Revision as of 19:36, 14 April 2024 edit85.254.75.233 (talk)No edit summaryTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 05:58, 22 December 2024 edit undo2001:e68:5450:4fb7:95e1:f2ea:7f0:85b8 (talk) →Etymology: Missing hyperforeignism link | ||
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{{Other uses}} | {{Other uses}} | ||
{{redirect|Litwa}} | {{redirect|Litwa}} | ||
{{Redirect|Lietuva|newspapers under the name ''Lietuva''|Lietuva (newspaper)}} | |||
{{pp-pc1}} | |||
{{pp-move |
{{pp-move}} | ||
{{pp-pc}} | |||
{{Very long|date=June 2023|words=18,000}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox country | {{Infobox country | ||
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| image_coat = Coat of arms of Lithuania.svg | | image_coat = Coat of arms of Lithuania.svg | ||
| alt_coat = Coat of arms of Lithuania | | alt_coat = Coat of arms of Lithuania | ||
| national_anthem = <br/>{{lang|lt|]}}<br />"National Hymn"<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{center|]}}</div> | | national_anthem = <br />{{lang|lt|]}}<br />"National Hymn"<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{center|]}}</div> | ||
| image_map = |
| image_map = EU-Lithuania.svg | ||
| 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}} | | 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 = ] | | capital = ] | ||
| coordinates = {{Coord|54|41|N|25|19|E|type:city}} | | coordinates = {{Coord|54|41|N|25|19|E|type:city}} | ||
| largest_city = capital | | largest_city = capital | ||
| official_languages = ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania's Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2019 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Lithuania_2006.pdf |website=Constitute Project}}</ref> | | official_languages = ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania's Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2019 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Lithuania_2006.pdf |website=Constitute Project |access-date=30 August 2020 |archive-date=21 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221121506/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Lithuania_2006.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list | | ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list | ||
| |
|82.6% ] | ||
|6. |
|6.3% ] | ||
|5. |
|5.0% ] | ||
| |
|2.1% ] | ||
|1. |
|1.7% ] | ||
| |
|2.3% ] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| ethnic_groups_year = |
| ethnic_groups_year = 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize|title=Rodiklių duomenų bazė - Oficialiosios statistikos portalas|website=osp.stat.gov.lt}}</ref> | ||
| religion_year = 2021<ref name="religion-stats">{{cite web|title=Population by religious community indicated, municipalities (2021)|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=dadee47b-9204-48d2-a55e-e125d581f1b6#/|publisher=]|language=lt|access-date=2 January 2022}}</ref> | | religion_year = 2021<ref name="religion-stats">{{cite web|title=Population by religious community indicated, municipalities (2021)|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=dadee47b-9204-48d2-a55e-e125d581f1b6#/|publisher=]|language=lt|access-date=2 January 2022|archive-date=2 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102180815/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=dadee47b-9204-48d2-a55e-e125d581f1b6#/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| religion = {{unbulleted list | | | religion = {{unbulleted list | | ||
{{Tree list}} | {{Tree list}} | ||
Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
* 13.7% no answer}} | * 13.7% no answer}} | ||
| demonym = ] | | demonym = ] | ||
| government_type = |
| government_type = Unitary ]<ref name="Lina">{{cite book |last=Kulikauskienė |first=Lina |date=2002 |title=Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucija |trans-title=The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania |language=lt |publisher=Native History, CD. |isbn=978-9986-9216-7-7 |quote=<!-- Please, provide a quotation if you have access to the book. -->}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Veser |first=Ernst |author-link=<!-- Ernst Veser --> |date=23 September 1997 |title=Semi-Presidentialism-Duverger's Concept – A New Political System Model |url=http://www.rchss.sinica.edu.tw/publication/ebook/journal/11-01-1999/11_1_2.pdf |publisher=Department of Education, School of Education, ] |language=en, zh |pages=39–60 |access-date=23 August 2017 |quote=Duhamel has developed the approach further: He stresses that the French construction does not correspond to either parliamentary or the presidential form of government, and then develops the distinction of 'système politique' and 'régime constitutionnel'. While the former comprises the exercise of power that results from the dominant institutional practice, the latter is the totality of the rules for the dominant institutional practice of the power. In this way, France appears as 'presidentialist system' endowed with a 'semi-presidential regime' (1983: 587). By this standard he recognizes Duverger's ''pléiade'' as semi-presidential regimes, as well as Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Lithuania (1993: 87). |archive-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424202059/https://www.rchss.sinica.edu.tw/publication/ebook/journal/11-01-1999/11_1_2.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Draft">{{Cite journal |last=Shugart |first=Matthew Søberg |author-link=Matthew Søberg Shugart |date=September 2005 |title=Semi-Presidential Systems: Dual Executive and Mixed Authority Patterns |url=http://dss.ucsd.edu/~mshugart/semi-presidentialism.pdf |journal=Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies |location=United States |publisher=University of California, San Diego |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819200307/http://dss.ucsd.edu/~mshugart/semi-presidentialism.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2008 |access-date=23 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Dual">{{Cite journal |last=Shugart |first=Matthew Søberg |author-link=Matthew Søberg Shugart |date=December 2005 |title=Semi-Presidential Systems: Dual Executive And Mixed Authority Patterns |journal=French Politics |publisher=] Journals |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=323–351 |doi=10.1057/palgrave.fp.8200087 |doi-access=free |quote=A pattern similar to the French case of compatible majorities alternating with periods of cohabitation emerged in Lithuania, where Talat-Kelpsa (2001) notes that the ability of the Lithuanian president to influence government formation and policy declined abruptly when he lost the sympathetic majority in parliament. |issn=1476-3419}}</ref> | ||
| leader_title1 = ] | | leader_title1 = ] | ||
| leader_name1 = ] | | leader_name1 = ] | ||
| leader_title2 = ] | | leader_title2 = ] | ||
| leader_name2 = ] | | leader_name2 = ] | ||
| leader_title3 = ] | | leader_title3 = ] | ||
| leader_name3 = ] | | leader_name3 = ] | ||
| legislature = ] | | legislature = ] | ||
| sovereignty_type = ] | | sovereignty_type = ] | ||
Line 64: | Line 64: | ||
| established_event7 = ] | | established_event7 = ] | ||
| established_date7 = 16 February 1918 | | established_date7 = 16 February 1918 | ||
| established_event8 = ] | | established_event8 = ] | ||
| established_date8 = |
| established_date8 = 19 June 1940 | ||
| established_event9 = ] the |
| established_event9 = ] | ||
| established_date9 = |
| established_date9 = 11 March 1990 | ||
| area_rank = 121st <!-- Area rank should match ] --> | | area_rank = 121st <!-- Area rank should match ] --> | ||
| area_km2 = 65,300 | | area_km2 = 65,300 | ||
| area_sq_mi = 25,212 <!-- Do not remove per ] --> | | area_sq_mi = 25,212 <!-- Do not remove per ] --> | ||
| percent_water = 1.98 (2015)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surface water and surface water change |access-date= |
| percent_water = 1.98 (2015)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surface water and surface water change |access-date=11 October 2020 |publisher=] (OECD) |url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER |archive-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324133453/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 2, |
| population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 2,885,891<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=20530e4b-d2d5-4c58-b976-e97703c30d4a |title=Pradžia – Oficialiosios statistikos portalas |website=osp.stat.gov.lt |access-date=7 August 2024}}</ref> | ||
| population_estimate_rank = 135th | | population_estimate_rank = 135th | ||
| population_estimate_year = 2024 | | population_estimate_year = 2024 | ||
Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
| population_density_sq_mi = 114 <!-- Do not remove per ] --> | | population_density_sq_mi = 114 <!-- Do not remove per ] --> | ||
| population_density_rank = 138th | | population_density_rank = 138th | ||
| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $144. |
| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $144.585 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.LT">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=946,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2023&ey=2025&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2024 Edition. (Lithuania) |publisher=] |date=10 April 2024 |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref> | ||
| GDP_PPP_rank = 88th | | GDP_PPP_rank = 88th | ||
| GDP_PPP_year = 2024 | | GDP_PPP_year = 2024 | ||
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $ |
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $50,600<ref name="IMFWEO.LT" /> | ||
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 39th | | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 39th | ||
| GDP_nominal = {{ |
| GDP_nominal = {{Increase}} $81.979 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.LT" /> | ||
| GDP_nominal_rank = 78th | | GDP_nominal_rank = 78th | ||
| GDP_nominal_year = 2024 | | GDP_nominal_year = 2024 | ||
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $ |
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $28,407<ref name="IMFWEO.LT" /> | ||
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 40th | | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 40th | ||
| Gini = 36.2 <!-- number only --> | | Gini = 36.2 <!-- number only --> | ||
Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
| Gini_change = increase <!-- increase/decrease/steady --> | | Gini_change = increase <!-- increase/decrease/steady --> | ||
| HDI = 0.879 <!-- number only --> | | HDI = 0.879 <!-- number only --> | ||
| HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|language=en|publisher=]|date=13 March 2024|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> | | HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|language=en|publisher=]|date=13 March 2024|access-date=13 March 2024|archive-date=13 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| HDI_rank = |
| HDI_rank = 37th | ||
| HDI_year = 2022 | | HDI_year = 2022 | ||
| HDI_change = increase <!-- increase/decrease/steady --> | | HDI_change = increase <!-- increase/decrease/steady --> | ||
Line 104: | Line 104: | ||
| time_zone_DST = ] | | time_zone_DST = ] | ||
| utc_offset_DST = +3 | | utc_offset_DST = +3 | ||
| date_format = {{abbr|yyyy|year}}-{{abbr|mm|month}}-{{abbr|dd|day}}{{efn|Lithuania uses ] standard for date and time.}}<ref>{{cite web |author1=] |title=V-117 Dėl Dokumentų rengimo taisyklių patvirtinimo |url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.403753/asr |website=e-seimas.lrs.lt |publisher=] |access-date=6 December 2024 |language=lt-LT |date=4 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kaip trumpuoju būdu rašyti datą? |url=https://www.vlkk.lt/konsultacijos/657-data-datos-rasymas |website=vlkk.lt |publisher=] |access-date=6 December 2024 |language=lt-LT}}</ref> | |||
| date_format = {{abbr|yyyy|year}}-{{abbr|mm|month}}-{{abbr|dd|day}} (]) | |||
| drives_on = right | | drives_on = right | ||
| cctld = ]<sup>a</sup> | |||
| calling_code = ] | | calling_code = ] | ||
| cctld = ] | |||
| official_website = {{URL|https://lithuania.lt}} | |||
| footnote_a = Also ], shared with other European Union member states. | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Lithuania''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en| audio = Lithuania pronunciation RP.ogg|ˌ|l|ɪ|θj|u|ˈ|eɪ|n|i|ə}} {{respell|LITH|ew|AY|nee|ə}};<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Jones (phonetician) |editor1-last=Roach |editor1-first=Peter |editor2-last=Setter |editor2-first=Jane |editor2-link=Jane Setter |editor3-last=Esling |editor3-first=John |year=2011 |title=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary |edition=18th |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-15253-2 |title-link=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary}}</ref> {{langx|lt|Lietuva}} {{IPA|lt|lʲiətʊˈvɐ|}}}} officially the '''Republic of Lithuania''',{{efn|{{langx|lt|Lietuvos Respublika|links=no}} {{IPA|lt|lʲiətʊˈvoːs rʲɛsˈpʊblʲɪkɐ|}}}} is a country in the ] of ].{{efn|name=location|Various sources classify Lithuania differently for statistical and other purposes. For example, United Nations,<ref name="UN">{{cite web|url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/#geo-regions|title=United Nations Statistics Division- Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49)-Geographic Regions|website=Unstats.un.org|access-date=1 September 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830170949/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/#geo-regions|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] (which additionally classifies Lithuania as central and eastern European country),<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania - EU Vocabularies - Publications Office of the EU |url=https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/concept/-/resource?uri=http://eurovoc.europa.eu/5709&lang=en |website=op.europa.eu |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309144010/https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/concept/-/resource?uri=http://eurovoc.europa.eu/5709&lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref> among others, classify it as northern Europe. The ], ] and the ] place Lithuania in central Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.strasbourg-europe.eu/lithuania/|title=Lithuania|website=Europe Direct Strasbourg|access-date=16 December 2023|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215192041/https://www.strasbourg-europe.eu/lithuania/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lithuania joins the Eurozone|url=https://www.ebrd.com/news/2014/lithuania-joins-the-eurozone.html|work=European Bank for Reconstruction and Development|access-date=16 December 2023|date=29 December 2014|last=Lehmann|first=Alex}}</ref><ref>Lagassé, Paul; Columbia University, eds. (2000). ''The Columbia Encyclopedia'' (6th ed.). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. ] ]</ref> The ]<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/|publisher=]|title=Lithuania|date=22 September 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622180812/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/|url-status=live}}</ref> classifies it as eastern Europe, and '']'' locates it in northeastern Europe.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Lithuania|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=1 September 2017|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703032318/https://www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania|url-status=live}}</ref> Usage varies greatly, and controversially,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bershidsky|first1=Leonid|title=Why the Baltics Want to Move to Another Part of Europe|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-01-10/why-the-baltics-want-to-move-to-another-part-of-europe|access-date=1 September 2017|work=Bloomberg|date=10 January 2017|url-access=subscription|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017213918/https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-01-10/why-the-baltics-want-to-move-to-another-part-of-europe|url-status=live}}</ref> in press sources.}} It is one of three ] and lies on the eastern shore of the ], bordered by ] to the north, ] to the east and south, ] to the south, and the Russian ] of ] to the southwest, with a ] with ] to the west. Lithuania covers an area of {{convert|65300|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, with a population of 2.88 million. Its capital and largest city is ]; other major cities include ], ], ] and ]. ] belong to the linguistic group of the ] and speak ]. | |||
For millennia, the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea were inhabited by various ]. In the 1230s, Lithuanian lands were united for the first time by ], who formed the ] on 6 July 1253. Subsequent expansion and consolidation resulted in the ], which by the 14th century was the largest country in Europe. In 1386, the Grand Duchy entered into a '']'' ] with the ]. The two realms were ] into the ] ] in 1569, forming one of the largest and most prosperous states in Europe. The Commonwealth lasted more than two centuries, until neighbouring countries gradually ] it between 1772 and 1795, with the ] annexing most of Lithuania's territory. | |||
