Russian Kovno
City (pop., 2001: 378,943), southern Lithuania.
Founded as a fortress in 1030, it passed to Russia in 1795 after the third partition of Poland . It was the capital of independent Lithuania (192040), then it was annexed by the Soviet Union. Many historic buildings survive in the Old Town. In addition to being an important industrial centre, it is an educational and cultural centre, with polytechnic, medical, and agricultural institutes.