Category: Lithuania

Lithuania is a Northern European country, and the country shares borders with Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Kaliningrad, and Denmark, Sweden that are lying across the Baltic Sea. Vilnius is the capital of the country and it is the largest city of the country. Human settlement of Lithuania started in 10th millennium. Lands of the country were unified by Mindaugas who became the King of Lithuania in 1253. Lithuania became the largest European country at the end of 14th century when it was Grand Duchy Lithuania. Russian Empire annexed majority of the Lithuanian territory in 1795 after the partition of Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth. In 1918, the country got independence from Russia.

Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in 1940 and once more in 1944. Nazi Germany occupied the country from 1941-44. Lithuania restored its independence in the year 1990. Lithuania is a democratic republic country with parliamentary system of government. Head of the government is the Prime Minister and President is the head of the state. Executive power is vested on the government. The unicameral Seimas and the government are taking care of the legislative power. Judicial system is independent from both executive power and legislative power. Economy of Lithuania is a capitalist economy. The economy of the country depends up on agriculture, service, manufacturing, tourism, utility and financial sectors.

The total population of Lithuania is 3,349, 900 and around 84% of the population consists of ethnic Lithuanians. Other ethnic groups of the country are Russian, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles, Germans, Tatars, Jews, Roma people and Latvians. The official language of the country is Lithuanian. Other languages spoken are Russian, German, Polish and English. About 79% of the Lithuanian population follows Roman Catholicism. Other religious beliefs in the country are Orthodox, Evangelical Lutherans, Old Believers, Reformed Church, Sunni Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Charismatics, Old Baltic religion, Judaism and Pentecostalism.

Lithuania is a great destination for tourists with its UNESCO world heritage sites, rivers, lakes, Baltic Sea and dense forests. Vilnius, the capital city has several interesting places such as Three Crosses Hill, Old Arsenal Building, Lithuanian National Museum and Gediminas Castle. Jonava is a beautiful tourist place with tourist spots such as Banga nightclub, Jonava Culture Center, Jokubas Church and Old town. Druskininkai is a famous tourist attraction with traditional resorts dated 200 years back. This city is famous for its great weather conditions and comfortable environment. Kaunas is a beautiful place of Lithuania with famous tourist spots such as Lithuania Zoo Park, Kaunas Castle, Laisves Aleha and Devil’s Museum.

Sea Museum of Lithuania situates in the ancient Kopgalis Fortress and the museum consist of wonderful dolphin aquarium and other fish aquariums. Siaurukas Narrow-Guage railway was built in 1899 and this old railway station is a famous tourist spot as it consists of black train engines and wooden carriages of that period. Centre of Europe is considered as Europe’s geographical center. In Kenave, you can also see the archaeological findings dated back to Middle Ages. Trakai is a popular tourist destination with several lakes where you can enjoy several outdoor activities such as horseback riding, diving, swimming, boating and yachting. Hill of Crosses is the countryside hill with numerous crosses and crucifixes of different types.