'''Lithuania''' ({{IPAc-en| audio = Lithuania pronunciation RP.ogg|ˌ|l|ɪ|θj|u|ˈ|eɪ|n|i|ə}} {{respell|LITH|yoo|AYN|ee|ə}};<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Jones (phonetician) |editor1-last=Roach |editor1-first=Peter |editor2-last=Setter |editor2-first=Jane |editor2-link=Jane Setter |editor3-last=Esling |editor3-first=John |year=2011 |title=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary |edition=18th |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-15253-2 |title-link=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary}}</ref> {{lang-lt|Lietuva}} {{IPA-lt|lʲɪɛtʊˈvɐ|}}), officially the '''Republic of Lithuania''' ({{lang-lt|Lietuvos Respublika|links=no}} {{IPA-lt|lʲɪɛtʊˈvoːs rʲɛsˈpʊblʲɪkɐ|}}), is a country in the ] of ].{{efn|name=location|Various sources classify Lithuania differently for statistical and other purposes. For example, United Nations,<ref name="UN">{{cite web|url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/#geo-regions|title=United Nations Statistics Division- Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49)-Geographic Regions|website=Unstats.un.org}}</ref> and ] (which additionally classifies Lithuania as central and eastern European country),<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania - EU Vocabularies - Publications Office of the EU |url=https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/concept/-/resource?uri=http://eurovoc.europa.eu/5709&lang=en |website=op.europa.eu |access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref> among others, classify it as northern Europe, the ]<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/|publisher=]|title=Lithuania|date=22 September 2021}}</ref> classifies it as eastern Europe, and '']'' locates it in northeastern Europe.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Lithuania|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> The European Commission places Lithuania in Central Europe.<ref name="Europe Direct Strasbourg (European Commission)">{{cite web|url=https://www.strasbourg-europe.eu/lithuania/|title=Lithuania|website=Europe Direct Strasbourg}}</ref> Usage varies greatly, and controversially,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bershidsky|first1=Leonid|title=Why the Baltics Want to Move to Another Part of Europe|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-01-10/why-the-baltics-want-to-move-to-another-part-of-europe|access-date=1 September 2017|work=Bloomberg |date=10 January 2017|url-access=subscription}}</ref> in press sources.}} It is one of three ] and lies on the eastern shore of the ]. It borders ] to the north, ] to the east and south, ] to the south, and ] to the southwest,{{efn|Lithuania borders ], an ] of Russia sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland, on the coast of the Baltic Sea.}} with a ] with ] to the west. Lithuania covers an area of {{convert|65300|km2|sqmi|abbr= on}}, with a population of 2.86 million. Its capital and largest city is ]; other major cities are ], ], ] and ]. ] belong to the ] of the ] and speak ], one of only a few living members of the ] branch of the ], which is also the most widely spoken language of the branch. | |||
Towards the end of ], Lithuania ] in 1918, founding the modern Republic of Lithuania. In ], Lithuania was occupied ], ], before being ] in 1944. ] to the Soviet occupation lasted until the early 1950s. On 11 March 1990, a year before the formal ], Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to break away when it ]. | |||
Lithuania is a ] with a ] |
Lithuania is a ] with a ] and ], ranking 37th in the ] (HDI) and 19th in the ]. Lithuania is a member of the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], ], and ]. It also participates in the ] (NB8) regional co-operation format. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
{{Main|Name of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Name of Lithuania}} | ||
] | ] | ||
The |
The spelling of ''Lithuania'' was a later addition to the original Latinate ''Lituania'' since 1800 as a form of ] (such as the word {{wikt-lang|en|author}} being a superseding form of older ''autor'') influenced by ] with the ]; it is ultimately from {{langx|lt|Lietuva}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bammesberger|first=Alfred|author-link=Alfred Bammesberger|date=Mar 2012|title=''Lietuvà'', ''Lithuania'', and Chaucer’s ''Lettow''|url=http://www.old.lituanus.org/2012/12_1_01Bammesberger.html|journal=]|volume=58|issue=1|pages=5-8}}</ref> The first known record of ''Lietuva'' is in a 9 March 1009 story of ] in the ].<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 | first=Tomas | last=Baranauskas | issn=0024-5089}}</ref> The Chronicle recorded a Latinized form of the name Lietuva: ''Litua''<ref>Vilnius. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117201537/http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/index.php/en/39453/ |date=17 January 2007}}. Retrieved on 18 January 2007.</ref> (pronounced {{IPA|}}). Due to lack of reliable evidence, the true meaning of the name is unknown and scholars still debate it. There are a few plausible versions.<ref name="VardasVle">{{cite web |last1=Zinkevičius |first1=Zigmas |author-link1=Zigmas Zinkevičius |title=Lietuvos vardas |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-vardas/ |website=] |access-date=12 July 2021 |language=lt |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704040617/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-vardas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
], a small river not far from ], the core area of the ] and a possible first capital of the eventual ], is usually credited as the source of the name.<ref name=Zigmas2>Zigmas Zinkevičius. Kelios mintys, kurios kyla skaitant Alfredo Bumblausko Senosios Lietuvos istoriją 1009-1795m. Voruta, 2005.</ref> However, the river is very small and some find it improbable that such a small and local object could have lent its name to an entire nation. On the other hand, such naming is not unprecedented in world history.<ref name=Zigmas>{{cite journal |first=Zigmas |last=Zinkevičius |url=http://www.voruta.lt/archyvas/74/253 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510083828/https://www.voruta.lt/archyvas/74/253 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |title=Lietuvos vardo kilmė |journal=Voruta |issn=1392-0677 |date=30 November 1999 |volume=3 |issue=669 |language=lt}}</ref> | |||
Artūras Dubonis proposed another hypothesis,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dubonis|first=Artūras|title=Lietuvos didžiojo kunigaikščio leičiai: iš Lietuvos ankstyvųjų valstybinių struktūrų praeities Leičiai of Grand Duke of Lithuania: from the past of Lithuanian stative structures|publisher=Lietuvos istorijos instituto leidykla|location=Vilnius|year=1998|language=lt}}</ref> that Lietuva relates to the word '']'' (plural of ''leitis''). From the middle of the 13th century, ''leičiai'' were a distinct warrior social group of the ] society subordinate to the ] or the state itself. The word ''leičiai'' is used in 14–16th century historical sources as an ] for Lithuanians (but not ]) and is still used, usually poetically or in historical contexts, in the ], which is closely related to Lithuanian.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dubonis |first1=Artūras |title=Leičiai {{!}} Orbis Lituaniae |url=https://ldkistorija.lt/pasakojimai/leiciai/ |publisher=] |website=LDKistorija.lt |access-date=13 July 2021 |language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Čeponis |first1=Tomas |last2=Sakalauskas |first2=Mindaugas |title=Leičiai |publisher=] |location=] |isbn=978-609-412-143-2 |url=https://kam.lt/download/63818/lei%C4%8Diai%20bro%C5%A1i%C5%ABra%2020x20%20lt%20internetui.pdf |access-date=13 July 2021 |
Artūras Dubonis proposed another hypothesis,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dubonis|first=Artūras|title=Lietuvos didžiojo kunigaikščio leičiai: iš Lietuvos ankstyvųjų valstybinių struktūrų praeities Leičiai of Grand Duke of Lithuania: from the past of Lithuanian stative structures|publisher=Lietuvos istorijos instituto leidykla|location=Vilnius|year=1998|language=lt}}</ref> that Lietuva relates to the word '']'' (plural of ''leitis''). From the middle of the 13th century, ''leičiai'' were a distinct warrior social group of the ] society subordinate to the ] or the state itself. The word ''leičiai'' is used in 14–16th century historical sources as an ] for Lithuanians (but not ]) and is still used, usually poetically or in historical contexts, in the ], which is closely related to Lithuanian.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dubonis |first1=Artūras |title=Leičiai {{!}} Orbis Lituaniae |url=https://ldkistorija.lt/pasakojimai/leiciai/ |publisher=] |website=LDKistorija.lt |date=30 April 2020 |access-date=13 July 2021 |language=lt |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713174930/https://ldkistorija.lt/pasakojimai/leiciai/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Čeponis |first1=Tomas |last2=Sakalauskas |first2=Mindaugas |title=Leičiai |publisher=] |location=] |isbn=978-609-412-143-2 |url=https://kam.lt/download/63818/lei%C4%8Diai%20bro%C5%A1i%C5%ABra%2020x20%20lt%20internetui.pdf |access-date=13 July 2021}}{{Dead link|date=July 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Patackas|first1=Algirdas|title=Lietuva, Lieta, Leitis, arba ką reiškia žodis "Lietuva"|url=https://kultura.lrytas.lt/-12499654771249731456-lietuva-lieta-leitis-arba-k%C4%85-rei%C5%A1kia-%C5%BEodis-lietuva.htm|website=]|access-date=11 August 2009|language=lt-LT|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702013521/https://kultura.lrytas.lt/-12499654771249731456-lietuva-lieta-leitis-arba-k%C4%85-rei%C5%A1kia-%C5%BEodis-lietuva.htm}}</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
<!--- PLEASE DO NOT ADD MINORLY IMPORTANT AND LONG DETAILS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF LITHUANIA TO THIS SECTION TO KEEP THIS SECTION WRITTEN IN SUMMARY STYLE ---> | |||
{{Main|History of Lithuania}} | {{Main|History of Lithuania}} | ||
{{See also|Duchy of Lithuania}} | |||
] was once a valuable trade resource. It was transported from the region of modern-day Lithuania to the ] and ] through the ].]] | |||
The first people settled in the territory of Lithuania after the ] in the ]: ], ] and ]s.<ref name="PoloméWinter2011">{{cite book|author1=Edgar C. Polomé|author2=Werner Winter|title=Reconstructing Languages and Cultures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIj-nZWsX_0C&pg=PA298|year=2011|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-086792-3|page=298}}</ref> They were traveling hunters and did not form stable settlements. In the 8th millennium BC, the climate became much warmer, and forests developed. The inhabitants of what is now Lithuania then travelled less and engaged in local hunting, gathering and fresh-water fishing. Agriculture did not emerge until the ] due to a harsh climate and terrain and a lack of suitable tools to cultivate the land. Crafts and trade also started to form at this time. Over a millennium, the ], who arrived in the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC, mixed with the local population and formed various ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Šapoka|first1=Adolfas|title=Lietuvos istorija|date=1936|publisher=]|location=Kaunas|pages=13–17|url=http://www.partizanai.org/failai/pdf/sapokos-istorija.pdf}}</ref> | |||
===Early history and Baltic tribes=== | |||
The ] did not maintain close cultural or political contacts with the ],<ref name="MacDonald1996">{{cite book|author=Michael H. MacDonald|title=Europe, a Tantalizing Romance: Past and Present Europe for Students and the Serious Traveler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BQyk0nJNsxUC&pg=PA174|year=1996|publisher=University Press of America|isbn=978-0-7618-0411-6|page=174}}</ref> but they did maintain trade contacts (see ]). ], in his study '']'', described the ] people, inhabitants of the south-eastern ] shores who were probably Balts, around the year 97 AD. The Western Balts differentiated and became known to outside chroniclers first. ] in the ] knew of the ] and ], and ] chroniclers mentioned ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite book |first1=Alfonsas |last1=Eidintas |first2=Alfredas |last2=Bumblauskas |first3=Antanas |last3=Kulakauskas |first4=Mindaugas |last4=Tamošaitis |title=The History of Lithuania |year=2013 |url=http://static.eu2013.lt/uploads/documents/Liet_istorija_knygos/EN_lt.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215231241/http://static.eu2013.lt/uploads/documents/Liet_istorija_knygos/EN_lt.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2013 |publisher=Eugrimas |isbn=978-609-437-204-9 |pages=22–26}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Balts}} | |||
] through the ].]] | |||
]]] | |||
The history of Lithuania dates back to settlements founded about 10,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite book|title=International migration in Lithuania : causes, consequences, strategy|last=Sipavičienė, Audra.|date=1997|publisher=United Nations Economic Commission for Europe|isbn=9986523397|pages=55|oclc=39615701}}</ref><ref name=kudirka13>{{Cite book|title=The Lithuanians: An Ethnic Portrait|last=Kudirka|first=Juozas|authorlink=Juozas Kudirka|publisher=Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre|year=1991|pages=13}}</ref> The first people settled in the territory of Lithuania after the ] in the ]: ], ] and ]s.<ref name="PoloméWinter2011">{{cite book|author1=Edgar C. Polomé|author2=Werner Winter|title=Reconstructing Languages and Cultures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIj-nZWsX_0C&pg=PA298|year=2011|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-086792-3|page=298}}</ref> They were traveling hunters. In the 8th millennium BC the climate became warmer and forests developed. The inhabitants of what is now Lithuania travelled less and engaged in local hunting, gathering and fresh-water fishing. The ], who arrived in the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC, mixed with the local population and formed various ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Šapoka|first1=Adolfas|title=Lietuvos istorija|date=1936|publisher=]|location=Kaunas|pages=13–17|url=http://www.partizanai.org/failai/pdf/sapokos-istorija.pdf|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225035041/http://www.partizanai.org/failai/pdf/sapokos-istorija.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Baltic tribes did not maintain close cultural or political contacts with the ],<ref name="MacDonald1996">{{cite book|author=Michael H. MacDonald|title=Europe, a Tantalizing Romance: Past and Present Europe for Students and the Serious Traveler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BQyk0nJNsxUC&pg=PA174|year=1996|publisher=University Press of America|isbn=978-0-7618-0411-6|page=174}}</ref> while maintaining trade contacts via the ]. | |||
From the 9th to the 11th centuries, coastal Balts were subjected to raids by the ].<ref name="Kasekamp2017">{{cite book|author=Andres Kasekamp|title=A History of the Baltic States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QDA5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|year=2017|publisher=Macmillan International Higher Education|isbn=978-1-137-57366-7|page=9}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> | |||
The ] is considered to be very ] for its close connection to Indo-European roots. It is believed to have differentiated from the ], the most closely related existing language, around the 7th century.<ref name="Bumblauskas 13">Eidintas et al. (2013), p. 13</ref> Traditional ], with many archaic elements, were long preserved. Rulers' bodies were cremated up until the conversion to ]: the descriptions of the cremation ceremonies of the grand dukes ] and ] have survived.<ref name="Bumblauskas 24-25">Eidintas et al. (2013), pp. 24–25</ref> | |||
===Grand Duchy of Lithuania=== | ===Kingdom of Lithuania, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth=== | ||
{{Main|Kingdom of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Kingdom of Lithuania|Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Kościuszko Uprising}} | ||
] | |||
{{See also|Grand Duchy of Lithuania}} | |||
], the former residence of the ]. ] was the capital of the medieval state.]] | |||
].<ref name="Bideleux">{{cite book |last1=Bideleux |first1=Robert |last2=Jeffries |first2=Ian |title=A history of Eastern Europe: crisis and change |date=1998 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-16111-4 |page=122}}</ref> Lithuania's strength was its ] of various ]s and ]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tautinė ir religinė įvairovė / XVI vidurio – XVII a.|url=http://m.ldkistorija.lt/index.php/istoriniai-faktai/religiniai-konfliktai-vilniuje-xvi-a-pabaigoje/471|website=LDKistorija.lt|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127004414/http://m.ldkistorija.lt/index.php/istoriniai-faktai/religiniai-konfliktai-vilniuje-xvi-a-pabaigoje/471}}</ref>]] | |||
] | |||
The first written record of the name for the country dates back to 1009 AD.<ref>Gudavičius, Edvardas (1999) ''Lietuvos Istorija: Nuo Seniausių Laikų iki 1569 Metų (Lithuanian History: From Ancient Times to the Year 1569)'' Vilnius, page 28, {{ISBN|5-420-00723-1}}</ref> Facing the ], ] in the middle of the 13th century united a large part of the ] tribes and founded the State of Lithuania, while in 1253 he was crowned as the Catholic ].<ref name="Mindaugas">{{cite web |last1=Gudavičius |first1=Edvardas |title=Mindaugas |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/mindaugas/ |website=] |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref><ref name="LTHistoryBritannica">{{cite web |title=Lithuania - History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania/History |website=] |access-date=3 November 2024 |date=21 October 2024}}</ref> Moreover by taking advantage of the weakened territory of the former ] due to the ], Mindaugas incorporated ] into Lithuania.<ref name="Mindaugas"/> After Mindaugas' assassination in 1263, ] was again a target of the ] of the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gudavičius |first1=Edvardas |last2=Jasas |first2=Rimantas |title=Kryžiaus karai Baltijos regione |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/kryziaus-karai-baltijos-regione/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> ] during his reign (1269–1282) reunified all Lithuanian lands and achieved military successes against the Crusaders, fighting alongside other Baltic tribes, but was unable to militarily assist the ] in their ].<ref name="Traidenis">{{cite web |title=Traidenis |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/traidenis/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> Traidenis' main residence was in ].<ref name="Traidenis"/> | |||
