# Žagarė

> city in Lithuania

**Wikidata**: [Q393332](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q393332)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Žagarė)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zagare

## Summary
Žagarė is a city located in Lithuania, situated within the Joniškis District Municipality. It serves as the capital of Žagarė Eldership and has a rich history dating back to at least 1198, having been part of various political entities including the Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and independent Lithuania.

## Key Facts
- Žagarė is a city in Lithuania with an area of 5 square kilometers
- The city has a population of 1,247 as of January 1, 2023, showing a declining trend from 2,315 in 2001
- Located at coordinates 56.358333° N, 23.25° E, with an elevation of 77 meters above sea level
- The city is situated on the Švėtė River and is classified as both a city and a border city
- Žagarė has been known by various names including Zagare, Žagare, Zagarė, Schagarren, Жагоры, Новые Жагоры, and Малые Жагоры
- The city's postal code is LT-84019 and it operates in the Eastern European Time zone
- Žagarė has a Lithuanian heritage registry code of 12250 and is documented in multiple encyclopedic sources including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary

## FAQs
**What is the current population of Žagarė?**
As of January 1, 2023, Žagarė has a population of 1,247 people, according to demographic balance data from the Lithuanian statistics office.

**What is the historical significance of Žagarė?**
Žagarė has a documented history dating back to 1198, making it one of the older settlements in the region. It has been part of various political entities including the Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and independent Lithuania.

**What administrative divisions does Žagarė belong to?**
Žagarė is the capital of Žagarė Eldership and is located within the Joniškis District Municipality of Lithuania. It was previously part of Shavelsky Uyezd from 1795 to 1920.

**What are some notable features of Žagarė?**
The city features a coat of arms, a flag, and has been documented in various encyclopedic sources. It also has a manor house (Žagarės dvaras) that is a notable landmark.

## Why It Matters
Žagarė represents an important historical settlement in northern Lithuania with a documented existence spanning over 800 years. Its strategic location near borders has made it significant throughout various political changes in the region, from the Russian Empire through the Soviet era to modern independent Lithuania. The city serves as a cultural and administrative center for its surrounding eldership, preserving local heritage while adapting to contemporary challenges of population decline and economic transition.

## Notable For
- Being one of the oldest documented settlements in northern Lithuania, with records dating back to 1198
- Serving as the capital of Žagarė Eldership and maintaining administrative importance in the region
- Having a rich multicultural history reflected in its various historical names and documented presence in Jewish encyclopedias
- Featuring notable architectural landmarks including the Žagarės dvaras (manor house)
- Maintaining its status as a border city throughout various political regimes
- Being documented in multiple encyclopedic sources including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary

## Body
### Historical Background
Žagarė's history extends back to at least 1198, making it one of the region's oldest documented settlements. Throughout its history, the city has been part of various political entities, including the Russian Empire from 1795 to 1920, the Soviet Union, and modern independent Lithuania since 1990. The city's strategic location near borders has influenced its development and significance throughout different historical periods.

### Geographic and Administrative Information
Located at coordinates 56.358333° N, 23.25° E, Žagarė sits at an elevation of 77 meters above sea level. The city covers an area of 5 square kilometers and is situated on the Švėtė River. It operates in the Eastern European Time zone and has the postal code LT-84019. Since 1950, Žagarė has been part of the Joniškis District Municipality, serving as the capital of Žagarė Eldership.

### Population Trends
The city has experienced significant population decline over recent decades. From a population of 2,315 in 2001, the number has decreased to 1,247 as of January 1, 2023. This trend reflects broader demographic challenges facing many smaller cities in Lithuania and other Eastern European countries, including rural-urban migration and aging populations.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Žagarė has been documented in various encyclopedic sources, including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and its specialized Jewish Encyclopedia editions. The city's multicultural heritage is reflected in its numerous historical names across different languages and cultures. The presence of the Žagarės dvaras (manor house) adds to the city's historical and architectural significance.

### Modern Status and Documentation
Today, Žagarė maintains its status as an administrative center while facing contemporary challenges. The city has been assigned a Lithuanian heritage registry code of 12250, recognizing its historical importance. It is documented in various international databases and has a presence on platforms like Wikipedia in multiple languages, including Lithuanian, Russian, English, and others.

### Economic and Social Context
As a smaller city in northern Lithuania, Žagarė faces typical challenges of rural and semi-urban areas in post-Soviet states, including population decline and economic transition. However, its historical significance and administrative role continue to provide a foundation for community life and local governance.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2017&endPeriod=2017)
4. [State Data Agency of Lithuania](https://osp-rs.stat.gov.lt/rest_xml/data/S3R167_M3010210/?startPeriod=2018&endPeriod=2018)
5. Resident population by city / town at the beginning of the year
6. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija Online
7. GeoNames