Disappearing and already gone villages of Jonava district

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyze the disappearing and already gone villages of Jonava district and to determine the causes of their disappearance. In the course of the research, literature sources, statistical data, legal acts and other documents were analyzed. For the fulfilment of the research Rural Plans M 1:10 000 of the Jonava district for the end of the 20th century were used. Analytical, statistical grouping and comparison methods were used as well. This topic is relevant in many countries. Since the middle of the 20th century in both Lithuania and other countries, the processes of urbanization have intensified. For economic and social reasons, many rural residents went to cities. These processes also touched Jonava district situated near Kaunas. There are 8 rural subdistricts in this district. At present, there are 259 villages. From 1979 to 2017 the number of villages has decreased by 25%. In 1979, there were 344 place names of villages in Jonava district, in 1989 – 274, in 2001 – 269, and in 2017 – 259