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Baltic state bordered by [[Poland]], [[Belarus]], [[Latvia]]. Capital Vilnius. Population (2000 est.) 3,620,756
{{about|the European country}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2013}}
{{pp-move-indef}}


{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Lithuania
| native_name = {{native name|lt|Lietuvos Respublika|icon=no}}
| common_name = Lithuania
| image_flag = Flag of Lithuania.svg
| alt_flag = Flag of Lithuania
| image_coat = Coat of Arms of Lithuania.svg
| alt_coat = Coat of Arms of Lithuania
| national_anthem = ''[[Tautiška giesmė]]''<br/>{{small|''National Hymn''}}<br/><center>[[File:Tautiška giesme instumental.ogg]]</center>
| image_map = EU-Lithuania.svg
| alt_map = Locator map of Lithuania
| map_caption = {{map_caption |location_color=dark green |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the European Union |subregion_color=green |legend=EU-Lithuania.svg}}
| capital = {{Coat of arms|Vilnius}}
| latd=54 |latm=41 |latNS=N |longd=25 |longm=19 |longEW=E
| largest_city = capital
| official_languages = [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]
| ethnic_groups =
{{unbulleted list
| 84.1% [[Lithuanian people|Lithuanians]]
| 6.6% [[Poles in Lithuania|Poles]]
| 5.8% [[Russians in Lithuania|Russians]]
| 1.2% [[Belarusians in Lithuania|Belarusians]]
| 0.5% [[Ukrainians in Lithuania|Ukrainians]]
| 0.1% [[History of the Jews in Lithuania|Jews]]
| 0.1% [[Lipka Tatars|Tatars]]
| 0.1% [[Baltic Germans|Germans]]
| 0.1% [[Romani people|Romani]]
| 0.1% [[Latvians in Lithuania|Latvians]]
| {{nowrap|1.3% others{{\}}unspecified}}
}}
| ethnic_groups_year = 2011<ref name="stat-ethn">{{cite web |url=http://db1.stat.gov.lt/statbank/selectvarval/saveselections.asp?MainTable=M3010215&PLanguage=1&TableStyle=&Buttons=&PXSId=3236&IQY=&TC=&ST=ST&rvar0=&rvar1=&rvar2=&rvar3=&rvar4=&rvar5=&rvar6=&rvar7=&rvar8=&rvar9=&rvar10=&rvar11=&rvar12=&rvar13=&rvar14= |title=Population at the beginning of the year by ethnicity |work=DB1.stat.gov.lt |publisher=Statistics Lithuania |accessdate=2 July 2012}}</ref>
| demonym = [[Lithuanian people|Lithuanian]]
| government_type = {{nowrap|[[Parliamentary republic]]<ref>[http://www.lrkt.lt/dokumentai/1998/n8l0110a.htm Nutarimas], [[Constitutional Court of Lithuania]], 1998.</ref>}}
| leader_title1 = [[List of rulers of Lithuania|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Dalia Grybauskaitė]]
| leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Lithuania|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2 = [[Algirdas Butkevičius]]
| leader_title3 = [[Seimas|Seimas Speaker]]
| leader_name3 = [[Loreta Graužinienė]]
| legislature = [[Seimas]]
| sovereignty_type = [[History of Lithuania|Independence]] {{nobold|from [[Russia]]{{\}}[[Germany]] {{small|(1918)}}}}
| established_event1 = {{nowrap|[[Name of Lithuania|First mention of Lithuania]]}}
| established_date1 = 9 March 1009
| established_event2 = Coronation of [[Mindaugas]]
| established_date2 = 6 July 1253
| established_event3 = [[Union of Krewo|Union with Poland]]
| established_date3 = 2 February 1386
| established_event4 = [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Polish–Lithuanian<br/>Commonwealth]] created
| established_date4 = 1 July 1569
| established_event5 = [[Partitions of Poland|Partitions of the Commonwealth]]
| established_date5 = 24 October 1795
| established_event6 = {{nowrap|[[Act of Independence of Lithuania|Independence declared]]}}
| established_date6 = 16 February 1918
| established_event7 = [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1940)|1st. Soviet occupation]]
| established_date7 = 15 June 1940
| established_event8 = {{nowrap|[[Occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany|Nazi German occupation]]}}
| established_date8 = 22 June 1941
| established_event9 = [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1944)|2nd Soviet occupation]]
| established_date9 = July 1944
| established_event10 = [[Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania|Independence restored]]
| established_date10 = 11 March 1990
| area_rank = 123rd
| area_magnitude = 1 E10
| area_km2 = 65,300
| area_sq_mi = 25,212 <!-- Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers|WP:MOSNUM]] -->
| percent_water = 1.35
| population_estimate = 2,955,986<ref>[http://db1.stat.gov.lt/statbank/selectvarval/saveselections.asp?MainTable=M3010101&PLanguage=1&TableStyle=&Buttons=&PXSId=7743&IQY=&TC=&ST=ST&rvar0=&rvar1=&rvar2=&rvar3=&rvar4=&rvar5=&rvar6=&rvar7=&rvar8=&rvar9=&rvar10=&rvar11=&rvar12=&rvar13=&rvar14= Number of population], [[Statistics Lithuania]].</ref>
| population_estimate_rank = 133rd
| population_estimate_year = 2013
| population_census = 3,043,429<ref name="2011census">{{cite book|title=Lithuanian 2011 Population Census in Brief|year=2012|publisher=Statistics Lithuania|isbn=978-9955-797-17-3|url=http://www.osp.stat.gov.lt/documents/10180/217110/Lietuvos_gyventojai_2011.pdf}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2011
| population_density_km2 = 50.3
| population_density_sq_mi = 141.2 <!-- Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers|WP:MOSNUM]] -->
| population_density_rank = 120th
| GDP_PPP = $67.432 billion<ref name="imf2">{{cite web |title=Lithuania |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=8 October 2013 |year=2013 |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2013/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2011&ey=2018&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=946&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=&pr.x=28&pr.y=5}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank =
| GDP_PPP_year = 2013
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $22,566<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
| GDP_nominal = $46.714 billion<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_rank =
| GDP_nominal_year = 2013
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $15,632<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =
| Gini = 32.9 <!-- number only -->
| Gini_ref = <ref name="eurogini">{{cite web|title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income (source: SILC)|url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_di12|publisher=Eurostat Data Explorer|accessdate=13 August 2013}}</ref>
| Gini_rank =
| Gini_year = 2011
| Gini_change = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| HDI = 0.818 <!-- number only -->
| HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Table1.pdf |title=Human Development Report 2011 |year=2011 |publisher=United Nations |accessdate=2 November 2011}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 41st
| HDI_year = 2013
| HDI_change = increase <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| currency = [[Lithuanian litas]] (Lt)
| currency_code = LTL
| time_zone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset = +2
| time_zone_DST = [[Eastern European Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +3
| date_format = yyyy-mm-dd ([[Common Era|CE]])
| drives_on = right
| cctld = [[.lt]]<sup>a</sup>
| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Lithuania|+370]]
| footnote_a = Also [[.eu]], shared with other European Union member states.
}}


'''Lithuania''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Lithuania.ogg|ˌ|l|ɪ|θ|uː|ˈ|eɪ|n|i|ə}} or {{IPAc-en|ˌ|l|ɪ|θj|uː|ˈ|eɪ|n|i|ə}}; {{lang-lt|Lietuva}}), officially the '''Republic of Lithuania''' ({{lang-lt|Lietuvos Respublika}}) is a country in [[Northern Europe]], the largest of the three [[Baltic states]]. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the [[Baltic Sea]], to the east of [[Sweden]] and [[Denmark]]. It borders [[Latvia]] to the north, [[Belarus]] to the east and south, [[Poland]] to the south, and [[Kaliningrad Oblast]] (a [[Russia]]n [[Enclave and exclave|exclave]]) to the southwest. Lithuania has an estimated population of 3 million as of 2012, and its capital and largest city is [[Vilnius]]. The [[Lithuanian people|Lithuanians]] are a [[Baltic people]], and the official language, [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], is one of only two living languages (together with [[Latvian language|Latvian]]) in the [[Baltic languages|Baltic branch]] of the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] language family.


[http://www.mapblast.com/myblast/map.mb?CMD=GEO&CT=&IC=&LV=&GMI=&GAD1=&GAD2=&GAD3=&GAD4=&AD2=&noPrefs=&req_action=crmap&skip=&serch=&PHONE=&noBRP=&remLoc=&AD4=LTU&AD2_street=&AD3=&apmenu=&apcode=&selCategory=&x=22&y=15 Interactive Map]
For centuries, the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea was inhabited by various [[Balts|Baltic tribes]]. In the 1230s the Lithuanian lands were united by [[Mindaugas]], who was crowned as King of the Lithuania, creating the first unified Lithuanian state, on 6 July 1253.<ref name="voruta2001">{{lt icon}} Tomas Baranauskas. [http://www.voruta.lt/lietuvos-karalystei-%E2%80%93-750/ ''Lietuvos karalystei – 750'']. 2001.</ref> During the 14th century, the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] was the largest country in Europe: present-day Belarus, [[Ukraine]], and parts of Poland and Russia were territories of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. With the [[Lublin Union]] of 1569, Lithuania and Poland formed a voluntary two-state union, the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. The Commonwealth lasted more than two centuries, until neighboring countries [[Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|systematically dismantled]] it from 1772 to 1795, with the [[Russian Empire]] annexing most of Lithuania's territory.


In the [[aftermath of World War I]], Lithuania's [[Act of Independence of Lithuania|Act of Independence]] was signed on 16 February 1918, declaring the establishment of a sovereign state. Starting in 1940, Lithuania was occupied first by the [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1940)|Soviet Union]] and then by [[Occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany|Nazi Germany]]. As World War II neared its end in 1944 and the Germans retreated, the [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1944)|Soviet Union reoccupied Lithuania]]. On 11 March 1990, a year before formal break-up of the Soviet Union, Lithuania became the first [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Soviet republic]] to declare [[Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania|the restoration of independent State of Lithuania]].


Prior to the global [[financial crisis of 2007–2010]] and now in its aftermath, Lithuania has one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union. Lithuania is a member of the [[European Union]], the [[Council of Europe]], a full member of the [[Schengen Agreement]] and [[NATO]].<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite news | title=Lietuva įsiliejo į Šengeno erdvę | date= 21 December 2007| publisher=Vidaus reikalų ministerija | url =http://www.vrm.lt/index.php?id=131&backPID=4&tt_news=1458& | accessdate =22 December 2007 }}</ref> Lithuania is also a member of the [[Nordic Investment Bank]], and part of [[NB8|Nordic-Baltic]] cooperation of [[Northern Europe]]an countries. The United Nations [[Human Development Index]] lists Lithuania as a "very high human development" country. Since 1 July 2013, Lithuania has held the rotating [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union]].


