Zarasai district municipality

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Zarasų rajono savivaldybė
Map Coat of Arms
(Location) (Coat of arms)
Location
Ethnographic region Aukštaitija
County Utena County
General information
Capital Zarasai
Major settlements Zarasai (pop. 8,365)
Dusetos (pop. 914)
Number of elderates 10
Area (rank) 1334 km² (24th)
Population (rank) 22,900 (52nd)
Pop. density (rank) 17.1/km² (58th)
Telephone code 385
Official website http://www.zarasai.lt
Population sizes are given according to the 2001 census data
Politics
Ruling party Lithuanian Social Democratic Party
Mayor Balys Vilimas
Size of the council 25 members
Map of Zarasai district municipality
Image:Zarasai district map.png

Zarasai district municipality is one of 60 municipalities in Lithuania. It borders with Latvia and Belarus. 30% of the territory is covered by forests (about 65% of those are pine forests), about 10% by lakes. The district has about 300 lakes. The most famous lake is Lake Sartai for its winter horse races. Part of the biggest lake in Lithuania, Lake Drūkšiai, is also in the district. Other three lakes are among the ten largest lakes in Lithuania. There are 20 artificial lakes, the biggest one is Antalieptė Lagoon (Lithuanian: Antalieptės marios). It is a uniques artificial lake in Lithuania. It was formed when a dam on Šventoji River was build and 27 different lakes joined to form one lagoon. It has about 50 islands. There are 8 rivers, the longest is Šventoji River (almost 45 km in the district). The district has two regional parks, Sartai and Gražutė.

The district is rich in beautiful nature and could become a tourist destination. However, the goegraphic location is very inconvenient. Zarasai district municipality is away from major highways. Also, it is quite far away from the capital, Vilnius. Vilnians would rather choose numerous lakes in Molėtai district municipality or Aukštaitija National Park for recreation.

The district has many hill forts built in the 9-12th centuries. They were used for defence against Livonian Order attacking from Daugavpils.

The oldest tree in Lithuania Stelmužė Oak grows in the district.

Municipalities of Lithuania
District municipalities: Akmenė | Alytus | Anykščiai | Biržai | Ignalina | Jonava | Joniškis | Jurbarkas | Kaišiadorys | Kaunas | Kėdainiai | Kelmė | Klaipėda | Kretinga | Kupiškis | Lazdijai | Mažeikiai | Molėtai | Pakruojis | Panevėžys | Pasvalys | Plungė | Prienai | Radviliškis | Raseiniai | Rokiškis | Skuodas | Šakiai | Šalčininkai | Šiauliai | Šilalė | Šilutė | Širvintos | Švenčionys | Tauragė | Telšiai | Trakai | Ukmergė | Utena | Varėna | Vilkaviškis | Vilnius | Zarasai
City municipalities: Alytus | Kaunas | Klaipėda | Palanga | Panevėžys | Šiauliai | Vilnius | Visaginas
Municipalities: Birštonas | Druskininkai | Elektrėnai | Kalvarija | Kazlų Rūda | Marijampolė | Neringa | Pagėgiai | Rietavas
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