From the late 13th century members of the ] ] dynasty began ruling Lithuania, who consolidated a ] and the ] of ] as permanent ], ] and by incorporating ]' territories (e.g. principalities of ], ], ], ], ], etc.) significantly expanded the ]'s territory, which reached ~650,000 km2 in the first half of the 14th century.<ref name="VleLDK">{{cite web |last1=Petrauskas |first1=Rimvydas |title=Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-didzioji-kunigaikstyste/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> At the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest country in ].<ref name="Bideleux"/><ref name="USDoS">{{cite web |title=Lithuania (02/08) |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/lithuania/101494.htm |website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> In 1385, Lithuania formed a ] with ] through the ].<ref name="VleLDK"/> Furthermore, in the late 14th–15th centuries ] ] of the Lithuanian ruling Gediminids dynasty ruled not only Lithuania and Poland, but ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gediminaičiai |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/gediminaiciai/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jogailaičiai |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/jogailaiciai/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> The German attacks on Lithuania were ceased with a decisive Polish–Lithuanian victory in the ] in 1410 and by concluding the ] in 1422.<ref name="VleLDK"/> | |||
From the 9th to the 11th centuries, coastal Balts were subjected to raids by the ],<ref name="Kasekamp2017">{{cite book|author=Andres Kasekamp|title=A History of the Baltic States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QDA5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA9|year=2017|publisher=Macmillan International Higher Education|isbn=978-1-137-57366-7|page=9}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the kings of ] collected tribute at times.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} During the 10–11th centuries, Lithuanian territories were among the lands paying tribute to ], and ] was among the ]n rulers who invaded Lithuania (from 1040).{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} From the mid-12th century, it was the Lithuanians who were invading Ruthenian territories. In 1183, ] and ] were ravaged, and even the distant and powerful ] was repeatedly threatened by the ]s from the emerging Lithuanian war machine toward the end of the ].<ref>{{cite book| first=Jerzy |last=Ochmański |title=Historia Litwy |year=1982 |edition=2nd |isbn=978-83-04-00886-1 |publisher=Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich |language=pl |pages=39–42}}</ref> | |||
In the 15th century the strengthened ] renewed the ] for the Lithuanian-controlled ] territories.<ref name="VleLDK"/> Due to the unsuccessful beginning of the ], loss of land to the ], and pressure by monarch ], a supporter of a close Polish–Lithuanian union, the ] agreed to conclude the ] in 1569 with the ], which created a new ] ] with a joint monarch (holding both titles of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania), but Lithuania remained a separate state from Poland with its own territory (~300 000 km2), coat of arms, management apparatus, laws, courts, seal, army, treasury, etc.<ref name="LUnija">{{cite web |last1=Jasas |first1=Rimantas |title=Liublino unija |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/liublino-unija/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref><ref name="VleLDK"/> After concluding the ] Lithuania and Poland jointly managed to reach military successes during the Livonian War, ] (1610), ], ], etc.<ref name="VleLDK"/><ref name="LUnija"/> In 1588, ] personally confirmed the ] where it was stated that Lithuania and Poland have equal rights within the Commonwealth and ensured the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andriulis |first1=Vytautas |title=Trečiasis Lietuvos Statutas |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/treciasis-lietuvos-statutas/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> The real union strongly intensified the ] of Lithuania and Lithuanian nobility.<ref>{{cite web |title=Polonizacija |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/polonizacija/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> | |||
From the late 12th century, an organized Lithuanian military force existed; it was used for external raids, plundering and the gathering of slaves. Such military and pecuniary activities fostered social differentiation and triggered a struggle for power in Lithuania. This initiated the formation of early statehood, from which the ] developed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Baczkowski|first1=Krzysztof|title=''Dzieje Polski późnośredniowiecznej (1370–1506)'' |date=1999|publisher=Fogra|location=Kraków|isbn=978-83-85719-40-3|pages=55–61}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania - History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Lithuania/History#ref37336 |website=] |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref> The disparate Lithuanian tribes along the Nemunas were united into the Lithuanian state by 1219, at the latest.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Boswell|first=A. Bruce|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.granth.91050/page/61/mode/2up?q=Lithuanian|title=Poland and the Poles|publisher=Methuen & Co.|year=1919|location=London|page=61}}</ref> The only Lithuanian ] ], ], was baptised as a ] in 1251 and crowned as ] on 6 July 1253.<ref name="voruta2001">{{in lang|lt}} Tomas Baranauskas (2001). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601052806/http://www.voruta.lt/lietuvos-karalystei-%E2%80%93-750/|date=1 June 2012}}. voruta.lt.</ref> | |||
The mid-17th century was marked with disastrous military loses for Lithuania as during the ] most of the territory of Lithuania was annexed by the Tsardom of Russia and even Lithuania's capital Vilnius was fully ] for the first time by a foreign army and ravaged.<ref name="Raila">{{cite web |last1=Raila |first1=Eligijus |title=ATR nelaimių šimtmetis |url=http://www.xn--altiniai-4wb.info/index/details/102 |website=Šaltiniai.info |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref> In 1655, Lithuania unilaterally ] from Poland, declared the Swedish King ] as the Grand Duke of Lithuania and fell under the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kėdainių sutartis |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/kedainiu-sutartis/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> However, by 1657 Lithuania was once again a part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth following the Lithuanian revolt against the Swedes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lietuvių sukilimas prieš švedus |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuviu-sukilimas-pries-svedus/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> Vilnius was recaptured from the Russians in 1661.<ref>{{cite web |title=1661 12 03 Vilniaus pilyje kapituliavo rusų įgula |url=https://www.delfi.lt/archive/1661-12-03-vilniaus-pilyje-kapituliavo-rusu-igula.d?id=26316243 |website=DELFI |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> | |||
After his assassination in 1263, ] was a target of the ] of the ] and the ]. The ] is noted for the Lithuanians' defense against the intruders. Despite the devastating century-long struggle with the Orders, the ] expanded rapidly, overtaking former Ruthenian principalities of ].<ref name="Swanson2015">{{cite book|author=R. N. Swanson|title=The Routledge History of Medieval Christianity: 1050–1500|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gn8GCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA193|year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-50809-0|page=193}}</ref> | |||
In the second half of the 18th century the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was three times ] by three neighboring countries which completely ] both independent Lithuania and Poland from the political map in 1795 after a failed ] and short-lived ] in 1794.<ref name="VleLDK"/> Most of Lithuania's territory was ], while {{Interlanguage link|Užnemunė|lt=Užnemunė|lt}} was annexed by ].<ref name="VleLDK"/> | |||
On 22 September 1236, the ] between ] and the ] took place close to ]. The Livonian Brothers were defeated during it and their further conquest of the ] lands were stopped.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Zikaras|first1=Karolis|title=Battle of Saulė 1236|date=2014|publisher=]|location=Domeikava, Kaunas District|isbn=978-609-412-017-6|url=https://kam.lt/download/30977/saules%20musis%20angliskai%201.pdf|access-date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808020815/https://kam.lt/download/30977/saules%20musis%20angliskai%201.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> The battle inspired rebellions among the ], ], ], ], tribes previously conquered by the Sword-Brothers. Some thirty years' worth of conquests on the left bank of ] were lost.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor=Jonas Zinkus |encyclopedia=Tarybų Lietuvos enciklopedija |title=Saulės mūšis |year=1987 |publisher=Vyriausioji enciklopedijų redakcija |volume=3 |location=Vilnius |page=633|language=lt|display-editors=etal}}</ref> In 2000, the Lithuanian and Latvian parliaments declared 22 September to be the Day of Baltic Unity.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Battle of Saule|url=http://visitlithuania.net/lithuania/history/major-battle/1661-the-battle-of-saule|website=VisitLithuania.net|access-date=28 December 2017|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625113823/http://visitlithuania.net/lithuania/history/major-battle/1661-the-battle-of-saule}}</ref> | |||
===Efforts to restore statehood=== | |||
], the former residence of the ] and capital city of the medieval state]] | |||
{{Main|November Uprising|January Uprising|Lithuanian National Revival}} | |||
According to the legend, Grand Duke ] was once hunting near the ]; tired after the successful hunt, he settled in for the night and dreamed of a huge ] standing on top a hill and howling as strong and loud as a hundred wolves. '']'' (pagan priest) ] interpreted the dream that the Iron Wolf represents ]. Gediminas, obeying the will of the gods, built the city and gave it the name ] – from the stream of the Vilnia River.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Legend of the Founding of Vilnius – Gediminas Dream|url=https://ironwolf.lt/the-legend-of-the-founding-of-vilnius/|website=ironwolf.lt|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref> | |||
] of Vilnius".<ref name="JIB"/>]] | |||
Following the annexation the ] authorities implemented ] policies in Lithuania, which then made a part of a new administrative region ].<ref name="Vle1795-1914">{{cite web |title=Lietuva Rusijos imperijos valdymo metais (1795–1914) |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuva-rusijos-imperijos-valdymo-metais-1795-1914/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> In 1812 ] during the ] has established the puppet ] to support his war efforts, however after Napoleon's defeat the Russian rule was reinstated in Lithuania.<ref name="Vle1795-1914"/> | |||
During the ] (1830–1831) the Lithuanians and Poles jointly attempted to restore their statehoods, however the Russian victory resulted in stricter Russification measures: the ] was introduced in all government institutions, ] was closed in 1832, and theories that Lithuania had been a "Western Russian" state since its establishment were propagated.<ref name="Vle1795-1914"/> Subsequently, the Lithuanians once again tried to restore statehood by participating in the ] (1863–1864), but yet another Russian victory resulted in even stronger Russification policies with the introduction of the ], pressure of the ] and ]'s repressions.<ref name="Vle1795-1914"/><ref name="JIB">{{cite web |title=January Insurrection |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/January-Insurrection |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref> | |||
In 1362 or 1363, Grand Duke ] achieved a decisive victory in the ] against the ] and stopped its further expansion in the present-day ].<ref>{{cite book | title=Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-Central Europe, 1295–1345 | first=C. S. | last=Rowell | pages=97, 100 | year=1994 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | series=Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series| isbn=978-0-521-45011-9 }}</ref> The victory brought the city of ] and a large part of present-day Ukraine, including sparsely populated ] and ], under the control of the expanding Grand Duchy of Lithuania.<ref name=baran>{{cite journal| first=Tomas |last=Baranauskas |author-link=Tomas Baranauskas |title=Mėlynųjų Vandenų mūšis: atminties sugrįžimas po 650 metų |url=http://www.veidas.lt/melynuju-vandenu-musis-atminties-sugrizimas-po-650-metu |journal=] |issn=1392-5156 |issue=25 |pages=30–32 |date=23 June 2012|language=lt}}</ref> After taking Kyiv, Lithuania became a direct neighbor and rival of the ].<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xxREnBcMFcEC&pg=PA88 |title=A Companion to Russian Studies: An Introduction to Russian History |first1=Robert |last1=Auty |first2=Dimitri |last2=Obolensky | publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1981 |page=86 | isbn=978-0-521-28038-9}}</ref> | |||
The Lithuanians resisted Russification through an extensive network of ], secret Lithuanian publishing and homeschooling.<ref>{{cite web |title=XX a. pradžioje rusus suerzino paviešinti lietuvių knygnešystės mastai |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/tavo-lrt/15/22153/xx-a-pradzioje-rusus-suerzino-paviesinti-lietuviu-knygnesystes-mastai |website=] |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt |date=28 July 2013}}</ref> Moreover, the ], inspired by Lithuanian history, language and culture, laid the foundations for the reestablishment of an independent Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Merkys |first1=Vytautas |title=Lietuvių tautinis judėjimas |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuviu-tautinis-judejimas/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> The ] was held in 1905 and its participants adopted resolutions which demanded a wide ] for Lithuania.<ref name="Vle1795-1914"/> | |||
By the end of the 14th century, Lithuania was one of the largest countries in Europe and included present-day ], ], and parts of ] and ].<ref>Paul Magocsi (1996). ''History of the Ukraine''. University of Toronto Press. p. 128. {{ISBN|978-0-8020-7820-9}}.</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 practised religious tolerance and the ] language was used as an auxiliary language to ] for official documents.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Babinskas |first1=Nerijus |title=Etninė ir konfesinė LDK įvairovė. Reformacija |url=http://www.xn--altiniai-4wb.info/index/details/86 |website=šaltiniai.info |access-date=20 May 2019 |language=lt}}</ref> | |||
===Restored statehood and occupations=== | |||
In 1385, the Grand Duke ] accepted Poland's offer to become its king. ] embarked on gradual ] and established a ] between Poland and Lithuania. Lithuania was one of the last ] areas of Europe to adopt Christianity. While territories to the north had been Christianized in 1186 by ] merchants and missionaries who formed the Order of the Brothers and the Sword to spread Christianity through military organization, the Lithuanians had defeated the Order's militant efforts in 1236.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Blomkvist|first=Nils|title=Culture clash or compromise?: the europeanisation of the Baltic Sea area 1100-1400 AD|publisher=Gotland Centre of Baltic Studies|year=1998|isbn=978-91-630-7439-4|location=Gotland University College|page=240}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Broderick|first=Kristin J.|title=The Economy and Political Culture in New Democracies: An Analysis of Democratic Support in Central and Eastern Europe: An Analysis of Democratic Support in Central and Eastern Europe|publisher=Routledge|year=2017|isbn=978-1-351-73292-5|chapter=Lithuania}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Act of Independence of Lithuania|Occupation of the Baltic states}} | |||
] | |||
During ] the ] annexed Lithuanian territories from the Russian Empire and they became a part of '']''.<ref name="Vle1918-1920">{{cite web |last1=Lasinskas |first1=Povilas |title=Nepriklausomos Lietuvos valstybės atkūrimas (1918–1920) |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/nepriklausomos-lietuvos-valstybes-atkurimas-1918-1920/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> In 1907, the Lithuanians organized the ] which adopted a resolution, featuring the aspiration for the restoration of Lithuania's sovereignty and military alliance with Germany and elected the ].<ref name="Vle1918-1920"/> In 1918, the short-lived ] was proclaimed; however on 16 February 1918 the Council of Lithuania adopted the ] which restored Lithuania as ] ] with its capital in ] and separated that state from all state relations that existed with other nations.<ref name="Vle1918-1920"/> In 1918–1920 the Lithuanians defended the statehood of Lithuania during the ] with ], ] and ].<ref name="Vle1918-1920"/> The aims of the newly restored Lithuania clashed with ]'s plans to create a ] (]) in territories previously ruled by the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miknys |first1=Rimantas |title=Józef Piłsudski |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/jozef-pilsudski/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> The Lithuanian authorities prevented the ] and in 1920 during the ] the Polish forces captured ] and established a ] of the ], which in 1922 was incorporated into Poland.<ref name="Vle1918-1920"/> Consequently, ] became the ] where the ] was held and other primary Lithuanian institutions operated until 1940.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kauno istorija |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/kauno-istorija/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> In 1923, the ] was organized which unified the ] with Lithuania.<ref name="Vle1920-1940">{{cite web |last1=Lasinskas |first1=Povilas |title=Lietuvos Respublika 1920–1940 |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-respublika-1920-1940/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> The ] replaced the democratically elected government and ] with an ] regime led by ].<ref name="Vle1920-1940"/> | |||
