Lithuania is the largest and most populous of the Baltic states—a group of countries including Latvia and Estonia, which border the Baltic Sea. It was ruled by Russia and the communist Soviet Union for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it is a member of the European Union and has a rapidly-developing economy. Lithuania’s landscape was smoothed down by glaciers during the most recent Ice Ages, about 22,000 years ago. Apart from some low hills in the east, the land is fairly flat and forested, dotted with lakes, rivers and marshes. Sandy beaches and dunes stretch along the coast. Winters in Lithuania are cold, while summers are sunny but usually mild.

People

Most of the people are ethnic Lithuanians, a Baltic people directly descended from the region’s first settlers. The rest are mainly Poles and Russians. Lithuanian is one of the oldest languages in Europe; it is very similar to the ancient language spoken by the earliest Lithuanians. More people live in cities and towns than in the countryside, many in large housing blocks built during the Soviet era (1944–90). In the countryside, traditional homes are built entirely from wood.
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All the while the country was under Soviet rule, Lithuanians worked hard to keep their culture and traditions—and national identity—alive. Literature, folk and choral music and dance play a big part in Lithuanian culture.

Economy

Lithuania has rich, fertile soils, and farming is very important to its economy. In the south, farmers grow cereals such as rye, barley and wheat, along with beets and potatoes. They also raise pigs and cattle.
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Manufacturing is important in Lithuania, too. In eastern towns and cities, furniture-making is a major industry. Much of the wooden furniture, along with parts and textiles, is exported to Scandinavia. When the Baltic states joined the EU in 2004, their economies grew quickly. Because of this, they were nicknamed the Baltic Tigers ("tiger" being the name given to states that are experiencing high economic growth).

Amber

Amber is fossilized resin (sticky sap) from inside ancient pine trees. It is usually found in small, golden-yellow chunks, and can be polished or cut to make jewellery. After lying buried in the sand for millions of years, pieces of amber regularly wash up on Lithuania’s beaches. Some pieces are more than 30 million years old. Sometimes, amber contains prehistoric insects or plants that were attracted to the sticky resin, then became trapped; now they are perfectly preserved as fossils.

​​​​​​​In Lithuanian folklore, pieces of amber that wash up on the beach are said to be the tears of the sea goddess Jurate, whose palace was destroyed by Perkunas (god of thunder) in a fit of jealousy.

Facts about Lithuania

Population 2,854,099

Area 62,680 sq km

Highest point Aukstojas 294 m (965 ft)

Capital Vilnius, population 542,366

Other major cities Kaunas (pop. 374,643), Klaipeda (192,307), Siauliai (130,587), Panevezys (117,395)

Languages Lithuanian, Polish, Russian

Religions Christian (Roman Catholic) 77%, Christian (Russian Orthodox) 4%, others and none 19%

Ethnicity Lithuanian 82%, Polish 7%, Russian 6%, Belarusian 1%, others 4%

Currency Euro (EUR)

Chief exports machinery and equipment, chemicals, cars, furniture and parts, textiles, foods, plastics