Jonava, Lithuania

Capital City

With a population of just 27,381, Jonava is hardly the bustling metropolis some may expect of Lithuania's ninth largest city. The reality is a rather sleepy provincial town, dominated by the looming presence of the Achema fertilizer factory that has defined its economy for decades. While the annual "Republic of Johns" midsummer festival draws visitors, the city's true character is one of persistent bureaucracy and the lingering environmental damage from a 1989 chemical disaster that killed seven and sickened many more. Jonava may appeal to the hardy souls seeking an authentic Lithuanian experience, but its charms are limited.