] |
] returning to Vilnius in 1939]] | ||
In the late 1930s Lithuania has accepted the ], ] and transferred the Klaipėda Region to ] and following the beginning of the ] concluded the ].<ref name="VleListorija">{{cite web |title=Lietuvos istorija |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-istorija/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> In 1940 Lithuania has accepted the ] and recovered the control of historical capital Vilnius, however the acceptance resulted in the ] and its transformation into the ].<ref name="VleListorija"/> In 1941 during the ] it was attempted to restore independent Lithuania and the ] was expelled from its territory, however in a few days Lithuania was ].<ref name="VleListorija"/> In 1944 Lithuania was ] and ] along with ] resumed.<ref name="VleListorija"/> Thousands of ] and their supporters attempted to militarily restore independent Lithuania, but their resistance was eventually suppressed in 1953 by the ] and their ].<ref name="VleListorija"/> ], the chairman of the ], was captured and ] in 1954, his successor as chairman ] was brutally tortured and executed in 1957.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Juodis |first1=Darius |title=Jonas Žemaitis |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/jonas-zemaitis/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramanauskaitė-Skokauskienė |first1=Auksutė |title=Adolfas Ramanauskas |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/adolfas-ramanauskas/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=lt}}</ref> Since the late 1980s ] movement sought for the restoration of independent Lithuania and in 1989 the ] was held.<ref name="VleListorija"/> | |||
After two civil wars, ] 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 ] became increasingly prominent in state politics. In the great ] in 1399, the combined forces of ] and Vytautas were defeated by the ]. Thanks to close cooperation, the armies of Lithuania and Poland achieved a victory over the ] in 1410 at the ], 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 = https://books.google.com/books?id=fecMC0LXU-sC | isbn = 978-0-415-26731-1}}</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=https://books.google.com/books?id=SBtYrTANgvUC&pg=PA186|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-7146-5517-8|pages=186–}}</ref> | |||
===1990–present=== | |||
Since the 14th–15th centuries ] members of the Lithuanian ruling ] dynasty ruled not only Lithuania, but also ], ], ], ], and ] (]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Gediminaičiai |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/gediminaiciai/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=26 August 2023 |lang=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jogailaičiai |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/jogailaiciai/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=26 August 2023 |lang=lt}}</ref> During the ]s of ] until 1569, ] was placed on the monarch's head by the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gudavičius |first1=Edvardas |author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius |title=Gedimino kepurė |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/gedimino-kepure/ |website=] |access-date=23 March 2023 |lang=lt}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania}} | |||
In January 1429, at the ] Vytautas received the title of ] with the backing of ], but the envoys who were transporting the crown were stopped by Polish ]s in autumn of 1430. Another crown was sent, but Vytautas died in the ] several days before it reached Lithuania. He was buried in the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lucko suvažiavimas|url=http://www.partizanai.org/karys-1955m-8/4611-lucko-suvaziavimas|website=Partizanai.org|access-date=22 December 2017|language=lt-lt}}</ref> | |||
After the deaths of Jogaila and Vytautas, the Lithuanian nobility attempted to break the union between ] and Lithuania, independently selecting Grand Dukes from the ]. But, at the end of the 15th century, Lithuania was forced to seek a closer alliance with Poland when the growing power of the ] threatened Lithuania's Russian principalities and sparked the ] and the ]. | |||
] forces over the ] at the ] in 1514]] | |||
On 8 September 1514, the ] between Lithuanians, commanded by the ] ], and Muscovites was fought. According to '']'' by ], the primary source for information on the battle, the much smaller army of Poland–Lithuania (under 30,000 men) defeated a force of 80,000 Muscovite soldiers, capturing their camp and commander.<ref>{{cite book|title=Prieš 500 metų – Oršos mūšis|date=November 2014|publisher=]|url=http://www.llks.lt/Varpas/Varpo%20archyvas/Varpas%202014/2014%20lapkritis.pdf|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808020734/http://www.llks.lt/Varpas/Varpo%20archyvas/Varpas%202014/2014%20lapkritis.pdf}}</ref> The battle destroyed a military alliance against Lithuania and Poland. Thousands of Muscovites were captured as prisoners and used as labourers in the ], while Konstanty Ostrogski delivered the captured Muscovite flags to the Cathedral of Vilnius.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sruogienė |first1=V. |title=Kunigaikštis Konstantinas Ostrogiškis ir Oršos mūšis 1514 metais |url=http://partizanai.org/karys-1955m-10/4643-kunigaikstis-konstantinas-ostrogiskis-ir-orsos-musis-1514-metais |website=partizanai.org |access-date=16 January 2018 |language=lt-lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Pociecha |first1=Władysław |title=Królowa Bona (1494–1557), czasy i ludzie odrodzeniaie odrodzenia |date=1949 |publisher=Nakł. Poznańskiego Towarzystwa Przyjaciół Nauk |location=Poznań |page=253 |edition= I tome |language=pl}}</ref> | |||
The Livonian War was ceased for ten years with a ] signed on 15 January 1582 according to which the already ] recovered ], ] and ], but transferred ] to the ]. The ] was extended for twenty years in 1600, when a ] to Moscow led by ] concluded negotiations with Tsar ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Baliulis|first1=Algirdas|title=Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės ir Maskvos valstybės diplomatiniai santykiai XVI a. pabaigoje|publisher=Lietuvos istorijos institutas|location=Vilnius|url=http://mokslozurnalai.lmaleidykla.lt/publ/0235-716X/2002/3/L-03.pdf}}</ref> The truce was broken when ]. | |||
===Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth=== | |||
{{Main|Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth}} | |||
] in Vilnius, marked 6, in 1600]] | |||
The ] was created in 1569 by the Union of Lublin. 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 ] 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 ] and the ]. From 1573, the Kings of Poland and Grand Dukes of Lithuania were ], who were granted ever-increasing ]. These liberties, especially the '']'', led to anarchy and the eventual dissolution of the state. | |||
The Commonwealth reached its ] in the early 17th century. Its powerful ] was dominated by nobles who were reluctant to get involved in the ]; this neutrality spared the country from the ravages of a political-religious conflict that devastated most of contemporary Europe. The Commonwealth held its own against ], the ], and vassals of the ], and even launched successful ] offensives against its neighbours. In ] during the ], Commonwealth troops entered Russia and managed to take ] and hold it from 27 September 1610 to 4 November 1612, when they were driven out ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos aukso amžius – vienas sprendimas galėjo pakeisti visą istoriją|url=https://www.delfi.lt/multimedija/musu-lietuva/lietuvos-aukso-amzius-vienas-sprendimas-galejo-pakeisti-visa-istorija.d?id=74961334|website=DELFI|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> | |||
], often nicknamed as a Lithuanian ], leading peasant ] during the 1831 uprising]] | |||
In 1655, after the extinguishing ], for the first time in history the Lithuanian capital Vilnius was taken by a foreign army.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Šapoka |editor-first= Adolfas |title=Lietuvos istorija |url=http://www.partizanai.org/failai/pdf/sapokos-istorija.pdf |year=1936 |location=Kaunas |page=326 |language=lt |publisher=Švietimo ministerijos Knygų leidimo komisijos leidinys}}</ref> The Russian army looted the city, splendid churches, and manors. Between 8,000 and 10,000 citizens were killed; the city burned for 17 days. Those who returned after the catastrophe could not recognise the city. The Russian occupation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania lasted up to 1661. Many artefacts and cultural heritage were either lost or looted, significant parts of the state archive – ], collected since the 13th century, were lost and the rest was moved out of the country. During the ] (1655–1661), the Lithuanian territory and economy were devastated by the ] army. Almost all territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was occupied by Swedish and Russian armies. This period is known as ''Tvanas'' (]). | |||
Before it could fully recover, Lithuania was ravaged during the ] (1700–1721). The war, ], and ] caused the deaths of approximately 40% of the country's population.<ref>{{cite journal |volume= 16 |issue=2 |year= 2008 |url=http://www.liw.lt/archive_vid.php?shid=1211283347&id=1211283055 |title=The Roads to Independence |journal=Lithuania in the World |issn=1392-0901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512014106/http://www.liw.lt/archive_vid.php?shid=1211283347&id=1211283055 |archive-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> Foreign powers, especially Russia, became dominant in the domestic politics of the Commonwealth.<ref name="Konstitucija1791"/> Numerous fractions among the nobility used the Golden Liberties to prevent any reforms.<ref name="Konstitucija1791"/> | |||
The ] was adopted by the ] (parliament) of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth trying to save the state. The legislation was designed to redress the Commonwealth's political defects due to the system of Golden Liberties, also known as the "Nobles' Democracy," which had conferred disproportionate rights on the nobility (Szlachta) and over time had corrupted politics. The constitution sought to supplant the prevailing anarchy fostered by some of the country's ] with a more democratic ]. It introduced elements of political equality between townspeople and nobility, and placed the peasants under the protection of the government, thus mitigating the worst abuses of ]. It banned parliamentary institutions such as the ''liberum veto'', which had put the Sejm at the mercy of any deputy who could revoke all the legislation that had been passed by that Sejm. It was drafted in relation to a copy of the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of May 3, 1791|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/pdf/konstitucija_angliska_1.pdf|website=LRS.lt|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1791 m. gegužės 3 d. Konstitucija|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/pdf/Konstitucija_1791.pdf|website=LRS.lt|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of the 3 May 1791 Constitution|url=http://pmc.usc.edu/3May1791Constitution.htm|website=pmc.usc.edu|access-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129073353/http://pmc.usc.edu/3May1791Constitution.htm|archive-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> It is regarded as the world's second-oldest codified national governmental constitution after the 1787 U.S. Constitution.<ref name="Konstitucija1791">{{cite web |last1=Mačiukas |first1=Žydrūnas |title=1791 m. Gegužės 3-iosios Konstitucija |url=https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=39296&p_k=1 |website=] |access-date=7 July 2021 |language=lt}}</ref> | |||
===Russian Empire=== | |||
] resisted Russification. He urged protest against the closing of Catholic churches and organised book printing in Lithuanian in ].]] | |||
Eventually, ] in 1772, 1793, and 1795 by the ], ], and the ]. | |||
The largest area of Lithuanian territory became part of the Russian Empire. After the unsuccessful ] and ], the Tsarist authorities implemented a number of ] policies. In 1840 the ] was abolished. They ], closed cultural and educational institutions and made Lithuania part of a new administrative region called ]. The Russification failed, owing to an extensive network of ] and secret Lithuanian homeschooling.<ref>{{cite web |title=XX a. pradžioje rusus suerzino paviešinti lietuvių knygnešystės mastai |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/tavo-lrt/15/22153/xx-a-pradzioje-rusus-suerzino-paviesinti-lietuviu-knygnesystes-mastai |website=] |access-date=29 July 2013 |language=lt |date=28 July 2013}}</ref> | |||
After the ], when German diplomats assigned what were seen as Russian spoils of war to Turkey, the relationship between Russia and the ] 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. Large numbers of Lithuanians went to the United States in 1867–1868 after a ].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Lithuanians in the United States}}</ref> On 7 July 1879 the ] approved 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}} ].<ref name="Kauno tvirtovė">{{Cite journal|title=Kauno tvirtovės istorija |publisher=Gintaras Česonis |url=http://tvirtove.kaunas.lt/ |year=2004 |access-date=12 June 2008 |language=lt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510074436/http://tvirtove.kaunas.lt/ |archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> | |||
] promoted a return to Lithuania's pre-] traditions, which he depicted as a Golden Age of Lithuania and a renewal of the native culture, based on the ] and customs. With those ideas in mind, he wrote already in 1822 a history of Lithuania in Lithuanian – ''Darbai senųjų lietuvių ir žemaičių'' (''The Deeds of Ancient Lithuanians and Samogitians''), though it was not published at that time. A colleague of S. Daukantas, ] wrote in Polish a voluminous ''Ancient History of the Lithuanian Nation'' (1835–1841), where he likewise expounded and expanded further on the concept of historic Lithuania, whose days of glory had ended with the Union of Lublin in 1569. Narbutt, invoking German scholarship, pointed out the relationship between the Lithuanian and ] languages. A ], inspired by the ancient Lithuanian history, language and culture, laid the foundations of the modern Lithuanian nation and independent Lithuania. | |||
===20th and 21st centuries=== | |||
====1918–1939==== | |||
] after signing the ], 16 February 1918]] | |||
As a result of the ] during ], Germany occupied the entire territory of Lithuania and ] by the end of 1915.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.draugas.org/news/the-great-war-in-lithuania-1914-1918/|title=The Great war in Lithuania 1914 -1918|website=Draugas.org}}</ref> A new administrative entity, ], was established. Lithuanians lost all political rights they had gained: personal freedom was restricted, and at the beginning, the Lithuanian press was banned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdcol.ee/files/docs/bdreview/bdr-2002-8-11.pdf|title=The Baltic States from 1914 to 1923: The First World War and the Wars of Independence|website=Bdcol.ee|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808020728/http://www.bdcol.ee/files/docs/bdreview/bdr-2002-8-11.pdf}}</ref> However, the Lithuanian intelligentsia tried to take advantage of the existing geopolitical situation and began to look for opportunities to restore Lithuania's independence. On 18–22 September 1917, the ] elected the 20-member ]. The council adopted the ] on 16 February 1918 which proclaimed the restoration of the independent state of Lithuania governed by ] principles, with ] as its capital. The state of Lithuania which had been built within the framework of the Act lasted from 1918 until 1940. | |||
] ''Gediminas 3'', used in ] and Lithuanian soldiers]] | |||
Following the capitulation of Germany in November 1918, the first Provisional ] was adopted and the first government of Prime Minister ] was organized. At the same time, the army and other state institutions began to be organized. Lithuania fought ]: ] who proclaimed the ], against the ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Pirmosios Lietuvos nepriklausomybės kovos|url=http://www.partizanai.org/index.php/karys-4-5-1951m/4055-pirmosios-lietuvos-nepriklausomybes-kovos|website=Partizanai.org|access-date=23 December 2017|language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lesčius|first1=Vytautas|title=Lietuvos kariuomenė nepriklausomybės kovose 1918–1920. Monografija|url=http://www.lka.lt/download/7665/lietuvos_kariuomene_1.pdf|website=LKA.lt|access-date=23 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102043921/http://www.lka.lt/download/7665/lietuvos_kariuomene_1.pdf|archive-date=2 January 2015}}</ref> As a result of the staged ] in October 1920, ] took control of ] and annexed it as ] in 1922.<ref name="Iskauskas">{{cite web|last1=Iškauskas|first1=Česlovas|title=Č.Iškauskas. Vidurio Lietuva: lenkų okupacijos aidai...|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/ringas/lit/ciskauskas-vidurio-lietuva-lenku-okupacijos-aidai.d?id=53879817|website=]|access-date=8 January 2012}}</ref> Lithuania continued to claim Vilnius as its '']'' capital (the '']'', provisional capital being ]) and relations with Poland remained particularly tense and hostile for the entire interwar period. In January 1923, Lithuania staged the ] and captured ] (Memel territory) which was detached from ] by the ]. The region became an autonomous region of Lithuania. | |||
