Panevėžys, the capital of Aukštaitija Ethnographic Region, has been the fifth largest city in Lithuania for more than a century. It occupies 50 square kilometers with more than 112 thousand inhabitants, the majority of whom (96 per cent) are Lithuanians. The rest are Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Byelorussian, Jewish people.

Panevėžys is situated in the middle of Lithuania; it is halfway between two Baltic capitals - Vilnius and Riga. The city lies in a good geographical position which plays a major role in communication with other Lithuanian cities and the city of Kaliningrad. The Via Baltica highway runs through the city and connects it to many Scandinavian and West European countries.

Panevėžys is a member of the Union of  the Baltic Cities. It has 10 partner towns abroad: Lünen (Germany), Goes (the Netherlands), Kalmar (Sweden), Lublin (Poland), Kolding (Denmark), Mytishi and Kaliningrad (Russia), Gabrovo(Bulgaria), Rakvere(Estonia), Daugavpils (Latvia). Friendly contacts have been established with Chengdu(China), Ivano- Frankivsk( the Ukraine), Szarvas(Hungary), Ramla(Israel), Ozurgeti(Georgia), Lecce(Italy) and Ferizaj(Kosovo) 

Panevėžys lies on the banks of the river Nevėžis, the sixth longest river in Lithuania. The river gave its name to the city itself. Senvagė (the Old River Bed ), it is considered the symbol of Panevėžys and is a famous place for leisure time and festivals. 

It boasts of Laisvės Square where modern ideas intertwine with old ones, Respublikos  Street famous for its art galleries and snug yeallow houses, so unique to Panevėžys.

Panevėžys has a reputation for being a clean , cosy and green city. At the same time it is an important industrial spot. 14 000 people work in the companies of Panevėžys. The production made in these companies makes 70% of the value of all city gross domestic product.  Currently the city hosts  major Lithuanian companies: Construction Company STATYBOS TRESTAS, Road Construction Company PANEVĖŽIO KELIAI, Company  VIKING MALT, Energy Company PANEVĖŽIO ENERGIJA.Every year direct foreign investments into the companies of Panevėžys increase. Norwegian Industrial park, the only in Lithuania is functioning in Panevėžys. The Municipality of Panevėžys provides favourable conditions for starting businessmen and for huge investors. 

Some people think of Panevėžys as the city of Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre, some - as the city of the world famous International Ceramic Symposia; others- as the capital of cycling and Ultra Triathlon where world champions Diana Žiliūtė and Vidmantas Urbonas were brought up.

Panevėžys artists, such as actor Donatas Banionis and photographer Algimantas Aleksandravičius make their city known in the world. The city is also famous as the home of the Chamber Orchestra ,  the Folk Dance Group Grandinelė and young pianists.