Klaipėda 159649 225459779 2008-07-13T20:25:48Z 78.59.189.19 /* Sports */ {{Infobox Settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement--> |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{LTU}} |timezone=[[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset=+2 |timezone_DST=[[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |utc_offset_DST=+3 |map_caption = Location of Klaipėda| |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |image_skyline = Klaipeda.jpg |pushpin_map_caption =Location of Klaipėda |pushpin_mapsize = |leader_title = |postal_code_type = | official_name = Klaipėda | nickname = Uostamiestis (port city) | image_map = LietuvaKlaipeda.png | image_shield = Coat of arms of Klaipeda (Lithuania).png | subdivision_name1 = {{Autolink|Lithuania minor}}|subdivision_type1=[[Regions of Lithuania|Ethnographic region]]| | subdivision_name2 = {{Autolink|Klaipėda County}} |subdivision_type2=[[Counties of Lithuania|County]]| | subdivision_name3 = {{Autolink|Klaipėda city}} |subdivision_type3=[[List of municipalities of Lithuania|Municipality]]| municipality | subdivision_name5 = 1 |subdivision_type5=Number of elderates|| Mayor = [[Rimantas Taraškevičius]] |latd=55|latm=42|lats=|latNS=N|longd=21|longm=08|longs=|longEW=E| | |subdivision_type6=[[Capital|Capital of]]| subdivision_name6 = [[Klaipėda County]] <br> [[Klaipėda city municipality]] | established_date = 1252|established_title=First mentioned| | established_date2 = 1254|established_title2=Granted [[Magdeburg rights|city rights]]| or 1258 ([[Lübeck law|Lübeck]]); 1475 ([[Kulm law|Kulm]]) | population_total = 185 899|population_footnotes= | population_as_of = 2007 | population_blank1 = 3rd|population_blank1_title=[[List of cities in Lithuania|Rank]]| }} '''Klaipėda''' ({{pronunciation|Klaipeda.ogg}}, {{pronEng|ˈklaɪpɛdə}}, [[simplified phonetic transcription for Lithuanian (wikipedia)|simplified Lithuanian transcription]]: [kla'''ǐ'''pēda]; ''German: Memel'') is a [[city]] in [[Lithuania]] situated at the mouth of the [[Curonian Lagoon]] where it flows into the [[Baltic Sea]]. As Lithuania's only [[seaport]], it has [[ferry]] terminal connections to [[Sweden]], and [[Germany]]. Some of its older buildings have picturesque [[half-timbered construction]], similar to that found in Germany, [[England]], Denmark and southern Sweden. The population shrank from 207,100 in 1992 to 187,442 in 2005. Popular seaside [[resort]]s found close to Klaipėda are [[Nida (town)|Nida]] to the south on the [[Curonian Spit]], and [[Palanga]] to the north. == Names == [[Image:Klaipeda2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Map of Old Town of Klaipėda]] The [[Teutonic Knights]] built a [[Klaipėda Castle|castle]] in the *Pilsāts Land of the [[Curonians]] and named it ''Memelburg''; later the name was shortened to ''Memel''. From 1252-1923 and from 1939–1945, the town and city was officially named ''Memel''. Due to political changes between 1923 and 1939, both names were in the official use; since 1945 the Lithuanian name of ''Klaipėda'' ({{lang-ru|Клайпеда}}) has been used, and after Lithuania declared independence in 1990 only ''Klaipėda'' is used. The names ''Memelburg'' and ''Memel'' are found in most written sources from the 13th century onwards, while ''Klaipėda'' is found in Lithuania-related sources since the 15th century. The first time the city was mentioned as ''Caloypede'' in the letter of [[Vytautas]] in 1413,<ref>"1413 – pirmąkart paminėtas vardas Klaipėda (Caloypede)" [http://www.mlimuziejus.lt/3/31/312/312.htm]</ref> for the second time in the negotiation documents of 1420 as ''Klawppeda'',<ref>[http://www.klaipedainfo.lt/de/index.php?page=9&sub=3 Klaipėda information website]</ref> and for the third time in the [[Treaty of Melno]] of [[1422]] as ''Cleupeda''. According to [[Samogitian language|Samogitian]] [[folk etymology]], the name ''Klaipėda'' refers to the boggy terrain of the town (''klaidyti''=obstruct and ''pėda''=foot). Most likely the name is of [[Curonian language|Curonian]] origin and means "even ground". The lower reaches of the [[Neman River]] were named either *''Mēmele'' or *''Mēmela'' by local Curonian inhabitants and probably by [[Scalovians]] as well; this name was adopted by speakers of German and also chosen for the new city founded further away at the lagoon. == History == === Teutonic Knights === A settlement of [[Balts|Baltic tribes]] in the territory of the present-day city is said to have existed in the region as early as the 7th century. [[Image:Memel historisch.JPG|thumb|Historical view of Memel, which is the old German name for the city]] In the 1240s the [[Pope]] offered King [[Haakon IV of Norway|Håkon IV]] of [[Norway]] the opportunity to conquer the peninsula of [[Sambia]]. However, following the personal acceptance of [[Christianity]] by Grand Duke [[Mindaugas]] of [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]], the [[Teutonic Knights]] and a group of [[crusade]]rs from [[Lübeck]] moved into Sambia, founding unopposed a fort in 1252 recorded as ''Memele castrum'' (or ''Memelburg'', "[[Memel Castle]]"). The fort's construction was completed in 1253 and Memel was garrisoned with troops of the [[Teutonic Order]], administered by [[Deutschmeister]] [[Eberhard von Seyne]]. Documents for its foundation were signed by Eberhard and Bishop Heinrich von Lützelburg of [[Courland]] on [[29 July]], [[1252]] and [[1 August]], [[1252]]. Master [[Conrad von Thierberg]] used the fortress as a base for further campaigns along the [[Neman River]] and against [[Samogitia]]. Memel was unsuccessfully besieged by [[Sambians]] in 1255, and the scattered Sambians submitted by 1259. Memel was colonized by settlers from [[Holstein]], Lübeck, and [[Dortmund]], hence Memel also being known at the time as ''Neu-Dortmund'', or "New Dortmund". It became the main town of the Diocese of Curonia, with a cathedral and at least two parochial churches, but the development of the castle became the dominant priority. According to different sources, Memel received [[Lübeck city rights]] in 1254<ref>''Klaipėda city information portal''. "[http://www.klaipeda.lt/klaipeda/selectPage.do?docLocator=73ECC9E7534011D8A343746164617373&categoryId=168&pathId=224 History]". Retrieved [[11 April]] 2006.</ref> or 1258.<ref>Magocsi, Paul Robert. ''Historical Atlas of Central Europe''. University of Washington Press. Seattle, 2002. p. 41. ISBN 0295981466</ref> In the spring and summer of 1323, a Lithuanian army led by [[Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania|Gediminas]] came up the [[Neman River|Neman]] and laid siege to the castle of Memel after conquering the town, and devastated Sambia, forcing the Order to sue for a truce in October. During the planning of a campaign against Samogitia, Memel's garrison of the Teutonic Order's [[Livonia]]n branch was replaced with knights from the [[Prussia]]n branch in 1328. Threats and attacks by [[Lithuanians]] greatly thwarted the town's development; the town and the castle were both sacked by Lithuanian tribes in 1379, while [[Samogitians]] attacked 800 workers rebuilding Memel in 1389. The [[Treaty of Melno]] in 1422 stabilized the border between the Teutonic Order and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for the next 501 years. The rebuilt town received [[Kulm law]] city rights in 1475. Memel remained part of what became Prussia and Germany; the border to Lithuania remained unchanged until 1919. It was one of the longest-lasting borders in Europe, and is referred to in the now-unsung first verse of the [[Das Lied der Deutschen|German national anthem]], which describes borders of German-speaking lands: ''Von der Maas bis an die Memel'', referring to the [[Meuse River|Meuse]] river in the West and [[Neman River|Neman]] river in the East. === Duchy of Prussia === Against the wishes of its governor and commander, Eric of [[Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel]], Memel adopted [[Lutheranism]] after the conversion of Hohenzollern Margrave of Brandenburg [[Albert of Prussia]] and the creation of the [[Duchy of Prussia]] as a fief of [[Poland]] in 1525. It was the onset of a long period of prosperity for the city and port. It served as a port for neighbouring Lithuania, benefiting from its location near the mouth of the Neman, with [[wheat]] as a profitable export. The Duchy of Prussia was inherited by a relative, [[John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg|John Sigismund]], the [[Hohenzollern]] [[prince-elector]]s of the [[Marches|March]] of [[Brandenburg]] in 1618. [[Brandenburg-Prussia]] began active participation in regional policy, which affected the development of Memel. From 1629-1635, the town was occupied by [[Swedish Empire|Sweden]] over several periods during the [[Polish-Swedish War#Polish-Swedish War of 1625-1629|Polish-Swedish War of 1625-1629]] and the [[Thirty Years' War]]. After the [[Treaty of Königsberg]] in 1656 during the [[Northern Wars]], Elector [[Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick William]] opened Memel's harbor to Sweden, with whom the harbor's revenue was divided. Prussian independence from Poland and Sweden was affirmed in the [[Treaty of Oliva]] in 1660. The construction of a defence system around the entire town, initiated in 1627, noticeably changed its status and prospects. In November 1678 a small Swedish army invaded Prussian territory, but was unable to capture the fortress of Memel. === Kingdom of Prussia === [[Image:Lithuania Klaipeda 1.