Nemunas is the biggest river of Lithuania. Also the river Merkys flows through Alytus. Alytus is known as a beautiful green city with many parks and forests. Several national parks is situated in Alytus.

The total area of Alytus district is 542,5 000 hectares. The population of Alytus district is 190 000. 60,7% of them are urban and the rest are rural. Alytus district covers most of Dzukija ethnographical region.

The district borders on the states of Belarus and Poland, the districts of Mirijampole, Kaunas and Vilnius.

Alytus has a lot of education institutions; pre-school institutions, comprehensive schools, supplementary education institutions, higher school and 4 professional schools.

Alytus Labour Exchange was founded ten years ago and is keeping in contact with more than 500 employers. The unemployment rate was in August 2001 12,8% and among young people under 25 14,1% . During the first half of 2001 most people who were employed had business administration, finances and It qualifications.

There are 70 companies in Alytus operating in the basis of foreign capital. Enterprises with German and Polish investments make up the larger part.