List of towns in Lithuania

Towns in Lithuania (singular: Lithuanian: miestelis, as diminutive of miestas) retain their historical distinctiveness even though for statistical purposes they are counted together with villages. At the time of the census in 2001, there were 103 cities, 244 towns, and some 21,000 villages in Lithuania. Since then three cities (Juodupė, Kulautuva, and Tyruliai) and two villages (Salakas and Jūrė) became towns. Therefore, during the Lithuanian census of 2011, there were 249 towns in Lithuania.

Lithuanian towns (miesteliai) began forming in the late medieval period as small commercial and administrative centres distinct from larger cities. The term “miestelis” appears in records from 1387, and by the 16th century many such settlements received formal privileges, often developing around manors, markets and parish institutions. Their number grew through the 17th century, though wars and shifting political conditions later altered or reduced many of them. In the 19th century, new towns emerged along major roads and railways, supported by trade, crafts and small industry. Under Soviet rule, administrative reforms reshaped their status, with many becoming collective-farm or district centres. Since the restoration of independence in 1990, Lithuanian towns have generally stabilised as local civic and cultural hubs, maintaining a distinctive role in the country’s settlement structure.^[1]

According to Lithuanian law, a town is a compactly-built settlement with a population of 500–3,000 and at least half of the population works in economic sectors other than agriculture.^[2] However, there are many exceptions as many cities, towns, and villages retain their statuses based on historical tradition. Towns usually have a church and are capitals of elderates. Some towns have a coat of arms.

[1]

[2]

List of towns in Lithuania

Towns

See also

References

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