Ethnographically, the entire area is part of Zemaitija. The local people speak the distinct Zemaiciai dialect in their everyday lives, even to this day. The Zemaiciai maintain their traditional customs.

The biggest towns of the county are Mazeikiai, Telsiai, Plunge, Rietavas, Seda, Varniai and the biggest villages are Tryskiai, Varkaliai, Rainiai, Alsedziai, Zarenai, Luoke. The county seat is at Telsiai known since olden times, as the Capital of Zemaitija.

There are a lot of rivers and streams in the county of Telsiai and a great number of picturesque lakes. One third of the territory is covered by forests which are almost equally distributed in the Telsiai, Plunge and Mazeikiai districts.

Agriculture is not very profitable for the farmers here. The fertility of the land is lower than the average for the country as a whole. Nevertheless, land reform is being organised very successfully.

According to statistics as of 1st June 1996, there were 495 different companies in the county with a total of 28,694 employees.

There are 188 educational institutions in the Telsiai, Plunge and Mazeikiai districts. More-over, young people can also pursue a speciality at the higher agricultural schools in Plunge, Rietavas, Varniai, and also at the Telsiai higher school of applied arts. The first students graduated from the Telsiai Priests' Seminary in 1995. After independence, secondary schools started to be established in the county, the first one in Mazeikiai in 1996.

Telsiai and the Telsiai district
After the reorganisation of the government, Telsiai became the centre of the county in 1995. The town has 35,000 inhabitants. Recent demographic data show no drastic change; migration has stabilised.

First documented in 1398, the town had been founded at the very heartland of Zemaitija, extending from the Grand Duke's manor. The town was the location of the Zemaitija Council of Nobles during the 13th century.

Development was intense during the time before the War of Independence. A number of educational institutions and societies were formed, as well as cultural organisations. Telsiai became a press centre, important in Zemaitija. However, the phase of most rapid development began after World War II. A number of giant manufacturing plants and blocks of new residential units were constructed.

The architectural composition of the Old Town, and the radial city plan, which evolved up to the 20th century, have been preserved. Some 17th and 18th century buildings have also survived. Predominant are the small brick buildings of the early 20th century.

Nowadays all big state industries in Telsiai have been closed, but new private companies have been founded instead.

The Telsiai district is famous for its wonderful location. Across the district runs the river Virvycia with its tributaries. There are 47 lakes in the territory, of which Lukstas, Mastis, Germantas, Tausalas are well known outside of Zemaitija. One should not forget the hill of Satrija, enmeshed in legends and reminding us of the pagan past. There are 300 cultural monuments in the district which are unique and famous throughout Lithuania.

Foreign guests are welcome in our beautiful district. However tourism is not as yet fully developed because of a lack of capital foreign in-vestors and good organisers.

Plunge and the Plunge district
The Plunge district covers 1692 km2 and has 56,700 inhabitants. The city itself is on the Siauliai-Klaipeda railway, off the Silale-Skuodas highway. The city's 1150 ha are home to 24,438 people. The city centre is located on the left bank of the Babrungas river, with the railway stations and the industrial district, on the right bank.

Because the city grew near the Gandinga Manor during the middle of the 16th century, it was called Gandinga until the 17th century.

Buildings from the 19th and early 20 century may still be seen. Most scenic here is one of Lithuania's largest and most impressive national parks. It was established in 1991, and lies in the northwest of Lithuania, 45 km from the Baltic Sea. The park covers an area of 20,000 ha, of which 9,800 ha are forests, 1860 ha water and 960 ha marshes. The rest is arable land, meadows, shrubs, etc.

The National Park invites tourists to enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings and to become acquainted with the unique culture of Zemaitija. Awaiting everyone are the beuty of Plateliai lake, sightseeing tours on foot, by bicycle or by boat, sailing yacht, or water-cycle, as well as hunting and fishing, museums and art galleries, meeting wood carvers and participation in the traditional festivals.

Mazeikiai and the Mazeikiai district
The Mazeikiai district is the smallest in the county, but the population is the same as in Telsiai district. Mazeikiai, with a population of 46,600, covers 1300 ha on the right bank of the river Venta, 10 km from the Latvian border.

The town has no particularly old traditions. It made its great jump in Soviet times, when an oil refinery was built in Mazeikiai, the biggest not only in the Baltic states but also in the former Soviet Union.

Despite all the political changes, Mazeikiai still has the possibility of becoming the greatest industrial centre in Zemaitija. Like all of Zemaitija, Mazeikiai has a great number of historical and cultural monuments and beautiful surroundings.

Telsiai County
Administration
Zemaites str. 14
LT-5610 Telsiai
Lithuania

Tel. 370 94 52262
Fax 370 94 51442

Gelsioi Gown. Paorama.

Plunge district. Plotelioi.