LitLithuania is a green plain in northern Europe on the shores of the Baltic Sea, one of the three Baltic states, neighboring Latvia, Belarus, Poland and the Kaliningrad region (Russia). It is a country that has preserved a lot of natural landscapes, forests, lakes and rivers and has a special seaside - not only beautiful sandy beaches, but also the Curonian Spit - a strip of sand separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.

Although mentioned since 1009, Lithuania is still a young state, only raising its head after severe Soviet oppression. Independence was regained only in 1990, but the history of Lithuanian statehood begins in the 13th century, when the first ruler Mindaugas received the crown. The history of Lithuania is a changeable one, with both great victories and painful experiences.

Now Lithuania is only 65 thousand sq. km2, but on some historical maps it reaches the Black Sea, on others it is not there at all. Currently, the country is trying to integrate into the economic and cultural space of the European Union.

As one of the last countries in Europe to be baptized, Lithuania has preserved many pagan traditions, folk culture is still alive in rural areas, and elsewhere it comes to life during traditional holidays. Cultural life flourishes in large cities.

Key facts about Lithuania

Country area: 65,300 km² sq. km.

Population: 3,390,000 (2006). 2,810,000 (2018).

Language: The official language of the Republic of Lithuania is Lithuanian, which belongs to the Baltic language group (this group also includes Latvian and the extinct Prussian language). It is the most archaic of all Indo-European languages.

Religion: Lithuania is considered a religious country, one of its names is "Land of Mary". Currently, 79 percent of the population of Lithuania considers themselves Roman Catholics.

Currency: Currently, the currency of the Republic of Lithuania is the euro.

Political system: The Republic of Lithuania is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the President, the executive branch is the Government (appointed by the President), the legislative branch is the Seimas (a unicameral parliament, directly elected).

Coat of arms and Flag:

Neighbors: Latvia (land border – 588 km, sea border – 22 km) Belarus (border length – 677 km) Poland (border length – 104 km) Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) (land border – 255 km, Curonian Lagoon border – 18 km, sea border – 22 km)

Seaside: The total length of the coast is 90 km. A unique coastal formation is the Curonian Spit, a peninsula that begins in the Kaliningrad Oblast and forms the Curonian Lagoon.

Lakes: The largest lakes in Lithuania:

Drūkšiai – 44.8 sq. km

Dysnai – 24 sq. km

Dusia – 23.3 sq. km Rivers: The total length of rivers in Lithuania is 76,800 km.

Longest rivers:

Nemunas – 475 km in Lithuanian territory (total 937) Neris – 234 km (510) Venta – 161 (343) Forests: Forests and bushes occupy 30 percent of Lithuania's area. The largest forest areas:

Dainava Forest – 1,450 sq. km Labanoras Forest – 911 sq. km Kazlų Rūda Forest – 587 sq. km Relief: Lithuania is a land of plains, they make up about 75 percent of the country.

Highest hills:

Aukštasis kalnas – 293.8 m Juozapinė – 293.6 m Kruopinė – 293.4 m Administrative division: The territory of Lithuania is divided into 10 counties. The county consists of 60 municipalities – 9 cities, 43 districts and 8 newly formed in 2001. The municipalities are divided into 546 seniūnias.

Counties:

Alytus County,
Kaunas County,
Klaipėda County,
Marijampolė County,
Panevėžys County,
Šiauliai County,
Tauragė County,
Telšiai County,
Utena County,
Vilnius County,

Cities:

Largest cities in Lithuania:

Vilnius – 541,824 inhabitants, 622,500 (2018) Kaunas – 360,637 inhabitants, 292,700 (2018) Klaipėda – 187,316 inhabitants, 154,300 (2018) National holidays:

New Year on January 1 Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania on February 16 Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania on March 11 Easter International Workers' Day on May 1 Mother's Day first Sunday in May Midsummer's Day June 24 Coronation Day of State Mindaugas July 6 Zoline August 15 All Saints' Day November 1 Christmas December 25-26

From www.miesteliai.lt