTPKJ, postal code LT-83001
- **Encyclopedia references**: Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija ID pakruojis, RKD Thesaurus ID 96443, Who's On First ID 101818117

### Cultural and Media Presence

Pakruojis has a significant presence in Wikimedia projects, with articles available in 33 different language versions of Wikipedia, indicating international recognition and interest in the city. The sitelink count of 36 reflects the breadth of language coverage, including major world languages (English, Russian, German, French, Spanish) as well as regional and minority languages.

The city is documented with visual materials including an aerial photograph available on Wikimedia Commons, a city flag, and an official coat of arms. These visual identifiers serve as symbols of municipal identity and pride.

### Related Categories and Entities

The city is associated with several categorical designations:
- Category for people born here: Q8067528
- Category for associated people: Category:People from Pakruojis
- Topic's main category: Category:Pakruojis
- Commons category: Pakruojis

These categories facilitate organization of related content and connections to notable individuals associated with the city.

### Additional Notable Properties

The city has been referenced in encyclopedic sources including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, indicating historical significance and documentation in 19th and early 20th-century reference works.

The city maintains standard municipal infrastructure including a postal code (LT-83001) and UN/LOCODE (LTPKJ) for international trade and logistics purposes, facilitating commerce and communication with the broader world.

## References

1. [Source](https://gurjaani.gov.ge/ge/damegobrebuli-kalakebi)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2017&endPeriod=2017)
5. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2018&endPeriod=2018)
6. Resident population by city / town at the beginning of the year
7. GeoNames
8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/lt.htm)
9. Quora
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File