See: ''Lithuania: The Rebel Nation'' by Vytas Stanley Vardys, ISBN: 0813318394
== History ==
{{Main|History of Lithuania}}

=== Prehistoric ===

The first people settled in the territory of Lithuania after the [[last glacial period]] in the 10th millennium BC. Over a millennium, the [[Proto-Indo-Europeans]], who arrived in the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC, mixed with the local population and formed various [[Baltic tribes]]. The [[Name of Lithuania|first written mention]] of Lithuania is found in a medieval German manuscript, the ''[[Annals of Quedlinburg]]'', in an entry dated 9 March 1009.<ref>{{cite journal | title=On the Origin of the Name of Lithuania | journal=Lithuanian Quarterly Journal of Arts and Sciences | volume=55 | issue=3 | date=Fall 2009 | author=Tomas Baranauskas | issn=0024-5089}}</ref>

=== Medieval ===

[[File:Trakai-Troki.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Trakai Island Castle]]]]
Initially inhabited by fragmented Baltic tribes, in the 1230s the Lithuanian lands were united by [[Mindaugas]], who was crowned as [[King of Lithuania]] on 6 July 1253.<ref name="voruta2001" /> After his assassination in 1263, [[Lithuanian mythology|pagan Lithuania]] was a target of the [[Northern Crusades|Christian crusades]] of the [[Teutonic Knights]] and the [[Livonian Order]]. Despite the devastating century-long struggle with the Orders, the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]] expanded rapidly, overtaking former Slavic principalities of [[Kievan Rus']]{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}}.

By the end of the 14th century, Lithuania was one of the largest countries in Europe and included present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of [[Poland]] and [[Russia]].<ref>Paul Magocsi. ''History of the Ukraine''. University of Toronto Press, 1996. p.128</ref> The geopolitical situation between the west and the east determined the multicultural and multi-confessional character of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The ruling elite practiced religious tolerance and borrowed [[Chancery Slavonic]] language as an auxiliary language to the [[Latin]] for official documents.
[[File:Grunwald bitwa.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Battle of Grunwald]] and [[Vytautas the Great]] in the centre]]
In 1385, the Grand Duke [[Jogaila]] accepted Poland's offer to become its king. [[Jogaila]] embarked on gradual [[christianization of Lithuania]] and established a [[personal union]] between Poland and Lithuania. It implied that Lithuania, the fiercely independent land, was one of the last [[Romuva (religion)|pagan]] areas of Europe to adopt Christianity.

After two civil wars, [[Vytautas the Great]] became the Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1392. During his reign, Lithuania reached the peak of its territorial expansion, centralization of the state began, and the [[Lithuanian nobility]] became increasingly prominent in state politics. In the great [[Battle of the Vorskla River]] in 1399, the combined forces of [[Tokhtamysh]] and Vytautas were defeated by the [[Golden Horde|Mongols]]. Thanks to close cooperation, the armies of Lithuania and Poland achieved a great victory over the Teutonic Knights in 1410 at the [[Battle of Grunwald]], one of the largest battles of medieval Europe.<ref name="Lane">{{cite book | author = Thomas Lane| title = Lithuania: Stepping Westward | publisher = Routledge | year = 2001 | pages = ix, xxi | url = http://books.google.com/?id=fecMC0LXU-sC&printsec=frontcover | isbn = 0-415-26731-5}}</ref><ref>''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'' v. 17 (1998) p. 545</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Rick Fawn|title=Ideology and national identity in post-communist foreign policies|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SBtYrTANgvUC&pg=PA186|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-7146-5517-8|pages=186–}}</ref>

After the deaths of Jogaila and Vytautas, the Lithuanian nobility attempted to break the union between Poland and Lithuania, independently selecting Grand Dukes from the [[Jagiellon dynasty]]. But, at the end of the 15th century, Lithuania was forced to seek a closer alliance with Poland when the growing power of the [[Grand Duchy of Moscow]] threatened Lithuania's Russian principalities and sparked the [[Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars]] and the [[Livonian War]].

=== Modern ===

The [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] was created in 1569. As a member of the Commonwealth, Lithuania retained its institutions, including a separate army, currency, and statutory laws.<ref>Stone, Daniel. ''The Polish–Lithuanian State: 1386–1795''. University of Washington Press, 2001. p. 63</ref> Eventually [[Polonization]] affected all aspects of Lithuanian life: politics, language, culture, and national identity. From the mid-16th to the mid-17th centuries, culture, arts, and education flourished, fueled by the [[Renaissance]] and the [[Protestant Reformation]]. From 1573, the Kings of Poland and Grand Dukes of Lithuania were [[free election (Polish throne)|elected by the nobility]], who were granted ever increasing [[Golden Liberty|Golden Liberties]]. These liberties, especially the ''[[liberum veto]]'', led to anarchy and the eventual dissolution of the state.

During the [[Northern Wars]] (1655–1661), the Lithuanian territory and economy were devastated by the [[Swedish Empire|Swedish]] army. Before it could fully recover, Lithuania was ravaged during the [[Great Northern War]] (1700–1721). The war, [[The plague during the Great Northern War|a plague]], and [[Great Frost of 1709|a famine]] caused the deaths of approximately 40% of the country's population.<ref>{{cite journal|volume= 16|issue=2|year= 2008 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110512014126/http://www.liw.lt/archive_vid.php?shid=1211283347&id=1211283055 |title=The Roads to Independence|journal=Lithuania in the World |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref> Foreign powers, especially Russia, became dominant in the domestic politics of the Commonwealth. Numerous factions among the nobility used the Golden Liberties to prevent any reforms. Eventually, [[Partitions of Poland|the Commonwealth was partitioned]] in 1772, 1792, and 1795 by the [[Russian Empire]], [[Prussia]], and [[Habsburg Austria]].
[[File:LithuaniaHistory.png|right|thumb|300px|Map showing changes in the territory of Lithuania from the 13th century to the present day.]]

The largest area of Lithuanian territory became part of Russian Empire. After unsuccessful [[November Uprising|uprisings in 1831]] and [[January Uprising|1863]], the Tsarist authorities implemented a number of [[Russification]] policies. They [[Lithuanian press ban|banned the Lithuanian press]], closed cultural and educational institutions, and made Lithuania part of a new administrative region called [[Northwestern Krai]]. The Russification failed owing to an extensive network of [[book smuggler]]s and secret Lithuanian home schooling.

After the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)]], when German diplomats assigned what were seen as Russian spoils of war to Turkey, the relationship between Russia and the [[German Empire]] became complicated. The Russian Empire resumed the construction of fortresses at its western borders for defence against a potential invasion from Germany in the West. On 7 July 1879 the [[Alexander II of Russia|Russian Emperor Alexander II]] approved of a proposal from the Russian military leadership to build the largest "first-class" defensive structure in the entire state – the {{convert|65|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} [[Kaunas Fortress]].<ref name="Kauno tvirtovė">{{lt icon}} {{Cite journal |title=Kauno tvirtovės istorija |publisher=Gintaras Česonis |url=http://tvirtove.kaunas.lt/|year=2004| accessdate=12 June 2008}}</ref> Between 1868 and 1914, approximately 635,000 people, almost 20% of the population, emigrated from Lithuania.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Lithuanian Americans|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761587498/lithuanian_americans.html|work=Encarta|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kx7L1NnV|archivedate=1 November 2009}}</ref> Large numbers of Lithuanians went to the United States in 1867–1868 after a [[famine]].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Lithuanians in the United States}}</ref> A [[Lithuanian National Revival]] laid the foundations of the modern Lithuanian nation and independent Lithuania.

===20th and 21st centuries===
[[File:Signatarai.Signatories of Lithuania.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The original 20 members of the [[Council of Lithuania]] after signing the [[Act of Independence of Lithuania]], 16 February 1918.]]
[[Image:Baltic Way 1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Baltic Way]] in Lithuania]]

During [[World War I]], the [[Council of Lithuania]] (''Lietuvos Taryba'') declared the [[Act of Independence of Lithuania|independence of Lithuania]] and the re-establishment of the Lithuanian State on 16 February 1918. Lithuania's foreign policy was dominated by territorial disputes with Poland and Germany. The [[Vilnius Region]] and [[Vilnius]], the historical capital of Lithuania (and so designated in the Constitution of Lithuania), were seized by the Polish army during [[Żeligowski's Mutiny]] in October 1920 and annexed two years later by Poland. For 19 years [[Kaunas]] became the [[temporary capital of Lithuania]]. The Polish occupation of Vilnius was greatly resented by Lithuania; there were no diplomatic relations between the two states for most of the period between the two World Wars.

Acquired during the [[Klaipėda Revolt]] of 1923, the [[Klaipėda Region]] was ceded to [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] after a [[1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania|German ultimatum]] in March 1939. During the interwar period, the domestic affairs of Lithuania were controlled by the authoritarian President, [[Antanas Smetona]] and his party, the [[Lithuanian Nationalist Union]], who came to power after the [[1926 Lithuanian coup d'état|coup d'état of 1926]].

The Soviet Union returned Vilnius to Lithuania after the Soviet invasion of Eastern Poland in September 1939.<ref>{{cite book| author=J. Lee Ready| year=1995| title=World War Two: Nation by Nation| location=London| publisher=Cassell| page=191| isbn=1-85409-290-1}}</ref> In June 1940, the [[Occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union (1940)|Soviet Union occupied and annexed Lithuania]] in violation of the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]].<ref name="baltic">{{cite book| editor=Ineta Žiemele| title=Baltic Yearbook of International Law (2001)| year=2002| volume=1| page=2| url=http://books.google.com/?id=iGLp7QEelbIC&pg=PA2| isbn=978-90-411-1736-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| author=Richard J. Krickus| chapter=Democratization in Lithuania| editor=K. Dawisha and B. Parrott| title=The Consolidation of Democracy in East-Central Europe| date=June 1997| page=293| url=http://books.google.com/?id=NRkpNovMd_cC&lpg=PA29| isbn=978-0-521-59938-2}}</ref> A year later [[Operation Barbarossa|the Soviet Union was attacked]] by [[Nazi Germany]], leading to the [[Occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany|Nazi occupation of Lithuania]]. The Nazis and their collaborators murdered around 190,000 [[Jews of Lithuania]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travel-earth.com/lithuania/ |title=Lithuania: Back to the Future |publisher=Travel-earth.com |date=1 May 2004 |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref> (91% of the pre-war Jewish community) during [[the Holocaust in Lithuania|the Holocaust]].

