Aukštojas Hill
Encyclopedia
Aukštojas Hill is the highest point in all of Lithuania
; it is located in the Medininkai Highlands, Migūnai forestry, approximately 24 kilometres (14.9 mi) southeast of the capital city of Vilnius
. Its elevation was measured in 2004 at 293.84 metres (964.08 feet) by specialists at the Institute of Geodesy at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
, using GPS
technology. Previously, Juozapinė Hill
, at 292.7 metres (960.35 feet), had been officially regarded as the highest point in Lithuania
. In 1985, suspicions were raised by Rimantas Krupickas, a Lithuanian geographer, that Juozapinė Hill
was not actually Lithuania
's highest elevation. Aukštojas Hill is located approximately 500 metres (1,640 feet) west of Juozapinė 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. The summit of the hill features a grove of pine trees. The public institution 'Lietuvos viršūnės', headed by Vladas Vitkauskas
, Lithuania's leading mountaineer, is pursuing efforts to designate Aukštojas Hill as a geographic landmark in the historically important Medininkai region.
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. 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; 'Aukštėjas' has been approved by the commission only as a name for the deity.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
; it is located in the Medininkai Highlands, Migūnai forestry, approximately 24 kilometres (14.9 mi) southeast of the capital city of Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
. Its elevation was measured in 2004 at 293.84 metres (964.08 feet) by specialists at the Institute of Geodesy at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University is a state higher academic school which has the rights of legal entity. The University is a non-profit institution, which was established by the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania....
, using GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
technology. Previously, Juozapinė Hill
Juozapine Hill
Juozapinė Hill is a hill located near Vilnius, formerly regarded as the highest point in Lithuania. Its elevation is 292,7 meters ; its latitude and longitude are 54.4667/25.5667. The status of the highest elevation in Lithuania is now being attributed to Aukštojas Hill...
, at 292.7 metres (960.35 feet), had been officially regarded as the highest point in Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. In 1985, suspicions were raised by Rimantas Krupickas, a Lithuanian geographer, that Juozapinė Hill
Juozapine Hill
Juozapinė Hill is a hill located near Vilnius, formerly regarded as the highest point in Lithuania. Its elevation is 292,7 meters ; its latitude and longitude are 54.4667/25.5667. The status of the highest elevation in Lithuania is now being attributed to Aukštojas Hill...
was not actually Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
's highest elevation. Aukštojas Hill is located approximately 500 metres (1,640 feet) west of Juozapinė Hill
Juozapine Hill
Juozapinė Hill is a hill located near Vilnius, formerly regarded as the highest point in Lithuania. Its elevation is 292,7 meters ; its latitude and longitude are 54.4667/25.5667. The status of the highest elevation in Lithuania is now being attributed to Aukštojas 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. The summit of the hill features a grove of pine trees. The public institution 'Lietuvos viršūnės', headed by Vladas Vitkauskas
Vladas Vitkauskas
Vladas Vitkauskas is a leading Lithuanian mountaineer. He became the first Lithuanian to climb Mount Everest on May 10, 1993. His mountaineering career also includes successful ascents of Seven Summits between 1993 and 1996 when he raised the same Lithuanian flag on the highest peak of each...
, Lithuania's leading mountaineer, is pursuing efforts to designate Aukštojas Hill as a geographic landmark in the historically important Medininkai region.
The name 'Aukštojas' was suggested by Libertas Klimka, a professor of history at the Vilnius Pedagogical University
Vilnius Pedagogical University
Vilnius Pedagogical University is a university in Vilnius, Lithuania, which specializes in preparing school teachers and other educators. As of 2007 it had approximately 12,500 students.-History:...
, 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
Lithuanian mythology
Lithuanian mythology is an example of Baltic mythology, developed by Lithuanians throughout the centuries.-History of scholarship:Surviving information about Baltic paganism in general is very sketchy and incomplete. As with most ancient Indo-European cultures Lithuanian mythology is an example of...
; he was considered the creator of the world. The hill was 'baptised' on June 20, 2005, during an unofficial ceremony. The name was officially approved by the Vilnius Region Municipality Council
Vilnius city municipality
The Vilnius city municipality , is one of 60 municipalities in Lithuania. It is in the southeastern part of country, in Vilnius County and consists of the city of Vilnius, the town of Grigiškės and some rural areas.- History :...
on November 18, 2005.
An alternate name, 'Aukštėjas Hill', was discarded as a nominee by the State Commission on the Lithuanian language
Commission of the Lithuanian Language
The State Commission of the Lithuanian Language is the official language regulating body of the Lithuanian language.The Language Commission was put in operation in 1961 as a non-governmental entity under the auspices of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences....
, on the grounds that its suffix ("-ėj-") was not standard usage for a place-name; 'Aukštėjas' has been approved by the commission only as a name for the deity.
See also
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes