Lithuania

Geography
The Republic of Lithuania is in Eastern Europe and is bordered by the Baltic Sea, Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia (Kaliningrad).

Vilnius is the capital city. Other cities in Lithuania include Kaunas, Klaipeda (Lithuania's main port), Siauliai, Panevezys and Alytus.

Lithuania has over seven hundred rivers; the longest are the Nemunas, Neris and the Venta. The country's terrain is mostly low-lying with some hills.

Lithuania's climate is mild although it can be cold in winter. Summers are warm.

Environment
Over thirty percent of Lithuania is forested. There are many rivers and over three thousand lakes. Five areas of wetlands (Cepkeliai, Kamanos, Nemunas Delta, Viesvile and Zuvintas) are of international importance and designated protected areas.

There are a number of regional parks (Dubysa, Kurtuvenai, Pajuris, Rambynas, Salantai, Tytuvenai, Venta and Varniai) and five national parks (Aukstaitija National Park, Dzukija National Park, Kursiu Nerija National Park including the Curonian Spit, Zemaitija National Park and Trakai Historical National Park). Wildlife found in protected areas are elk, deer, foxes, wolves and wild boar. Birds include eagles, hawks, geese, herons, swans and white storks.

Vilnius old town

Architecture
The Old Town of Vilnius is a World Heritage site with examples of Gothic (St. Anne's Church), Renaissance (Rulers' Palace of the Lower Castle) and Baroque (Church of SS. Peter and Paul's) architecture.

In the early fourteenth century the Lithuanian ruler, Gediminas (1316 - 1341), made Vilnius his capital extending the city's fortifications. Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuania's second city, were significant centres of architectural style up until the end of the eighteenth century.

Twentieth century Lithuanian architecture has been influenced by the Modernist style of Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (1887-1965), the Swiss born architect, known as Le Corbusier.

Population
The population of Lithuania was estimated at 3,596,617 in 2005.

Languages
Lithuanian is the official language.

Religion
The majority of Lithuanians are Roman Catholic. Other religions practised in Lithuania are Lutheran, Protestant, Russian Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran, Judaism and Islam.

Cepelinai (potato dumplings)

Food
Traditional Lithuanian cuisine includes soups (beet, sauerkraut and sorrel), stews, sausages, smoked meat and rye bread.

Main meals consist of meat (pork, chicken and duck) or fish (eel, pike and herring) with potatoes and vegetables such as beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, mushrooms, onions, radishes and turnips.

Lithuania has a variety of potato dishes including pancakes and stuffed potato dumplings (cepelinai). Dairy products, especially cottage cheese and curd cheese, are used in Lithuanian recipes. Eggs are used to make a variety of omelettes.

Cakes, pastries, fruit dumplings and ice cream are popular desserts. Cold sweet soups are made with berries and fruit (cherry soup). Other fruits grown in Lithuania are apples, gooseberries, pears and plums. Bilberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries (as well as mushrooms) are collected from the woods.

Lithuanians drink milk, fruit juices, tea, coffee, beer (alus) and mead (a liquor made with honey).

FACTS    FACTS    FACTS    FACTS

Lithuania is one of three countries known as the “Baltic States”. The other Baltic State countries are Estonia and Latvia. However the concept of 'Baltic States' is misleading as it implies some sort of political unity between Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia which is not the case.

The highest point in Lithuania is Juozapines Hill (294m), near Vilnius.

The Nemunas is the largest and longest (937km) river in Lithuania.

Lithuania's largest lake is the Druksiai (44.5 sq km), the longest is the Asveja (21.9 km) and its deepest lake is the Tauragnas (60.5 m).

“Romuva” was Lithuania's religion before the introduction of Christianity.

Lithuania was the last country in Europe to be converted to Christianity.

In pre-Christian Lithuania the oak tree was of religious significance. The oak tree is still a symbol of long life and strength.

Amber, formed by resin from ancient trees and insects in the resin, is found on the Curonian Spit.

King Mindaugas (1236-1263) was Lithuania's only king.

Jews started to settle in Lithuania in the fifteenth century. Vilnius became an important centre of Jewish culture and learning.

Lithuania's first publishing house was founded in Vilnius in 1522.

The First Lithuanian Book was published in 1547.

Vilnius University was founded in 1579.

Vilnius has a number of well-preserved examples of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

Kaunas is Lithuania's second city. The first written mention of Kaunas dates back to the fourteenth century.

Many Lithuanians emigrated to the USA. Household names of people of Lithuanian descent include Charles Bronson (actor), Aaron Copland (composer) and Sara Lee (Sara Lee Foods).

Joseph Weber was an eminent physicist whose father emigrated from Lithuania to the USA.

The mother of Pope John Paul II was of Lithuanian descent.

Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR.

Lithuania is one of the Baltic Sea States. Other members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the European Commission.