] was the first and last president of '']'' Lithuania (1919–1920, 1926–1940).]] | |||
On 15 May 1920, the first meeting of the democratically elected ] took place. The documents it adopted, i. e. the temporary (1920) and permanent (1922) constitutions of Lithuania, strove to regulate the life of the new state. Land, finance, and educational reforms started to be implemented. The currency of Lithuania, the ], was introduced. The ] was opened.<ref>{{cite web|title=VMU Now and Before|url=http://www.vdu.lt/en/about-vmu/vmu-now-and-before/|website=]|access-date=23 December 2017|date=10 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101656/http://www.vdu.lt/en/about-vmu/vmu-now-and-before/|archive-date=24 December 2017}}</ref> All major public institutions had been established. As Lithuania began to gain stability, foreign countries started to recognize it. In 1921 Lithuania was admitted to the ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kantautas|first1=Adam|last2=Kantautas|first2=Filomena|title=A Lithuanian Bibliography: A Check-list of Books and Articles Held by the Major Libraries of Canada and the United States|date=1975|publisher=University of Alberta|isbn=978-0-88864-010-9|pages=–296|url=https://archive.org/details/lithuanianbiblio0000kant|url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
On 17 December 1926, a military ] took place, resulting in the replacement of the democratically elected government with a conservative authoritarian government led by Antanas Smetona. ] was appointed to form a government. The so-called authoritarian phase had begun strengthening the influence of one party, the ], in the country. In 1927, the Seimas was dissolved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=16275&p_k=1|website=LRS.lt|title=III Seimas (1926–1927 m.)|access-date=23 December 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417180622/https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=16275&p_k=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> A new constitution was adopted in 1928, which consolidated presidential powers. Gradually, opposition parties were banned, censorship was tightened, and the rights of national minorities were narrowed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karinis perversmas Lietuvoje: kas ir kodėl nuvertė valstiečių valdžią?|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/karinis-perversmas-lietuvoje-kas-ir-kodel-nuverte-valstieciu-valdzia.d?id=73190690|website=]|access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Katinas|first1=Petras|title=Perversmas ar išgelbėjimas?|url=http://www.xxiamzius.lt/numeriai/2007/01/04/istving_01.html|website=xxiamzius.lt|access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> The only democratically elected body that continued to exist at the time was a ]. | |||
]'' above ] in 1933. The transatlantic flight was one of the most precise in aviation history. It equaled, and in some aspects surpassed, ]'s classic flight.]] | |||
On 15 July 1933, ] and ], Lithuanian pilots, emigrants to the United States, made a significant flight in the ]. They flew across the Atlantic Ocean, covering a distance of {{convert|6411|km|mi|abbr=on}} without landing, in 37 hours and 11 minutes ({{convert|107.1|mph|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}}). In terms of comparison, as far as the distance of non-stop flights was concerned, their result ranked second only to that of ] and ]. | |||
The provisional capital Kaunas, which was nicknamed ''Little Paris'', and the country itself had a ] standard of living with sufficiently high salaries and low prices. At the time, qualified workers there were earning very similar ] as workers in ], ], ] and ], the country also had a surprisingly high ] of 9.7 and the ] of Lithuania increased by 160% from 1913 to 1940.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kodėl Kaunas buvo vadinamas mažuoju Paryžiumi?|url=https://kultura.lrytas.lt/istorija/kodel-kaunas-buvo-vadinamas-mazuoju-paryziumi.htm|website=lrytas.lt|access-date=3 January 2013|language=lt-LT|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702014111/https://kultura.lrytas.lt/istorija/kodel-kaunas-buvo-vadinamas-mazuoju-paryziumi.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lapinskas|first1=Anatolijus|title=Lietuva tarpukariu nebuvo atsilikėlė|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/lietuva-tarpukariu-nebuvo-atsilikele.d?id=61355765|website=]|access-date=29 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
The situation was aggravated by the global economic crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebalance.com/the-great-depression-of-1929-3306033|title=What Happened During the Great Depression?|website=Thebalance.com}}</ref> The purchase price of agricultural products had declined significantly. In 1935, ]. In addition to economic ones, political demands were made. The government cruelly suppressed the unrest. In the spring of 1936, four peasants were sentenced to death for starting the riots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globallabour.info/en/2009/03/trade_unions_in_lithuania_a_br.html|title=Trade Unions in Lithuania – A Brief History – Sergejus Glovackas (2009) (Global Labour Institute – English)|website=Globallabour.info|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505021533/http://www.globallabour.info/en/2009/03/trade_unions_in_lithuania_a_br.html}}</ref> | |||
====1939–1944==== | |||
{{main|Occupation of the Baltic states|June Uprising in Lithuania|German occupation of Lithuania during World War II}} | |||
On 20 March 1939, after years of rising tensions, Lithuania was handed an ultimatum by ] demanding it relinquish the ]. Two days later, the Lithuanian government accepted the ultimatum.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vareikis|first1=Vygantas|title=Politiniai ir kariniai Klaipėdos krašto praradimo aspektai 1938–1939 metais|url=http://briai.ku.lt/downloads/AHUK_21/21_069-084_Vareikis.pdf|website=]|access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> When Nazi Germany and Soviet Union concluded the ], Lithuania was initially assigned to the German ] but was later transferred to the Soviet sphere. At the outbreak of ], Lithuania declared ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Liekis|first1=Šarūnas|title=1939: The Year that Changed Everything in Lithuania's History|date=2010|publisher=Rodopi|location=New York|isbn=978-90-420-2762-6|pages=119–122|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ST3LrBPOM4gC&pg=PA120}}</ref> | |||
] enter the territory of Lithuania during the first ] in 1940.]] | |||
In October 1939, Lithuania was forced to sign the ]: five Soviet military bases with 20,000 troops were established in Lithuania in exchange for ], which the ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gureckas|first1=Algimantas|title=Ar Lietuva galėjo išsigelbėti 1939–1940 metais?|url=https://kultura.lrytas.lt/-12778267981275752223-ar-lietuva-gal%C4%97jo-i%C5%A1sigelb%C4%97ti-1939-1940-metais.htm|website=lrytas.lt|access-date=30 June 2010|language=lt-LT|archive-date=15 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115200746/https://kultura.lrytas.lt/-12778267981275752223-ar-lietuva-gal%C4%97jo-i%C5%A1sigelb%C4%97ti-1939-1940-metais.htm}}</ref> Delayed by the ] with Finland, the ] on 14 June 1940. They demanded the replacement of the Lithuanian government and that the ] be allowed into the country. The government decided that, with Soviet bases already in Lithuania, armed resistance was impossible and accepted the ultimatum.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Musteikis|first1=Kazys|title=Prisiminimų fragmentai|date=1989|publisher=Mintis|location=Vilnius|pages=56–57|url=http://www.šaltiniai.info/files/istorija/II00/Ultimatumas_ir_paskutinis_vyriausyb%C4%97s_pos%C4%97dis.II0300.pdf|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> President Smetona left the country, hoping to form a ], while more than 200,000 Soviet Red Army soldiers crossed the ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Senn|first1=Alfred Erich|title=Lithuania 1940: Revolution from Above|date=2007|publisher=Rodopi|isbn=978-90-420-2225-6|page=99}}</ref> The next day, identical ultimatums were presented to Latvia and Estonia. The ]. The Soviets followed semi-constitutional procedures for transforming the independent countries into soviet republics and incorporating them into the Soviet Union. | |||
] was sent to supervise the formation of the puppet ] and the rigged election to the ]. The ] was proclaimed on 21 July and accepted into the Soviet Union on 3 August. Lithuania ]: political parties and various organizations (except the ]) were outlawed, some 12,000 people, including many prominent figures, were arrested and imprisoned in ] as "enemies of the people", larger private property was nationalized, the ] was replaced by the ], farm taxes were increased by 50–200%, the Lithuanian Army was transformed into the ].<ref name="ArmyDestruction">{{cite web|last1=Knezys|first1=Stasys|title=Lietuvos kariuomenės naikinimas (1940 m. birželio 15 d.–1941 m.)|url=http://genocid.lt/GRTD/Tremtis/stasys.htm|website=Genocid.lt|access-date=14 December 2017}}</ref> On 14–18 June 1941, less than a week before the Nazi invasion, some 17,000 Lithuanians were deported to ], where many perished due to inhumane living conditions (see the ]).<ref>Anušauskas (2005), p. 140</ref><ref>{{cite journal| first=Aleksandras|last=Gurjanovas|title=Gyventojų trėmimo į SSRS gilumą mastas (1941 m. gegužės–birželio mėn.)|journal=Genocidas Ir Resistencija|url=http://www.genocid.lt/Leidyba/2/aleksand1.htm |year=1997|issue=2|volume=2|issn=1392-3463|language=lt}}</ref> The occupation was not recognized by Western powers and the ], based on pre-war consulates and legations, continued to represent independent Lithuania until 1990. | |||
]. The armed resistance was 50,000 strong at its peak.]] | |||
When Nazi Germany ] on 22 June 1941, Lithuanians began the anti-Soviet ], organized by the ]. Lithuanians proclaimed independence and organized the ]. This government quickly self-disbanded.<ref name="mi47">{{cite book |title=The Baltic States: Years of Dependence 1940–1990 |first=Romuald J. |last=Misiunas |author2=Rein Taagepera |publisher=University of California Press |edition=expanded |year=1993 |isbn=978-0-520-08228-1 |page= |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/balticstatesyear00misi/page/47 }}</ref> Lithuania became part of the ], German civil administration.<ref>{{cite book |editor=Anušauskas, Arvydas|title=Lietuva, 1940–1990 |year=2005 |publisher= ] |location=Vilnius |isbn=978-9986-757-65-8|language=lt|display-editors=etal |page=177}}</ref> | |||
], where the ]s and their collaborators executed up to 100,000 people of various nationalities. About 70,000 of them were ].]] | |||
By 1 December 1941, over 120,000 ], or 91–95% of Lithuania's pre-war Jewish community, had been killed.<ref name="PBBG">{{cite book |author=Prit Buttar |title=Between Giants |isbn=978-1-78096-163-7|date=21 May 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref>{{rp|110}} Nearly 100,000 Jews, Poles, Russians and Lithuanians were ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Michalski|first1=Czesław|title=Ponary - Golgota Wileńszczyzny (Ponary – the Golgotha of Wilno)|url=http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/konspekt/konspekt5/ponary.html|publisher=Konspekt nº 5, Winter 2000–01, ]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224124407/http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/konspekt/konspekt5/ponary.html|archive-date=24 December 2008|language=pl}}</ref> However, thousands of Lithuanian families risking their lives also protected Jews from the Holocaust.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sakaitė |first1=Viktorija |title=Žydų gelbėjimas |url=http://genocid.lt/Leidyba/4/viktorij.htm |website=genocid.lt |access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref> ] has recognized 918 Lithuanians (as of 1 January 2021) as ] for risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yadvashem.org/righteous/statistics|title=Names of Righteous by Country|date=2017|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116101208/http://www.yadvashem.org/righteous/statistics|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
Approximately 13,000 men served in the ].<ref>Anušauskas, et al. (2005), p. 232</ref> 10 of the 26 Lithuanian Auxiliary Police Battalions working with the Nazi ], were involved in the mass killings. Rogue units organised by ] and supervised by ] ''Brigadeführer'' Walter Stahlecker started the ] in and around ] on 25 June 1941.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genocid.lt/Leidyba/13/bubnys.htm|website=Genocid.lt|title=Arūnas Bubnys. Lietuvių saugumo policija ir holokaustas (1941–1944) | ''Lithuanian Security Police and the Holocaust (1941–1944)''}}</ref><ref>Oshry, Ephraim, ''Annihilation of Lithuanian Jewry'', Judaica Press, Inc., New York, 1995</ref> In 1941, the ] (''Lietuvos saugumo policija''), subordinate to Nazi Germany's Security Police and Nazi Germany's Criminal Police, was created. The ''Lietuvos saugumo policija'' targeted the communist underground.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bubnys|first=Arūnas|author-link=Arūnas Bubnys|title=Vokiečių okupuota Lietuva (1941–1944)|publisher=]|year=1998| location=Vilnius|isbn=978-9986-757-12-2}}</ref> | |||
A new occupation had begun. Nationalized assets were not returned to the residents. Some of them were forced to fight for Nazi Germany or were taken to German territories as forced labourers. ] people were herded into ghettos and gradually killed by shooting or sending them out to concentration camps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travel-earth.com/lithuania/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823064325/http://www.travel-earth.com/lithuania/ |archive-date=23 August 2006 |title=Lithuania: Back to the Future |website=Travel-earth.com |date=1 May 2004 |access-date=5 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Michalski|first1=Czesław|title=Ponary – Golgota Wileńszczyzny (Ponary – the Golgotha of Wilno)|url=http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/konspekt/konspekt5/ponary.html|publisher=Konspekt nº 5, Winter 2000–01, ]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224124407/http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/konspekt/konspekt5/ponary.html|archive-date=24 December 2008|language=pl}}</ref> | |||
====1944–1990==== | |||
{{Main|Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic|Lithuanian partisans|Guerrilla war in the Baltic states}} | |||
] in memory of the ]]] | |||
After the retreat of the ], the ] in July–October 1944. The ] to ] were resumed and lasted until the death of ] in 1953. ], the leader of the ] from 1940 to 1974,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Motyl |first1=Alexander J. |title=Encyclopedia of Nationalism, Two-Volume Set |date=2000 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-08-054524-0 |pages=494–495 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pvHRNNk9hHEC&pg=PA494}}</ref> supervised the arrests and deportations.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Roszkowski |first1=Wojciech |title=Biographical Dictionary of Central and Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-47593-4 |page=2549 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RnKlDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA2549}}</ref> All Lithuanian national symbols were banned. Under the pretext of Lithuania's economic recovery, the ] authorities encouraged the migration of workers and other specialists to Lithuania with the intention to further integrate Lithuania into the ] and to develop the country's industry. At the same time, Lithuanians were lured to work in the ] by promising them all the privileges of settling in a new place. | |||
The second Soviet occupation was accompanied by the ] of the Lithuanian population, which took place in 1944–1953. It sought to restore an independent state of Lithuania, to consolidate democracy by destroying communism in the country, returning national values and the freedom of religion. About 50,000 Lithuanians took to the forests and fought Soviet occupants with a gun in their hands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5379.htm |title=US Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs|website=State.gov |date=August 2006 |access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.partizanai.org/failai/html/fighters-for-freedom.htm|title=Fighters for Freedom. Lithuanian partisans versus the U.S.S.R.|author=Juozas Daumantas|access-date=13 May 2018}}</ref> In the later stages of the partisan war, Lithuanians formed the ] and its leader ] (codename Vytautas) was posthumously recognized as the president of Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lituanus.org/1969/69_1_02.htm|title=The Partisan Movement in Postwar Lithuania – V. Stanley Vardys|website=Lituanus.org|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-date=2 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302085809/http://www.lituanus.org/1969/69_1_02.htm}}</ref> Despite the fact that the guerrilla warfare did not achieve its goal of liberating Lithuania and that it resulted in more than 20,000 deaths, the armed resistance ''de facto'' demonstrated that Lithuania did not voluntarily join the USSR and it also legitimized the will of the people of Lithuania to be independent.<ref name="küng1999">{{cite web |author=Küng, Andres |author-link=Andres Küng |date=13 April 1999 |url=http://www.rel.ee/eng/communism_crimes.htm |title=Communism and Crimes against Humanity in the Baltic states |archive-date=1 March 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010301223347/http://www.rel.ee/eng/communism_crimes.htm |quote=A Report to the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation seminar}}</ref> Lithuanian courts and the ] both treat the Soviets' annihilation of the Lithuanian partisans as a ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beniušis |first1=Vaidotas |title=EŽTT: sovietų represijos prieš Lietuvos partizanus gali būti laikomos genocidu |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/eztt-sovietu-represijos-pries-lietuvos-partizanus-gali-buti-laikomos-genocidu.d?id=80586003 |website=] |access-date=12 March 2019}}</ref> | |||
