In cartography, the names "Mažoji Lietuva" (English: Lithuania Minor; German: Klein Litauen) and "Prūsų Lietuva" (German: Preussisch-Litauen) have been used since the 17th century. These names were used not only on German maps but also on English, French, Flemish, Polish, Russian maps, periodic publications, books, and so on. From 1618 until the beginning of the 19th century, the Prussian Lithuanian lands were referred to as the "Lithuanian Province" (German: Provinz Litauen) in legal documents of the Prussian state, royal decrees, and regulations. After World War I, when efforts were made to annex the Lithuanian-speaking Prussian lands to the state of Lithuania, the name "Mažoji Lietuva" was most commonly used. In 1919, the name "Klaipėda Region" (German: Memelland) emerged, denoting an administrative territorial unit that existed from 1919 to 1939 in the northern part of Mažoji Lietuva along the Nemunas River and the Baltic Sea. When only this part of Mažoji Lietuva was incorporated into Lithuania, the name "Klaipėda Region" was used to refer to the ethnographic region as well. However, since the second half of the 20th century and especially in recent decades, the name "Mažoji Lietuva" has firmly established itself in society and has become the traditional name for this region. The Lithuanians of Mažoji Lietuva refer to themselves as "lietuvininkai" and, less frequently, as "šišioniškiai" or "būrai."

 

The historical center of Lithuania Minor is Tilžė, which is now located in the Russian Federation. During the interwar period, Klaipėda, as the administrative center, gained importance. Today, Šilutė is most commonly referred to as the capital of Mažoji Lietuva.

 

The most famous place in the region is the attractive Curonian Spit with its sand dunes, pine forests, coastal beaches, and old villages on the lagoon side. The Nemunas Delta is known for its annual floods, fish-filled river branches, the marshes of the delta, and the Curonian Lagoon, as well as the picturesque town of Rusnė and its neighboring villages. From Ventė Cape towards Klaipėda stretches a drier landscape with pine forests, including the interesting Dreverna estuary. From Klaipėda to Nemirseta, the Baltic coast extends, with scenic Olando Kepurė sand dunes and remnants of the Karklė fishing village. In the eastern part of the region, large forests of Smalininkai and Viešvilė spread, with traces of ancient life and traditional shipbuilding (Smalininkai winter port, water level gauges, riverbanks regulated for boating). Vilkyškiai Ridge crosses the Nemunas Valley, separating it from the sea, with the legendary Rambynas sacred hill. From these hills, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Nemunas and the Baltic valleys, the historical centers of Mažoji Lietuva - Ragainė and Tilžė, which are located on the other side of the river. Below Rambynas, the flood meadows of the Nemunas begin, with lush grasslands and a wealth of birds and other animals. In the vicinity of Šilutė, large Aukštumala and Rupkalviai swamps stretch, areas once inhabited by peat diggers.