Vilnius County
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Vilnius |
| Area: | 9,651 km² |
| Inhabitants: | 894,895 (1998) |
| Pop. density: | 93 inh./km² |
| ISO 3166-2: | LT-VL |
| Map | |
 | |
Vilnius County is the biggest of the 10 counties of Lithuania, located in the east of the country around the city Vilnius.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Districts 3 External links |
History
Vilnius county dates back to 1566 when it was first established. During the centuries the boundaries and the jurisdiction constantly changed.
After the World War I was occupied by German army. Following the start of Polish-Soviet war, in 1919 was occupied by Red Army that were pushed back by Polish Army. In 1920 was again occupied by Red Army, that officially recognized sovereignity of Lithuanian Soviet Republic over the city. Probably Lenin was waiting for capture of Warsaw, to occupy the rest of Lithuania. However, when Red Army was defeated in the Warsaw battle, Soviets made decision to hand over the city to Lithuania.
The Polish commander Pilsudski was emotionally connected to the city, so he ordered his subordinate to rebel his Lithuanian-Belorussian division and capture the city, without declaring the war on Lithuania.
Officially the new country, called Central Lithuania, that included also some neighbouring Belorusian territories. After 1922 election, Polish majority of 65% voted for annexation of the country to Poland, that was never officially recognised by Lithuania. After Soviet-Nazi pact 1939 Lithuania was given the Vilnius County.
Vilnious county was occupied by Soviets in June 1940, Germans 1941 and Soviets again 1944, until in 1950 the county was disbanded in an administrative reform. After the independence of Lithuania it was reestablished in 1994.
Districts
The county is subdivided into 6 districts
External links
