Lithuania | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of Lithuania
History of Lithuania:
Originally inhabited by three Baltic tribes, Lithuania was united in 1236 by Mindaugas, the first king of Lithuania. The Kingdom of Lithuania grew over the next 100 years, becoming the largest European nation by the end of the 14th century. In 1385 Lithuania merged with Poland and under King Vytautas the kingdom reached its peak of size and power. The Kingdom of Lithuania and Poland existed until her 1795, after which it was dismantled and divided into surrounding countries.
After World War I, Lithuania regained its independence, but was absorbed into the Soviet Union during World War II. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania declared independence. It became a member of the European Union in 2004.
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Information about Lithuania:
| Capital | Vilnius |
| Population | 2,714,202 (Source: 2023 worldometer) |
| Major Cities | Vilnius (capital), Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys, Alytus, Marijampole, Mazeikiai |
| Borders | Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia to the southwest |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $70,334,299,008 (2022 worldometer) |
| Currency | litas (LTL) |
Flag of Lithuania:
Lithuania Economy Key Industries:
Lithuania Major Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry
Lithuania Agricultural Products: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Lithuania Natural Resources: peat, arable land, amber
Lithuania Major Exports: mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs 5% (2001)
Lithuania Major Imports: mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals
The Geography of Lithuania:
Total Size of Lithuania: 65,300 km² (source: 2022 The world factbook)
Geographical Low Point of Lithuania: Baltic Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point of Lithuania: Juozapines Kalnas 293.6 m
Climate of Lithuania: Transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
General Terrain of Lithuania: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
World Region or Continent of Lithuania: Europe
Geographical Coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E
The People of Lithuania & Culture
Lithuania Government Type: parliamentary democracy
Lithuania Nationality: Lithuanian(s)
Lithuania National Holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note – 16 February 1918 is the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 is the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Lithuania Independence: 11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania’s independence)
Lithuania National Symbol: mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser)
Lithuania National Anthem or Song: Tautiska giesme (The National Song)
Lithuania Languages Spoken: Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)
Lithuania Religions: Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)
Interesting Facts about Lithuania:
Lithuania is located in Northern Europe and shares borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia.
Lithuania is known for its rich cultural heritage. The country has a long and proud history of being influenced by different civilizations, including Baltic tribes, Vikings and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Lithuanian is one of the world’s oldest extant languages and has preserved many archaic features.
Lithuania has beautiful natural landscapes. From the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit to the beautiful castle on Trakai island, Lithuania has no shortage of natural wonders.
The Hill of Crosses is an important pilgrimage site. Adorned with thousands of crosses, this unique hill is a symbol of Lithuania’s strong Catholic culture.
Basketball is the country’s most popular sport, and Lithuanians have enjoyed great success in international competitions.
We are committed to education and have a literacy rate of over 99%.
Traditional Lithuanian dishes include cepelinai (potato dumplings), kugelis (potato pudding) and sartivarshai (cold beetroot soup).
Lithuania has the only national museum dedicated to the history of genocide.
The Occupation and Freedom Struggle Museum in Vilnius tells the history of Lithuania’s struggle under Soviet and Nazi occupation.
Lithuania is known for its amber. The Baltic coast is rich in amber, and Lithuania is famous for its amber jewelry and handicrafts.
Lithuanian is considered one of the most archaic of the extant Indo-European languages.
Lithuania has a well-developed sauna culture. Known as ‘Piltis’ in Lithuanian, saunas are an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and are widely enjoyed for their health benefits.
On February 16th, Lithuanians celebrate Independence Day. This day marks the anniversary of Lithuania’s declaration of independence in 1918.
Traditional folk songs, known as dainos, are an integral part of Lithuanian culture and are recognized by UNESCO as masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of mankind.
Lithuania is known for its beautiful castles. Trakai Island Castle, Gediminas Tower and Vilnius Castle Complex are just a few examples of Lithuania’s impressive medieval fortifications.
Lithuania has a strong folk art tradition. From wood carving to weaving, Lithuanian folk art reflects the creativity and craftsmanship of its people.
Lithuania has the largest medieval old town in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vilnius Old Town is known for its well-preserved historical buildings.
Lithuania is a land of lakes. With more than 3,000 lakes in the country, there are many opportunities for water recreation and relaxation.
Lithuania is known for its impressive astronomical clock. The Vilnius Astronomical Clock is one of the oldest and most accurate timepieces in the world.
Lithuania has unique national parks. The Curonian Spit National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with sand dunes, forests and a beautiful coastline.
Lithuania is the birthplace of basketball player Alvidas Sabonis. Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Sabonis has had successful careers in both Lithuania and the NBA.
Lithuania has a strong tradition of folk medicine. In Lithuania, herbal remedies and traditional remedies are passed down through generations.
Lithuania has a unique tradition of honey harvesting. Beekeeping and honey production are highly valued crafts in Lithuania, and honey festivals are held to celebrate this tradition.