Kaunas
Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania, lies in the centre of the country on the Neman, at the point where the Neris flows into it. It has around 319 thousand inhabitants and is a key industrial centre. It is known for its historic 14th-century castle, which defended the city against the Teutonic Knights. Between the two world wars it was the capital of Lithuania. Modern Kaunas has a strongly Lithuanian identity (88% of the population). It is best visited in spring or summer, when the temperature is pleasant.