After the retreat of the [[Wehrmacht|German armed forces]], the [[Occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union (1944)|Soviets re-established the annexation of Lithuania in 1944]]. Under border changes promulgated at the [[Potsdam Conference]] in 1945, the former German [[Memelland]], with its Baltic port [[Klaipėda|Memel]] (Lithuanian: [[Klaipėda]]), was again transferred to Lithuania, or as it was after 1945 the Lithuanian SSR. Most German residents of the area had fled in the final months of World War II.

The Soviets engaged in massive [[Population transfer in the Soviet Union|deportations of Lithuanians]] to [[Siberia]],<ref>Andres Küng (13 April 1999) [http://web.archive.org/web/20110719102134/http://www.rel.ee/eng/communism_crimes.htm Communism and Crimes against Humanity in the Baltic states]. A Report to the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation seminar.</ref> complete nationalisation and collectivisation and general sovietization of everyday life. From 1944 to 1952 approximately 100,000 [[Lithuanian partisans]] fought a guerrilla war against the Soviet system. An estimated 30,000 partisans and their supporters were killed, and many more were arrested and deported to [[Siberia]]n [[gulag]]s. It is estimated that Lithuania lost 780,000 people during World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5379.htm |title=US Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs|publisher=State.gov |date=August 2006 |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>

The advent of [[perestroika]] and [[glasnost]] in the late 1980s allowed the establishment of [[Sąjūdis]], an anti-Communist independence movement. After a landslide victory in elections to the [[Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR|Supreme Soviet]], members of Sąjūdis [[Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania|proclaimed Lithuania's independence]] on 11 March 1990, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so. The Soviet Union attempted to suppress the secession by imposing an economic blockade. Soviet troops attacked the [[Vilnius TV Tower]], killing [[January Events (Lithuania)|14 Lithuanian civilians]] and wounding 600 others on the night of 13 January 1991 ([[January Events]]).<ref>{{cite news| title=Soviet crackdown; Soviet loyalists in charge after attack in Lithuania; 13 dead; curfew is imposed| author=Bill Keller|work=New York Times| date=14 January 1991| accessdate=18 December 2009| url=http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/14/world/soviet-crackdown-soviet-loyalists-charge-after-attack-lithuania-13-dead-curfew.html?pagewanted=all}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=On This Day 13 January 1991: Bloodshed at Lithuanian TV station|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/13/newsid_4059000/4059959.stm|accessdate=13 September 2011|date=13 January 1991}}</ref> On 31 July 1991 [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[paramilitary|paramilitaries]] killed seven Lithuanian border guards on the Belarusian border in what became known as the [[Medininkai Massacre]].

On 4 February 1991, [[Iceland]] became the first country to recognise Lithuanian independence. After the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|Soviet August Coup]], independent Lithuania received wide official recognition and joined the United Nations on 17 September 1991. The last Soviet troops left Lithuania on 31 August 1993 – even earlier than they departed from [[East Germany]]. Lithuania, seeking closer ties with the West, applied for [[NATO]] membership in 1994. After a transition from a [[planned economy]] to a [[free market]] one, Lithuania became a full member of NATO and the [[European Union]] in the spring of 2004 and a member of the [[Schengen Agreement]] on 21 December 2007.

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Lithuania}}
[[File:Lithuania Centre of Europe.jpg|thumb|left|The Geographic Centre of Europe is in Lithuania]]
<!-- [[File:BalticSea March2000 NASA-S2000084115409 md.jpg|thumb|Lithuania lies in [[Northern Europe]], on the eastern shores of the [[Baltic Sea]]]] -->

Lithuania is located in [[Northern Europe]]. It covers an area of 65,200&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref>[http://www.abhinav.com/lithuania-immigration/lithuania-climate.aspx Lithuania Geography. abhinav.com]</ref> The country lies between latitudes [[53rd parallel north|53°]] and [[57th parallel north|57° N]], and mostly between longitudes [[21st meridian east|21°]] and [[27th meridian east|27° E]] (part of the [[Curonian Spit]] lies west of 21°). It has around {{convert|99|km|mi|1}} of sandy coastline, of which only about {{convert|38|km|mi|0}} face the open [[Baltic Sea]] and which is the shortest among the [[Baltic Sea countries]]; the rest of the coast is sheltered by the Curonian sand peninsula. Lithuania's major [[warm-water port]], [[Klaipėda]], lies at the narrow mouth of the [[Curonian Lagoon]] (Lithuanian: ''Kuršių marios''), a shallow lagoon extending south to [[Kaliningrad]]. The main and largest river, the [[Nemunas River]], and some of its tributaries carry international shipping.

Lithuania lies at the edge of [[North European Plain]]. Its landscape has been smoothed by the glaciers of the [[last Ice Age|last ice age]]. Lithuania's terrain is an alternation of moderate lowlands and highlands; its maximum elevation is [[Aukštojas Hill]] at {{convert|294|m|ft|0}} in the eastern part of the country. The terrain features [[List of lakes in Lithuania|numerous lakes]], [[Lake Vištytis]] for example, and wetlands; a mixed forest zone covers nearly 33% of the country. The [[climate]] ranges between maritime and continental, with wet, moderate winters and mildly hot summers.

After a re-estimation of the boundaries of the [[continent]] of Europe in 1989, Jean-George Affholder, a scientist at the [[Institut géographique national (France)|Institut Géographique National]] (French National Geographic Institute) determined that the Geographic [[Centre of Europe]] is located at {{coord|54|54|N|25|19|E|type:landmark|name=Purnuškės (centre of gravity)}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geosite.jankrogh.com/other.htm |title=Other Places of Interest: Central Europe |author=Jan S. Krogh |accessdate=31 December 2011 }}</ref> The method used for calculating this point was that of the [[centre of gravity]] of the [[Geography of Europe|geometrical figure]] of Europe. This point is located in Lithuania, specifically {{convert|26|km|mi}} north of its capital city, [[Vilnius]].

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Lithuania}}
[[File:Lithuania Ladakalnis.jpg|thumb|right|[[Aukštaitija National Park]]]]
[[File:Nidos kopos.jpg|thumb|left|Sand dunes of [[Curonian Spit]] ([[UNESCO World Heritage Site]])]]
Lithuania's climate, which ranges between [[maritime climate|maritime]] and [[continental climate|continental]], is relatively mild. Average temperatures on the coast are −2.5 [[Celsius|°C]] in January and {{convert|16|°C|0|abbr=on}} in July. In Vilnius the average temperatures are {{convert|-6|°C|0|abbr=on}} in January and {{convert|16|°C|0|abbr=on}} in July. During the summer, {{convert|20|°C|0|abbr=on}} is common during the day while {{convert|14|°C|0|abbr=on}} is common at night; in the past, temperatures have reached as high as {{convert|30|°C|0|abbr=on}} or {{convert|35|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Some winters can be very cold. {{convert|-20|°C|0|abbr=on}} occurs almost every winter. Winter extremes are {{convert|-34|°C|0|abbr=on}} in coastal areas and {{convert|-43|°C|0|abbr=on}} in the east of Lithuania.

The average annual precipitation is {{convert|800|mm|1|abbr=on}} on the coast, {{convert|900|mm|1|abbr=on}} in the Samogitia highlands and {{convert|600|mm|1|abbr=on}} in the eastern part of the country. Snow occurs every year, it can snow from October to April. In some years sleet can fall in September or May. The growing season lasts 202 days in the western part of the country and 169 days in the eastern part. Severe storms are rare in the eastern part of Lithuania but common in the coastal areas.

The longest measured temperature records from the Baltic area cover about 250 years. The data show that there were warm periods during the latter half of the 18th century, and that the 19th century was a relatively cool period. An early 20th century warming culminated in the 1930s, followed by a smaller cooling that lasted until the 1960s. A warming trend has persisted since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltex-research.eu/BACC/events/goteborg/Poster_2_1.pdf |title=Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic Sea Basin – The BACC Project – 22–23&nbsp;May 2006, Göteborg, Sweden |format=PDF|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>

Lithuania experienced a drought in 2002, causing forest and [[peat]] bog fires.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Research Note Effect of drought and fires on the quality of water in Lithuanian rivers|year=2003 |bibcode=2003HESS....7..423S |author=G. Sakalauskiene and G. Ignatavicius |volume=7 |pages=423–427 |journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |doi=10.5194/hess-7-423-2003 |issue=3}}</ref> The country suffered along with the rest of Northwestern Europe during a heat wave in the summer of 2006.
{{clear}}

{{Weather box|open=yes|metric first=yes|single line=yes|location=Lithuania
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| Jan record high C=12.6
| Feb record high C=16.5
| Mar record high C=21.8
| Apr record high C=28.8
| May record high C=34.0
| Jun record high C=35.0
| Jul record high C=37.5
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| Nov record high C=18.5
| Dec record high C=15.6
| year record high C=37.5
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| Jan high C=-1.7
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| Apr high C=9.4
| May high C=16.5
| Jun high C=19.9
| Jul high C=20.9
| Aug high C=20.6
| Sep high C=15.8
| Oct high C=9.9
| Nov high C=3.5
| Dec high C=-0.1
| year high C=9.5
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| Jan mean C=-3.9
| Feb mean C=-3.5
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| Apr mean C=5.5
| May mean C=11.6
| Jun mean C=15.2
| Jul mean C=16.7
| Aug mean C=16.1
| Sep mean C=12.2
| Oct mean C=7.0
| Nov mean C=1.8
| Dec mean C=-1.7
| year mean C=6.2
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| Jan low C=-6.3
| Feb low C=-6.6
| Mar low C=-2.8
| Apr low C=1.5
| May low C=7.0
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| Jan record low C=-40.5
| Feb record low C=-42.9
| Mar record low C=-37.5
| Apr record low C=-23.0
| May record low C=-6.8
| Jun record low C=-2.8
| Jul record low C=0.9
| Aug record low C=-2.9
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| Oct record low C=-19.5
| Nov record low C=-23.0
| Dec record low C=-34.0
| year record low C=-42.9
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| Jun precipitation cm= |Jun precipitation mm=69.0
| Jul precipitation cm= |Jul precipitation mm=76.9
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| source 1= Records of Lithuanian climate<ref name="meteolt">{{cite web|url=http://www.meteo.lt/ |title=Records of Lithuanian climate |publisher=meteo.lt |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>
| source 2= Weatherbase<ref name="weatherbase">{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=LT&name=Lithuania|title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Lithuania|publisher=Weatherbase|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref>
}}

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Lithuania|Elections in Lithuania}}
[[File:2009 m. Respublikos Prezidento rinkimai Dalia grybauskaitė 00.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dalia Grybauskaitė]] has been the President of Lithuania since 12 July 2009.]]
[[File:Seimas litauensparlament.jpg|thumb|[[Parliament of Lithuania]].]]
Since Lithuania declared the restoration of its independence on 11 March 1990, it has maintained strong democratic traditions. In the first general elections after the independence on 25 October 1992, 56.75% of the total number of voters supported the [[Constitution of Lithuania|new constitution]].<ref name="referenda">{{lt icon}} [http://www3.lrs.lt/docs2/QKVXRGNF.DOC Nuo 1991 m. iki šiol paskelbtų referendumų rezultatai], Microsoft Word Document, [[Seimas]]. Retrieved 4 June 2006.</ref> There were intense debates concerning the constitution, especially the role of the president. A [[Referenda in Lithuania|separate referendum]] was held on 23 May 1992 to gauge public opinion on the matter and 41% of all the eligible voters supported the restoration of the [[President of Lithuania]].<ref name="referenda" /> According to the explanation of Constitutional Court of Lithuania on 10 January 1998, the Republic of Lithuania is a parliamentary republic with some attributes of a semi-presidential system.<ref>Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinio Teismo nutarimas dėl Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo 1996 . Gruodžio 10 D. nutarimo</ref>

The Lithuanian [[head of state]] is the President, elected directly for a five-year term and serving a maximum of two consecutive terms. The post of president is largely ceremonial; main policy functions, however, include foreign affairs and national security. The president is also the [[commander-in-chief]] of the military. The President, with the approval of the parliamentary body, the [[Seimas]], also appoints the [[Prime Minister of Lithuania|Prime Minister]] and, on the latter's nomination, the rest of the cabinet, as well as a number of other top civil servants and the judges for all courts.

