Lithuania

1253 (July 6, Sunday) – Grand Duchy of Lithuania founded, the first independent state

1386 (February 18, Monday) – Union with Poland through the marriage of Grand Duke Jogaila to Queen Jadwiga of Poland

1795 (October 24, Monday) – Third Partition of Poland leads to Lithuania’s annexation by the Russian Empire

1918 (February 16, Friday) – Declaration of independence from Russia

1940 (June 15, Saturday) – Soviet Union annexes Lithuania

1941 (June 22, Sunday) – Nazi invasion of Lithuania, part of Operation Barbarossa

1944 (July 7, Friday) – Soviet reoccupation of Lithuania

1990 (March 11, Sunday) – Restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Lithuania becomes the first Soviet republic to declare independence

2004 (May 1, Saturday) – Lithuania joins the European Union and NATO

2015 (September 20, Sunday) – Lithuania experiences major flooding in the central and southern regions due to heavy rainfall

2020 (March 16, Monday) – COVID-19 pandemic reaches Lithuania, lockdown imposed

November 2022 (Wednesday) – Severe storm damages coastal regions of Lithuania

January 2023 (Monday) – Cold wave and heavy snow cause disruptions across the country

October 2024 (Thursday) – Flooding in Vilnius after extreme rainfall causes significant damage

Continent: Europe
Location: Northern Europe, Baltic region
Capital: Vilnius
Language: Lithuanian (official)
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: ~2.7 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2) / Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3 in summer)

Borders: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast)
Landscape: Plains, lowlands, forests, lakes, rivers
Major Rivers: Neman River, Vistula River, Nemunas River
Major Mountains: Aukštojas Hill (highest point), other minor hills
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Vilkija, Lake Drūkšiai, Lake Vėluva
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Aukštojas Hill – 294 m (965 ft)
Lowest Point: Gulf of Lithuania – 0 m (sea level)
Climate: Maritime temperate climate with cold winters and mild summers
Geological Features: Glacial landforms, coastal plains, extensive wetlands

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Lithuanian (approx. 85%), Polish, Russian, Belarusians, and others
Religion: Roman Catholic (approx. 77%), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant
Urban Population: ~67% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~19% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Folk music, amber, medieval castles, basketball
Cuisine: Cepelinai (dumplings), Šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup), rye bread, beer
Arts: Traditional folk art, contemporary art, literature
Sports: Basketball (most popular), football, athletics, volleyball

Economy Type: High-income economy, diverse economy with strong services and industrial sectors
GDP: Approx. $58 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Manufacturing, services, agriculture, information technology
Key Exports: Machinery, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products
Unemployment Rate: ~6.4% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Industrial regions around Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda; agricultural areas in rural regions

Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Gitanas Nausėda (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral Parliament (Seimas)
Constitution: In effect since 1992, with amendments in 2006

Vilnius: Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage site), Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas’ Tower
Kaunas: Kaunas Castle, Pažaislis Monastery, Devil’s Museum
Trakai: Trakai Castle, picturesque lakes
Curonian Spit: UNESCO World Heritage site, dunes, beaches
Hill of Crosses: Pilgrimage site with thousands of crosses
Palanga: Baltic Sea resort town, Palanga Amber Museum