Lithuania is the largest and most populous of the three Baltic states, and was a great power during the Middle Ages. The country has a rich cultural heritage that has been kept alive to a greater extent than in most other parts of Europe.
| Capital: | Vilnius |
| Biggest city: | Vilnius |
| State: | republic within the EU |
| Language: | Lithuanian |
| Religion: | catholicism |
| Surface: | 65 200 km² |
| Population: | 3.5 million (2013) |
| Population density: | 55 residents per km² |
| Life expectancy: | 75 years |
| Illiteracy: | 0% |
| Currency: | Lithuanian Litas (LTL) 1 Litas = ISK 2.75 |
| GDP per capita: | $ 16,500 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +1 hour |
| Electricity: | 220 V AC, 50Hz |
| National Day: | February 16th |
| Country area code: | 370 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | LT (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Business: | service sector 53%, industry 36%, agriculture 11% |
| Climate: | temperate; cold winters and mild summers |
The capital Vilnius is a picturesque city, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe. Here are baroque churches, narrow alleys, medieval courtyards and the city’s university from 1579. It is built in Renaissance style with an infinite number of courtyards, and creates a small town in the city.
The nature on the Curonian Spit attracts many tourists, with its beaches, moving dunes and all pleasant fishing villages. The medieval capital Trakai is located 30 km from Vilnius and is surrounded by lakes. The castle from which the country was ruled houses the Historical Museum today.
In Grutasparken is “Stalin World”, with an impressive collection of statues from the Soviet era. The park is located 130 kilometers southwest of Vilnius, near the city of Druskininkai. Here you can also take photographs and film recordings, which show the Soviet Union’s propaganda culture and quasi-science.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Lithuania are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Vilnius Historical Center (1994)
- Kuriska näset (2000)
- Kernave Archaeological Site (2004)
- Three measuring points in Struve’s meridian arc (2005)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Lithuania
Voltage: 220 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: C, F
Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Vilnius
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average temperature °C | -5 | -4 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 2 | -3 |
| Day °C | -3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 3 | -1 |
| Night °C | -7 | -8 | -3 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | -5 |
| Rain (mm) | 60 | 30 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 70 | 80 | 70 | 70 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
| Rainy days | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
| Soltim / day | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Kaunas
With around 400,000 residents, Kaunas is Lithuania’s second largest and Baltic’s fourth largest city. The city is located in southern Lithuania at the confluence of the country’s two largest rivers, Nemunas and Neris.
The city is first mentioned in written sources in 1361 in connection with the battles with the troops of the German Order, but is believed to have a much longer history. The city wall, parts of which still remain, was built for protection against the German Knights of the Order, perhaps as early as the 13th century. Also of the castle, which during the latter part of the 14th century was rebuilt after the battles with the Order troops, a ruin remains.
The old town of Kaunas is dominated by the elegant town hall tower and the arch cathedral. This part of the city has a significant medieval settlement. The modern district around the main street Laisv ?s al? Ja has many fine examples of twenties and thirties architecture, mainly in Art Deco style. In the southeastern part of the city there are barracks and industrial buildings from the Tsarist period and in Vilijampol? – where the Jewish ghetto was during the German occupation – there are low wooden buildings. Soviet residential architecture can be seen between the A1 motorway and the Nerisdalen. Along Taiko’s prospectus are modern commercial and industrial buildings, including Kraft Foods Lithuania’s state-of-the-art industrial complex.
Klaipeda
Klaipeda is a city in western Lithuania. The city, which has about 192,000 residents (2003) is an important port city since the Middle Ages. Klaipeda has occasionally belonged to, among others, the German Order, Sweden, Russia, Germany and the Soviet Union.
The city is located on the Baltic Sea at the entrance to Lake Kuriska. Klaipeda has ferry connections with Germany, Sweden and Denmark and about 25 km north of the city, outside Palanga (Lithuania’s main seaside resort), there is also an airport with daily connections abroad.
Klaipeda has been exposed to fires several times throughout history (mainly caused by foreign troops), but there is still an old part of town with half-timbered houses in the city.
Vilnius
According to Countryaah, Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and the country’s largest city with over half a million residents (2003). Since the union between Poland and Lithuania (1385-1795), the city also came to play an important role in Polish culture. Vilnius is located in southeastern Lithuania, where the rivers Vilnia and Neris flow together.
Vilnius is an architectural city and there are over 40 churches in the city. The number of restaurants, hotels and museums has increased since Lithuania became independent. Like several other medieval cities, Vilnius developed around its town hall.
The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest in Europe (3.6 km2) and the city’s main historical and cultural sites are located in this area. The buildings in the area (close to 1,500 different) were built over several centuries, which has given a wide range among different architectural eras. Although Vilnius is called a baroque city, there are examples of Gothic architecture, the Renaissance and other architectural styles. Among the main attractions in the city are Gediminastornet and Katedraltorget. UNESCO has included Vilnius’ Old Town on its World Heritage List.
Vilnius includes the Lithuanian National Museum.