The current Lithuanian head of state, [[Dalia Grybauskaitė]] was elected on
17 May 2009, becoming the first female President in the country's history. This marked a dramatic shift in Baltic politics after its European neighbour, [[Latvia]], elected their first female political leader late in the previous decade.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8054053.stm |title=Lithuania gets first woman leader |publisher=BBC News |date=18 May 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref>

The judges of the [[Constitutional Court of Lithuania|Constitutional Court]] (''Konstitucinis Teismas''), who serve nine-year terms, are appointed by the President (three judges), the Chairman of the Seimas (three judges), and the Chairman of the Supreme Court (three judges). The [[unicameral]] Lithuanian parliament, the [[Seimas]], has 141 members who are elected to four-year terms. 71 of the members of this legislative body are elected in single member constituencies, and the other 70 are elected in a nationwide vote by [[proportional representation]]. A party must receive at least 5% of the national vote to be eligible for any of the 70 national seats in the Seimas.

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Lithuania}}
{{See also|Counties of Lithuania|Municipalities of Lithuania|Elderships of Lithuania}}
{{Map of Counties of Lithuania|100px|float=right}}
The current administrative division was established in 1994 and modified in 2000 to meet the requirements of the European Union. Lithuania has a three-tier administrative division: the country is divided into [[Counties of Lithuania|10 counties]] (Lithuanian: singular – ''apskritis'', plural – ''apskritys'') that are further subdivided into [[Municipalities of Lithuania|60 municipalities]] (Lithuanian: singular – ''savivaldybė'', plural – ''savivaldybės'') which consist of over 500 [[Elderships of Lithuania|elderships]] (Lithuanian: singular – ''seniūnija'', plural – ''seniūnijos'').

The [[County governor (Lithuania)|county governor]]s (Lithuanian: ''apskrities viršininkas'') institution and county administrations have been dissolved in 2010.<ref name="county">{{lt icon}} [http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=349513 (Republic of Lithuania Annul Law on County Governing)], [[Seimas]] law database, 7 July 2009, Law no. XI-318.</ref>

Municipalities are the most important administrative unit. Some municipalities are historically called "district municipalities", and thus are often shortened to "district"; others are called "city municipalities", sometimes shortened to "city". Each municipality has its own elected government. In the past, the election of municipality councils occurred once every three years, but it now takes place every four years. The council elects the mayor and appoints [[elder (administrative title)|elders]] to govern the elderships. There is currently a proposal for [[direct election]] of mayors and elders, however that would require an amendment to the constitution.<ref>{{lt icon}} Justinas Vanagas, [http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/article.php?id=7418983 Seimo prioritetai šią sesiją – tiesioginiai mero rinkimai, gyventojų nuosavybė ir euras], Delfi.lt, 5 September 2005. Retrieved 3 June 2006.</ref>

Elderships, numbering over 500, are the smallest units and do not play a role in national politics. They provide necessary public services close to their homes; for example, in rural areas the elderships register births and deaths. They are most active in the social sector: they identify needy individuals or families and distribute welfare or organise other forms of relief.<ref name="elderates">{{lt icon}} [http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter2/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=146527 Lietuvos Respublikos vietos savivaldos įstatymo pakeitimo įstatymas], [[Seimas]] law database, 12 October 2000, Law no. VIII-2018. Retrieved 3 June 2006.</ref> While the elderships have a potential of becoming a source of local initiative to tackle rural problems, complaints are made that elderships have no real power and receive too little attention.<ref>{{lt icon}} Indrė Makaraitytė, [http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=5663231 Europos Sąjungos pinigai kaimo neišgelbės], Atgimimas, Delfi.lt, 16 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2006.</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Lithuania}}
[[File:Institutions europeennes IMG 4300.jpg|thumb|left|Lithuania is a [[Member State of the European Union|member of the European Union]]]]

Lithuania became a member of the United Nations on 18 September 1991, and is a signatory to a number of its organizations and other international agreements. It is also a member of the [[European Union]], the [[Council of Europe]], [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]], [[NATO]] and its adjunct North Atlantic Coordinating Council. Lithuania gained membership in the [[World Trade Organization]] on 31 May 2001. It also seeks membership in the OECD and other Western organizations.

Lithuania has established diplomatic relations with 149 countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urm.lt/index.php?949836981 |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs: List of countries with which Lithuania has established diplomatic relations |publisher=Urm.lt |accessdate=2 January 2011}}</ref>

In 2011, Lithuania hosted the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] Ministerial Council Meeting. In 2013, Lithuania will assume the role of the [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union|Presidency of the European Union]].
[[File:Lithuania presidency EU stamp 2013.jpg|thumb|right|The stamp is dedicated to Lithuania's presidency of the European Union. Post of Lithuania, 2013.]]
Lithuania is also an active member in the cooperation among Northern Europe countries. Lithuania is a member of Baltic Council, since its establishment in 1993. Baltic Council is a permanent organisation of international cooperation, located in [[Tallinn]]. It operates through the [[Baltic Assembly]] and Baltic Council of Ministers.

Lithuania also cooperates with Nordic and other two Baltic countries through [[NB8]] cooperation format. The similar format, called NB6 unites Nordic and Baltic countries members of EU. The main goal of NB6 cooperation is to discuss and agree on positions before presenting them in the Council of the European Union and the meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers.

[[CBSS|The Council of the Baltic Sea States]] (CBSS) was established in 1992 in [[Copenhagen]] as an informal regional political forum, which main aim is to promote integration process and to affiliate close contacts between the countries of the region. The members of CBSS are Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia and European Commission. The observer states are Belarus, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, United States, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

The cooperation between the [[Nordic Council|Nordic Council of Ministers]] and Lithuania is a political cooperation through which experience exchange contributes to realization of joint goals. One of its most important functions is to discover new trends and new possibilities for joint cooperation. The information office aims to represent [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] concepts and demonstrate Nordic cooperation in Lithuania.

Lithuania, together with other two Baltic countries, is also a member of [[Nordic Investment Bank|Nordic Investment Bank (NIB)]] and cooperates in NORDPLUS programme committed to education.

Baltic Development Forum (BDF) is an independent nonprofit organization that unites large companies, cities, business associations, and institutions in the Baltic Sea region. In 2010 the 12th Summit of the BDF was held in Vilnius.<ref>[http://www.bdforum.org/ Baltic Development Forum]. Retrieved on 3 April 2012.</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Lithuanian Armed Forces}}
[[File:LT KASP mokymai.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Soldier of the [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces]].]]
The Lithuanian Armed Forces is the name for the unified armed forces of [[Lithuanian Land Force]], [[Lithuanian Air Force]], [[Lithuanian Naval Force]], [[Lithuanian Special Operations Force]] and other units: Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Headquarters Battalion, [[Military Police (Lithuania)|Military Police]]. Directly subordinated to the [[Chief of Defence]] are the [[Special Operations Forces]] and Military Police. The Reserve Forces are under command of the [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces]].

The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of some 15,000 active personnel, which may be supported by [[reserve forces]].<ref>[http://www.kam.lt/en/human_resource_policy_1062/facts_and_figures.html Personnel size in 1998–2009] ''Ministry of National Defence''</ref> Compulsory [[conscription]] ended in 2008 and Lithuania now relies solely on professional armed forces. The Lithuanian Armed Forces currently have deployed personnel on international missions in Afghanistan (over 200), Kosovo (1) and Somalia (1).
[[File:LT KASP PAG4.jpg|thumb|right|Lithuanian soldiers on the international [[NATO]] mission in [[Afghanistan]]]]
In March 2004, Lithuania became a full member of the [[NATO]]. Since then, [[fighter jets]] of NATO members are deployed in [[Zokniai airport]] and [[Baltic Air Policing|provide safety for the Baltic airspace]].

Since the summer of 2005 Lithuania has been part of the [[International Security Assistance Force]] in Afghanistan (ISAF), leading a [[Provincial Reconstruction Team]] (PRT) in the town of [[Chaghcharan]] in the province of [[Ghor]]. The PRT includes personnel from [[Denmark]], Iceland and USA. There are also [[Lithuanian Special Operations Force|special operation forces]] units in Afghanistan. They are placed in [[Kandahar]] province. Since joining international operations in 1994 Lithuania has lost two soldiers. 1st Lt. Normundas Valteris fell in [[Bosnia]], as his patrol vehicle drove over a mine. Sgt. Arūnas Jarmalavičius was fatally wounded during an attack on the camp of his Provincial Reconstruction Team in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{lt icon}} [http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/international_operations_1446/in_remembrance.html In remembrance]. Kariuomene.kam.lt. Retrieved on 24 December 2011.</ref>

The Lithuanian National Defence Policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the [[independence]] and [[sovereignty]] of the state, the [[integrity]] of its land, territorial waters, airspace and its constitutional order. At the moment the main strategic goals is to be able to defend the country's interests and maintain the armed forces which would be ready to contribute, cooperate and participate with the other armed forces of NATO and European Union member states, and also increase their further capability to participate in NATO missions.<ref name="WB">{{cite web|url=http://www.kam.lt/kam/download/7963/bk-en1.pdf |title=White Paper Lithuanian defence policy |language={{lt icon}} |publisher=Kam.lt |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>

The [[Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Lithuania|defence ministry]] is responsible for combat forces, [[search and rescue]], and intelligence operations. The 5,000 [[State Border Guard Service (Lithuania)|border guards]] fall under the [[Interior Ministry]]'s supervision and are responsible for border protection, passport and customs duties, and share responsibility with the [[Lithuanian Naval Force|navy]] for [[smuggling]] and drug trafficking interdiction. A special security department handles VIP protection and [[communications security]].

