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Lithuania is a country in theBaltic region of Europe.
In the earliest stages of theformation of the Lithuanian state, the area included several "lands" (Lithuanian: plural –žemės, singular –žemė), such asNalšia,Deltuva andLietuva (as well as others), each ruled by a regional duke. When KingMindaugas (r. 1251–1263) unified the state, he killed, expelled, or subjugated most of the regional dukes. The lands were either added to the new ruler's domain or granted to members of his family.
As theGrand Duchy of Lithuania expanded into Slavic lands, title to the acquired principalities was given to the Grand Duke's offspring or to others of his relatives. For example, Mindaugas grantedBlack Ruthenia with its center inNavahrudak to his sonVaišvilkas, Grand DukeGediminas (1316–1341) sent his brotherTeodoras toKiev.[1] This system had major disadvantages: the principalities remained semi-independent with loose ties to the central government. Rulers of these principalities could operate as powerful rivals to the Grand Duke, a situation that led to frequent power-struggles.[2]
In early-15th century Grand DukeVytautas the Great (r. 1392–1430) initiated administrative reforms. He replaced regional dukes and princes with trustworthy nobles who depended on the favor of the Grand Duke. This marked the rise ofLithuanian nobility. In 1413 the Lithuanians and the Poles signed theUnion of Horodło;Vilnius andTrakai Voivodeships formed in ethnic Lithuanian lands, copying the Polish system. TheEldership of Samogitia had a special semi-autonomous status. Former Slavic principalities and duchies largely preserved their old political, social, administrative features;[3] they slowly became incorporated into the administration of the Grand Duchy. TheKiev Voivodeship was established in 1471, five othervoivodeships were set up between 1504 and 1514.[2] TheSmolensk Voivodeship, the largest of all, was established in 1508, butwas lost to theGrand Duchy of Moscow in 1514.
Voivodeships (Lithuanian: plural –vaivadijos, singular –vaivadija), ruled by appointed officials –voivodes, were further subdivided intopowiats (Lithuanian: plural –pavietai, singular –pavietas).
Major administrative reforms took place in 1564–1566 in preparation for the secondStatute of Lithuania of 1566 and the overhaul of the judicial system.[4]The entire territory of the Grand Duchy, with exception of Samogitia, was divided into 12 voivodeships.
Just before theUnion of Lublin (1569), four voivodeships (Kiev,Podlaskie,Bracław, andWołyń) of theGrand Duchy of Lithuania were transferred to the Polish Crown by direct order ofSigismund II Augustus while theDuchy of Livonia, acquired in 1561, became acondominium (joint domain) of both Lithuania and Poland.[2] This left Lithuania with eight voivodeships and one eldership:
| Voivodeship after 1569 | Capital | Year established[2] | Number of powiats | Area (km2) in 1590[5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brest Litovsk Voivodeship | Brest | 1566 | 2 powiats | 40,600 |
| Minsk Voivodeship | Minsk | 1566 | 3 powiats | 55,500 |
| Mstsislaw Voivodeship | Mstsislaw | 1566 | 1 powiat | 22,600 |
| Nowogródek Voivodeship | Navahrudak | 1507 | 3 powiats | 33,200 |
| Polotsk Voivodeship | Polotsk | 1504 | 1 powiat | 21,800 |
| Samogitian Eldership | Raseiniai | 1411 | 1 powiat | 23,300 |
| Trakai Voivodeship | Trakai | 1413 | 4 powiats | 31,100 |
| Vilnius Voivodeship | Vilnius | 1413 | 5 powiats | 44,200 |
| Vitebsk Voivodeship | Vitebsk | 1511 | 2 powiats | 24,600 |
After theLivonian War (1558–1582), Lithuania acquired the vassal state ofDuchy of Courland with its capitalJelgava. This administrative division remained without any major changes until thepartitions of thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the late 18th century.