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Timber frame]] buildings in the centre of Klaipėda]] By the beginning of the 18th century, Memel was one of the strongest fortresses (''Memelfestung'') in Prussia, and the town became part of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] in 1701. Despite its fortifications, it was captured by [[Russians|Russian]] troops during the [[Seven Years' War]] in 1757. Consequently, from 1757–1762 the town, along with the rest of eastern Prussia, was dependent on the [[Russian Empire]]. After this war ended, the maintenance of the fortress was neglected, but the town's growth continued. Memel became part of the province of [[East Prussia]] within the Kingdom of Prussia in 1773. In the second half of the 18th century Memel's lax customs and [[Riga]]'s high duties enticed [[English people|English]] traders, who established the first industrial sawmills in the town. In 1784, 996 ships arrived in Memel, 500 of which were English. (In 1900 there was still an active English church in Memel, as well as a 'British Hotel'). The specialisation in wood manufacturing guaranteed Memel's merchants income and stability for more than a hundred years. During this era it also normalised its trade relations with [[Königsberg]]; regional instability had degraded relations since the 16th century. Memel prospered during the second half of the 18th century by exporting [[timber]] to the [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] for use by the [[Royal Navy]]. In 1792, 756 British ships visited the town to transport lumber from the Lithuanian forests near Memel. In 1800 its imports consisted chiefly of salt, iron, and herrings; the exports, which greatly exceeded the imports, were corn, hemp, flax, and, particularly, timber. The 1815 ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'' stated that Memel was "provided with the finest harbour in the Baltic". During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Memel became the temporary capital of the Kingdom of Prussia. Between 1807 - 1808, the town was the residence of King [[Frederick William III of Prussia|Frederick William III]], his consort [[Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|Louise]], his court, and the government. On [[October 9]], [[1807]] the king signed a document in Memel, later called the October Edict, which abolished [[serfdom]] in Prussia. It originated the reforms of [[Heinrich Friedrich Karl, Reichsfreiherr vom und zum Stein|Karl Freiherr vom und zum Stein]] and [[Karl August von Hardenberg]]. The land around Memel suffered major economic setbacks under [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon Bonaparte]]'s [[Continental System]]. During Napoleon's retreat from [[Moscow]] after the failed [[Napoleon's invasion of Russia|invasion of Russia]] in 1812, General [[Hans David Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg|Yorck]] refused Marshal [[Étienne-Jacques-Joseph-Alexandre MacDonald|MacDonald]]'s orders to fortify Memel at Prussia's expense. === German Empire === [[Image:Klaipeda Annchen.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Ännchen von Tharau'' figure reconstruction in front of the theatre in honor of [[Simon Dach]]]] After the [[unification of Germany]] into the [[German Empire]] in 1871, Memel became Germany's most northerly city. The development of the town in the 19th century was influenced by the [[industrial revolution]] in Prussia and the attendant processes of [[urbanisation]]. Even though the population of Memel increased fourfold during the 19th century, and the population had risen to 21,470 by 1910, its pace of development lagged in comparison. The reasons for this were mostly political. Memel was the northernmost and easternmost city in Germany, and although the government was engaged in a very costly tree-planting exercise to stabilise the sand-dunes on the [[Curonian Spit]], most of the financial infusions in the province of [[East Prussia]] were concentrated in Königsberg, the capital of the province. Some notable instances of the German infrastructure investments in the area included sandbar blasting and a new ship canal between [[Baltiysk|Pillau]] and Königsberg, which enabled vessels of up to 6.5 m draughts to moor alongside the city, at a cost of 13 million marks. Owing to the absence of heavy industry in the 1870s and 1880s, the population of Memel stagnated, although wood manufacturing persisted as the main industry. It remained the central point of the Baltic timber-trade. A British Consul was located in the town in 1800; in 1900 a [[United Kingdom|British]] Vice-Consul was recorded there, as well as a [[Lloyd's of London|Lloyd's]] Agent. [[Image:Kleinbahn Klaipėda.jpg|thumb|299 px|A narrow gauge railway station in 1920]] By 1900 steamer services had been established between Memel and [[Zelenogradsk|Cranz]] (on the southern end of the Curonian Spit), and also between Memel and [[Tilsit]]. A main-line railway was built from [[Chernyakhovsk|Insterburg]], the main East Prussian railway junction, to [[St. Petersburg]] via [[Chernyshevskoye|Eydtkuhnen]], the Prussian frontier station. The Memel line also ran from Insterburg via [[Sovetsk, Kaliningrad Oblast|Tilsit]], where a further direct line connected with Konigsberg, that crossed the 4 km wide Memel River Valley over three bridges before its arrival in Memel. During the second half of the 19th century, Memel was a center for the publication of books printed in the [[Lithuanian language]] using the [[Latin alphabet]] - these publications were prohibited in the nearby Russian Empire. The books were then smuggled over the border into Lithuania. The German 1910 census lists the [[Klaipėda Region|Memel Territory]] population as 149,766, of whom 67,345 declared Lithuanian to be their first language. The Germans greatly predominated in the town and port of Memel as well as in other nearby villages; the Lithuanian population was predominant in the area's rural districts. (''EB'', 1938 Year Book, see [http://gauss.suub.uni-bremen.de/suub/hist/index.jsp?id=Kt.