Telšiai

Telšiai
City
Telšiai
Location within Lithuania
Telšiai
Location within the Baltic States
Telšiai
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 55°59′0″N 22°15′0″E / 55.98333°N 22.25000°E / 55.98333; 22.25000
Country Lithuania
Ethnographic regionSamogitia
CountyTelšiai County
MunicipalityTelšiai district municipality
EldershipTelšiai town eldership
Capital ofSamogitia (unofficial)
Telšiai County
Telšiai district municipality
Telšiai town eldership
Telšiai rural eldership
First mentioned1450
Granted city rights1791
Area
  City
17.5 km2 (6.8 sq mi)
Elevation
128 m (420 ft)
Population
 (2020)
  City
21,294
  Density1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
  Metro
45,474
Demonym(s)Telšian(s) (English)
telšiškiai (Lithuanian)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
87xxx
Websitetelsiai.lt

Telšiai (pronunciation; Samogitian: Telšē) is a city in Lithuania with about 21,499 inhabitants. It is the capital of Telšiai County and Samogitia region, and it is located on the shores of Lake Mastis.

Telšiai is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania, probably dating earlier than the 14th century. Between the 15th and 20th centuries, Telšiai became a district capital. Until 1795, Telšiai County formed the Duchy of Samogitia within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Between 1795 and 1802 it was included in the Vilnius Governorate. In 1873, Telšiai was transferred to the Kovno Governorate.