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Aukštojas Hill is the highest point of Lithuania.[2] It is located in the Medininkai Highlands, Migūnai forestry, approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) southeast of the capital city of Vilnius. Its elevation was measured in 2004 at 293.84 metres (964.0 feet) by specialists at the Institute of Geodesy at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, using GPS technology. Previously, Juozapinė Hill, at 292.7 metres (960 feet), had been considered as the highest point in Lithuania.[3][4] Aukštojas and Juozapinė are located apprxomately 500 metres (1,600 feet) from one another.
| Aukštojas Hill | |
|---|---|
 Stone on summit inscribed with revised elevation of 294 m. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 293.84 m (964.0 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Country high point |
| Coordinates | 54°31′37.5″N 25°37′33.8″E / 54.527083°N 25.626056°E |
| Geography | |
  Aukštojas Hill Lithuania | |
| Location | Medininkai, Lithuania |
| Parent range | Medininkai Highlands |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Hill |
The designated use of the land where Aukštojas Hill is situated has been changed by the Vilnius county governor from agricultural to tourism and cultural.[when?] The summit of the hill features a grove of pine trees, characteristic of the Medininkai region as whole.
The name "Aukštojas" was suggested by Libertas Klimka, a professor of history at the Vilnius Pedagogical University, and was the winner of a contest to decide the best name for the newly discovered elevation. Aukštėjas (Aukštojas, Aukštujis) was one of the most important deities in ancient Lithuanian mythology; he was considered the creator of the world.[5][6] The hill was 'baptised' on June 20, 2005, during an unofficial ceremony. The name was officially approved by the Vilnius Region Municipality Council on November 18, 2005.
An alternate name, 'Aukštėjas Hill', was discarded as a nominee by the State Commission on the Lithuanian language, on the grounds that its suffix ("-ėj-") was not standard usage for a place-name.
See also
edit- Kruopinė Hill, also formerly stated to be the highest point
References
edit- ^ "Aukstojas, Lithuania". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
- ^ Krupick, Rimantas. "Kurios kalvos Lietuvoje aukščiausios?". Lietuvos Geografijos Mokytoju Asociacija. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
- ^ "The Hill of Aukštojas". Trakai and Vilnius Tourism Information Centre.
- ^ Disease and Environmental Alert Reports (DEAR). U.S. Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center. Epidemiology and Environmental Health Division. 1996. p. 1.
- ^ Vėlius, Norbertas (1989). The World Outlook of the Ancient Balts. Mintis Publishers. p. 54. ISBN 978-5-417-00027-0. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ Jaskievicz, Walter C. (1952). A Study in Lithuanian Mythology: Jan Xx Lasicki's Samogitian Gods. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
External links
edit- (in Lithuanian) On the Lithuanian War-path to Aukštėjas Hill - Libertas Klimka's article on the history behind the Aukštojas Hill issue
- (in Lithuanian) The new highest hill in Lithuania - Lithuanian internet media on the new highest elevation
- (in Lithuanian) Excerpt from the Activity Report of the State Commission on the Lithuanian language - The commission's approval of 'Aukštojas' as the morphologically most acceptable spelling variant of the place-name
- (in English) [1] United Nations Working Paper: Geographical names in the Baltic nations