Lithuania - Litwa

	Lithuania; Lietuva
	Flag
	location
	Information
Capital city	Vilnius
System	republic
Currency	euro (€)
Time zone	UTC 2 - winter; UTC 3 - summer
Surface	65,200 km²
Population	2 790 842
Official language	Lithuanian
Telephone code	370
Car code	LT

Lithuania (lit. Lietuva [ˈLiɛtʊvaː]) - the state of Europe, one of the Baltic States; bordered on the west with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast), from the south-west with Poland, from the east with Belarus, from the north with Latvia. To the west, it has a coast with the Baltic Sea.

Characteristic

Geography

Lithuania is a lowland country with the highest peak Aukštojo kalnas (Mount Aukštaitija) at 294 m above sea level. The sea coast is mostly low and level, while the interior of the country is lowland with numerous glacial forms. The hills in the north-western part of the country are covered by Wysoczyzna Żmudzka, and in the south-eastern part of Wysoczyzna Miednicka.

fauna and Flora

Climate

The climate is temperate, the average annual temperature is 6.8 ° C. The temperature in July is 17.3 ° C, and in January –3.8 ° C.

History

From the earliest times, Lithuanian territories were inhabited by various nomadic peoples. Around the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC Indo-European peoples came to Lithuania, including the Balts, who were the ancestors of Lithuanians, Latvians and the extinct Yotvingians. In the 5th century C.E. Regular tribal relationships among Lithuanians began to take shape, and around the thirteenth and ninth centuries, the first large settlements were built. In 1047, Lithuania was seized by the Russian prince, Jarosław the Wise. As a result of the invasion, together with Jaćwieża (the country of the Yotvingians), these countries became vassal of the Połock princes. However, in 1183 there was a turning point, and the Lithuanians set out to conquer their oppressors and other Baltic tribes. The beginning of the thirteenth century brought many unfavorable events to the shattered state. Despite the peace with the Germans from Latvia, the country was attacked, first by the Order of the Knights of the Sword (in 1202), and then by the Teutonic Knights, who, after killing the Prussians closely related to the Balts, started fighting against Lithuanians, Samogitians, Kurlanders and Latvians. They plundered their lands (including Lithuania) until the 1850s. In this way, these orders violated the religious ban, which were crusades against Christian countries. Unfortunately, despite the adoption of Christianity by the first king of Lithuania - Mindaugas, the nation rejected the new religion, which could be a pretext for the monks. In the end, there was a final victory, but later the Balts were raided many times until the beginning of the 15th century. In the meantime, however, an alliance with Poland was established, which led to the unification of the two countries in 1385, after the signing of the union in Krewo. During its establishment, the ruler of Poland was Władysław Jagiełło, and in Lithuania - prince Witold Kiejstutowicz. Unfortunately, the prince died shortly after, and in his place the nobility announced Świdrygiełła (Jagiełło's brother). Thanks to the help of Poles, he was crowned the second king of Lithuania, and the first after a long break. Later, from 1444, for centuries, the Polish-Lithuanian union had common rulers who in 1569 created Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, constituting one compact state entity of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This state existed until 1795, when it was partitioned between Prussia, Austria and Russia. The territories of today's Lithuania then became a part of the Russian Empire, in which they functioned until 1812, when Lithuania was liberated by Napoleon's army and then Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Unfortunately, Napoleon's quick defeat meant that, as a result of the congress in Vienna, in 1815 these lands were re-incorporated into Russia.

In mid-February 1918, right after the end of World War I, Taryba (Lithuanian State Council) declared Lithuania's independence. In 1939, the Second World War broke out, which began with the aggression of the Third Reich and the USSR against Poland, but also Lithuania and Latvia. Soon the country was seized by the 150,000 Soviet army, which began its operations by plundering and deporting people to labor camps in Siberia. In 1941, a recent ally of the USSR broke the friendship pact by entering the Soviet lands. Despite the change of the occupant and the introduction of certain privileges, the Lithuanian population, along with Lithuanian Poles and Jews, was pacified by collaborators and special Nazi police. As a result, in the years 1941-1944 over 170,000 people were murdered, including almost 2/3 Jews. Due to the defeat of the Third Reich, Lithuania was soon re-occupied by the USSR, which created the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic on its territory. The state was restricted by many bans, which partially contributed to the launch of military activity by the so-called Forest Brothers, being Lithuanian guerrillas fighting against the Soviet Union. Soon in 1953, they had to lay down their arms, although single units were also encountered in the 1960s. The Lithuanian Socialist Soviet Republic actually ceased to exist after March 11, 1990, when the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR issued a declaration of independence, and the first country to recognize it at that time was Iceland. Until August 1991 - when the independence of this country was recognized by all NATO and European Union member states. In 2004, the country became a member of the European Union and NATO. In 2009, the country celebrated its millennium, and in 2015 it became a member of the euro area.

Culture and art

Policy

Economy

In 2015, Lithuania was the 22nd economy in the European Union in terms of GDP in purchasing power parity and the 86th economy in the world. Moreover, Lithuania is the largest economy among the Baltic states and will overtake neighboring Belarus in the future. Interestingly, the country has a very fast GDP growth rate (2000 - 4.1%, 2005 - 7.6%, 2015 - 1.1%, 2020 - 1%).

