Lithuania - History, Politics, Geography, Economy, Demographics, Culture, Miscellaneous topics, Notes and references

Official name Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian Lietuvos Respublika

Local name Lietuva Timezone GMT +2 Area 65 200 km²/25 167 sq mi population total (2002e) 3 473 000 Status Republic Date of independence 1991 Capital Vilnius Language Lithuanian (official) Ethnic groups Lithuanian (80%), Russian (9%), Polish (7%), Belorussian (2%) Religions Roman Catholic, small minority of Evangelical Lutherans and Evangelical Reformists Physical features Glaciated plains cover much of the area; central lowlands with gentle hills in W and higher terrain in SE; highest point, Jouzapine in the Asmenos Hills, 294 m/964 ft; 25% forested; some 3000 small lakes mostly in E and SE; complex sandy dunes on Kursiu Marios lagoon; chief river, the Nemunas. Climate Continental climate, affected by maritime weather of W Europe and continental E; Baltic Sea influences a narrow coastal zone; average annual temperatures -5°C (Jan), 16°C (Jul); average annual rainfall 630 mm/25 in. Currency 1 Litas (LTL) = 100 centas Economy Electrical engineering, computer hardware, instruments, machine tools, ship building; synthetic fibres, fertilizers, plastics, food processing, oil refining; cattle, pigs, poultry, grain, potatoes, vegetables. GDP (2002e) $30·08 bn, per capita $8400 Human Development Index (2002) 0·808 History United with Poland, 1385–1795; intensive russification led to revolts in 1905 and 1917; occupied by Germany in both World Wars; proclaimed a republic, 1918; annexed by the USSR, 1940; growth of nationalist movement in the late 1980s; declared independence in 1990, but not recognized until 1991; President Paksas impeached for violating the constitution, April 2004, later dismissed; governed by a President, Prime Minister and Supreme Council; joined European Union, 2004.

Lietuvos Respublika Republic of Lithuania
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Vienybė težydi  (Lithuanian) "Let unity flourish"
Anthem: Tautiška giesmė
Capital (largest city)	Vilnius 54°40′N 25°19′E
Official language	Lithuanian
Government	Parliamentary democracy
- President	Valdas Adamkus
- Prime Minister	Gediminas Kirkilas
Independence	from the Soviet Union
- Declared	February 16, 1918
- Declared	March 11, 1990
- Recognized	September 6, 1991
Accession to EU	May 1, 2004
Area
- Total	65,300 km² (123rd) 25,212 sq mi
- Water (%)	negligible
Population
- 2006 estimate	3,392,000 (131st)
- Density	53/km² (144th) 137/sq mi
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
- Total	$49.49 billion (75th)
- Per capita	$14,158 (49th)
HDI  (2004)	0.857 (high) (41st)
Currency	Lithuanian litas (Lt) (LTL)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Internet TLD	.lt1
Calling code	+370
1Also .eu shared with other European Union member states.

Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuva; Lithuania has been a member state of the European Union since May 1, 2004.

History

Lithuania entered into the annals of European history when it has been first mentioned in a medieval German manuscript, the Quedlinburg Chronicle, on February 14, 1009. The Lithuanian lands were united by Mindaugas in 1236, and neighboring countries referred to it as "the state of Lithuania". The official coronation of Mindaugas as King of Lithuania, on July 6, 1253, marked its recognition by Christendom, and the official recognition of Lithuanian statehood as the Kingdom of Lithuania. Lithuanian nobility, city dwellers and peasants accepted Christianity in 1385, following Poland's offer of its crown to Jogaila, the Grand Duke of Lithuania.

In 1401, the formal union was dissolved as a result of disputes over legal terminology, and Vytautas, the cousin of Jogaila, became the Grand Duke of Lithuania.

In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state called the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

On February 16, 1918, Lithuania re-established its independence.

In 1940, at the beginning of World War II, the Soviet Union occupied and annexed Lithuania in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

During the Soviet and Nazi occupations between 1940 and 1954, Lithuania lost over 780,000 residents. The last Russian troops left Lithuania on August 31, 1993 — even earlier than they departed East Germany

On February 4, 1991, Iceland became the first country to recognize Lithuanian independence.

Lithuania joined the United Nations on September 17, 1991. On March 29, 2004, it became a full and equal NATO member and on May 1, 2004, Lithuania joined the European Union.

Politics

Since Lithuania declared independence on March 11, 1990, it has kept strong democratic traditions. Lithuania now has a three-part administrative division: Lithuania is divided into 10 counties (Lithuanian: singular — apskritis, plural — apskritys) that are further subdivided into 60 municipalities (Lithuanian: singular — savivaldybė, plural — savivaldybės) which consist of over 500 elderates (Lithuanian: singular — seniūnija, plural — seniūnijos).

Geography

Lithuania is situated in northern Europe and is the largest and most populous of the Baltic states.

Lithuania consists of the following historical and cultural regions:

Aukštaitija — literally, the "Highlands" Samogitia (Lithuanian: Žemaitija) — literally, the "Lowlands" Dzūkija (Lithuanian: Dzūkija or Dainava) Sudovia (Lithuanian: Sūduva or Suvalkija) Lithuania Minor also known as "Prussian Lithuania" — (Lithuanian: Mažoji Lietuva or Prūsų Lietuva).

Economy

In 2003, prior to joining the European Union, Lithuania had the highest economic growth rate amongst all candidate and member countries, reaching 8.8% in the third quarter.

Like other countries in the region (Estonia, Latvia) Lithuania also has a flat tax rate rather than a progressive scheme.

Demographics

Ethnic diversity

83.5% of the Lithuanian population are ethnic Lithuanians who speak the Lithuanian language (one of the two surviving members of the Baltic language group), which is the official language of the state.

Poles are the largest minority, concentrated in southeast Lithuania (the Vilnius region).

Various Protestant churches have established missions in Lithuania since 1990, including the United Methodists, the Baptist Union, the Mennonites, and World Venture.

Largest cities

Rank	City	Population	Population Density	Area	Region
1	Vilnius	541 824	1379/km²	401 km²	East
2	Kaunas	360,637	2319/km²	157 km²	Midle
3	Klaipėda	187,316	1926/km²	98 km²	West
4	Šiauliai	129,037	1605/km²	81 km²	North
5	Panevėžys	115,315	2236/km²	52 km²	North
6	Alytus	69,145	1747/km²	40 km²	South
7	Marijampolė	47,356	2271/km²	21 km²	South
8	Mažeikiai	40,925	2956/km²	14 km²	North
9	Jonava	34 696			Midle
10	Utena	32 881	2191/km²	15,1 km²	East

Culture

List of famous Lithuanians Lithuanian literature Lithuanian mythology Music of Lithuania

Miscellaneous topics

Awards and decorations of Lithuania Communications in Lithuania Foreign relations of Lithuania Holidays in Lithuania Law of Lithuania Lietuvos Skautija List of cities in Lithuania List of extinct and endangered animals of Lithuania List of Lithuanian rulers Military of Lithuania Sports in Lithuania Tourism in the Baltics Transport in Lithuania

Neighbouring countries

Notes and references

^ (Lithuanian) Tomas Baranauskas. ISBN 9986-9216-7-8 ^ (Lithuanian) Lietuvos Respublikos apskrities valdymo įstatymas (Republic of Lithuania Law on County Governing), Seimas law database, December 15, 1994, Law no. ^ (Lithuanian) Lietuvos Respublikos vietos savivaldos įstatymo pakeitimo įstatymas (Republic of Lithuania Law on Amending the Law on Local Self-Governing), Seimas law database, October 12, 2000, Law no. ^ (Lithuanian) Dr. Žilvytis Bernardas Šaknys Lietuvos Respublikos administracinio teritorinio suskirstymo perspektyvos: etnografiniai kultūriniai regionai (Perspectives of Republic of Lithuania Administrative Subdivision: Ethnographic — Cultural Regions), The Council for the Protection of Ethnic Culture, Seimas, December 12, 2002. ^ (English) Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Change of GDP, 2002-2006 ^ (English) Lietuvos Bankas ^ Lithuanian News ^ (English) Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Updated in 2005 ^ (English) Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Updated in 2005 ^ (English) United Methodists evangelize in Lithuania with ads, brochures ^ (English) Baptist beginnings in Lithuania ^ (English) Graduation: Lithuania Christian College ^ (English) World Venture. GIS Maps of Lithuania on Maps.lt Maps of Lithuania on Mapquest v • d • e European Union members and candidates

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