] was a mass anti-Soviet demonstration where approx. 25% of the population of the Baltic states participated.]] | |||
Even with the suppression of partisan resistance, the Soviet government failed to stop the movement for the independence of Lithuania. The underground dissident groups were active publishing the underground press and Catholic literature. The most active participants of the movement included ], ] and ]. In 1972, after ]'s public self-immolation, the ] lasted for several days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Romas Kalanta|url=http://genocid.lt/UserFiles/File/Atmintinos_datos/2012/20120511_kalanta.pdf|website=genocid.lt|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref> | |||
] rally in ] of about 250,000 people. ] was a movement which led to the restoration of an Independent State of Lithuania.]] | |||
The ], which was founded in Lithuania after the international conference in Helsinki (Finland), where the post-WWII borders were acknowledged, announced a declaration for Lithuania's independence on foreign radio station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lituanus.org/1984_2/84_2_05.htm|title=The Demise of the Lithuanian Helsinki Group|website=Lituanus.org|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227090438/http://www.lituanus.org/1984_2/84_2_05.htm}}</ref> The Helsinki Group informed the Western world about the situation in the Soviet Lithuania and violations of human rights. With the beginning of the increased openness and transparency in government institutions and activities ('']'') in the Soviet Union, on 3 June 1988, the ] was established in Lithuania with ] acting as the key figure of the movement. Very soon it began to seek the country's independence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lokashakti.org/encyclopedia/movements/722-lithuanias-independence-movement|title=Lithuania's Independence Movement – Lokashakti Encyclopedia|website=Lokashakti.org|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153801/http://www.lokashakti.org/encyclopedia/movements/722-lithuanias-independence-movement|archive-date=3 December 2017}}</ref> Eventually, ] became the movement's leader.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/landsbergis_has_always_been_lithuania_s_first_head-of-state/|title=Landsbergis has always been Lithuania's first head-of-state|website=Baltictimes.com|access-date=21 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203013745/https://www.baltictimes.com/landsbergis_has_always_been_lithuania_s_first_head-of-state/|archive-date=3 December 2017}}</ref> The supporters of Sąjūdis joined movement's groups all over Lithuania. On 23 August 1988 a large rally took place at the ] in Vilnius. It was attended by approx. 250,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sąjūdžio mitingas 1988 – 08 – 23 Vingio parke|url=https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/7220/sajudzio-mitingas-1988-08-23-vingio-parke-molotovo-ribentropo-paktui-39-eri|website=LRT|date=23 August 1988|access-date=12 May 2018|language=lt}}</ref> A year later, on 23 August 1989 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the ] and aiming to draw the attention of the whole world to the occupation of the ], a political demonstration, the ], was organized.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebalticway.eu/lt/istorija/|title=Istorija|website=Thebalticway.eu}}</ref> The event, led by ], was a human chain spanning {{convert|600|km}} across ], ] and ], indicating the desire of the people of Lithuania, ], and ] to break away from the ]. | |||
====1990–present==== | |||
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| footer = On 11 March 1990, the ] announced the ].<ref name="Bell2002">{{cite book|author=Imogen Bell|title=Central and South-Eastern Europe 2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CrpzRJCbckC&pg=PA376|year=2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-1-85743-136-0|page=376}}</ref> After refusal to revoke the Act, |
| footer = On 11 March 1990, the ] announced the ].<ref name="Bell2002">{{cite book|author=Imogen Bell|title=Central and South-Eastern Europe 2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CrpzRJCbckC&pg=PA376|year=2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-1-85743-136-0|page=376}}</ref> After refusal to revoke the Act, ] stormed the ] while Lithuanians defended the democratically elected Council. The Act, the first such declaration in the USSR, later was a model and inspiration to other ], and strongly influenced the ]. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
On 11 March 1990, the ] announced the restoration of Lithuania's independence. Lithuania became the first Soviet-occupied state to announce the restitution of independence. On 20 April 1990, the Soviets ] by ceasing to deliver supplies of raw materials |
On 11 March 1990, the ] announced the restoration of Lithuania's independence. Lithuania became the first Soviet-occupied state to announce the restitution of independence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=12 March 1990 |title=Lithuania breaks away from the Soviet Union |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1990/mar/12/eu.politics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921161738/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1990/mar/12/eu.politics |archive-date=21 September 2019 |access-date=7 June 2018 |website=] |quote=Lithuania last night became the first republic to break away from the Soviet Union, by proclaiming the restoration of its pre-war independence. The newly-elected parliament, 'reflecting the people's will,' decreed the restoration of 'the sovereign rights of the Lithuanian state, infringed by alien forces in 1940,' and declared that from that moment Lithuania was again an independent state |location=London}}</ref> On 20 April 1990, the Soviets ] by ceasing to deliver supplies of raw materials to Lithuania.<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Martha Brill Olcott |title=The Lithuanian Crisis |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russian-federation/1990-06-01/lithuanian-crisis |website=www.foreignaffairs.com |access-date=18 November 2018 |date=1990 |quote=For over two years Lithuania has been moving toward reclaiming its independence. This drive reached a crescendo on 11 March 1990, when the Supreme Soviet of Lithuania declared the republic no longer bound by Soviet law. The act reasserted the independence Lithuania had declared more than seventy years before, a declaration unilaterally annulled by the U.S.S.R. in 1940 when it annexed Lithuania as the result of a pact between Stalin and Hitler. |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720055455/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russian-federation/1990-06-01/lithuanian-crisis |url-status=live}}</ref> Not only domestic industry, but also the population started feeling the lack of fuel, essential goods, and even hot water. Although the blockade lasted for 74 days, Lithuania did not renounce the declaration of independence. | ||
Gradually, economic relations |
Gradually, economic relations were restored. However, tensions peaked again in January 1991. Attempts were made to carry out a coup using the ], the Internal Army of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the USSR Committee for State Security (]). Because of the poor economic situation in Lithuania, the forces in Moscow thought the ] would receive strong public support.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 svarbiausių 1991–ųjų sausio įvykių, kuriuos privalote žinoti|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/10-svarbiausiu-1991-uju-sausio-ivykiu-kuriuos-privalote-zinoti-56-565845|website=15min.lt|access-date=13 January 2016|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625115355/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/10-svarbiausiu-1991-uju-sausio-ivykiu-kuriuos-privalote-zinoti-56-565845|url-status=live}}</ref> People flooded to Vilnius to defend the ] and independence. The coup ended with a few casualties and material loss. The ] killed 14 people and injured hundreds. A large part of the Lithuanian population participated in the ].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=On This Day 13 January 1991: Bloodshed at Lithuanian TV station|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/13/newsid_4059000/4059959.stm|access-date=13 September 2011|date=13 January 1991|archive-date=9 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109010731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/13/newsid_4059000/4059959.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Soviet crackdown; Soviet loyalists in charge after attack in Lithuania; 13 dead; curfew is imposed| author=Bill Keller| newspaper=]| date=14 January 1991| access-date=18 December 2009| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/14/world/soviet-crackdown-soviet-loyalists-charge-after-attack-lithuania-13-dead-curfew.html?pagewanted=all| archive-date=17 April 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417195108/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/14/world/soviet-crackdown-soviet-loyalists-charge-after-attack-lithuania-13-dead-curfew.html?pagewanted=all| url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 July 1991, Soviet paramilitaries killed 7 Lithuanian border guards on the Belarusian border in what became known as the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coldwarsites.net/country/lithuania/memorial-medininkai|title=Memorial. Medininkai – Cold war sites|website=coldwarsites.net|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511215634/https://coldwarsites.net/country/lithuania/memorial-medininkai/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 17 September 1991, Lithuania was admitted to the ]. | ||
On 25 October 1992, citizens voted in a referendum to adopt the current ]. On 14 February 1993, during the direct general elections, ] became the first president after the restoration of independence. On 31 August 1993 the last units of the former Soviet Army left Lithuania.<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=| publisher=Cambridge University Press| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NRkpNovMd_cC&pg=PA344| isbn=978-0-521-59938-2| url=https://archive.org/details/consolidationofd0000unse/page/344}}</ref> | |||
], Soviet forces fired live rounds at unarmed independence supporters and crushed two of them with tanks, killing 13 in total. To this day, Russia refuses to extradite the perpetrators, who were convicted of ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lithuania convicts Russians of war crimes under Soviet rule |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47725239 |access-date=28 March 2019 |agency=BBC News |date=27 March 2019}}</ref>]] | |||
People from all over Lithuania flooded to ] to defend the ] and independence. The coup ended with a few casualties of peaceful civilians and caused huge material loss. Not a single person who defended ] or other state institutions used a weapon, but the ] did, killing 14 people and injured hundreds. A large part of the Lithuanian population participated in the ].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=On This Day 13 January 1991: Bloodshed at Lithuanian TV station|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/13/newsid_4059000/4059959.stm|access-date=13 September 2011|date=13 January 1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Soviet crackdown; Soviet loyalists in charge after attack in Lithuania; 13 dead; curfew is imposed| author=Bill Keller|newspaper=]| date=14 January 1991| access-date=18 December 2009| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/14/world/soviet-crackdown-soviet-loyalists-charge-after-attack-lithuania-13-dead-curfew.html?pagewanted=all}}</ref> Shortly after, on 11 February 1991, the ] voted to confirm that ]'s 1922 recognition of Lithuanian independence was still in full effect, as it never formally recognized the Soviet Union's control over Lithuania,<ref>{{cite news |title=Svo fljótt sem verða má |url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=2927190 |access-date=28 October 2018 |work=] |date=12 February 1991 |language=is}}</ref> and that full diplomatic relations should be established as soon as possible.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stjórnmálasamband verði tekið upp svo fljótt sem verða má |url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1738122 |access-date=28 October 2018 |work=] |date=12 February 1991 |language=is}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Viðurkenning á sjálfstæði í fullu gildi |url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=2581110 |access-date=28 October 2018 |work=] |date=12 February 1991 |language=is}}</ref> | |||
On 31 May 2001, Lithuania joined the ] (WTO).<ref>{{cite web |title=WTO - Accessions: Lithuania |url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_lituanie_e.htm |website=www.wto.org |access-date=30 March 2021 |archive-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531070148/https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_lituanie_e.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Since March 2004, Lithuania has been part of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |url=https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuanias-security-policy/lithuanian-membership-in-nato |website=urm.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=5 February 2014 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181725/https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuanias-security-policy/lithuanian-membership-in-nato}}</ref> On 1 May 2004, it became a full member of the ],<ref>{{cite web |title=Membership |url=https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuania-member-of-the-european-union/membership |website=urm.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=6 January 2016 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626050010/https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuania-member-of-the-european-union/membership}}</ref> and a member of the ] in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania has joined the Schengen Area |url=http://no.mfa.lt/no/en/news/lithuania-has-joined-the-schengen-area |website=mfa.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=16 January 2008 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626050010/http://no.mfa.lt/no/en/news/lithuania-has-joined-the-schengen-area}}</ref> On 1 January 2015, ] the ] and adopted the European Union's single currency.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kropaite |first1=Zivile |title=Lithuania joins Baltic neighbours in euro club |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30635826 |website=BBC News |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=1 January 2015 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703111641/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30635826 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 July 2018, Lithuania officially joined the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania officially becomes the 36th OECD member |url=https://lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-officially-becomes-the-36th-oecd-member |website=lrv.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703105900/https://lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-officially-becomes-the-36th-oecd-member}}</ref> ] was the first female ] (2009–2019) and the first to be re-elected for a second consecutive term.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania President Re-elected on Anti-Russian Platform |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/lithuania-president-re-elected-on-anti-russian-platform/1922612.html |website=VOA |access-date=8 April 2023 |date=26 May 2014 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408194013/https://www.voanews.com/a/lithuania-president-re-elected-on-anti-russian-platform/1922612.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 February 2022, Lithuania declared a ] in response to the 2022 ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania declares state of emergency after Russia invades Ukraine|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-declares-state-emergency-after-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/|date=24 February 2022|access-date=8 June 2022|website=Reuters|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224145525/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-declares-state-emergency-after-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/|url-status=live}}</ref> Together with seven other NATO member states, it invoked NATO ] to hold consultations on security.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-71bf9d3687e1a04f11dfb895639a13ca |title=NATO vows to defend its entire territory after Russia attack |last=Cook |first=Lorne |website=Associated Press |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=8 June 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224095154/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-71bf9d3687e1a04f11dfb895639a13ca |url-status=live}}</ref> On 11–12 July 2023, the ] was held in Vilnius.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 NATO Summit |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/216570.htm |website=NATO |access-date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922050539/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/216570.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On 31 July 1991, Soviet paramilitaries killed seven Lithuanian border guards on the Belarusian border in what became known as the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coldwarsites.net/country/lithuania/memorial-medininkai|title=Memorial. Medininkai – Cold war sites|website=coldwarsites.net}}</ref> On 17 September 1991, Lithuania was admitted to the ]. | |||
