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Revision as of 15:31, 30 May 2005 by Lysy (talk | contribs) (German annexation of the region)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Klaipėda Region (Memel Region, Memelland) is the name of the part of Lithuania Minor consisting of the coastland around Klaipėda (formerly known as Memel) and along the Curonian Lagoon, on the right bank of Neman River.
From 1328 to 1525 it was a part of the Teutonic State, 1525-1701 the fief of Ducal Prussia, and then East Prussia. From 1871 to 1920 it belonged to Germany. As a separate unit it was formed in 1919, when it was separated from Germany by Treaty of Versailles as the territory, populated prevalently by Lithuanians, and the name Klaipėda Region was used for first time. From 1920 to 1923, it was governed by France. In 1923, after some military incidents, inspired by Lithuanian authorities, Klaipėda Region was ceded to Lithuania as integral autonomous unite of this state. On March 22, 1939 Lithuanian government ceded the territory to Nazi Germany, which was soon approved by Seimas (on March 30). After WWII it became a part of Lithuanian SSR. The Klaipėda Region is again part of Lithuania since the collapse of the Soviet Union.