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Lithuania}}
[[File:Lithuania treemap.png|thumb|left|300px|Graphical depiction of Lithuania's product exports in 28 color-coded categories.]]
In 2003, before joining the European Union, Lithuania had the highest economic growth rate amongst all candidate and member countries, reaching 8.8% in the third quarter. In 2004 – 7.4%; 2005 – 7.8%; 2006 – 7.8%; 2007 – 8.9%, 2008 Q1 – 7.0% growth in GDP reflects the impressive economic development and as a result is often termed as a [[Baltic Tiger]].<ref>Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. ''[http://web.archive.org/web/20111028014613/http://www.stat.gov.lt/lt/catalog/download_release/?id=2247&download=1&doc=1480 National Accounts of Lithuania 2006], p. 20''</ref> However, 2009 marked a dramatic decline in GDP at −14.74% attributed to overheating of the economy. In 2010, the rate was 1.33%. As of June 2013, the unemployment rate is 10.4%.<ref>[http://www.ldb.lt/Informacija/DarboRinka/Puslapiai/situacija.aspx Darbo Rinka – Situacija]. Ldb.lt (26 April 2011). Retrieved on 12 September 2011.</ref>
[[File:Swedbank Headquarters Vilnius.png|thumb|upright|[[Swedbank]] headquarters in [[Vilnius]]]]
Lithuania has a [[flat tax]] rate rather than a [[Graduated tax|progressive scheme]]. In 2007, [[personal income tax]] was reduced to 24% and a reduction to 21% was made in January 2009. Lithuanian income levels are lower than in the older EU Member States. According to [[Eurostat]] data, Lithuanian PPS GDP per capita stood at 61 per cent of the EU average in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-25062009-BP/EN/2-25062009-BP-EN.PDF|title=GDP per capita in PPS|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=25 June 2009}}</ref>

Structurally, there is a gradual but consistent shift towards a knowledge-based economy with special emphasis on [[biotechnology]] (industrial and diagnostic). The major biotechnology companies and laser manufacturers ([[Ekspla]], Šviesos Konversija) of the Baltics are concentrated in Lithuania. Also [[mechatronics]] and information technology (IT) are seen as prospective [[knowledge-based economy]] directions.

In 2009, [[Barclays]] established Technology Centre Lithuania – one of four strategic engineering centres supporting the Barclays [[Retail Banking]] businesses across the globe.<ref>[http://www.lifeintechnology.co.uk/global-locations/vilnius-lithuania/ Vilnius, Lithuania | Global locations|Barclays GRB]. Lifeintechnology.co.uk. Retrieved on 12 September 2011.</ref> In 2011, [[Western Union]] officially opened their new European Regional Operating Centre in Vilnius.<ref>[http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/11255175/Western.Union.opens.centre.in.Vilnius=2011-05-06_09-22/ Western Union opens centre in Vilnius]. Alfa.lt (6 May 2011). Retrieved on 12 September 2011.</ref> The stated position of the Lithuanian government is that the focus of Lithuanian economy is high added-value products and services.<ref>[http://www.ukmin.lt/lt/veikla/veiklos_sritys/ino/LIS_ENG.doc Lithuanian Innovation Strategy for 2010–2020]. None. Retrieved on 12 September 2011.</ref> Among other international companies operating in Lithuania are: [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]], [[Ernst & Young]], [[Societe Generale]], [[UniCredit]], [[Thermo Fisher Scientific]], [[Philip Morris International|Phillip Morris]], [[Kraft Foods]], [[Mars, Incorporated|Mars]], [[Marks & Spencer]], [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[United Colors of Benetton]], [[Heinrich Deichmann-Schuhe GmbH|Deichmann]], [[Statoil]], [[Neste Oil]], [[Lukoil]], [[Tele2]], [[Hesburger]] and [[Modern Times Group]]. [[TeliaSonera]], [[ICA AB|ICA]] and [[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]] respectively own local telecommunications company [[Omnitel]], retailer [[Rimi Baltic|Rimi]] and beer breweries ([[Švyturys]], [[Kalnapilis]] and Utenos Alus). Lithuanian banking sector is dominated by the Scandinavian banks: [[Swedbank]], [[Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken|SEB]], [[Nordea]], [[Danske Bank]], [[DNB ASA]].

Among the biggest private owned Lithuanian companies are: [[ORLEN Lietuva]], [[Maxima Group]], [[Achema]] Group, Lukoil Baltija, Linas Agro Group, Indorama Polymers Europe, Palink, Sanitex.<ref>[http://vz.lt/article/2012/9/12/500-didziausiu-vidurio-europos-bendroviu-ir-12-lietuviu Deloitte Central Europe Top 500, 2012]. Vz.lt (13 September 2012). Retrieved on 12 July 2013.</ref> Corporate tax rate in Lithuania is 15% and 5% for small businesses. The government offers special incentives for investments into the high-technology sectors and high value-added products. Most of the trade Lithuania conducts is within the European Union and Russia.

The [[Lithuanian litas|litas]], the national currency, has been pegged to the euro since 2 February 2002 at the rate of EUR 1.00 = LTL 3.4528,<ref>[http://www.lb.lt/en_index.htm Lietuvos Bankas]. lb.lt</ref> and Lithuania is expecting to switch to the euro on 1 January 2015.

== Infrastructure ==

=== Communication ===
{{Main|Telecommunications in Lithuania}}
According to the [[Speedtest.net]] website, as of 30 October 2011 Lithuania ranks first in the world by the internet upload [[internet speed|speed]] and download speed, schools and corporations ignored.<ref>{{cite web | title=Lietuviškas internetas – sparčiausias pasaulyje | date=8 April 2009 | url =http://www.vtv.lt/naujienos/interneto-naujienos/lietuviskas-internetas-sparciausias-pasaulyje-2.html | accessdate =13 May 2009 | language = Lithuanian }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Speedtest.net – The global Internet speed test for bandwidth throughput and VoIP performance|work=Speedtest.net| url =http://speedtest.net/global.php| archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20070304111710/http://speedtest.net/global.php| archivedate =4 March 2007}}</ref> The high speeds are largely due to the fact that Lithuania has the EU's and Europe's most available [[FTTH]] network. According to as yearly study published by the FTTH Council Europe in 2013,<ref>[http://www.ftthcouncil.eu/documents/PressReleases/2013/PR2013_EU_Ranking_FINAL.pdf Winners and losers emerge in Europe’s race to a fibre future]. FTTH Council Europe (20 February 2013)</ref> the country has connected 100% of households to the FTTH network. 31% of these households are subscribers to this network at the time of publishing. Lithuania has thus Europe's most available fibre network and also has the highest FTTH penetration. [[Sweden]] has the next highest FTTH penetration with 23%.

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Lithuania}}
[[File:Lithuania-roads-(E).png|thumb|left|Major highways in Lithuania]]
[[File:Nutiesti pirmieji Rail baltica bėgiai.JPG|thumb|right|Construction of the [[dual-gauge]] railway track in Lithuania ([[Rail Baltica]] project)]]
The country boasts a well-developed modern infrastructure of railways, airports and four-lane highways. Lithuania has an extensive network of motorways. The best known motorways are [[A1 highway (Lithuania)|A1]], connecting Vilnius with Klaipėda via Kaunas, as well as [[A2 highway (Lithuania)|A2]], connecting Vilnius and [[Panevėžys]]. One of the most used is the [[European route E67]] highway running from [[Warsaw]] to [[Tallinn]], via [[Kaunas]] and [[Riga]].

The [[Port of Klaipėda]] is the only commercial port in Lithuania. In a record year for the port, in 2011 45.5 million tons of cargo were handled (including [[Būtingė Oil Terminal]] figures), making it one of the biggest in the [[Baltic Sea]].<ref>[http://www.shortsea.lt/index.php/pagrindinis_meniu/naujienos/klaipedos_ir_kitu_baltijos_juros_rytines_pakrantes_uostu_krovos_apzvalga__m_sausiogruodzio_men_/1201 shortsea.lt]</ref>

[[Vilnius International Airport]] is the largest airport. It served 2.2&nbsp;million passengers in 2012. Other international airports include [[Kaunas Airport|Kaunas International Airport]], [[Palanga International Airport]] and [[Šiauliai International Airport]].

Lithuania received its first railway connection in the middle of the 19th century, when the [[Warsaw – Saint Petersburg Railway]] was constructed. It included a stretch from [[Daugavpils]] via Vilnius and Kaunas to Virbalis. The first and only still operating in the [[Baltic states]] [[Kaunas Railway Tunnel]] was completed in 1860. [[Lithuanian Railways]]' main network consists of {{convert|1749|km|0|abbr=on}} of {{convert|1520|mm|ftin|1|abbr=on}} [[broad gauge]] railway of which {{convert|122|km|0|abbr=on}} are electrified. They also operate {{convert|22|km|0|abbr=on}} of [[standard gauge]] lines. The Trans-European standard gauge [[Rail Baltica]] railway, linking [[Helsinki]]–[[Tallinn]]–[[Riga]]–[[Kaunas]]–[[Warsaw]] and continuing on to Berlin is under construction now and by the end of 2013 will reach Kaunas.