On 25 October 1992, the citizens of Lithuania voted in a referendum to adopt the current ]. On 14 February 1993, during the direct general elections, ] became the first president after the restoration of independence of Lithuania. On 31 August 1993 the last units of the former Soviet Army left the territory of Lithuania.<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=| publisher=Cambridge University Press| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NRkpNovMd_cC&pg=PA344| isbn=978-0-521-59938-2| url=https://archive.org/details/consolidationofd0000unse/page/344}}</ref> | |||
On 31 May 2001, Lithuania joined the ] (WTO).<ref>{{cite web |title=WTO - Accessions: Lithuania |url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_lituanie_e.htm |website=www.wto.org |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> Since 29 March 2004, Lithuania has been part of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |url=https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuanias-security-policy/lithuanian-membership-in-nato |website=urm.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=5 February 2014 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181725/https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuanias-security-policy/lithuanian-membership-in-nato}}</ref> On 1 May 2004, it became a fully-fledged member of the ],<ref>{{cite web |title=Membership |url=https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuania-member-of-the-european-union/membership |website=urm.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=6 January 2016 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626050010/https://www.urm.lt/default/en/foreign-policy/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuania-member-of-the-european-union/membership}}</ref> and a member of the ] on 21 December 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania has joined the Schengen Area |url=http://no.mfa.lt/no/en/news/lithuania-has-joined-the-schengen-area |website=mfa.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=16 January 2008 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626050010/http://no.mfa.lt/no/en/news/lithuania-has-joined-the-schengen-area}}</ref> On 1 January 2015, ] the ] and adopted the European Union's single currency as the last of the Baltic states.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kropaite |first1=Zivile |title=Lithuania joins Baltic neighbours in euro club |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30635826 |website=BBC News |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=1 January 2015}}</ref> On 4 July 2018, Lithuania officially joined ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania officially becomes the 36th OECD member |url=https://lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-officially-becomes-the-36th-oecd-member |website=lrv.lt |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703105900/https://lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-officially-becomes-the-36th-oecd-member}}</ref> | |||
] was the first female ] (2009–2019) and the first president to be re-elected for a second consecutive term.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania President Re-elected on Anti-Russian Platform |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/lithuania-president-re-elected-on-anti-russian-platform/1922612.html |website=VOA |access-date=8 April 2023 |date=26 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
On 24 February 2022, Lithuania declared a ] in response to the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania declares state of emergency after Russia invades Ukraine|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-declares-state-emergency-after-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/|date=24 February 2022|access-date=8 June 2022|website=Reuters}}</ref> Together with the eight other NATO member states, the country also invoked NATO ] to hold consultations on security.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-71bf9d3687e1a04f11dfb895639a13ca |title=NATO vows to defend its entire territory after Russia attack |last=Cook |first=Lorne |website=Associated Press |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> On 11–12 July 2023, the ] was held in Vilnius.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 NATO Summit |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/216570.htm |website=NATO |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
{{Main|Geography of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Geography of Lithuania}} | ||
] | ] | ||
Lithuania is located in the Baltic region of ]{{efn|name=location}} and covers an area of {{convert|65300|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/sr/srb/sra.html?_charset_=UTF-8&allq=Lithuania&exctq=&anyq=&noneq=&fqupdate=&dmn=&fqocct=|title=Lithuania|publisher=]|access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> It lies between latitudes ] and ], and mostly between longitudes ] and ] (part of the ] lies west of 21°). It has around {{convert|99|km|mi|1}} of sandy coastline, only about {{convert|38|km|mi|0}} of which face the open ], less than the other two Baltic states. The rest of the coast is sheltered by the Curonian sand peninsula. Lithuania's major ], ], lies at the narrow mouth of the ] (Lithuanian: ''Kuršių marios''), a shallow lagoon extending south to ]. The country's main and largest river, the ], and some of its tributaries carry international shipping. | Lithuania is located in the Baltic region of ]{{efn|name=location}} and covers an area of {{convert|65300|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/sr/srb/sra.html?_charset_=UTF-8&allq=Lithuania&exctq=&anyq=&noneq=&fqupdate=&dmn=&fqocct=|title=Lithuania|publisher=]|access-date=18 June 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308023811/https://www.canada.ca/en/sr/srb/sra.html?_charset_=UTF-8&allq=Lithuania&exctq=&anyq=&noneq=&fqupdate=&dmn=&fqocct=|url-status=live}}</ref> It lies between latitudes ] and ], and mostly between longitudes ] and ] (part of the ] lies west of 21°). It has around {{convert|99|km|mi|1}} of sandy coastline, only about {{convert|38|km|mi|0}} of which face the open ], less than the other two Baltic states. The rest of the coast is sheltered by the Curonian sand peninsula. Lithuania's major ], ], lies at the narrow mouth of the ] (Lithuanian: ''Kuršių marios''), a shallow lagoon extending south to ]. The country's main and largest river, the ], and some of its tributaries carry international shipping. | ||
Lithuania lies at the edge of the ]. Its landscape was smoothed by the glaciers of the ], and is a combination of moderate lowlands and highlands. Its highest point is ] at {{convert|294|m|ft|0}} in the eastern part of the country. The terrain features ] (], for example) and wetlands, and a mixed forest zone covers over 33% of the country. ] is the largest, ] is the deepest and ] is the longest lake in Lithuania. | Lithuania lies at the edge of the ]. Its landscape was smoothed by the glaciers of the ], and is a combination of moderate lowlands and highlands. Its highest point is ] at {{convert|294|m|ft|0}} in the eastern part of the country. The terrain features ] (], for example) and wetlands, and a mixed forest zone covers over 33% of the country. ] is the largest, ] is the deepest and ] is the longest lake in Lithuania. | ||
After a re-estimation of the boundaries of the ] of Europe in 1989, Jean-George Affholder, a scientist at the ] (French National Geographic Institute), determined that the ] was in Lithuania, at {{coord|54|54|N|25|19|E|type:landmark|name=Purnuškės (centre of gravity)}}, {{convert|26|km|mi}} north of Lithuania's capital city of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geosite.jankrogh.com/other.htm |title=Other Places of Interest: Central Europe |author=Jan S. Krogh |access-date=31 December 2011}}</ref> Affholder accomplished this by calculating the ] of the ] of Europe. | After a re-estimation of the boundaries of the ] of Europe in 1989, Jean-George Affholder, a scientist at the ] (French National Geographic Institute), determined that the ] was in Lithuania, at {{coord|54|54|N|25|19|E|type:landmark|name=Purnuškės (centre of gravity)}}, {{convert|26|km|mi}} north of Lithuania's capital city of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geosite.jankrogh.com/other.htm |title=Other Places of Interest: Central Europe |author=Jan S. Krogh |access-date=31 December 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102041242/http://geosite.jankrogh.com/other.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Affholder accomplished this by calculating the ] of the ] of Europe. | ||
===Climate=== | ===Climate=== | ||
Line 292: | Line 203: | ||
Lithuania has a temperate climate with both ] and ] influences. It is defined as ] (Dfb) under the ] (but is close to ] in a narrow coastal zone). | Lithuania has a temperate climate with both ] and ] influences. It is defined as ] (Dfb) under the ] (but is close to ] in a narrow coastal zone). | ||
Average temperatures on the coast are {{convert|-2.5|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|17|°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|or|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. | Average temperatures on the coast are {{convert|-2.5|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|17|°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|or|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 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, and 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 records of measured temperature in the Baltic area cover about 250 years. The data show 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 May 2006, Göteborg, Sweden |access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> | The longest records of measured temperature in the Baltic area cover about 250 years. The data show 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 May 2006, Göteborg, Sweden |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=20 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920123716/http://www.baltex-research.eu/BACC/events/goteborg/Poster_2_1.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania experienced a drought in 2002, causing forest and ] 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|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00304792/file/hess-7-423-2003.pdf |doi-access=free }}</ref> | Lithuania experienced a drought in 2002, causing forest and ] 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 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00304792/file/hess-7-423-2003.pdf |doi-access=free |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222136/https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00304792/file/hess-7-423-2003.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Biodiversity and conservation=== | |||
===Environment=== | |||
{{Main|Fauna of Lithuania|Flora of Lithuania}} | |||
{{multiple image | {{multiple image | ||
| caption_align = center | | caption_align = center | ||
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| image1 = Žadvainių ežeras.jpg | | image1 = Žadvainių ežeras.jpg | ||
| image2 = Nida sand dunes (14573723178).jpg | | image2 = Nida sand dunes (14573723178).jpg | ||
| caption1 = |
| caption1 = Lithuanian flatlands with lakes, swamps and forests. Lithuania has thousands of lakes. | ||
| caption2 = Sand dunes of the ] near ], which are the highest drifting sand dunes in Europe (])<ref>{{cite web |title=Nida and The Curonian Spit, The Insider's Guide to Visiting |url=https://www.vanlifetribe.com/nida-guide-baltic-coast/ |website=VanLife Tribe |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=23 September 2016 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411032201/https://vanlifetribe.com/nida-guide-baltic-coast/}}</ref> | | caption2 = Sand dunes of the ] near ], which are the highest drifting sand dunes in Europe (])<ref>{{cite web |title=Nida and The Curonian Spit, The Insider's Guide to Visiting |url=https://www.vanlifetribe.com/nida-guide-baltic-coast/ |website=VanLife Tribe |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=23 September 2016 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411032201/https://vanlifetribe.com/nida-guide-baltic-coast/}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
After the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990, the ''Aplinkos apsaugos įstatymas'' (Environmental Protection Act) was adopted already in 1992. The law provided the foundations for regulating social relations in the field of environmental protection, established the basic rights and obligations of legal and natural persons in preserving the biodiversity inherent in Lithuania, ecological systems and the landscape.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aplinkos apsaugos įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.E2780B68DE62/vsPTFQpUEB|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=27 April 2018}}</ref> Lithuania agreed to cut ] by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020 and by at least 40% by 2030, together with all European Union members. Also, by 2020 at least 20% (27% by 2030) of the country's total energy consumption should be from the ] sources.<ref>{{cite web|title=EU climate action|url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/eu_en|website=European Commission|access-date=27 April 2018|date=23 November 2016}}</ref> In 2016, Lithuania introduced especially effective ], which resulted in collecting 92% of all packagings in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Europa suskubo paskui Lietuvą: kuo skiriasi šalių užstato sistemos?|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/europa-suskubo-paskui-lietuva-kuo-skiriasi-saliu-uzstato-sistemos-56-968940|website=15min.lt|access-date=9 May 2018}}</ref> | After the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990, the ''Aplinkos apsaugos įstatymas'' (Environmental Protection Act) was adopted already in 1992. The law provided the foundations for regulating social relations in the field of environmental protection, established the basic rights and obligations of legal and natural persons in preserving the biodiversity inherent in Lithuania, ecological systems and the landscape.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aplinkos apsaugos įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.E2780B68DE62/vsPTFQpUEB|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=28 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428011804/https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.E2780B68DE62/vsPTFQpUEB|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania agreed to cut ] by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020 and by at least 40% by 2030, together with all European Union members. Also, by 2020 at least 20% (27% by 2030) of the country's total energy consumption should be from the ] sources.<ref>{{cite web|title=EU climate action|url=https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/eu_en|website=European Commission|access-date=27 April 2018|date=23 November 2016|archive-date=22 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522200534/https://ec.europa.eu/clima/citizens/eu_en|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Lithuania introduced especially effective ], which resulted in collecting 92% of all packagings in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Europa suskubo paskui Lietuvą: kuo skiriasi šalių užstato sistemos?|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/europa-suskubo-paskui-lietuva-kuo-skiriasi-saliu-uzstato-sistemos-56-968940|website=15min.lt|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222136/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/europa-suskubo-paskui-lietuva-kuo-skiriasi-saliu-uzstato-sistemos-56-968940|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania does not have high mountains and its landscape is dominated by blooming meadows, dense forests and fertile fields of cereals. However, it stands out by the abundance of ]s, which previously had castles where the ancient Lithuanians burned altars for pagan gods.<ref name="gamta">{{cite web|title=Gamta|url=http://www.lithuania.travel/lt/objektai/gamta-/80|website=lithuania.travel|language=lt|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322151518/http://www.lithuania.travel/lt/objektai/gamta-/80|archive-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> Lithuania is a particularly watered region with more than 3,000 lakes, mostly in the northeast. The country is also drained by numerous rivers, most notably the longest ].<ref name="gamta" /> Lithuania is home to two terrestrial ecoregions: ] and ].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref> | Lithuania does not have high mountains and its landscape is dominated by blooming meadows, dense forests and fertile fields of cereals. However, it stands out by the abundance of ]s, which previously had castles where the ancient Lithuanians burned altars for pagan gods.<ref name="gamta">{{cite web|title=Gamta|url=http://www.lithuania.travel/lt/objektai/gamta-/80|website=lithuania.travel|language=lt|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322151518/http://www.lithuania.travel/lt/objektai/gamta-/80|archive-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> Lithuania is a particularly watered region with more than 3,000 lakes, mostly in the northeast. The country is also drained by numerous rivers, most notably the longest ].<ref name="gamta" /> Lithuania is home to two terrestrial ecoregions: ] and ].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref> | ||