Under theRussian Empire, the territory of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania was divided into governorates (Russian:guberniya, Lithuanian:gubernija) and districts (Russian:uyezd, Lithuanian:apskritis). Such system was introducing in Russia during the reforms of 1775.[2] The first governorates,Vilna Governorate (consisting of eleven districts) andSlonim Governorate, were established afterthe third partition of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Just a year later, on December 12, 1796, they were merged into one governorate, calledLithuania Governorate, with capital in Vilnius.[6] In 1801 Lithuania Governorate was split intoLithuania-Vilna Governorate andLithuania-Grodno Governorate. Forty years later the word "Lithuania" was dropped from the two names and official maps of Europe. The territory of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania became known as theNorthwestern Krai.[2] In 1843 another administrative reform took place, creatingKovno Governorate out of seven western districts of the Vilna Governorate. Vilna Governorate received three additional districts:Vileyka andDzisna fromMinsk Governorate andLida fromGrodno Governorate.[2]
In 1837Augustów Governorate was established in the territories of theCongress Poland, a state inpersonal union with Russia. LithuanianSuvalkija was included into this governorate. After theJanuary Uprising, Augustów Governorate was split intoSuwałki Governorate andŁomża Governorate (seeAdministrative division of Congress Poland).[2] This way most of the present-day territory of Lithuania fell into three governorates (Vilna, Kovno, and Suwałki). Two more governorates included some small Lithuanian territories. In 1819 a narrow coastal strip withPalanga andŠventoji was transferred to theCourland Governorate. This territory was acquired fromLatvia after an international arbitration in 1920.[6] Small areas in northernmost Grodno Governorate were given to Lithuania after it "joined" the Soviet Union in 1940.[7]
In 1861, after announcing theabolition of serfdom, peasants acquired civil rights, among them a right to self-governmence. To facilitate such a right townships (Russian:volost, Lithuanian:valsčius) and elderates (Russian:mir, Lithuanian:seniūnija) were established. By the end of 1861 there were 1,479 elderates in 181 townships of Vilna Governorate and 1,033 elderates in 153 townships of Kovno Governorate.[8] The elderates would elect an elder (Russian:starosta, Lithuanian:seniūnas) and representatives to a township council (Lithuanian:valsčiaus sueiga). However, these institutions had very little power and were dependent on the local nobles. The power was concentrated in the hands of governors, all of whom were appointed by thetsar.
During the interwar period, Lithuania regained independence. The first law on administrative sub-units was passed on July 1, 1919. It declared that Lithuania was divided into twenty counties (Lithuanian: singular –apskritis, plural –apskritys). Several more counties (includingZarasai,Naujieji Švenčionys,Vilnius,Eišiškės,Lida,Ashmyany andHrodna) were reserved for territories in theVilnius Region, that Lithuania had claims to, but were under Polish or Russian control.[9] Later onSuwałki county was lost to Poland, but Zarasai (also known as Ežerėnai) county was acquired. Two of the designated counties,Trakai andSejny, had their proclaimed capitals outside thede facto borders of Lithuania and had their temporary capitals established atKaišiadorys andLazdijai. After theKlaipėda Region was acquired in 1923, it was divided into three counties (Klaipėda,Šilutė andPagėgiai).[9] That way the number of counties increased to twenty three and remained stable until 1939. According to a law passed in 1931 eleven first-class cities became independent of county administration and had their own government.[10] In March 1939, afteran ultimatum from Hitler, Lithuania lost the Klaipėda Region with its three counties. In October Soviet Union returned one fifth of the Vilnius Region in exchange for Red Army stations in Lithuania. Acquired Vilnius Region was divided into three counties (Vilnius, Eišiškės, and Naujieji Švenčionys).[2] Therefore, at the end of 1939 Lithuania again had twenty three counties. Counties were further subdivided into townships (Lithuanian: singular –valsčius, plural –valsčiai). In 1933 there were 365 townships.[9] The townships were further subdivided intoelderates (Lithuanian:seniūnija).
The counties were governed by acounty governor (Lithuanian:apskrities viršininkas), appointed by the Minister of Interior. Being almost the only link between the central government and the local population, governors were first responsible for a wide range of duties. They were to collect all property left by the retreating German army, organize local government, recruit local army groups, ensure security and stability in the county, etc.[11] In 1920 they were also entrusted to preside over county police. In 1931, in an effort to centralize the government, county governors also became the chairmen of a three-member county governing body (Lithuanian:apskrities valdyba), an executive institution of a county council.[11] That way power in a county became centralized in the hands of a governor. County councils (Lithuanian:apskrities taryba) were elected by local population for a three-year term. The number of representatives from a township depended upon the number of residents in that township.[12]
These were the counties, their territory and residents according to the1923 census:[13]
| # | County | Area (km2) | Residents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alytus county | 2,849 | 116,000 | Part of this county was inside the Polish-controlled Vilnius Region; it was expanded in 1939 |
| 2 | Biržai–Pasvalys county | 3,268 | 115,186 | Originally it was named just Biržai county |
| 3 | Kaunas county | 2,618 | 191,364 | |