=== Energy ===
{{Main|Energy in Lithuania}}
[[Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant]] was a Soviet-era nuclear station. Unit No. 1 was closed in December 2004, as a condition of Lithuania's entry into the European Union; the plant is similar to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] in its lack of a robust containment structure. The remaining unit, as of 2006, supplied about 70% of Lithuania's electrical demand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Electricity Market in the Baltic Countries|url= http://events.le.lt/uploads/File/20060126/Electricity%20markets%20in%20BalticStates_Jank.ppt|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090303223324/http://events.le.lt/uploads/File/20060126/Electricity%20markets%20in%20BalticStates_Jank.ppt|archivedate= 3 March 2009|publisher=Lietuvos Energija|accessdate=19 April 2008}}</ref>
Unit No. 2 was closed down on 31 December 2009. Proposals have been made to construct another – [[Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant]] in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania shuts down Soviet-era NPP, but being a nuclear-free nation is still under question|url= http://www.bellona.org/articles/articles_2010/ignalina_shut_down|date=12 January 2010|author=Andrei Ozharovsky, Maria Kaminskaya and Charles Digges}}</ref>

The country's main primary source of electrical power is [[Elektrėnai Power Plant]]. Other primary sources of Lithuania's electrical power are [[Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant]] and [[Kaunas Hydroelectric Power Plant]]. [[Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant]] is the only in the [[Baltic states]] power plant to be used for regulation of the power system’s operation with generating capacity of 900 MW for at least 12 hours.<ref>[http://www.kruoniohae.lt/lt/main/activity Veikla]. kruoniohae.lt. Retrieved 7 January 2013</ref> As of year 2012, 63% of electrical power was imported.<ref>[http://www.litgrid.eu/go.php/lit/Lietuvoje_mazeja_rusiskos_daugeja_estisk/272 litgrid.eu]{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Lithuania}}
[[File:Population of Lithuania.PNG|thumb|300px|Population of Lithuania (in millions) from 1950–2010.]]
Since the Neolithic period the native inhabitants of the Lithuanian territory have not been replaced by any other ethnic group, so there is a high probability that the inhabitants of present day Lithuania have preserved the genetic composition of their forebears relatively undisturbed by the major demographic movements,<ref>G. Česnys (1991) "Anthropological roots of the Lithuanians".
''Science, Arts and Lithuania'', 1: pp. 4–10.</ref> although without being actually isolated from them.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Daiva Ambrasienė, Vaidutis Kučinskas|title=Genetic variability of the Lithuanian human population according to Y chromosome microsatellite markers|url=http://www.ebiblioteka.lt/resursai/LMA/Ekologija/E-89.pdf|page=89|journal=Ekologija|year=2003|volume=1}}</ref> The Lithuanian population appears to be relatively homogeneous, without apparent genetic differences among ethnic subgroups.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://images.katalogas.lt/maleidykla/act41/A-01.pdf|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227130058/http://images.katalogas.lt/maleidykla/act41/A-01.pdf|archivedate=27 February 2008|title= Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Analysis in the Lithuanian Population|author=Dalia Kasperavièiûtë and Vaidutis Kuèinskas|journal=Acta Medica Lituanica|year= 2004|volume =11|issue= 1|pages=1–6}}</ref>

A 2004 analysis of [[MtDNA]] in the Lithuanian population revealed that Lithuanians are close to the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] and [[Uralic languages|Uralic]]-speaking populations of Northern Europe. [[Y chromosome|Y-chromosome]] SNP [[haplogroup]] analysis showed Lithuanians to be closest to [[Latvians]], [[Estonians]], and [[Finns]].<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=15469421|author= D Kasperaviciūte, V Kucinskas and M Stoneking |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090225205400/http://www.eva.mpg.de/genetics/pdf/Kasperavicuite.2004.pdf |title=Y Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Lithuanians|year=2004|volume=68|issue=Pt 5|pages=438–52|doi=10.1046/j.1529-8817.2003.00119.x|journal=Annals of Human Genetics}}</ref>

According to 2009 estimates, the age structure of the population was as follows: 0–14 years, 14.2% (male 258,423/female 245,115); 15–64 years: 69.6% (male 1,214,743/female 1,261,413); 65 years and over: 16.2% (male 198,714/female 376,771).<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lh.html|publisher=[[CIA World Factbook]]|title=Lithuania}}</ref> The median age was 39.3 years (male: 36.8, female: 41.9).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2177.html|publisher=[[CIA World Factbook]]|title=Field Listing : Median age|accessdate=12 November 2009}}</ref>

=== Ethnic groups ===
{{Main|Ethnic minorities in Lithuania}}
{{bar box
| width = 300px
| float = right
| title = Residents of Lithuania by ethnicity (2011)<ref name="stat-ethn" />
| titlebar = #ddd
| bars =
{{bar percent|Lithuanians|green|84.1}}
{{bar percent|Poles|red|6.6}}
{{bar percent|Russians|blue|5.8}}
{{bar percent|Belarusians|purple|1.2}}
{{bar percent|Ukrainians|brown|0.5}}
{{bar percent|Others|gray|1.8}}
}}
Ethnic Lithuanians make up about four-fifths of the country’s population and Lithuania has the most homogenous population in the [[Baltic States]]. According to the 2011 census, the population of Lithuania stands at 3,043,400, 84.1% of whom are ethnic [[Lithuanian people|Lithuanians]] who speak [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], which is the official language of the country. Several sizable minorities exist, such as [[Poles]] (6.6%), [[Russians]] (5.8%), [[Belarusians]] (1.2%) and [[Ukrainians]] (0.5%).<ref name="stat-ethn" />

Poles are the largest minority, concentrated in southeast Lithuania (the [[Vilnius region]]). Russians are the second largest minority, concentrated mostly in two cities. They constitute sizeable minorities in [[Vilnius]] (14%) and [[Klaipėda]] (28%), and a majority in the town of [[Visaginas]] (52%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visaginas.lt/town/inhabit?lang=en |title=The inhabitants |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071219181605/http://www.visaginas.lt/town/inhabit?lang=en |archivedate=19 December 2007}}</ref> About 3,000 [[Romani people|Roma]] live in Lithuania, mostly in Vilnius, [[Kaunas]], and Panevėžys; their organizations are supported by the National Minority and Emigration Department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tspmi.vu.lt/files/mprojektai/finallithsecpapergalutinis.pdf |title=Lithuanian Security and Foreign Policy |publisher=Tspmi.vu.lt|accessdate=5 June 2011}} {{dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref> For centuries a small [[Lipka Tatars|Tatar]] community has flourished in Lithuania.<ref>[http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/lithuanian_tatars.shtml The Lithuanian Tatars] article in [[The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire]]</ref>

The official language is [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]. Other languages, such as Russian, [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]] and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] are spoken in the larger cities,{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} in [[Šalčininkai district municipality]] and [[Vilnius district municipality]]. [[Yiddish]] is spoken by members of the tiny remaining [[History of the Jews in Lithuania|Jewish community]] in Lithuania. According to the [[Lithuanian population census of 2001]], about 84% of the country's population speak Lithuanian as their native language, 8.2% are native speakers of Russian and 5.8% of Polish. More than 60% are fluent in Russian, while only about 16% say they can speak English. According to the [[Eurobarometer]] survey conducted in 2005, 80% of Lithuanians can speak Russian and 32% can speak English. Most Lithuanian schools teach English as the first foreign language, but students may also study German, or, in some schools, French or Russian. Schools where Russian or Polish are the primary languages of education exist in the areas populated by these minorities.

=== Urbanization ===
{{See also|List of cities in Lithuania}}
There has been a steady [[Urbanization|movement of population to the cities]] since the 1990s, encouraged by the planning of regional centres, such as [[Alytus]], [[Marijampolė]], [[Utena]], [[Plungė]], and [[Mažeikiai]]. By the early 21st century, about two-thirds of the total population lived in urban areas. The largest city is [[Vilnius]], followed by [[Kaunas]], [[Klaipėda]], [[Šiauliai]], and [[Panevėžys]].
{{Largest cities of Lithuania}}
{{clear}}

=== Health ===

As of 2012 Lithuanian [[life expectancy]] at birth was 70.7 years for males and 80.7 for females, and the [[infant mortality]] rate was 6.2 per 1,000 births.<ref name="CIA" /> The annual population growth rate increased by 0.3% in 2007. At 30.4 people per 100,000,<ref name="WHOSUPRE">{{cite web | title = Lithuani | work = Suicide prevention (SUPRE) | publisher = World Health Organization | year = 2008| url = http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/lith.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate =8 November 2008}}</ref> Lithuania has seen a dramatic rise in suicides in the post-Soviet years, and now records the third highest suicide rate in the world. Lithuania also has the highest [[homicide]] rate in the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/crime/article.php?id=19885621 |author=Eglė Digrytė|title=More people are killed in Lithuania than anywhere in the EU |publisher=Delfi.lt |date=2 January 2009 |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Lithuania}}
[[File:Hill-of-crosses-siauliai.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Hill of Crosses]] near [[Šiauliai]].]]
[[File:Vilnius St Anns church.jpg|thumb|[[St. Anne's Church, Vilnius|St. Anne's Church]] and the church of the Bernardine Monastery in Vilnius]]
As per the 2011 census, 77.2% of Lithuanians belonged to the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. ''{{cite web |url=http://www.osp.stat.gov.lt/en/web/guest/pranesimai-spaudai?articleId=223122 |title=Ethnicity, mother tongue and religion}}''. 2013-03-15.</ref> The Church has been the majority denomination since the [[Christianisation of Lithuania]] at the end of the 14th century. Some priests actively led the resistance against the Communist regime (symbolised by the [[Hill of Crosses]]).

In the first half of the 20th century, the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] Protestant church had around 200,000 members, 9% of the total population, mostly Protestant Lithuanians from the former Memel Territory and Germans, but it has declined since 1945. Small Protestant communities are dispersed throughout the northern and western parts of the country. Believers and clergy suffered greatly during the Soviet occupation, with many killed, tortured or deported to Siberia. Various Protestant churches have established missions in Lithuania since 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.2012693/k.AEBE/United_Methodists_evangelize_in_Lithuania_with_ads_brochures.htm |title=United Methodists evangelize in Lithuania with ads, brochures |publisher=Umc.org |date= 11 August 2006 |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> 4.1% are [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] (mainly among the Russian minority), 0.8% are Protestant and 6.1% have [[irreligion|no religion]].

Lithuania was historically home to a significant [[History of the Jews in Lithuania|Jewish community]] and was an important center of Jewish scholarship and culture from the 18th century, until the community, numbering about 160,000 before World War II, was almost [[Holocaust in Lithuania|entirely annihilated]] during [[the Holocaust]].<ref name="Bubnys_vanished219">{{cite book|author=Arūnas Bubnys |chapter=Holocaust in Lithuania: An Outline of the Major Stages and Their Results |title=The Vanished World of Lithuanian Jews |publisher=Rodopi |year=2004| isbn=90-420-0850-4 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=mdXRKbcyi5oC&pg=PA219 |pages=218–219}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania|url=http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005444|work=Holocaust Encyclopedia|publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|accessdate=12 April 2012}}</ref> The community numbered about 4,000 at the end of 2009.<ref name="Stats">{{cite web|title=Population at the beginning of the year by ethnicity|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090602195536/http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/pages/view/?id=1731&PHPSESSID=a2cc98ebfc3a13b8297889cb6f68d571|work=Statistics Lithuania|accessdate=12 April 2012}}</ref>
{{triple image|right|Lithuania Paluse church.jpg|200|Tatar Chapel in Nemezis.jpg|115|Synagogue of Vilnius.jpg|200|<center>Wooden church in [[Palūšė]]. Lithuania has strong Roman Catholic traditions.</center>|<center>[[Lipka Tatars|Tatar]] mosque in the Tatar cemetery of [[Nemėžis]].</center>|<center>[[Choral Synagogue of Vilnius]], the only synagogue in the city to survive [[The Holocaust in Lithuania|the Nazi Holocaust.]]</center>}}

The census 2011 main results on religion are:

* [[Roman Catholic]] – 77.2% (2.35 million)
* [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] – 4.1% (125,200)
* [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] ([[Old Believers]]) – 0.8% (23,300)
* [[Lutherans|Evangelical Lutherans]] – 0.6% (18,400)
* [[Reformed Church|Evangelical Reformists]] – 0.2% (6,700)
* Other religions – 0.8% (24,900)
* No religion - 6.1% (186,700)
* Did not specify - 10.1% <ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.stat.gov.lt/uploads/docs/gyv_kalba_tikyba.pdf |title=Ethnicity, mother tongue and religion (Lithuanian)}}''. 2013-03-15.</ref>

According to the most recent [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]] 2005,<ref name="EUROBAROMETER">{{cite web|url= http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf |title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005|page=11|accessdate=5 May 2007|format=PDF}}</ref> 49% of Lithuanian citizens responded that "they believe there is a God", 36% answered that "they believe there is some sort of [[spirit]] or [[Energy (spirituality)|life force]]", and 12% said that "they do not believe there is any sort of [[spirit]], god, or [[Energy (spirituality)|life force]]".

