The country of Lithuania in northeastern Europe has been dominated by foreign powers for much of its history. It achieved independence from Russia in 1918 but was conquered by the Soviet Union in 1940. In March 1990 Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence. The crumbling Soviet Union finally recognized Lithuania's independence in September 1991. The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius. GeographyLithuania covers an area of 25,213 square miles (65,301 square kilometers). Its western border is the Baltic Sea. Lithuania is larger than the other two Baltic countries, Estonia and Latvia. Lithuania is bounded by Latvia on the north, Belarus on the east and southeast, and Poland and a province of Russia on the southwest. The landscape of Lithuania consists of low-lying plains with some hills. Swamps and wetlands cover about 7 percent of the area. The relatively low Baltic Highlands lie in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country. Lithuania's highest point, Mount Juozapine, reaches only 958 feet (292 meters) above sea level. The major river is the Neman, or Nemunas, which flows into the Baltic Sea. Lithuania also has nearly 3,000 lakes, mostly in the east and southeast. Plants and animalsAbout one fourth of Lithuania is forested. Pine forests dominate the west and the south. The central region has many oak trees as well as birch forests in the northern portions. Spruce trees grow in the hilly eastern part of the country. Lithuania's wildlife is diverse. It includes wolves, foxes, otters, badgers, ermine, wild boars, elk, stags, deer, beavers, and mink. Lithuania also has about 300 types of birds, including the bald eagle. People and cultureEthnic Lithuanians make up about 80 percent of the country's people. The population also includes Russians, Poles, Belarussians, Ukrainians, and other groups. Lithuanians speak their own language, which is closely related to Latvian. Most Lithuanians are Roman Catholic. - Trakai Castle, located on an island in Lake Galve, west of Vilnius, Lithuania. Built by Vytautas …
Nearly 70 percent of the population lived in cities at the beginning of the 21st century. The largest city is Vilnius, the capital, with more than half a million people. EconomyDuring the Soviet era Lithuania became heavily industrialized. Nevertheless, agriculture remains an important part of the country's economy. About one fifth of Lithuania's workers are employed in farming. Livestock breeding, mostly of dairy cattle and pigs, is the most important type of farming. The main crops include grains such as wheat and rye, flax, sugar beets, potatoes, and other vegetables. Major industries in Lithuania include petroleum refining, metalworking, woodworking, food processing, shipbuilding, and the production of textiles and chemicals. Manufacturing industries produce machine tools, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, electric motors, and other goods. HistoryThe Lithuanian tribes united in the mid-13th century under the leadership of Mindaugas. His successors ruled the united Lithuania as grand dukes. One of them, Gediminas, expanded Lithuania into an empire that dominated much of Eastern Europe from the 14th to the 16th century. Union with Poland and Russian ruleIn 1386 the reigning Lithuanian grand duke married the queen of Poland. This marriage made him king of Poland and created a bond between Lithuania and Poland that would last 400 years. As a condition of the marriage Lithuania formally adopted Roman Catholicism. In 1569 Lithuania and Poland made their union official. Poland became the dominant state in the union. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth declined during the 18th century. The territory was divided among neighboring powers three times between 1772 and 1795. In the third partition most of Lithuania came under Russian rule. Russia forced its laws, language, and religion on the Lithuanians. In 1917 the Russian Empire collapsed during the Russian Revolution. The next year Lithuania proclaimed its independence. Soviet era and beyondLithuania remained independent until it was invaded and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. In 1941 Lithuania was occupied by Nazi Germany. Nearly all of Lithuania's Jews died in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. In 1944 the Soviets drove out the Germans and reclaimed Lithuania. During the following years Lithuania's economy was forcibly tied to that of the Soviet Union. In the late 1980s Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev began to ease the harsh rule of the Soviet regime. Lithuanians began to demand greater freedom in the management of their own affairs. Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. At first the Soviets refused to accept the declaration. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, however, Lithuania achieved full independence. Since then Lithuania has worked to improve its economy and develop a closer relationship with the countries of Western Europe. Population (2001 estimate), 3,691,000. |