| 4 | Kėdainiai county | 2,403 | 93,514 | |
| 5 | Klaipėda county | 823 | 66,213 | This county was in the Klaipėda Region, therefore administered by Lithuania in 1923–1939 |
| 6 | Kretinga county | 2,579 | 93,875 | |
| 7 | Marijampolė county | 2,199 | 103,749 | |
| 8 | Mažeikiai county | 2,070 | 75,404 | |
| 9 | Pagėgiai county | 938 | 38,613 | This county was in the Klaipėda Region, therefore administered by Lithuania in 1923–1939 |
| 10 | Panevėžys county | 3,972 | 138,917 | |
| 11 | Raseiniai county | 3,087 | 113,294 | |
| 12 | Rokiškis county | 2,255 | 87,545 | |
| 13 | Sejny county | 1,263 | 38,207 | Part of this county, including its capital, was under Polish control as part of theSuvalkai Region; a temporary capital of the county was inLazdijai |
| 14 | Šakiai county | 1,773 | 69,518 | |
| 15 | Šiauliai county | 5,714 | 198,015 | |
| 16 | Šilutė county | 643 | 36,099 | This county was in the Klaipėda Region, therefore administered by Lithuania in 1923–1939 |
| 17 | Tauragė county | 3,351 | 116,435 | |
| 18 | Telšiai county | 2,601 | 85,233 | |
| 19 | Trakai county | 2,191 | 78,636 | Part of this county, including its capital, was under Polish control as part of the Vilnius Region; a temporary capital of the county was inKaišiadorys until 1939 |
| 20 | Ukmergė county | 3,199 | 126,309 | Part of this county was inside the Polish-controlled Vilnius Region; it was expanded in 1939 |
| 21 | Utena county | 3,090 | 108,960 | |
| 22 | Vilkaviškis county | 1,412 | 86,909 | |
| 23 | Zarasai county | 1,314 | 46,442 | Part of this county was inside the Polish-controlled Vilnius Region; it was expanded in 1939. It is also known as Ežerėnai county after an old name for Zarasai |
Lithuania wasoccupied by theSoviet Union on June 15, 1940. However, due to ensuring World War II the authorities did not introduce major changes to the administrative divisions, just elderates were renamed toapylinkė.[14] After the second occupation in 1944, the number of counties grew from 26 to 41: eleven counties were added in 1946–47 and four more were introduced in 1949.[15] At the end of 1947 there were 37 counties subdivided into 320 townships that were further subdivided into approximately 2,900 apylinkės.[16]
The entire interwar system was scrapped for the 10th anniversary of the first occupation. The new system matched that of otherSoviet Republics. On July 20, 1950Lithuanian SSR was divided into four regions (Russian:oblast, Lithuanian:sritis).[2] The regions were further subdivided into 87 districts (Russian:raion, Lithuanian:rajonas): Kaunas Region with 23 districts, Klaipėda Region with 16 districts, Šiauliai Region with 24 districts, and Vilnius Region with 24 districts.[17]
The townships were abolished and the districts were further subdivided into apylinkės. In 1984 there were 527 apylinkės in Lithuania.[14] Both regions and districts were named after their capitals. Three exceptions were:Smėliai District had its capital inUkmergė (also capital of Ukmergė district),Panemunė District – capitalGarliava, andKlaipėda District – capitalGargždai. In addition to districts, there were five (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys) region-administered cities (Lithuanian:srities pavaldumo miestas).[18] They had similar rights as a district.
The regions were short-lived and on May 28, 1953, they were abolished, leaving the districts as the first-level administrative division. The number of districts was reduced several times, and in 1962 it settled at 44.[2] The region-administered cities were renamed torepublic-administered cities (Lithuanian:respublikinio pavaldumo miestas). The number of such cities grew to eleven in 1979.[18] These cities became the city municipalities after the reform in 1994.
In 1994, an administrative division of Lithuania into 10 new counties as the first level of administration was created. However, the structure was modified in 2010 with the abolishment of counties administrations. (The counties continue to be used for statistical and reporting purposes, however.[19]) Lithuania is divided into:
Each municipality's government is elected in democratic elections of municipality councils. Initially, the elections took place every three years; constitutional amendments in 2002 extended the tenure to four years. The municipalitymayors are elected by municipality councils. Also, municipality councils appointelders to be in charge of an eldership. Currently it is proposed that both mayors and elders should be elected indirect elections.
Counties were ruled byapskrities viršininkas (officially translated as "governor") who was appointed by the central government inVilnius. Their primary duty was to ensure that the municipalities obey the laws of Lithuania and the constitution. They did not have great powers vested in them, and so it was suggested that 10 counties were too many for Lithuania (the smallest county had only four municipalities). There were proposals to replace the counties with four or fivelands, a new administrative unit, based on theethnographic regions of Lithuania and centered on the country's five major cities.
On 1 July 2010, the county administrations were abolished,[19] with counties remaining highest level territorial units of Lithuania.
| Measure[20] | Interwar(1937) | Soviet times(1989) | Independence(2004) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
| Lithuanian name | Apskritis | Valsčius | Seniūnija | – | Rajonas | Apylinkė | Apskritis | Savivaldybė | Seniūnija |
| How many? | 23 | 260 | 2545 | – | 44 | 423 | 10 | 60 | 524 |
| Self-governing? | Yes | Yes | No | – | Yes* | Yes* | No | Yes | No |
| Average population (in thousands) | 110.9 | 9 | 1 | – | 27.3** | 2.5 | 348.4 | 39.0** | 6.6 |
| Average territory (in km2) | 2420 | 214 | 22 | – | 1449 | 132 | 6530 | 1088 | 125 |
| * Nominally, in reality all self-governing institutions were orchestrated by theCommunist Party of Lithuania ** Without major cities | |||||||||