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Utena, Lithuania

Utena, Lithuania
City
Skyline of Utena, Lithuania
Coat of arms of Utena, Lithuania
Coat of arms
Utena, Lithuania is located in Lithuania
Utena, Lithuania
Utena, Lithuania
Location of Utena, Lithuania
Coordinates: 55°30′N 25°36′E / 55.500°N 25.600°E / 55.500; 25.600Coordinates: 55°30′N 25°36′E / 55.500°N 25.600°E / 55.500; 25.600
Country  Lithuania
Ethnographic region Aukštaitija
County Utena County COA.png Utena County
Municipality Utena district municipality
Eldership Utena town eldership
Capital of Utena district municipality
Utena town eldership
Utena rural eldership
First mentioned 1261
Granted city rights 1599
Government
 • Mayor Alvydas Katinas
Area
 • City 15.1 km2 (5.8 sq mi)
Elevation 113 m (371 ft)
Population (2014)
 • City 27,041 (10th)
 • Metro 48,378
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 28xxx
Area code(s) (+370) 349
Website www.utena.lt

Utena (About this sound pronunciation ) is a city in north-east Lithuania. It is the administrative center of Utena district and Utena County. Utena is one of the oldest settlements of Lithuania. The name of the city is most probably derived from a hydronym. The name of the settlement has been known since 1261.

Utena is an industrial city. It is known for its clothing, food and beverage factories. In recent years, however, streets, public squares and large areas of the parks in the city were reconstructed and Utena is now a more attractive for recreation and tourism. In 2007, Utena won a Silver Award in category B (towns with a population 10,001 - 50,000) of the International Awards for Liveable Communities, held in London.

The anniversary of Utena City used to be held on the last weekend of September each year. However, since 2013 the anniversary has been moved to the first weekend of September to take advantage of better weather conditions.

Utena is located in northeastern Lithuania. The city covers 15,1 km² and is the 8th largest city by size in Lithuania. Four rivers cross the city territory: Vyžuona, Krašuona, Vieša and Utenėlė. There are also two lakes in Utena, Dauniškis and Vyžuonaitis.

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Lithuania occurred in Utena (-42,9 °C in 1956-02-01).

The city is divided into 10 districts:

Utena was first mentioned in historical documents dating back to 1261. It was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania until 1795, when it fell under Czarist Russian rule. From 1802 it belonged to the Vilna Governorate until 1843 when it became a part of the Kovno Governorate. The town grew rapidly after the St.Petersburg-Warsaw road was constructed between 1830 and 1835. In 1899 a narrow gauge railway line, connecting Panevėžys-Utena-Švenčionys, was constructed. At the end of the 19th century two big fires devastated the town.


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