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Lithuania}}
[[File:GreatCourtyard.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Vilnius University]], one of the oldest universities in Eastern and Central Europe]]
The first documented school in Lithuania was established in 1387 at [[Vilnius Cathedral]].<ref name="4T" /> The school network was influenced by the [[Christianization of Lithuania]]. Several types of schools were present in medieval Lithuania – cathedral schools, where pupils were prepared for [[priests|priesthood]]; parish schools, offering elementary education; and home schools dedicated to educating the children of the [[Lithuanian nobility]]. Before [[Vilnius University]] was established in 1579, Lithuanians seeking higher education attended universities in foreign cities, including [[Kraków]], [[Prague]], and [[Leipzig]], among others.<ref name="4T">{{cite book | author = Jūratė Kiaupienė| authorlink = Jūratė Kiaupienė | coauthors = Rimvydas Petrauskas | title = [[History of Lithuania (book)|Lietuvos istorija. Vol. IV]] | publisher = Baltos lankos | year = 2009 | location = Vilnius | pages = 145–147| isbn = 978-9955-23-239-1 }}</ref> During the [[Interwar period|Interbellum]] a [[national university]] – [[Vytautas Magnus University]] was founded in Kaunas.

The [[Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania]] proposes national educational policies and goals. These are sent to the Seimas for ratification. Laws govern long-term educational strategy along with general laws on standards for higher education, vocational training, law and science, adult education, and special education.<ref name="edu1">{{cite web|url=http://www.european-agency.org/country-information/lithuania/lithuania-docs/education_lithuania.pdf|publisher=European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education|accessdate=6 April 2010|title=Education in Lithuania}}</ref> County administrators, municipal administrators, and school founders (including non-governmental organizations, religious organizations, and individuals) are responsible for implementing these policies.<ref name="edu1" /> By constitutional mandate, ten years of formal enrollment in an educational institution is mandatory, ending at age 16.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania came into force on 2&nbsp;November 1992|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm|accessdate=6 April 2010|publisher=Republic of Lithuania}}</ref>
[[File:Raudones pilis pavasari.jpg|thumb|right|[[Raudonė]] Basic School, located in [[Raudonė Castle]].]]
Twenty six percent of the 1999 state budget was allocated to education expenses.<ref name="smnedu">{{cite web|url=http://www.smm.lt/en/stofedu/docs/edu_reform/OECD_report.pdf|title=Reviews of National Policies for Education – Lithuania|publisher=[[Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania]]|year=2000|accessdate=13 May 2010}}</ref> Primary and secondary schools receive funding from the state via their municipal or county administrations. The [[Constitution of Lithuania]] guarantees tuition-free attendance at public institutions of higher education for students deemed 'good'; the number of such students has varied over the past decade, with 68% exempted from tuition fees in 2002.<ref name="gseedu">{{cite web|title=Higher Education Finance and Cost-Sharing in Lithuania |url=http://gse.buffalo.edu/org/IntHigherEdFinance/files/Country_Profiles/Europe/Lithuania.pdf|publisher=[[University at Buffalo, The State University of New York]]|year=2005|accessdate=13 May 2010}}</ref>

The [[World Bank]] designates the literacy rate of Lithuanian persons aged 15 years and older as 100%.<ref>{{cite web|title=ICT at a Glance|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110721020903/http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/ltu_ict.pdf|publisher=[[World Bank]]|accessdate=7 April 2010}}</ref> As of 2008, 30.4% of the population aged 25 to 64 had completed tertiary education; 60.1% had completed upper secondary and post-secondary (non-tertiary) education.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smm.lt/prtm/p_reng/docs/PROFESINIS-MOKYMAS-lietuvoje-2009-ENG.pdf|title=Vocational Education and Training in Lithuania|publisher=[[Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania]]|accessdate=7 April 2010}}</ref> According to ''Invest in Lithuania'', Lithuania has twice as many people with higher education than the [[EU-15]] average and the proportion is the highest in the Baltic. Also, 90% of Lithuanians speak at least one foreign language and half of the population speaks two foreign languages, mostly Russian and English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investlithuania.com/en/why-invest/talent-pool |title=Invest in Lithuania |publisher=Lda.lt|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>

As with other [[Baltic states|Baltic]] nations, in particular [[Latvia]], the large volume of higher education graduates within the country, coupled with the high rate of spoken second languages is contributing to an education [[brain drain]]. Many Lithuanians are choosing to emigrate seeking higher earning employment and studies throughout Europe. Since their inclusion into the European Union in 2004, Lithuania's population has fallen by approximately 180,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://db1.stat.gov.lt/statbank/selectvarval/saveselections.asp?MainTable=M3020102&PLanguage=0&TableStyle=&Buttons=&PXSId=6282&IQY=&TC=&ST=ST&rvar0=&rvar1=&rvar2=&rvar3=&rvar4=&rvar5=&rvar6=&rvar7=&rvar8=&rvar9=&rvar10=&rvar11=&rvar12=&rvar13=&rvar14=.Lithuanian |title=Tarptautinė migracija – Rodiklių duomenų bazėje |publisher=Db1.stat.gov.lt |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/news/lithuania-exodus-unemployment-youth/ |title=Baltic brain drain hits hardest in Lithuania|publisher=Rt.com |date= 10 February 2011|accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref>

As of 2008, there were 15 public universities in Lithuania, 6 private institutions, 16 public colleges, and 11 private colleges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/AcademicCareersObservatory/AcademicCareersbyCountry/Lithuania.aspx|publisher=[[European University Institute]]|title=Lithuania, Academic Career Structure|accessdate=7 April 2010}}</ref> Vilnius University is one of the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest universities in Northern Europe]] and the largest [[List of universities in Lithuania|university in Lithuania]]. [[Kaunas University of Technology]] is the largest technical university in the [[Baltic States]] and the second largest university in Lithuania. Other universities include [[Kaunas University of Medicine]], [[Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre]], [[Lithuanian University of Educology]], [[Vytautas Magnus University]], [[Mykolas Romeris University]], [[Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education]], [[Vilnius Gediminas Technical University]], [[General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania|The General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania]], [[Klaipėda University]], [[Lithuanian Veterinary Academy]], [[Lithuanian University of Agriculture]], [[Šiauliai University]] and [[Vilnius Academy of Art]].

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Lithuania}}

=== Lithuanian language ===
{{Main|Lithuanian language}}
The [[Lithuanian language]] (''lietuvių kalba'') is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the [[official language]]s of the [[European Union]]. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 0.2 million abroad.

Lithuanian is a [[Baltic languages|Baltic language]], closely related to [[Latvian language|Latvian]], although they are not [[mutual intelligibility|mutually intelligible]]. It is written in an adapted version of the [[Latin alphabet|Roman script]]. Lithuanian is believed to be the [[conservative (language)|linguistically most conservative]] living [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European tongue]], retaining many features of [[Proto Indo-European language|Proto Indo-European]].<ref name="zinkevicius">{{cite book | author = Z. Zinkevičius | title = Rytų Lietuva praeityje ir dabar | publisher = Vilnius: [[Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidykla]] | year = 1993| page = 9| quote=…linguist generally accepted that Lithuanian language is the most archaic among live Indo-European languages…| isbn = 5-420-01085-2 }}</ref>

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Lithuanian literature}}
[[File:Mazvydo katekizmas.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The first Lithuanian [[printing|printed]] book ''The Simple Words of Catechism'' (1547)]]
There is a great deal of Lithuanian literature written in [[Latin]], the main scholarly language of the Middle Ages. The edicts of the Lithuanian King [[Mindaugas]] is the prime example of the literature of this kind. [[Letters of Gediminas]] is another crucial heritage of the Lithuanian Latin writings.

Lithuanian literary works in the [[Lithuanian language]] started being first published in the 16th century. In 1547 [[Martynas Mažvydas]] compiled and published the first printed Lithuanian book ''The Simple Words of Catechism'', which marks the beginning of printed Lithuanian literature. He was followed by [[Mikalojus Daukša]] with ''Katechizmas''. In the 16th and 17th centuries, as in the whole Christian Europe, Lithuanian literature was primarily religious.

The evolution of the old (14th–18th century) Lithuanian literature ends with [[Kristijonas Donelaitis]], one of the most prominent authors of the [[Age of Enlightenment]]. [[Kristijonas Donelaitis|Donelaitis]] poem ''[[The Seasons (poem)|The Seasons]]'' is the national epic and landmark of the Lithuanian fiction literature.<ref name="INST">Institute of Lithuanian Scientific Society. [http://web.archive.org/web/20050204191505/http://anthology.lms.lt/ Lithuanian Classic Literature]. Retrieved 16 February 2009</ref>

With a mix of [[Classicism]], [[Sentimentalism (literature)|Sentimentalism]], and [[Romanticism]], the Lithuanian literature of the first half of the 19th century is represented by [[Maironis]], [[Antanas Baranauskas]], [[Simonas Daukantas]] and [[Simonas Stanevičius]].<ref name="INST" /> During the Tsarist annexation of Lithuania in 19th century, the [[Lithuanian press ban]] was implemented, which led to the formation of the [[Knygnešiai]] (Book smugglers) movement. This movement is thought to be the very reason the Lithuanian language and literature survived until today.

20th century Lithuanian literature is represented by [[Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas]], [[Antanas Vienuolis]], [[Bernardas Brazdžionis]] and [[Vytautas Mačernis]] and [[Justinas Marcinkevičius]].

