Ignalina District
Ignalina District lies in the most easterly part of Lithuania. Its countryside is extremely charming and its natural resources plentiful. While in the District you get the feeling of being in a small state bordering with near- abroad countries like Belorussia and Latvia. On the initiative of the Signatory of the Act of Independence Professor Česlovas Kudaba, the first Lithuanian National Park was established here to preserve its archaic landscape (with 126 lakes) and culture. In the neighborhood you can find Širveta and Gražutė Regional Parks and state reserves such as Baluošas, Benediktavas, Smalvas, Ažušilė scenic nature reserves, Nevaišiai and Pertiškė geomorphological reserves, Dysna, Labažė, Asalnai, Žeimenis, Švogina hydrographical reserves, and Adutiškis, Milašius, Pušnis, Vilkaraistis and Sūriai telmological reserves. The district boasts one of the highest hills in our country- Būdakalnis and the largest lake Drūkšiai.
In the forests of Ignalina District there is a hidden watershed of the Nemunas and Dauguva rivers. The places of pre-Christian worship later became the shrines of Catholic, Evangelist and Lutheran religions in accord with Russian orthodox beliefs. In terms of ethnoculture this is the periphery of ethnic regions of Aukštaitija and Dzūkija.
The woodland cover takes up to 30 % of Ignalina district land area. The most valuable areas from the point of view of natural beauty are Ažvinčiai forest (4603 ha) and Daugėliškis wood, hilly and rich in lakes Dysnai – Dysnykštis – Apvardai lake district, Birvėta pond system close to Adutiškis forests. The regional lands have their beauty spots such as Ginučiai oak grove, unique 4 ha juniper grove, botanical monuments such as Labakaršis pine, Trainiškis and Tverečius oaks, Asalnai pine, etc.
Only food processing, construction and wood processing plants can be found in the district. Land around Ignalina is the least fertile in the country, but farmers keep looking for new farming methods by engaging in ecological farming, rural tourism, alternative business and beekeeping. Last year Ignalina and environs were awarded the resort status.
The District has been famous for its Winter Sports Centre where our Olympic athletes train. In winter two 160m and 300m slopes are open for downhill skiing enthusiasts. When there is a lack of snow, snow producing machines come to rescue. In summer roller-skaters do their training in the Centre. Other sports facilities in the city feature a swimming pool, baths and sports complex with a gym of standard measurements.
