Marijampolė is a city located in the south of Lithuania, near the border with Poland. It is the capital of the Marijampolė district and has a population of around 40,000 people. Marijampolė has a long and rich history, which dates back to the 16th century.
The earliest known references to Marijampolė date back to 1539, when it was mentioned in a document of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. At that time, Marijampolė was a small village, located on the banks of the Šešupė River.
In the 17th century, Marijampolė was part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was a small farming village, with a population of around 200 people. The village was devastated by the Great Northern War in the early 18th century, and its population decreased significantly.
In the 19th century, Marijampolė was part of the Russian Empire. During this period, the city saw a period of rapid growth and development. In 1835, Marijampolė was granted city rights and it became an important cultural and educational center in the region.
In the early 20th century, Marijampolė was part of the Second Polish Republic. During this period, the city experienced a period of economic growth and development, and its population increased significantly.
In 1940, Marijampolė was annexed by the Soviet Union and became part of the Lithuanian SSR. During the Soviet period, Marijampolė was an important industrial center, and it saw a period of economic growth and development.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Marijampolė became part of the independent Republic of Lithuania. Since then, the city has experienced a period of economic growth and development, and its population has increased significantly.
Today, Marijampolė is a vibrant and modern city, with a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is an important industrial, educational, and cultural center in the region, and it is a popular tourist destination. Marijampolė is also home to several important historical sites, including the Marijampolė Castle, which dates back to the 16th century.