+I-896 map of languages]) === Inter-war years === [[Image:Klaipeda Kirche.jpg|199 px|thumb|''Marktstrasse'' with St. John's Church]] Under the [[Treaty of Versailles]] after [[World War I]], Memel and the surrounding Memel Territory (or [[Klaipėda Region]]) was made a [[protectorate]] of the [[Allies of World War I|Entente States]], in order to guarantee port rights to Lithuania and Poland. The territory was administered by an autonomous [[Landtag]] government, under a French High Commissioner, with the ultimate intention that it would be a self-governing territory on the model of [[Gdańsk|Danzig]]. Lithuania made the decision to [[Klaipėda Revolt|invade Memel and the Memel Territory]] in January 1923. Weapons for the Lithuanians were supplied by Germans.<ref name= Vytautas Kažukauskas> Vytautas Kažukauskas. [http://www.muziejai.lt/vilnius/kazukausko_str.htm Visa Lietuvių tauta atsiėmė Klaipėdą]</ref> [[Hans von Seeckt]], in the name of the [[Reichswehr]], assured that they would not interfere with the Lithuanian intervention in the region.<ref name= Vytautas Kažukauskas> Vytautas Kažukauskas [http://www.muziejai.lt/vilnius/kazukausko_str.htm Visa Lietuvių tauta atsiėmė Klaipėdą].</ref> The French garrison made only limited resistance efforts. As this incident occurred on the eve of the French occupation of the [[Ruhr Area]], the Allies had no troops to spare for the restoration of their authority; they consequently took refuge in negotiations which eventually left the juridical sovereignty in the hands of Lithuania. A convention suggested by the [[League of Nations]] was accepted in March 1924 securing a measure of autonomy for the inhabitants, (see Gathorne-Hardy). The annexation of the city, officially given its [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]] name Klaipėda, and the Memel Territory with its large German population, had enormous consequences for the Lithuanian economy. The region subsequently accounted for up to 30% of the Lithuania's entire production, but after economic sanctions which were imposed on the region by the German government in 1933, the economic importance of the region declined{{Fact|date=September 2007}}. Animosity between the local Memellanders and the Lithuanians coming to the territory prevented the smooth working of the government. The first Landtag, elected in October 1925, was composed of 27 Germans and two Lithuanians - an indication of the German sympathies of the Memellanders, even those [[Prussian Lithuanians|whose native language was Lithuanian]]. In 1934, 538 German employees were dismissed and 126 Germans were accused of treason before a Lithuanian Military tribunal, after about 1,100 weapons and other illegal materials were found in their possession.<ref name=Lietuva> Mažoji Lietuva.[http://www.mazoji-lietuva.lt/article.php?article=237 Klaipėdos krašto istorijos vingiuose].</ref> Before the election of September 1935, German newspapers were suppressed and four candidates were deprived of Lithuanian citizenship to prevent their election; some 9,000 'new' Lithuanians were given the right to vote. An expropriation edict issued on [[6 September]] [[1937]] by Lithuanian authorities enabled seizure of German land and public buildings without consultation on the part of local authorities and without adequate compensation.<ref> ''Encyclopaedia Britannica'' Year Book, 1939</ref> [[Image:Klaipeda Panorama.jpg|299 px|thumb|Interwar city panorama]] Opposition by the population to Lithuanian rule continued. The [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|British Foreign Office]] observed that prior to the Landtag (or Diet) elections on [[11 December]] [[1938]], the Lithuanian police had been withdrawn and public order had been entrusted to the native German auxiliary police{{Fact|date=August 2007}}. Lithuanian troops had been confined to their barracks and the sentries removed from the town gates. The elections again displayed an overwhelming majority for the Germans, who then appealed to the German government. Foreign Minister [[Joachim von Ribbentrop]] of [[Nazi Germany]] delivered an ultimatum to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister on [[March 20]] [[1939]], demanding the surrender of the Memel region to German control. The British Consul in [[Danzig]], Mr.Shepherd, reported to Viscount Halifax that "it was generally anticipated that on 25th March the Memel Landtag would vote for the immediate return of Memelland to Germany".