Location and Profile

Kaunas Region is the central Region in the country. It is the geographical, educational, as well as industrial and transport centre of Lithuania.

The Region comprises the city of Kaunas, Birstonas, and the districts of Kaunas, Kaisiadorys, Prienai, Raseiniai, Kedainiai and Jonava Districts. The Region covers the area of 8060 km², and its population numbers 677270. The Region borders on Vilnius, Utena, Panevezys, Siauliai, Taurage, Marijampole and Alytus Regions.

Situated in the middle of the Region on the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the city of Kaunas has been considered one of the most important cities in the country's history. The Nemunas river, still used for navigation today, has historically contributed to the development of the city. The city is also located at the crossroads of the country's two major motorways: the A1 motorway Vilnius - Kaunas - Klaipeda is a connection between the capital city of Vilnius and the ice-free Klaipėda Seaport. The Via Baltica (road E67) leading from Estonia via Latvia to Poland is integrated into the TransEuropean motorway system, serving as a connection between Nordic countries and Central and Western Europe.

The Kaunas Free Economic Zone (Kaunas FEZ) is a site of about 5 km² located near Kaunas, the second largest Lithuanian city, and is planned to become one of the largest free economic zones in the Baltic Sea Region. The plans include construction of a river harbour a mere two kilometres away from the territory of the Free Economic Zone.

Some Districts of the Region, such as Jonava, Kedainiai and Kaunas, have been industrial centres for many years, with deep traditions in textile and fibre, electronics, chemical, wood processing and furniture industries.

Prienai District is famous for its aviation centre and the Experimental Aviation Sport Factory, while the town of Birstonas, situated on the spectacular banks of the Nemunas river, is a recovery centre providing all kinds of sanatoria. The area is famous for its spa. In addition, the Region's recreational areas contribute to the development of the local industry.

Major routes

Kaunas Region has a well developed network of both local roads and international motorways.

The Region is at the crossroads of the main national motorways crossing the country from east to west and from north to south: the A1 motorway leads from the capital Vilnius to the ice-free Klaipeda Seaport via Kaunas City. Vilnius is just 100 km away from Kaunas, and the Klaipeda Seaport is 220 km from Kaunas.

Via Baltica (E67), a European priority transport corridor connecting Helsinki, St-Petersburg and Warsaw, crosses the Region from north to south. The motorway is integrated into the TransEuropean motorway system, serving as a connection between Nordic countries and Central and Western Europe. The Polish border can be reached by route No. 5 leading to Suwalki in Poland via Marijampole Region.

The industrial centres of Kedainiai and Jonava are both situated on the roads connecting them directly to the Region's centre of Kaunas and other parts of the country.

RoadNo. Description Status A1 Vilnius- Kaunas - Klaipeda Existing / active A5 Kaunas- Marijampole - Suvalkai Existing / active A6 Kaunas- Zarasai - Daugavpils Existing / active A8 Panevezys - Kedainiai - Cinkiskiai Existing / active A16 Vilnius- Prienai - Marijampole Existing / active M130 Kaunas- Prienai - Alytus Existing / active 144 Jonava - Siauliai Existing / active 145 Kedainiai - Ukmerge Existing / active E67 Via Baltica Tallinn - Kaunas - Warsaw Existing / active

More information: http://www.lra.lt/en.php/about_lra/general_information/101

Borders

Because of the Region's location in the very centre of the country and good road infrastructure, the state border crossing points are easy to reach. The Kalvarija border crossing point to Poland is just 85 km away from Kaunas, and the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation is 96 km away from Kaunas.

Country	Location	Distance
Poland	Kalvarija	85 km
Latvia	Salociai	185 km
Kaliningrad Region of Russian Federation	Kybartai	96 km
Belarus	Medininkai	130 km

Airports

Kaunas Karmelava International Airport is the bigest cargo airport in Lithuania handling 2/3 of the country's cargo. It is located 8 km northeast from the city of Kaunas, close to the main Lithuanian motorway Vilnius - Kaunas - Klaipeda. Moreover, the airport is not far from the main cargo handling railway station of Jonava that is situated at the transport junction of Central Lithuania.  

The same Vilnius - Kaunas motorway leads to the country's largest Vilnius International Airport, 100 km away from Kaunas.

Palanga International Airport (236 km away from Kaunas) is a small modern regional airport at the country's seaside.

Rail services

The Region is crossed by several railway lines leading to the Kaliningrad Region (Russia), Latvia and the Klaipeda Seaport, and is convenient both for passenger and cargo transportation. The Jonava railway junction is just 16 km from Kaunas Karmelava International Airport. The biggest industrial enterprises of the Region have convenient access to railway lines.

The project of the European standard-gauge railway section between the Lithuanian-Polish border and Marijampole-Kaunas line is under development.

Company	Address	Telephone	Fax	E-mail address	Website
Lithuanian Railways	Mindaugo g. 12/14, LT-2650 Vilnius, Lithuania	+370 5 2693300	+370 5 2692028	lgkanc@litrail.lt	www.litrail.lt