Lithuania

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EU-Lithuania

Lithuania in the world (W3)

Lietuvos vardas. The first name of Lithuania in writing 1009

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Lithuanian state in 13-15th centuries

Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuva), officially known as the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, sharing its borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the southwest. Lithuania covers an area of 65,300 km² and has a population of approximately 2.8 million people. Its capital and largest city is Vilnius.

History

The history of Lithuania dates back to settlements founded many thousands of years ago, but the first written record of the name for the country dates back to 1009 AD in the Annals of Quedlinburg. Lithuania's formation dates to the Mindaugas coronation in 1253, marking the beginning of the Lithuanian state. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which Mindaugas founded, became one of the largest countries in Europe by the 14th century through the union and annexation of lands in present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia.

The Lithuanian-Polish Commonwealth was formed through the Union of Lublin in 1569, becoming a significant force in European politics before being partitioned at the end of the 18th century by the neighboring Russian Empire, Prussia, and Austria. After more than a century of foreign domination, Lithuania regained independence in 1918 following World War I. This independence was short-lived, as the country was occupied first by the Soviet Union, then Nazi Germany, and again by the Soviet Union during World War II. Lithuania re-established its independence from the Soviet Union on March 11, 1990, becoming the first Baltic state to do so.

Geography

Lithuania is characterized by its flatlands in the central and west, with hilly uplands in the east. The highest point is Aukštojas Hill at 294 meters. The country has over 3,000 lakes, mostly in the east, and numerous rivers, with the Nemunas River being the largest. The climate is transitional, between maritime and continental, with wet, moderate winters and summers.

Politics

Lithuania is a parliamentary republic with a semi-presidential system. The president, elected every five years, is the head of state and appoints the prime minister with the approval of the Seimas (parliament), which is the legislative body of the country. The government exercises the executive power.

Economy

Lithuania has a mixed economy with a large private sector and a smaller public sector. Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2015, Lithuania has experienced growth in various sectors, including information technology, biotechnology, and manufacturing. The country is also a member of the Schengen Agreement, which allows for open border travel within much of the EU.

Culture

Lithuanian culture has been influenced by a mixture of Baltic, Slavic, and Germanic elements, among others. The country has a rich folk music and dance tradition, and its language, Lithuanian, is one of the oldest languages in the world today. Lithuania has a significant literary tradition as well. Notable events include the Kaziuko mugė (St. Casimir's Fair) and Užgavėnės, a pre-Lenten festival with pagan roots.

See also

• History of Lithuania
• Geography of Lithuania
• Politics of Lithuania
• Economy of Lithuania
• Culture of Lithuania