=== Arts and museums ===
{{Main|List of museums in Lithuania}}
[[File:Jonas Mekas.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jonas Mekas]] is regarded as godfather of American [[avant-garde cinema]]]]
The [[Lithuanian Art Museum]] was founded in 1933 and is the largest museum of art conservation and display in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldm.lt/LDM/History_LAM_en.htm |title=History of the Lithuanian Art Museum |publisher=Ldm.lt |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref> Among other important museums is the [[Palanga Amber Museum]], where [[amber]] pieces comprise a major part of the collection.

Perhaps the most renowned figure in Lithuania's art community was the composer [[Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis]] (1875–1911), an internationally renowned musician. The [[2420 Čiurlionis]] [[asteroid]], identified in 1975, honors his achievements. The [[M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum]], as well as the only military museum in Lithuania, [[Vytautas the Great War Museum]], are located in Kaunas.

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Lithuania}}
[[File:Violeta Urmana.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Violeta Urmanavičiūtė]], one of the finest [[soprano]] and mezzosoprano voices in the world]]
Lithuanian folk music belongs to [[Baltic languages|Baltic]] music branch which is connected with [[neolithic]] [[corded ware]] culture. Two instrument cultures meet in the areas inhabited by Lithuanians: stringed ([[kantele|kanklių]]) and wind instrument cultures. Lithuanian folk music is archaic, mostly used for ritual purposes, containing elements of [[paganism]] faith. There are three ancient styles of singing in Lithuania connected with ethnographical regions: [[monophony]], [[heterophony]] and [[polyphony]]. Folk song genres: Sutartinės, Wedding Songs, War-Historical Time Songs, Calendar Cycle and Ritual Songs and Work Songs.

[[Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis]] is the most renowned Lithuanian painter and composer. During his short life he created about 200 pieces of music. His works have had profound influence on modern Lithuanian culture. His [[symphonic poem]]s ''In the Forest'' (''Miške'') and ''The Sea'' (''Jūra'') were performed only [[Posthumous work|posthumously]].

[[Vytautas Miškinis]] (born 1954) is a professor, composer and choir director of the famous Lithuanian boys' choir [[Ąžuoliukas]]. He is very popular in Lithuania and abroad. He has written over 400 secular and about 160 religious works.

In Lithuania [[choral music]] is very important. [[Vilnius]] is the only city with three choirs laureates (Brevis, Jauna Muzika and Chamber Choir of the Conservatoire) at the [[European Grand Prix for Choral Singing]]. There is a long-standing tradition of the Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival (Dainų Šventė). The first one took place in [[Kaunas]] in 1924. Since 1990, the festival has been organised every four years and summons roughly 30,000 singers and folk dancers of various professional levels and age groups from across the country. In 2008, Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival together with its [[Latvian Song and Dance Festival|Latvian]] and [[Estonian Song Festival|Estonian]] versions was inscribed as [[UNESCO]] [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]].

[[Marijonas Mikutavičius]] is famous for creating unofficial Lithuania sport anthem "Trys milijonai" ([[English language|English]]: Three million).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmmg3Wl86kQ Marijonas Mikutavičius - Trys milijonai]</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Lithuanian cuisine}}
Lithuanian cuisine features the products suited to the cool and moist northern climate of Lithuania: barley, potatoes, rye, beets, greens, berries, and mushrooms are locally grown, and dairy products are one of its specialities. Since it shares its climate and agricultural practices with Northern Europe, Lithuanian cuisine has some similarities to Scandinavian cuisine. Nevertheless, it has its own distinguishing features, which were formed by a variety of influences during the country's long and difficult history.

Because of their common heritage, Lithuanians, Poles, and Ashkenazi Jews share many dishes and beverages. Thus there are similar Lithuanian, Litvak, and Polish versions of dumplings (koldūnai, kreplach or pierogi), doughnuts spurgos or (pączki ), and blynai crepes (blintzes). German traditions also influenced Lithuanian cuisine, introducing pork and potato dishes, such as potato pudding (kugelis or kugel) and potato sausages (vėdarai), as well as the baroque tree cake known as Šakotis. The most exotic of all the influences is Eastern (Karaite) cuisine, and the dishes kibinai and čeburekai are popular in Lithuania. Torte Napoleon was introduced during Napoleon's passage through Lithuania in the 19th century.

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Lithuania}}
[[File:La selección de Lituania celebra su tercer puesto en el Mundial de baloncesto 2010.jpg|thumb|300px|left|[[Lithuania national basketball team]] is ranked 4th worldwide in [[FIBA Rankings]].]]
Basketball is the national sport of Lithuania. The [[Lithuania national basketball team]] has had significant success in international basketball events. Having won a total of 10 medals in the [[EuroBasket]], the [[FIBA World Championship|World Championships]] and the [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]], formerly Lithuania was even ranked 3rd worldwide in [[FIBA Rankings]] (now 4th). Lithuania has produced a number of [[NBA]] players: [[Arvydas Sabonis]], [[Šarūnas Marčiulionis]], [[Žydrūnas Ilgauskas]], [[Darius Songaila]], [[Šarūnas Jasikevičius]], [[Linas Kleiza]] and current [[NBA]] prospects [[Donatas Motiejūnas]] of [[Houston Rockets]] and [[Jonas Valančiūnas]] of [[Toronto Raptors]]. [[Arvydas Sabonis]] was the first Lithuanian to be inducted into the prestigious [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].

In 2011, Lithuania hosted the men's European Basketball Championship [[EuroBasket 2011]]. In 2011, the Lithuanian U19 men's basketball team won the [[FIBA Under-19 World Championship]]. The historic Lithuanian basketball team [[Kauno Žalgiris]] won the European basketball league [[Euroleague]] in 1999. [[Žalgiris]] together with [[Vilniaus Lietuvos Rytas]] compete in [[Euroleague Basketball|Euroleague]]. [[BC Neptūnas|Neptūnas]] compete in the second-tier European competition [[Eurocup Basketball 2011–12|Eurocup Basketball]].

[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] is currently experiencing an immense rise in popularity. The boom has been sparked by the success of [[Rūta Meilutytė]] who, at the age of just 15, won the gold medal in the women's 100 metre breaststroke at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.

[[Virgilijus Alekna]] is one of world top [[discus throw]]ers. He has won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the [[2000 Sydney Olympics|2000 Sydney]] and [[2004 Athens]] Olympics. In the [[2008 Beijing]] Summer Olympics Alekna received the Bronze medal, and in [[London 2012]] Alekna finished 4th. [[Austra Skujytė]] (Silver in [[heptathlon]], [[2004 Athens Olympics]]), [[Laura Asadauskaitė]] (Gold in [[pentathlon]], [[London 2012]], World championship Gold medal in [[2013 World Modern Pentathlon Championships|Kaoshiung 2013]]) and [[Justinas Kinderis]] (World championship Gold medal in individual [[pentathlon]], [[2013 World Modern Pentathlon Championships|Kaoshiung 2013]]) are also world-class athletes.

[[Simona Krupeckaitė]] is currently the country's most famous professional [[track cyclist]]. She is former world-record holder in [[List of world records in track cycling|500m time trial]] and [[List of world records in track cycling|flying 200m time trial]]. Krupeckaitė has been named the [[Lithuanian Sportsman of the Year]] twice in 2009 and 2010.

Lithuania has a stellar [[NHL]] player [[Dainius Zubrus]] playing for [[New Jersey Devils]]. [[Ričardas Berankis]] is the top ranked Lithuanian tennis player.

When it comes to non-Olympics sports, [[Viktorija Čmilytė]], the chess player, has grown to fame owing to her [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] and [[Woman Grandmaster]] titles. In 2011, Čmilytė has become the champion of the [[European Individual Chess Championship|European Woman Chess Championship]]. [[Jurgis Kairys]], the most renowned Lithuanian aviator, has won the bronze in unlimited freestyle aviation in the 2011 [[FAI World Aerobatic Championship]]. The other famous Lithuanian sportsman is [[Žydrūnas Savickas]] who is currently nominated as the [[World's Strongest Man|Strongest Man in the World]]. Another notable Lithuanian athlete in mixed martial arts is [[Marius Žaromskis]].

With the launch of the first indoor ski slope in [[Baltics]], [[SNORAS Snow Arena|Snow Arena]], the rise of popularity in winter sports is widely expected.

== See also ==

* [[Baltic states]]
* [[List of Lithuanians]]
* [[Index of Lithuania-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Lithuania]]

{{portal bar|Geography|<!-- Eurasia -->|Europe|<!-- Northern Europe -->|<!-- Baltic States -->|European Union|NATO|Lithuania}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Lithuania|voy=Lithuania}}

; Government
* [http://www.president.lt/en The Lithuanian President] – Official site of the President of the Republic of Lithuania
* [http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter/w5_home.home?p_kalb_id=2 The Lithuanian Parliament] – Official site of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania
* [http://www.lrv.lt/en The Lithuanian Government] – Official site of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-l/lithuania.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members]
* [http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/ Statistics Lithuania] – Official site of Department of Statistics to the Government of Lithuania

; General information

* {{CIA World Factbook link|lh|Lithuania}}
* [http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/lithuania.htm Lithuania] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Lithuania}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17536867 Lithuania] from the [[BBC News]]
* {{wikiatlas|Lithuania}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|72596}}
* [http://lietuva.lt/en Lietuva.lt/en] – Lithuanian internet gates
* [http://lietuva.cc/ Maps of Lithuania]
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=LT Key Development Forecasts for Lithuania] from [[International Futures]]

; Travel
* [http://www.tourism.lt/en Lithuanian State Department of Tourism]
* [http://uzlietuva.lt/video/NXBB48O5XWAM/Essential-Lithuania-2010 Travel Channel movie about Lithuanian – "Essential Lithuania 2010"]
* [http://www.travel.lt/index.php?lang=2 www.travel.lt] – The Official Lithuanian Travel Guide

{{Geographic location
| Centre = Republic of Lithuania
| North = Republic of Latvia
| Northeast = Republic of Latvia
| East = Republic of Belarus
| Southeast = Republic of Belarus
| South = Republic of Belarus
| Southwest = Republic of Poland
| West = Russian Federation, Baltic Sea
| Northwest = Baltic Sea, Republic of Latvia
}}
{{Lithuania topics}}
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[[Category:Lithuania| ]]
[[Category:Baltic states|*]]
[[Category:Countries bordering the Baltic Sea]]
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Revision as of 21:01, 15 October 2013

Baltic state bordered by Poland, Belarus, Latvia. Capital Vilnius. Population (2000 est.) 3,620,756


Interactive Map


See: Lithuania: The Rebel Nation by Vytas Stanley Vardys, ISBN: 0813318394

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