Kaunas City
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Photo from the archive of Kaunas City Municipality |
Kaunas City is the second largest town in Lithuania and the largest town of the Kaunas County with total population of 355 586 people (01-01-2008, data of Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania). Kaunas is located in the central part of Lithuania on the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers the Nemunas and the Neris, therefore the City has excellent opportunities for the development of water transport. Kaunas is located 100 kilometres from the capital Vilnius and 212 kilometres from the Country's major seaport Klaipeda.
Kaunas is situated at the crossing of the main Lithuanian roads, where two European transport corridors (IX and I) intersect. Another important feature of Kaunas' transport infrastructure is Kaunas International Airport, located 15 kilometres northwards from the City. The Airport borders with Kaunas Free Economic Zone, forming excellent infrastructure for logistics.
Kaunas is the city with diversified industry, but the main industries are electronics, engineering, metal processing, construction materials, chemical, food processing and textile industries. Kaunas City is home to Kaunas University of Technology Regional Business Incubator, and two science and technology parks. Another exceptional feature of the City is a large number of small and medium enterprises and high-tech businesses. In year 2005 Kaunas City created 2318,6 million EUR of Gross Domestic Product (11,2 % of Lithuanian GDP). Moreover, Kaunas attracted 1082,6 million EUR of Foreign Direct Investments in year 2005. Such companies as Marzotto Group, Kraft Jacobs Suchard, YIT (Finnish construction company), Kesko Agro (Finland) have chosen Kaunas City as the best location for their investment.
Having a strong education basis such as Kaunas University of Technology, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas University of Medicine, etc., a number of colleges, and vocational schools, Kaunas City plays a major role in the economic development of the whole Region and the Country.
Moreover, Kaunas is an everlasting centre of culture and entertainment, as it is home to Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Kaunas State Drama Theatre, Kaunas Puppet Theatre, and modern dance theatre „Aura". Museum visitors will find a unique Museum of Devils, Zoological and Pharmaceutical Museums, Museum of Musical Instruments, and many other museums. Lovers of art must not to miss the National Museum of M.K.Ciurlionis, where visitors can not only get an eyeful of the paintings of the most famous Lithuanian artist, but can also listen to his symphonies. Furthermore, the only Zoo in Lithuania is located in Kaunas City. There are a lot of restaurants, cafes and bars in Kaunas, that serve not only traditional Lithuanian, but also food from all over the world. The annual events and festivals attract many Lithuanian and foreign visitors and the most popular ones are Kaunas Jazz Festival, Bike Show Millennium, Days of Hanza, Kaunas City Day, and many others.
For more information, please, look at www.kaunas.lt