Geographic location
Lithuania is an EU country in northern Europe with the capital Vilnius. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and is the largest of the three Baltic States (65.2km2 /25,173 sq mi). In 1989, Lithuania was acknowledged by the French National Geographic Institute the Geographic Centre of Europe. History The Lithuanian lands were first united by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Mindaugas in 1236 who was crowned King of Lithuania in 1953. Some of subsequent dates marking significant turns in the history of Lithuania are the following: · the end of the 14th: Lithuania is the largest country in Europe. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania stretched across a substantial part of Europe, from the Baltic to the Black Sea; · 1385: Lithuania accepted Christianity; · 1569: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland were joined into a single state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; · 1795: the joint state was dissolved by the third Partition of the Commonwealth, which forfeited its lands to Russia, Prussia and Austria under force. Over ninety percent of Lithuania was incorporated into the Russian Empire and the remainder into Prussia. · 1918: Lithuania re-established its independence; · 1940: at the beginning of World War II, the Soviet Union occupied and annexed Lithuania in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact; · 1941-1944: Lithuania was occupied by Nazi; · 1944: Lithuania was re-occupied and by the Soviet Union; · 1990: Lithuania renewed independence; · 1991: The last Russian troops left Lithuania on August 31 and joined the United Nations on September 17; · 2001: Lithuania became the member of the World Trade Organisation; · 2004: Lithuania became a full NATO member and joined the European Union. Political system Democratic parliamentary republic
Landscape Lithuania is relatively flat: highlands in the eastern part of the country are no higher than 300 metres. Nonetheless, Lithuania offers outstanding sceneries and unspoiled nature. The land is punctuated by numerous lakes and is marked by forests which cover about 30% of the country. Lithuania has 758 rivers longer than 10 km, which attract lots of water entertainment fans in spring. Among the most attractive places in Lithuania is the Curonian Spit, the so called Lithuanian sahara, featuring magnificent sand-dunes and neat fisherman villages scattered along the coast. To preserve the natural beauty of the country, a number regional and national parks have been established. Climate The country's climate, which ranges between maritime and continental, is relatively mild. The best time to visit Lithuania is June when days are longest and sunniest. The hottest month with the highest temperature of 34°C is July, though the first half of the month is often rainy. Ethnic diversity and language 83.5% of the Lithuanian population are ethnic Lithuanians who speak the Lithuanian language which is the official language of the state. Several fairly large minorities exist, such as Poles (6.7%), Russians (6.3%), and Belorussians (1.2%). Because of Soviet occupation, most Lithuanians can communicate in Russian; many young and educated people also speak English. Arrival Arriving in Lithuania is quite trouble-free, particularly at airports. Twelve international airlines have regular flights to Vilnius and Kaunas, in summer also to Palanga. By sea, passengers are taken by ferries from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark to Klaipeda. By bus and train, from Western Europe the capital of Lithuania can be reached via Berlin and Warsaw.  Time
Vilnius Time is in the Eastern European Time Zone. Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). Money The currency is the Litas (LTL), which is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 3.4528 Lt to €1. The Litas and Pound Sterling ratio is approx. 5.15Lt to ₤1. Most retailers, hotels, restaurants and the like accept credit cards, and banks and hotels will cash traveller’s cheques. There are ATM machines aplenty in the cities (though rare in smaller towns) ensuring cash for everyone with money in their account and a card attached to the Cirrus or Visa network. Currency exchanges are everywhere, and their rates don’t differ much. Medical care Health insurance is recommended. Although emergency treatment for foreign tourists is provided free of charge, all other medical services incur a charge. The British Embassy contacts and working hours Antakalnio 2
Vilnius LT-10308
Lithuania Tel: +370 5 246 2900
Fax: +370 5 246 2901 The British Embassy is open: 08:30 – 16:45 from Monday to Thursday.
08:30 – 15.30 on Friday (local time). The Embassy is closed during British and Lithuanian public holidays Some essential items of vocabulary
thank you = aciu; please = prasom; yes = taip; no = ne, excuse me = atsiprasau; hello = laba diena; goodbye = sudie.
More articles about Lithuanianian regions:
Druskininkai: For your Health and Entertainment
Alytus –City in the Park
The desert of Europe – the Curonian Spit
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