Lithuania (Lithuania) is a country located on the continent of Eurasia, in the northern part of Europe. It is one of the three states of the Baltic states and borders with the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation, Latvia, Poland and Belarus. In the west it is washed by the Baltic Sea. The capital of the state is Vilnius.
Short description
Lithuania (Lithuania) is the largest country among the Baltic states. Its area is more than 65 thousand square meters. km By the size of the territory, it occupies the 123rd place in the world. Three main cities can be named: Vilnius (the capital), Kaunas (the temporary capital and the second largest city in the state) and Klaipeda (the largest port).
In administrative-territorial terms, the country is divided into 10 counties with local self-government. Railroads of the USSR format were laid here (gauge - 1,520 mm), there are 4 airports and a seaport. Public transport runs in cities, including trolleybuses.
According to the state system, Lithuania is a country that is officially called the Republic of Lithuania and is parliamentary in form of government. The head of the named state is the president, elected by popular vote for 5 years. The parliament - the Diet, consists of 141 officials. Lithuania is a member of the UN, the European Union and NATO, and it is also included in the Schengen zone. Since 2015, the national currency of the country has become the euro.
Historical information
The current territory of Lithuania was inhabited as far back as the 10th century BC. e. Since ancient times, people who lived on these lands were engaged in cattle breeding, fishing and farming. During the Neolithic period Indo-European tribes came to these places - the Balts.
As a state, Lithuania was born in the 13th century. The formation of statehood occurred during the existence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Cities and population began to grow, significantly expanding the territory of the principality.
In the middle of the XVI century, Lithuania, having united with Poland, forms the largest state of Eastern Europe - the Commonwealth. After World War I, Lithuania was an independent kingdom for several years, and before the start of World War II, it became part of the USSR, in which it remained until its collapse.
Vilnius - the capital of Lithuania
Of the former republics of the USSR, Lithuania was one of the first to reach the European level. The country, whose capital has been Vilnius since 1939, is characterized by low inflation - only 1.2%. And the standard of living of its population can be called high.
By the way, you can immediately notice this by visiting Vilnius. It is the largest city in Lithuania and the second in the Baltic states, yielding to Riga. It is located in the southeastern part of the state. Previously called Vilna, Vilno and until 1939 belonged to Poland. Currently covers an area of more than 40 square meters. km It is the main economic, cultural, transport and financial center of the state. The main industry is tourism. The city has more than 50 thousand enterprises, 7 commercial banks and 10 foreign branches.
Relief features
The relief of Lithuania is flat, with noticeable traces of ancient icing. Almost 60% of the territory is in fields and meadows, 30% of the land is covered with forests. In the southeastern region of the state is the highest point - Aukštoyas hill (294 m). There are many rivers and swamps in the territory of the state.
Lithuania (Lithuania) - a country where there are almost 3,000 lakes, the largest of which is Drysvyaty. This pond, an area of 45 square meters. km, located in the south-east of the country, in the Zarasai region. The largest river is the Neman, which in its lower reaches serves as a conditional border between Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region.
As for natural resources, there are practically none in the state. There are only large deposits of building materials here - limestone, clay and gypsum. There are also underground sources of mineral water. In the 50s. oil fields have been explored, but to this day they are only in development.
Climate
The climate in Lithuania is temperate continental, in the coastal region - marine. Average January temperatures are from -1 to -3 ° , July - from +17 to + 19 ° . There are no sharp fluctuations in this area. The average annual rainfall is from 500 to 700 mm. Very often, at any time of the year, Lithuania has a drizzling rain. Such days are accompanied by fogs.
Climate formation is greatly influenced by air masses from the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. A full warm summer lasts two months - July and August. This period is favorable for rest and recovery with the help of sea air.
Population
Lithuania (Lithuania) is a country where about 3 million people live, 550 thousand of them in the capital. By ethnic composition, 85% are Lithuanians, 6.5% are Poles, 6% are Russians, as well as Belarusians, Ukrainians, Jews, and others. According to religious affiliation, about 70% of the country's inhabitants are Catholics, only 5% are Orthodox, the rest consider themselves atheists.
The official language of the country is Lithuanian. It is native to the vast majority of residents, but many citizens understand and speak Russian well.
Culture
Lithuanians are very proud of their culture, traditions and identity. They managed to maintain a strong connection with the past, and this can be seen in the sights of the country. The history of the state dates back several centuries, during this time a large number of churches, temples, castles, monasteries and other architectural monuments were erected in Lithuania.
The most popular tourist sites are: St. Anne's Church, Gediminas' Tower, Kaunas Castle, Artillery Bastion. Among the natural attractions, one can distinguish: Aukstaitija National Park, Curonian Spit, Kaunas Botanical Garden.
This is how unique Lithuania is. This is where else you will meet such ancient structures, if not in this Baltic state?