Despite the fact that services constitute the largest share of the economy (42%), it is still an agricultural and industrial state. Agriculture has the largest arable land and the most favorable soil conditions among all the Baltic states. It includes the cultivation of cereals, potatoes, sugar beet, fodder beet and flax. Industry is mainly processing, but also the food industry, light industry, building materials and wood processing.

Society

Traditions

Preparations

Maps

In some stores in Poland and Lithuania you can buy cheap maps of a given city.

Visas

Nationals of member states European Union, including Polishvisas do not apply. During your stay, you should have a valid ID card or passport with you in case you need to confirm your identity.

Customs regulations

Currency exchange

You can exchange Polish zlotys for euros in almost every exchange office (in Poland and in the west of Lithuania).

Insurance

Equipment

Phrase book

90% of Lithuanians have a command of at least one foreign language and half more than two (usually Russian, Polish or English). Most of the young Lithuanians (especially in cities) are fluent in English, so if they get lost, they will be happy to help and show the right way. Things are worse in hotels. While you can communicate in English here without any problems, Lithuanians do not speak Polish.

It is advisable to learn at least a few polite words before the trip. Here are some of the most useful:

Yes - Taip

No - Ne

No thanks - Ne, ačiū

Good morning! (in the morning) - Labas rhytas!

Good morning! - Laba diena!

Good evening! - Labas vakaras!

Hi! (Less official) - Labas! or Sveikas!

Goodbye! - Viso gero!

Hi! (Goodbye) - Iki!

See you! - Iki pasimatymo!

Thank you! - Ačiū!

Bon Appetit! - Scanaus!

What's up? - Kaip sekasi?

You can find more useful words and expressions in the online dictionary at: http://www.lietpol.pl/slownik.html

Drive

By plane

Numerous air connections, including a permanent Vilnius-Warsaw connection operated by LOT Polish Airlines.

By rail

Lithuania does not have such a dense network of railway lines as, for example, Poland. The length of all railway lines is approx. 2000 km.

By car

The two most important roads from Poland cross the state border in Budzisko and Ogrodniki.

Roads in Lithuania are well maintained, however rural roads can often be dirt roads.

By bus

Warsaw has a regular daily bus connection with Vilnius.

By ship

https://laive.lt Laive.lt Keltai.eu

Border crossings

An administrative division

Administrative divisions of Lithuania

Cities

There are 103 cities in Lithuania (Lithuanian - singular city; pl miestai). The city has been defined by the Lithuanian Parliament as a compact built-up area of> 3,000 inhabitants, where two-thirds of the population is employed outside agriculture. Towns with <3,000 inhabitants but with historical town rights also have town status. The oldest city in Lithuania is Klaipeda, which received city rights in 1257. Most Lithuanian cities are small towns, only 6 have> 50,000 inhabitants. inhabitants, and only 2 more than 200 thousand. In turn, as many as 65 have <10,000. residents. For comparison, almost 70 years earlier there was only 1 city with a population of> 100,000, and 3 cities with a population of 20-50,000. and 2 cities with a population of 10-20 thousand. Currently, the largest city and capital is Vilnius, with a population of> 500,000. residents. According to the 2001 census, 66.7% of the Lithuanian population lived in cities.

Vilnius - capital city
Druskininkai - one of the greatest Lithuanian health resorts
Kaunas
Klaipeda
Siauliai
Panevezys
Marijampole
Palanga
Alytus
Mažeikiai
Janów
Uciana
Telsze
Kiejdany

Interesting places

Trakai - large castle, reconstruction of the former gothic castle from the 20th century according to an alleged appearance
Siauliai - The Hill of Crosses
Rumszyszki - the largest Lithuanian open-air museum, one of the largest Europe
Nida

Objects from the UNESCO World Heritage List

Curonian Spit (together with Russia)
Archaeological site in Kiernow (Kernave)
Old Town in Vilnius
The so-called Struve Meridian (cross-border entry with Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Moldova, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine)

Transport

Tongue

The official language is Lithuanian. In Lithuania, Poles (235,000) and Russians (220,000) also live in certain regions. In some restaurants and in cities, English may also help, sometimes German at the seaside, especially in Neringa.

Shopping

Prices similar to in Poland.

Gastronomy

Bigos comes from Lithuania. In Lithuania you can also eat dumplings. Prices in many eateries are lower than in Poland.

Accommodation

very cheap

Campsites - their network is unevenly distributed. Most of them are on the Baltic Sea, single around the capital (Vilnius suburbs, Trakai), in the Druskininkai region, there is also a small campsite in Kaunas.

Science

work

Security

Lithuania is a safe country. The risk of crime in Lithuania is more or less at the same level as in Poland. Drunken drivers can be a problem in the villages of Lithuania.

contact

Telephone

Lithuanian country code: 00370.

Internet

Internet cafes can be found in every city. In rural areas, where there is no internet cafe, the library can sometimes be a good place to check information quickly. Prices vary per seat, usually between LTL 2-3 per hour. Internet use in libraries is free of charge.