<ref> Woodward, E.L., Butler, Rohan, & Orde Anne, editors, ''Documents of British Foreign Policy 1919 - 1939'', 3rd series, vol.v, [[HMSO]], London, 1952:25</ref> Ribbentrop is also claimed to have stated that Memel “will be taken by other means if necessary".<ref name=Lietuva> Mažoji Lietuva.[http://www.mazoji-lietuva.lt/article.php?article=237 Klaipėdos krašto istorijos vingiuose].</ref> Lithuania, however, submitted to the ultimatum and, in exchange for the right to use the new harbour facilities as a Free Port, ceded the disputed region to Germany in the late evening of [[22 March]] [[1939]]; [[Adolf Hitler]] had awaited this result on a battleship, sailed into the harbour in the morning hours and made a speech from a theatre balcony (shown in the ''Ännchen von Tharau'' photo above). This was Hitler's last territorial acquisition prior to World War 2. === 1945-present === {{Unreferencedsection|date=March 2008}} [[Image:Klaipeda Reversum.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Litas]] [[Commemorative coins of Lithuania|commemorative coin]] dedicated to Klaipėda city]] During [[World War II]], from the end of 1944 into 1945, as Allied victory appeared imminent, the German inhabitants felt [[Evacuation of East Prussia|compelled to flee]] as the fighting drew nearer. Those who remained were later [[Expulsion of Germans after World War II|expelled]] or murdered. The city was captured by the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Red Army]] on [[28 January]], [[1945]]. Unlike the rest of [[East Prussia]], the Memel Territory was not considered part of the Soviet occupation zone, and was therefore incorporated into the [[Lithuanian SSR]], marking the start of a new epoch in the history of the city. Most churches in the city suffered damage during the war and were all demolished during the Soviet occupation. The Soviets transformed Klaipėda, the foremost [[ice-free port]] in the Eastern Baltic, into the largest piscatorial-marine base in the European USSR. A gigantic [[shipyard]], [[dockyard]]s, and a [[Fishing industry|fishing]] port were constructed. Subsequently, by the end of the 1950s, the population of the city had doubled its pre-war population, and by 1989 there were 203,000 inhabitants. In the aftermath of World War II almost all the new residents came to Klaipėda from [[Russia]], [[Belarus]], [[Ukraine]], and [[Lithuania]]. Initially the [[Russian language|Russian]]-speakers dominated local government in the city, but after the death of [[Joseph Stalin]], more people came to the city from the rest of Lithuania than from other Soviet republics and oblasts; Lithuanians then became its major ethnic group. Among Lithuanian cities with a population greater than 100,000, however, Klaipėda has the highest percentage of people whose native language is Russian. Until the 1970s, Klaipėda was only important to the USSR for its economy, while cultural and religious activity was minimal and restricted. The developers of a [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] church (Maria, Queen of Peace, constructed 1957-1962) were arrested. The city began to develop cultural activities in the 1970s and 1980s, such as the introduction of the Sea Festival cultural tradition. Based on the Pedagogical University of [[Šiauliai]] and the National Conservatory of Lithuania in Klaipėda, the University of Klaipėda was established in 1991. Klaipėda is now the home of a bilingual German-Lithuanian institution, the ''[[Hermann Sudermann|Hermann-Sudermann]]-Schule''. ==Demographics== {| class="toccolours" align="right" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0 0 1em 1em; font-size: 95%;" |- ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center"| Historical populations<ref>Gibson, Campbell. [http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]. Accessed [[October 11]] [[2005]].</ref> |- ! align="center"| Year !! align="right"| Population !! align="right"| |- | colspan="3"|<hr /> |- | align="center"| [[1992]] | align="right"|207,100 |- | align="center"| [[1999]] | align="right"| 203,300 |- | align="center"| [[2003]] | align="right"| 190,906 |- | align="center"| [[2004]] | align="right"| 189,477 |- | align="center"| [[2005]] | align="right"| 188,042 |- | align="center"| [[2006]] | align="right"| 187,316 |} As of 2007, the population was 185,936. The population by age was: 0-14 14.0%, 15-59 67.1%, 60+ 18.9% There were 85,493 men and 100,443 women in the city. The ethnic composition in 2003 was: * [[Lithuanians]] 63% * [[Russians]] 28.2% * [[Poles]] 4.8% * [[Belarusians]] 0.5% * Other 3,5% Of the city's area of 98 square kilometres, 38 % was used for buildings, 1.4% for roads, 8.45% for farming, 14.08% was water, and the remaining 38% was "other uses". Klaipėda contained 17 post offices, a railroad station, a bus station, a harbour, 26 hotels, 4 Catholic chapels,a synagogue, 10 museums, 4 theaters, and 15 sport centers. == Geography == === Climate === [[Image:Klaipėda Coast.