Klaipėda (Lithuanian: [ˈkɫɐɪpʲeːdɐ] (listen); German: Memel; Polish: Kłajpeda; Russian: Клайпеда; Samogitian: Klaipieda) is a city in Lithuania on the Baltic Sea coast. The capital of the eponymous county, it is the third largest city and the only major seaport in Lithuania.
The city has a complex recorded history, partially due to the combined regional importance of the usually ice-free Port of Klaipėda at the mouth of the river Akmena-Danë. It was controlled by successive German states until the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. As a result of the 1923 Klaipėda Revolt it was annexed by Lithuania and has remained with Lithuania to this day, except between 1939 and 1945 when it was returned to Germany following the 1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania.
The population has migrated from the city to its suburbs and hinterland. The number of inhabitants of Klaipėda city shrank from 202,929 in 1989 to 162,360 in 2011, but the urban zone of Klaipėda expanded well into the suburbs, which sprang up around the city and surrounded it from three sides. These are well integrated with the city (city bus lines, city water supply, etc.) and the majority of inhabitants of these suburbs work in Klaipėda. According to data from the Department of Statistics, there are 212,302 permanent inhabitants (as of 2020) in Klaipėda city and Klaipėda district municipalities combined. Popular seaside resorts found close to Klaipėda are Neringa to the south on the Curonian Spit and Palanga to the north.
1920Feb, 2
France occupies Memel.
Choose Another Date
Events on 1920
- 19Jan
League of Nations
The United States Senate votes against joining the League of Nations. - 8Mar
Arab
The Arab Kingdom of Syria, the first modern Arab state to come into existence, is established. - 19Mar
Treaty of Versailles
The United States Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles for the second time (the first time was on November 19, 1919). - 28Apr
Soviet Union
Azerbaijan is added to the Soviet Union. - 25Oct
Sinn Féin
After 74 days on hunger strike in Brixton Prison, England, the Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney dies.