|
State name
|
Lietuvos Respublika
The Latin form „Litua“ of the country name „Lietuva“ appears for the first time in the Quedlinburger annals in 1009; others draw „Lietuva“ from the river „Lietauka“ (today: Lietava), a tributary of the Neris.
|
|
Population
|
3.482 millions
(81.6 % Lithuanians; 8.2 % Russians; 6.9 % Poles;
1.5 % White Russians; 0.1 % Jews; Karaim) (2002)
|
|
Capital
|
Vilnius (580'000 inhabitants)
For the Lithuanians, Vilnius is the „historical capital“; for the Poles, the „cradle of the Polish Romanticism“; for the Jews, the „Lithuanian Jerusalem“ and for many, the „Rome of the east“.
|
|
Geography
|
65'300 sq.km (53 inhabitants/sq.km)
Ethnographical regions: Aukðtaitija, Dzûkija, Suwalkija and Schemaitija
Almost 3'000 lakes and 29'000 rivers and brooks
Highest mountain: Joseph hill (294 m)
Major river: Nemunas
|
|
Special feature
|
The geographical centre of Europe is located near Vilnius (54° 54’ northern latitude, 25° 19’ eastern longitude).
|
|
Neighbouring countries
|
Latvia, White Russia, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad)
|
|
National flag
|
yellow-green-red horizontal
|
|
National coat of arms
|
White rider on a red background („Vytis“)
|
|
National anthem
|
„Lithuania, our Fatherland“ (Vincas Kudirka, 1897)
|
|
National holidays
|
February 16th (1918), March 11th (1990),
July 6th (Day of the State)
|
|
Oldest university
|
In 1579 the Jesuits founded the University of Vilnius (Academia et Universitas Vilnensis Societatis Jesu), which is the oldest in the Baltic States.
|
|
Lithuanian statute
|
The First Lithuanian Statute, which is written in Old White Russian, has 13 sections, in which the rights of the Grand Duke; the national defence; personal and other rights of the nobility are defined, and, questions regarding the legal constitution and criminal law are resolved. This statute was put into force by Grand Duke Sigismund the Old and is regarded as the first European constitution (1528/29).
|
|
Typical Lithuanian
|
Widely spread are storks
Amber (Gold of the Baltic Sea)
Beer from Birþai, Utena and Panevëþys
Midus: Sweet honey wine
Wood carvings of the „God- and cross makers“
„Hill of Crosses“ near Ðiauliai
Highest reputation: Media and church
|
|
Currency
|
3,4528 Litas = 1 Euro (fixed exchange rate)
1 Litas (LTL) = 100 centai
|
|
|