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Klaipėda's climate is under the influence of Baltic sea]] Klaipeda has a temperate climate. Winters are cold to mild, and summers are warm. In July and August, the warmest season, high temperatures average 20 °C, and low temperatures average 14 °C. In January and February, the coldest season, high temperatures average 0 °C with low temperatures averaging -5 °C. It is not uncommon to have temperatures of +30 C in July or -18 C in January. Extremes range from +34 °C to -33 °C. The wettest month is November with a mean total precipitation 90 mm. August, September and November are wet months too because of the warmth of the Baltic sea in relation to the continent and the westerly winds. The driest month is February averaging 31 mm of total precipitation. Spring is not particularly wet. Klaipėda is a windy city with many stormy days per year. In autumn and winter, [[gale]]s are not unusual. Sea breezes are common from April to September. Snow can fall from October to April and a phenomenon resembling [[lake-effect snow]] is frequent. Severe snowstorms can paralyze the city in winter. Klaipeda has unsettled weather all year round. Winter can be cold and snowy, similar to that in Moscow, while another one can be mild, windy, and rainy, similar to the weather in Scotland. August 2005 was very rainy, while August 2002, barely had any precipitation at all. === Neighborhoods === [[Image:Baltijos rajonas.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Residential building on Baltijos street]] {{main|Neighborhoods of Klaipėda}} Klaipėda has 31 neighborhoods: <table><tr valign=top><td> * Baltijos * Bandužiai * Barškiai * Dauguliai * Debrecenas * Eglė * [[Gandrališkės]] * Giruliai * Kauno * Kopgalis </td><td> * Laukininkai * Lypkiai * Mažasis Kaimelis * Melnragė * Miško rajonas * Mogiliovas * Naujakiemis * Pempininkai * Rimkai * Sendvaris * Smeltė </td><td> * Smiltynė * Sportininkų * Sudmantai * Tauralaukis * Trinyčiai * Virkučiai * Šauliai * Švyturio * Žardė * Žvejybos uosto rajonas </td></tr></table> == Port of Klaipėda == {{main|Port of Klaipėda}} [[Image:Klaipeda port.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The port of Klaipėda handled almost 22 million tons of cargo in 2005]] The Port of Klaipėda is the principal [[Warm water port|ice-free port]] on the eastern coast of the [[Baltic Sea]]. It is the most important Lithuanian transportation hub, connecting sea, land and railway routes from East to West. Klaipėda is a multipurpose, universal, deep-water port. 19 big stevedoring companies, ship-repair and shipbuilding yards operate within the port and all marine business and cargo handling services are being rendered. The annual port cargo handling capacity is up to 40 Mt. The port operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all-year round. == Points of historical interest == Klaipėda's main attractions are the historic buildings in the city's centre, dating from the 13th to 18th centuries. Other places of interest include: * The remnants of the ''Memelburg Castle'', built in the 13th century by the [[Teutonic Order]]. It had a massive bulk and a quadrangular tower, surrounded by the ramparts and brick bastions. It lost importance after the Russian occupation from 1756 to 1762, and thenceforth started to decay. * The ''Žardė ancient settlement'', situated on the right bank of the Smiltelė River. It is dated to the late Iron Age (10th century), and was inhabited until the 16th century. * The remnants of the so-called '[[Netherlands|Dutch]]' defence system around the entire town from the 17th-18th centuries. * The maritime museum in Fort Wilhelm, built at the end of the 19th century at the spike of the Curonian Spit. == Infrastructure == === Notable buildings === [[Image:Pilsotasminijosg1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Pilsotas]] building]] The tallest building in Klaipėda is 34-story [[Pilsotas]]. A 40-story commercial building is scheduled to be built in 2010, which would become the tallest building in Klaipėda. {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Tallest buildings''' |- ! Name ! Stories ! Built ! Status |- | [[Pilsotas]] || 34 || 2007 || Built |- | [[K Tower]] || 20 || 2006 || Built |- | [[D Tower]] || 20 || 2006 || Built |- | [[Baltijos Avenue Tower]] || 15 || 2002 || Built |- | [[Vetrunge]] || 13 || || Built |} ===Transportation=== [[Image:Klaipeda 2006-06-29.JPG|thumb|Passenger ferry ''Kintai]] Klaipeda's public transport is very logical and comfortable for travelling because of its geographical peculiarity the city has expanded along the coast, from north to south. In the beginning of year 2007 a new electronic monthly ticket system was introduced. It is possible to buy an electronic card in shops and newspaper stands and fill it with