Samogitia

This article is about the ethnographic region of Lithuania. For info about the historical Samogitian Duchy, see Duchy of Samogitia.

Samogitia
Žemaitija
Žemaitėjė
Ethnographic region of Lithuania
Aerial view of Palanga
Plungė Manor
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Šiauliai
Hill of Crosses
Clocktower square in Telšiai
Flag of Samogitia
Flag
Coat of arms of Samogitia
Coat of arms
Motto: 
Patria Una
Map indicating the location of Samogitia within Lithuania
Location of Samogitia within Lithuania
Coordinates: 56°00′0″N 22°15′0″E / 56.00000°N 22.25000°E / 56.00000; 22.25000
CountryLithuania
CapitalTelšiai
Largest cityŠiauliai
Area
 • Total16,872 km2 (6,514 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total506,665
 • Density30/km2 (80/sq mi)
Demonyms
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET (GMT+2))
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST (GMT+3))

Samogitia, often known by its Lithuanian name Žemaitija[a] (Samogitian: Žemaitėjė; see below for alternative and historical names) is one of the five cultural regions of Lithuania and formerly one of the two core administrative divisions of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania alongside Lithuania proper.[2]

Žemaitija is located in northwestern Lithuania. Its capital city is Telšiai and the largest city is Šiauliai (located on the border between Samogitia and Aukštaitija). Throughout centuries, Samogitia developed a separate culture featuring diverse architecture, folk costumes, dances, songs, traditions, and a distinct Samogitian language.[3]

Famous landmarks include Tauragė Castle, Plungė Manor and Hill of Crosses.

  1. ^ "Nuolatinių gyventojų skaičius liepos 1 d.", osp.stat.gov.lt
  2. ^ Gudavičius, Edvardas. "Žemaitija". Vle.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  3. ^ Mikašytė, Vilma (October 2017). "Is the Samogitian language going to die out? Implications of showing pride in being a Samogitian and attitudes towards Samogitianness on Samogitian Facebook pages" (PDF). KTU. Kaunas University of Technology. Retrieved 9 April 2021.


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