"Telsiu Apskritis" Telsiu Apskritis by Sonic747

I have decided to introduce this map system after noting that sometimes it is important to better understand where exactly some of the mentioned locations are. Therefore all locations, which are in "must see activities", "off the beaten path" and "transportation" sections of this page are shown on map here. Look at map's legend and if you'll be interested in some location on map, search for it at this page.

Telsiu Apskritis:
Size - 4350 square kilometers
Population - 179137 inhabitants (17,56% of them in capital Telsiai (31460 inhabitants))
Population density - 41,18 inhabitants per square kilometer

To see map of whole Lithuania and to go to other regions of Lithuania, click here:
Lithuania

Nearby regions (Apskritys) of Lithuania:
Klaipedos Apskritis (to the west)
Siauliu Apskritis (to the east)
Taurages Apskritis (to the south)

Tranquility of Telsiai, capital of Apskritis

Telsiu Apskritis isn't one of Lithuania's tourist regions, but that doesn't means it's not worth to visit.
Telsiu Apskritis has somewhat different culture and even language from that of other parts of Lithuania. Telsiai, the capital of Apskritis, is also the heart of Samogitia region. It's dialect is the most different from these of other Lithuanian territories and might be even hard to understand to someone who knows just "proper" Lithuanian. Once an independent duchy (more in "history" section bellow), now it is part of Lithuania and there aren't any seccession movements like there usually is in such different nationalities; however sometimes Samogitians still likes to mark their difference from other parts of Lithuania.
Sadly, Samogitian dialect is slowly changing and disappearing just like other dialects, it's still quite strong, but however youth, always hearing and reading "proper Lithuanian" on TV and at newspapers.
Out of not so much tourists who comes to the Apskritis, most visits the capital of Telsiai. Also, the Zmaiciu Kalvarija is a piligrimage site - anually there is mass held there, attracting lots of Christian pilgrims from Lithuania and nearby countries.

Flag of Samogitia

Telsiai is the capital of historical Samogitia region. Encompassing not just Telsiu Apskritis, but also Taurages Apskritis, northern Klaipedos Apskritis and western Siauliu Apskritis, this region once was an independent duchy with it's emblem and flag. In medieval documents Lithuania and Samogitia are frequently mentioned separately. Samogitia once was sold by Lithuania to Order of Cross, later it was reincorporated to Lithuania. Was annexed by Bermont's troops after WW1 (Bermont's troops were Russians who attempted to conquer Lithuania, but managed to take only the western part of it), and later liberated by Lithuanians. Since then the region was together with Lithuania (werether it'd be independent or annexed at a time).

• Pros:Interesting local culture, out of majority of tourists
• Cons:It's non-tourist status can make it hard to find a good place to stay
• In a nutshell:You should visit it if you are interested in culture of Lithuanian regions and country or if you are tired from many toruists