Lithuania lies in Eastern Europe, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. In the north, Lithuania borders with Latvia. In the east and in the south Lithuania borders with Belorussia, in the south-west with Poland and the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation.
Its natural treasures are lush forests, many lakes and beautiful sandy beaches. Attractions are the Hill of Crosses and the Soviet Sculpture Park that add a uniqueness found nowhere else.
Its capital Vilnius prides itself with a Baroque Old Town that is the largest in Eastern Europe and is often referred as the 'New Prague'. Vilnius, a university town is full of diversity - historic courtyards, an eccentric artist community, awesome arts, many museums and a beautiful skyline littered with church spires. It is so beautiful that Unesco has declared this, Europe's largest baroque old town, a World Heritage site.

POPULATION: 3,751,000
81% Lithuanians
9% Russians
7% Poles and
3% others

AREA: 65,000 sq km (25,000 sq miles). A bit larger then West Virginia

CAPITAL: Vilnius, 590,000 inhabitants

MAJOR CITIES:
Kaunas 429,000,
Klaipeda 206,000,
Siauliai 148,000,
Panevezys 132,000

RELIGIONS:
Roman Catholic 79%,
Russian Orthodox 4.1%,
Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%,
other or unspecified 5.5%,
none 9.5%

LANGUAGES:
Lithuanian (official) 82%,
Russian 8%,
Polish 5.6%,
other and unspecified 4.4%

AGRICULTURE:
grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables, beef, milk, eggs, fish

INDUSTRIES:
metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

HISTORY
The word "Lithuania" was first mentioned in the Quedlinburg annals in 1009 A.D. In the 13th century the Lithuanian state was established. In the 15th century, the Lithuanian Grand Duchy became one of the most powerful medieval states of Eastern Europe. It covered the territory to the Black Sea in the south and almost to Moscow in the east. In 1569, a pact was concluded between Lithuania and Poland establishing a united state of Rzczpospolita. In 1795, after the final partition of Rzecpospolita, Lithuania was incorporated into Russia. For more than one century Lithuanians fought against tsarist oppression. In 1918, after the Bolshevik revolution, Lithuania proclaimed its independence and the restoration of Statehood. In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union. After 50 years, Lithuania once again proclaimed its independence in 1990.
2005 started a new era in the life of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. They joined NATO an alliance of 26 countries committed to fulfilling its goals of solidarity, freedom and security. They were also accepted as members of the European Union, a family of democratic European countries committed to working together for peace and prosperity.

After 50 years of brutal Soviet occupation and 15 years of struggle to rebuild economies and revive shattered lives, these countries are finally proud members of a modern, civilized Europe. Government, business, education and entertainment industries are thriving. Cities are growing at an unprecedented rate.