Kaunas

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/kaunas

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Kaunas?Central Lithuania, at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers
2. How big is Kaunas?Kaunas city municipality: 159.11 km²
3. What is the historical role?Served as the temporary capital of Lithuania from 1920 to 1939
4. What makes Kaunas special in Lithuania?Kaunas is the country’s second‑largest city and sits where the Nemunas and Neris rivers join. It also has the biggest artificial lake in Lithuania, the Kaunas Reservoir, which adds to its beauty and fun.
5. Why is Kaunas known for its buildings?During the 1920s and 1930s, many modern and Art Deco buildings were built in Kaunas. In 2023, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for this unique architecture.

Confluence: The junction where two or more rivers or streams meet.
Interwar Period: The historical span between the end of World War I (1918) and the beginning of World War II (1939).
Modernist Architecture: A style emphasizing functionality, clean lines, and minimal ornamentation, prevalent in the early to mid-20th century.
Urbanization: The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.