Country Facts - Lithuania
Lithuania has an estimated population of 3.3 million people. Its capital and largest city is Vilnius. Lithuanians are Baltic people. The official language, Lithuanian, is one of the two living languages in the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family.
Lithuania is a member of the EU, the Council of Europe, a full member of the Schengen Agreement and NATO. It is also a member of the Nordic Investment Bank, and part of Nordic-Baltic cooperation of Northern European countries. According to the United Nations Human Development Index, Lithuania is a country with "very high human development". Lithuania has been among the fastest growing economies in the European Union. On 1st January 2015, Lithuania adopted the euro as the official currency and became the 19th member of the Eurozone.
History |
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For many centuries, the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea were inhabited by various Baltic tribes. In the 1230s, the Lithuanian lands were united by Mindaugas, the King of Lithuania, and the first unified Lithuanian state, the Kingdom of Lithuania, was created on 6 July 1253. |
Population |
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Lithuania is the largest and the most populous of the three Baltic States. Around 84% of the population is made up of Lithuanians. The remaining part consists of Poles (6.6%), Russians (5.8%), Byelorussians (1.2%), and Ukrainians (0.5%). 67% of the population lives in urban areas with the largest being Vilnius. The average life expectancy is 74.9 years. |
Geography |
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Located in Northern Europe, it covers an area of 65,300 sq. km. It is the largest Baltic State. Lithuania borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the southeast and south, Poland to the southwest and south and Kaliningrad district. It has around 99 km of coastline, which is the shortest among the Baltic Sea countries. Lithuania's major warm-water port, Klaipėda, lies at the narrow mouth of the Curonian Lagoon. The main and largest is the Nemunas River. |
Climate |
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The climate varies between maritime and continental. Considering the suitability to human health and economy, the climate is claimed to be ideal. Average temperatures are −2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in January and 16 °C (61 °F) in July. In Vilnius the average temperatures are −6 °C (21 °F) in January and 17 °C (63 °F) in July. During the summer, 20 °C (68 °F) is common during the day but temperatures can reach as high as 30 or 35 °C (86 or 95 °F). Winters can be very cold. An average of −20 °C (−4 °F) occurs almost every winter. The average annual precipitation is 800 mm (31.5 in) on the coast, 900 mm (35.4 in) in the Samogitia highlands and 600 mm (23.6 in) in the eastern part of the country. Snow occurs every year; it can snow from October to April. In some years sleet can fall in September or May. |
Politics |
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The government system is a parliamentary democracy. The chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. The president is elected for a five year term and serving a maximum of two terms. The current head of state is Dalia Grybauskaité. |
Economy |
| Lithuania holds a stable, diversified, fast-growing and attractive economy with great potentials of development. It has one of the most attractive business and investment climates among the new member countries of the EU. Having the largest economy of the three Baltic States, its GDP per capita is one of the best in the world, standing 70% above the world’s average of 10,500 USD. Lithuania is ranked 24th in the world in the Ease of Doing Business Index prepared by the World Bank Group. |
Lifestyle |
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From culture to cuisine, arts to music and cinema to sports, the Lithuanians carry their own unique identity. |
Travel |
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The proud land of independent Lithuania is fast being recognised as one of Europe's travel hubs. It's a nature-lover's delight. National Parks such as Aukštaitija, Trakai, Žemaitija and Dzūkija offers tranquility and much needed bliss for someone who admires nature. |
Famous Lithuanians |
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Marija Gimbutienė (1921 - 1994) – Archaeologist |
