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Historical ethnographic regions

Regions within borders of modern Lithuania. Based on the map approved by Council for the Protection of Ethnic Culture, a special council established by Seimas.

Lithuania Minor      Samogitia      Aukštaitija

Sudovia      Dzūkija

Lithuania can be divided into historical and cultural regions (called ethnographic regions). The exact borders are not fully clear, as the regions are not official political or administrative units. They are delimited by culture, such as country traditions, traditional lifestyle, songs, tales, etc. To some extent regions correspond to the zones of Lithuanian language dialects. This correspondence however is by no means strict. For example, although the Dzūkian dialect is called South Aukštaitian, it does not mean that Dzūkija is part of Aukštaitija. In certain parts of some regions, dialects of other regions are spoken, while for example in Samogitia, there are three indigenous dialects (southern, northern and western Samogitian), some of which are subdivided into subdialects.

No region, except for Samogitia, has ever been a political or an administrative entity. However some work was done recently to delimit their boundaries more clearly, as there is a project to change the system of counties in Lithuania into ethnographic regions, which would be called lands (singular - žemė, plural - žemės). This project is also supported by the fact that with the limited functions of counties, 10 of them are not needed for Lithuania. Another supporting argument is that in other countries historical territories are being revived, while in Lithuania artificially made counties exist. The project was supported by the former president Rolandas Paksas, yet now it is not clear when or if the project will be completed at all. However, Dzūkija quite recently adopted the coat of arms and emblem which would be used in case the reform were to be implemented. Alytus County, which lies almost entirely within Dzūkija, adopted soon thereafter a coat of arms that is based on the Dzūkija coat of arms. Samogitia has a flag and a coat of arms dating from the time of the Duchy of Samogitia. These symbols are older than the flag of Lithuania. Lithuania Minor has a flag used since the 17th century, and an anthem originating from the 19th century. However, if the reform were to be implemented, most likely there would be just 4 lands, not 5, because most of Lithuania minor is occupied by Russia and many Lithuanians were expelled from there. The relatively small remaining part is also populated mostly by relative newcomers, as much of the local population died in the Second World War or was expelled. Therefore Lithuania minor would probably be attached to Samogitia.

Despite the fact that the regions are not political/administrative entities, most regions have their "capitals" (cities which are commonly considered to be capitals). These cities are not necessarily the largest in the region.

• Aukštaitija (Literally Highlands). Region in northeastern Lithuania, also incldes some historical Lithuanian territories of southwestern Latvia and northwestern Belarus. Capital Panevėžys, it is also largest city of region.

• Samogitia, (Žemaitija, literally Lowlands). Region in western Lithuania. Capital is Telšiai, largest city is Šiauliai.

• Dzūkija (Dzūkija or Dainava (the latter name literally means "Land of songs")). Region in the southeast of Lithuania, also includes vast historically Lithuanian territories of Belarus, and some territories of Poland. Capital is Alytus, largest city is Vilnius.

• Sudovia (Sūduva or Suvalkija (the later name literally means "Land of Suvalkai" and came out of misconception, therefore Sūduva is preferred name)). Region in the southwest of Lithuania, also includes a small tract of what is now part of Poland, smallest ethnographic region. Capital is Marijampolė, largest city - Kaunas.

• Lithuania Minor (Mažoji Lietuva). Region at the Baltic sea coast, also includes historical Lithuanian territories of what is now Kaliningrad Oblast and a bit of northern Poland. Largest city is Klaipėda.

• Counties of Lithuania
• Geography of Lithuania
• Historical regions of Central Europe