an appropriate amount of money. The principal public transport routes in Klaipėda are: *3 - From [[Žvejybos uostas]] to Klaipėda's southwest; *6 - From south citys microdistrict to [[Melnragė]]; *8 - From south citys microdistrict to Klaipeda's Railroad Station; * The special routes 1, 1A, 12, and 19 carry workers to the biggest harbour enterprises. Klaipeda is being serviced by [[Klaipėda Airport]]. Domestic and international commercial scheduled airline services are provided by [[Palanga International Airport]]. ==Attractions and points of interest== [[Image:Klaipėda velŝipo 'Švyturys' 1.jpg|thumb|200px|One of Klaipėda's most recognizable symbols - sailing boat ''Meridianas'']][[Image:Mouse old klaipeda.JPG|thumb|200px|Public sculpture at the city's Old Town]] ===Cinemas=== * [[4D Theatre]] * [[Cinamon (theatre)|Cinamon]] ===Theatres=== * [[Klaipėdos Muzikinis Teatras]] * [[Klaipėdos Dramos Teatras]] ===Museums=== * [[Pilies muziejus]] * [[Mažosios Lietuvos istorijos muziejus]] * [[Kalvystės muziejus]] * [[Lietuvos jūrų muziejus ir delfinariumas]] * [[Laikrodžių muziejus]] * [[Kuršių nerijos nacionalinio parko Gamtos muziejus]] * [[Klaipėdos Vytauto Didžiojo gimnazijos gamtos apsaugos muziejus]] ===Shopping centers=== [[Image:IMG 0427.jpg|thumb|175px|left|Shopping area in Klaipeda]] * '''Akropolis''' opened in late 2005. The 2-story ''Klaipėdos Akropolis'' encompasses 76,700 square meters of retail. It is the biggest shopping mall in the city. * '''BIG''', opened in 2004 * '''Arena''', opened in 2005. The third largest shopping centre in Klaipėda. * '''Studlendas''', opened in late 2006. The first in the north of the city. The building shares space with Klaipeda University. == Sports == {| class=wikitable ! Club ! Sport ! League ! Venue |- |[[KK Neptūnas|Neptūnas]] |[[Basketball]] |Lithuanian Basketball League ([[LKL]]), Baltic Basketball League ([[BBL]]) |[[Neptūnas Hall]] |- |[[Nafta-Uni-Laivitė]] |[[Basketball]] |National Basketball League ([[NKL]]) |[[Žalgirio sporto rūmai]] |- |[[FK Atlantas|Atlantas]] |[[Football (soccer)|Football]] |The A League [[A Lyga]] |[[Žalgiris Stadium (Klaipėda)|Žalgiris Stadium]] |- |[[Dragūnas]] |[[Handball]] | |- |[[Lemminkainen|Lemminkainen]] |[[Basketball]] |Lithuanian Women Basketball League ([[LMKL]]) |[] |} ==Media== === Radio === * [[Radijas 9]] 91,4 FM * [[Laluna (radio)|Laluna]] 94,9 FM * [[Vox maris (radio)|Vox maris]] 99 FM * [[Kelyje]] 99,8 FM * [[Vakarų FM]] 100,4 FM * [[Raduga (radio)|Raduga]] 100,8 FM * [[European Hit Radio]] 104,1 FM * [[Power Hit Radio (Lithuania)|Power Hit Radio]] 96,7 FM * [[Zip FM]] 92,5 FM === Television === *[[Balticum TV]], [[Analog television|Analog]], [[Digital terrestrial television|Digital]] === Newspapers === * [[Vakarų ekspresas]] * [[Klaipeda (newspaper)|Klaipėda]] * '''15 Min''' == Notable residents == * [[Simon Dach]] (1605-1659), poet and writer of the ''Ännchen von Tharau'' song * [[Matthäus Prätorius]] (1635–1704), Protestant pastor, historian, ethnographer * [[Michael Wohlfahrt]] (1687-1741), religious leader in Pennsylvania * [[Friedrich Wilhelm Argelander]] (1799-1875), astronomer * [[Immanuel Kant]]'s grandfather and father * [[Yisrael Salanter]] (1810-1883), founder of Musar movement within Judaism * [[Julius H. Kroehl|Julius Kröhl]] (1820-1867), German-American [[submarine]] pioneer * [[James Hobrecht]] (1825–1902), city planner * [[Rudolf Reicke]] (1825–1905), philosopher * [[Hedwig Andersen]] (1866–1957), logopedian * [[Eduard Kado]] (1875–1946), artist * [[Leon Zeitlin]] (1876–1967), economist * [[George Adomeit]] (1879-1967), painter * [[Charlotte Susa]] (1898–1976), actress * [[Arno Esch]] (1928–1951) liberal politician in (SBZ) ([[Soviet Occupied Zone]]) * [[Dietmar Willoweit]] (born 1936) president of the [[Bavarian Academy of Sciences]] * [[Tomas Venclova]] (born 1937), poet and author * [[Günter Willumeit]] (born 1941), comedian * [[Lena Valaitis]] (born 1943), pop singer * [[Hans Henning Atrott]] (born 1944), philosopher and pro-euthanasia activist * [[Leonidas Donskis]] (born 1962), philosopher and critic * [[Tomas Danilevičius]] (born 1978), Lithuanian soccer player * [[Eurelijus Žukauskas]] (born 1973), European basketball champion * [[Saulius Štombergas]] (born 1973), European basketball champion * [[Arvydas Macijauskas]] (born 1980), European basketball champion * [[Tomas Vaitkus]] (born 1982), cycling champion * [[Valdas Vasylius]] {born 1983), basketball player ==Sister cities and areas== {| | valign="top" | * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Mannheim]] ([[Germany]]), since [[1915]]/ [[2002]] * {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Debrecen]] ([[Hungary]]), since [[1970]]/[[1989]] * {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kuji, Iwate|Kuji]] ([[Japan]]), since [[1989]] * {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Karlskrona]] ([[Sweden]]), since [[1989]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Lübeck]] ([[Germany]]), since [[1990]] * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Cleveland]][[Ohio]] ([[USA]]), since [[1992]] * {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Cherepovec]] ([[Russia]]), since [[1992]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Gdynia]] ([[Poland]]), since [[1993]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Rügen]] ([[Germany]]), since [[1993]] * {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Kaliningrad]] ([[Russia]]), since [[1993]] * {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Kotka]] ([[Finland]]), since [[1994]] * {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Køge]] ([[Denmark]]), since [[1995]] * {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[North Tyneside]] ([[United Kingdom]]), since [[1995]] * {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Liepāja]] ([[Latvia]]), since [[1997]] * {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Mogilev]] ([[Belarus]]), since [[1997]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Szczecin]] ([[Poland]]), since [[2002]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Leipzig]] ([[Germany]]), since [[2002]] * {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Odessa]] ([[Ukraine]]), since [[2004]] * {{flagicon|China}} [[Qingdao]] ([[China]]), since [[2004]] |} == See also == *[[Mayors of Klaipėda]] *[[Klaipeda County]] *[[Ports of the Baltic Sea]] *[[Lithuania Christian College]], based in Klaipėda ==References== * Baedeker, Karl. ''Northern Germany''. London, 1904, p.178. * Christiansen, Eric. ''The Northern Crusades''. Penguin Books. London, 1997. pp. 107, 160, 248. ISBN 0140266534 * ''The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia'' (2006). "[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0827874.html Klaipeda]." Retrieved [[11 April]], 2006. * Gathorne-Hardy, Geoffrey Malcolm. ''A Short History of International Affairs, 1920 to 1934''. Oxford University Press, 3rd impression, May 1936, p.89/91. * ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' 1938 Year Book. * Kirby, David. ''The Baltic World, 1772-1993: Europe’s Northern Periphery in an Age of Change''. Longman. London, 1999. p. 42, 133. ISBN 058200408X * Kirby, David. ''Northern Europe in the Early Modern Period: The Baltic World, 1492-1772''. Longman. London, 1990. p. 366 ISBN 0582004101 * Koch, Hannsjoachim Wolfgang. ''A History of Prussia''. Barnes & Noble Books. New York, 1993. pp. 35, 54, 194. ISBN 0880291583 * Urban, William. ''The Teutonic Knights: A Military History''. Greenhill Books. London, 2003, pp. 65, 121. ISBN 1853675350 * Woodward, E.L., Butler, Rohan, (editors). ''Documents on British Foreign Policy 1919-1939'' (1939), Third Series, volume IV. HMSO, London, 1951. ==Notes== {{reflist}} == External links == {{commonscat|Klaipėda}} *[http://www.klaipeda.lt/klaipeda/selectLanguage.do?language=en Municipal website] *[http://www.klaipedainfo.lt/en/?page=6 Klaipėda Tourism and Culture Information Center website] *[http://www.nwi.ru/id=5/city_id=9/lang=1/city.cgi Klaipeda tour overview] *[http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/klaipeda/en/ Klaipėda In Your Pocket] City Guide (also a [http://www.inyourpocket.com/instant/klaipeda-instant-guide.pdf downloadable PDF guide]) *[http://www.portofklaipeda.lt/ Klaipėda State Seaport] *[http://www.ku.lt/en/ University of Klaipėda] *[http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.692294,21.146622&spn=0.080703,0.231245&t=k&hl=en Klaipėda on Google Maps] *[http://worldatwar.net/nations/other/memel/ History of Memel/Klaipėda] by Richard Doody *[http://www.memelland-adm.de/ Memel and the Memelland] by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Memellandkreise e.V. {{de icon}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Klaipeda}} [[Category:Klaipėda| ]] [[Category:Cities in Lithuania]] [[Category:Lithuania Minor]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:Capitals of Lithuanian counties]] [[Category:Towns in Klaipėda County]] [[Category:Port cities in Europe]] [[Category:Baltic Sea]] {{Link FA|bat-smg}} [[als:Klaipeda]] [[ay:Klaypida]] [[be:Горад Клайпеда]] [[be-x-old:Клайпеда]] [[bg:Клайпеда]] [[ca:Klaipėda]] [[cv:Клайпеда]] [[cs:Klajpeda]] [[da:Klaipėda]] [[de:Klaipėda]] [[et:Klaipėda]] [[el:Κλαϊπέντα]] [[es:Klaipėda]] [[eo:Klaipėda]] [[fr:Klaipėda]] [[fy:Klaipeda]] [[ko:클라이페다]] [[hr:Klaipėda]] [[id:Klaipėda]] [[it:Klaipėda]] [[he:קלייפדה]] [[ka:კლაიპედა]] [[la:Memela]] [[lv:Klaipēda]] [[lb:Klaipėda]] [[lt:Klaipėda]] [[jbo:klaipedas]] [[hu:Klaipėda]] [[mk:Клајпеда]] [[ms:Klaipėda]] [[nl:Klaipėda]] [[ja:クライペダ]] [[no:Klaipėda]] [[nn:Klaipėda]] [[pms:Klaipėda]] [[nds:Memel (Stadt)]] [[pl:Kłajpeda]] [[pt:Klaipėda]] [[ro:Klaipėda]] [[ru:Клайпеда]] [[scn:Klaipeda]] [[sk:Klaipėda]] [[sr:Клајпеда]] [[su:Klaipéda]] [[fi:Klaipėda]] [[sv:Klaipėda]] [[tl:Lungsod ng Klaipėda]] [[tt:Klaipėda]] [[th:ไคลเปดา]] [[vi:Klaipėda]] [[uk:Клайпеда]] [[vo:Klaipėda]] [[wa:Klaipeda]] [[bat-smg:Klaipieda]] [[zh:克莱佩达]]