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Forest has long been one of the most important natural resources in Lithuania. Forests occupy one-third of the country's territory and timber-related industrial production accounts for almost 11% of industrial production in the country.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lietuvos gamtinė aplinka, būklė, procesai ir raida|date=2008|publisher=Aplinkos apsaugos agentūra|location=Vilnius|isbn=978-9955-815-27-3|page=167|url=http://files.gamta.lt/aaa/pranesimai/Lietuvos_gamtine_aplinka_bukle_procesai_ir_raida.pdf|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222205/http://files.gamta.lt/aaa/pranesimai/Lietuvos_gamtine_aplinka_bukle_procesai_ir_raida.pdf}}</ref> Lithuania has five ]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos nacionaliniai parkai|url=https://aplinka.lt/lietuvos-nacionaliniai-parkai|website=aplinka.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222205/https://aplinka.lt/lietuvos-nacionaliniai-parkai}}</ref> 30 ]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Regioniniai parkai|url=http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/13|website=vstt.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020225309/http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/13}}</ref> 402 ]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Draustiniai|url=http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/10|website=vstt.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020225309/http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/10}}</ref> 668 state-protected natural heritage objects.<ref>{{cite web|title=Apie gamtos paveldo objektus|url=http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/159|website=vstt.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020225309/http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/159}}</ref> | Forest has long been one of the most important natural resources in Lithuania. Forests occupy one-third of the country's territory and timber-related industrial production accounts for almost 11% of industrial production in the country.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lietuvos gamtinė aplinka, būklė, procesai ir raida|date=2008|publisher=Aplinkos apsaugos agentūra|location=Vilnius|isbn=978-9955-815-27-3|page=167|url=http://files.gamta.lt/aaa/pranesimai/Lietuvos_gamtine_aplinka_bukle_procesai_ir_raida.pdf|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222205/http://files.gamta.lt/aaa/pranesimai/Lietuvos_gamtine_aplinka_bukle_procesai_ir_raida.pdf}}</ref> Lithuania has five ]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos nacionaliniai parkai|url=https://aplinka.lt/lietuvos-nacionaliniai-parkai|website=aplinka.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222205/https://aplinka.lt/lietuvos-nacionaliniai-parkai}}</ref> 30 ]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Regioniniai parkai|url=http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/13|website=vstt.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020225309/http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/13}}</ref> 402 ]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Draustiniai|url=http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/10|website=vstt.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020225309/http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/10}}</ref> 668 state-protected natural heritage objects.<ref>{{cite web|title=Apie gamtos paveldo objektus|url=http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/159|website=vstt.lt|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020225309/http://www.vstt.lt/VI/index.php#r/159}}</ref> | ||
In 2018 Lithuania was ranked fifth, second to Sweden (first 3 places were not granted) in the ] (CCPI).<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Change Performance Index 2018|url=https://www.climate-change-performance-index.org|website=Climate-change-performance-index.org|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> It had a 2019 ] mean score of 1.62/10, ranking it 162nd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |
In 2018 Lithuania was ranked fifth, second to Sweden (first 3 places were not granted) in the ] (CCPI).<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Change Performance Index 2018|url=https://www.climate-change-performance-index.org/|website=Climate-change-performance-index.org|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703224204/https://www.climate-change-performance-index.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> It had a 2019 ] mean score of 1.62/10, ranking it 162nd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G}}</ref> | ||
===Biodiversity=== | |||
{{Main|Fauna of Lithuania}} | |||
] is the national bird of Lithuania, which has the highest-density stork population in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Klimka|first1=Libertas|title=Kodėl gandras – nacionalinis paukštis?|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/nuomones/10/97041/libertas-klimka-kodel-gandras-nacionalinis-paukstis|website=LRT|date=26 March 2015|access-date=26 March 2015|language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Storks|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/lithuania/eastern-southern-lithuania/background/other-features/eaf58144-ae01-405e-b1bf-7dc3e3590743/a/nar/eaf58144-ae01-405e-b1bf-7dc3e3590743/360111|website=Lonelyplanet.com|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref>]] | ] is the national bird of Lithuania, which has the highest-density stork population in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Klimka|first1=Libertas|title=Kodėl gandras – nacionalinis paukštis?|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/nuomones/10/97041/libertas-klimka-kodel-gandras-nacionalinis-paukstis|website=LRT|date=26 March 2015|access-date=26 March 2015|language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Storks|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/lithuania/eastern-southern-lithuania/background/other-features/eaf58144-ae01-405e-b1bf-7dc3e3590743/a/nar/eaf58144-ae01-405e-b1bf-7dc3e3590743/360111|website=Lonelyplanet.com|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref>]] | ||
Lithuanian ecosystems include natural and semi-natural (forests, ]s, wetlands and meadows), and anthropogenic (agrarian and urban) ecosystems. Among natural ecosystems, forests are particularly important to Lithuania, covering 33% of the country's territory. ]s (raised bogs, ]s, transitional mires, etc.) cover 7.9% of the country, with 70% of wetlands having been lost due to drainage and peat extraction between 1960 and 1980. Changes in wetland plant communities resulted in the replacement of moss and grass communities by trees and shrubs, and fens not directly affected by land reclamation have become drier as a result of a drop in the water table. There are 29,000 rivers with a total length of 64,000 km in Lithuania, the ] basin occupying 74% of the territory of the country. Due to the construction of dams, approximately 70% of spawning sites of potential ] fish species have disappeared. In some cases, river and lake ecosystems continue to be impacted by anthropogenic ].<ref name="cbd">{{cite web|title=Lithuania – Biodiversity Facts|url=https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lt#facts|website=cbd.int|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-date=25 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625190338/https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lt#facts|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Lithuanian ecosystems include natural and semi-natural (forests, bogs, wetlands and meadows), and anthropogenic (agrarian and urban) ecosystems. Among natural ecosystems, forests are particularly important to Lithuania, covering 33% of the country's territory. Wetlands (raised bogs, fens, transitional mires, etc.) cover 7.9% of the country, with 70% of wetlands having been lost due to drainage and peat extraction between 1960 and 1980. Changes in wetland plant communities resulted in the replacement of moss and grass communities by trees and shrubs, and fens not directly affected by land reclamation have become drier as a result of a drop in the water table. There are 29,000 rivers with a total length of 64,000 km in Lithuania, the ] basin occupying 74% of the territory of the country. Due to the construction of dams, approximately 70% of spawning sites of potential catadromous fish species have disappeared. In some cases, river and lake ecosystems continue to be impacted by anthropogenic eutrophication.<ref name="cbd">{{cite web|title=Lithuania – Biodiversity Facts|url=https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=lt#facts|website=cbd.int|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> | |||
Agricultural land comprises 54% of Lithuania's territory (roughly 70% of that is arable land and 30% meadows and pastures), approximately 400,000 ha of agricultural land is not farmed, and acts as an ecological niche for weeds and invasive plant species. Habitat deterioration is occurring in regions with very productive and expensive lands as crop areas are expanded. Currently, 18.9% of all plant species, including 1.87% of all known fungi species and 31% of all known species of lichens, are listed in the ]. The list also contains 8% of all fish species.<ref name="cbd"/> | Agricultural land comprises 54% of Lithuania's territory (roughly 70% of that is arable land and 30% meadows and pastures), approximately 400,000 ha of agricultural land is not farmed, and acts as an ecological niche for weeds and invasive plant species. Habitat deterioration is occurring in regions with very productive and expensive lands as crop areas are expanded. Currently, 18.9% of all plant species, including 1.87% of all known fungi species and 31% of all known species of lichens, are listed in the ]. The list also contains 8% of all fish species.<ref name="cbd"/> | ||
The wildlife populations have rebounded as the hunting became more restricted and urbanization allowed replanting forests (forests already tripled in size since their lows). Currently, Lithuania has approximately 250,000 larger wild animals or 5 per each square kilometre. The most prolific large wild animal in every part of Lithuania is the ], with 120,000 of them. They are followed by ]s (55,000). Other ungulates are the ] (~22,000), ] (~21,000) and the largest one: ] (~7,000). Among the Lithuanian predators, ]es are the most common (~27,000). ]s are, however, more ingrained into the mythology as there are just 800 in Lithuania. Even rarer are the ]es (~200). The large animals mentioned above exclude the ], ~200,000 of which may live in the Lithuanian forests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fauna of Lithuania|url=http://www.truelithuania.com/tag/fauna-of-lithuania|website=TrueLithuania.com|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> | The wildlife populations have rebounded as the hunting became more restricted and urbanization allowed replanting forests (forests already tripled in size since their lows). Currently, Lithuania has approximately 250,000 larger wild animals or 5 per each square kilometre. The most prolific large wild animal in every part of Lithuania is the ], with 120,000 of them. They are followed by ]s (55,000). Other ungulates are the ] (~22,000), ] (~21,000) and the largest one: ] (~7,000). Among the Lithuanian predators, ]es are the most common (~27,000). ]s are, however, more ingrained into the mythology as there are just 800 in Lithuania. Even rarer are the ]es (~200). The large animals mentioned above exclude the ], ~200,000 of which may live in the Lithuanian forests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fauna of Lithuania|url=http://www.truelithuania.com/tag/fauna-of-lithuania|website=TrueLithuania.com|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222334/http://www.truelithuania.com/tag/fauna-of-lithuania|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== |
==Government and politics== | ||
{{Main|Politics of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Politics of Lithuania}} | ||
] — Parliament of Lithuania]] | ] — Parliament of Lithuania]] | ||
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| caption3 = ],<br /><small>] since 2020</small> | | caption3 = ],<br /><small>] since 2020</small> | ||
}} | }} | ||
The Lithuanian ] is the president, directly elected for a five-year term and serving a maximum of two terms. The president oversees foreign affairs and national security, and is the ] of the military.<ref name="lrpf">{{cite web |title=Presidential Functions |url=https://www.lrp.lt/en/institution/presidential-functions/20800 |website=lrp.lt |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510181051/https://www.lrp.lt/en/institution/presidential-functions/20800}}</ref> The president also appoints the ] 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 except the Constitutional Court.<ref name="lrpf" /> The current Lithuanian head of state, ] was ] by unanimously winning in all ] |
The Lithuanian ] is the president, directly elected for a five-year term and serving a maximum of two terms. The president oversees foreign affairs and national security, and is the ] of the military.<ref name="lrpf">{{cite web |title=Presidential Functions |url=https://www.lrp.lt/en/institution/presidential-functions/20800 |website=lrp.lt |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510181051/https://www.lrp.lt/en/institution/presidential-functions/20800}}</ref> The president also appoints the ] 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 except the Constitutional Court.<ref name="lrpf" /> The current Lithuanian head of state, ] was ] by unanimously winning in all ] in the second election round.<ref name="president2019">{{cite web |title=Rezultatai – Respublikos Prezidento rinkimai 2019 |url=https://rinkimai.maps.lt/rinkimai2019/prezidentas/ |website=rinkimai.maps.lt |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222741/https://rinkimai.maps.lt/rinkimai2019/prezidentas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He was re-elected in 2024, winning more than 74% of the run-off votes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2024 |title=Nausėda claims landslide victory in Lithuania's presidential run-off |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2278660/nauseda-claims-landslide-victory-in-lithuania-s-presidential-run-off |access-date=7 November 2024 |website=lrt.lt}}</ref> | ||
The judges of the ] (''Konstitucinis Teismas'') serve nine-year terms. The court is renewed by a third every three years. The judges are appointed by the Seimas, on the nomination of the President, Chairman of the Seimas, and the Chairman of the Supreme Court,. The ] Lithuanian parliament, the ], has 141 members who are elected to four-year terms. 71 of the members of its members are elected in single-member constituencies, and the others in a nationwide vote by ]. A party must receive at least 5% of the national vote to be eligible for any of the 70 national seats in the Seimas.<ref name="Seimas">{{cite web|title=Seimo rinkimai|url=http://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=15405&p_k=1|website=lrs.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420150504/https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=15405&p_k=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> | The judges of the ] (''Konstitucinis Teismas'') serve nine-year terms. The court is renewed by a third every three years. The judges are appointed by the Seimas, on the nomination of the President, Chairman of the Seimas, and the Chairman of the Supreme Court,. The ] Lithuanian parliament, the ], has 141 members who are elected to four-year terms. 71 of the members of its members are elected in single-member constituencies, and the others in a nationwide vote by ]. A party must receive at least 5% of the national vote to be eligible for any of the 70 national seats in the Seimas.<ref name="Seimas">{{cite web|title=Seimo rinkimai|url=http://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=15405&p_k=1|website=lrs.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420150504/https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=15405&p_k=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
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Lithuania was one of the first countries in the world to ] in the elections. Lithuanian women were allowed to vote by the ] and used their newly granted right for the first time in 1919. By doing so, Lithuania allowed it earlier than such democratic countries as the ] (1920), ] (1945), ] (1952), ] (1971).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baronienė |first1=Daiva |title=Teisę balsuoti Lietuvos moterys gavo vienos pirmųjų pasaulyje |url=https://www.lzinios.lt/Gimtasis-krastas/teise-balsuoti-lietuvos-moterys-gavo-vienos-pirmuju-pasaulyje/287033 |website=Lzinios.lt |access-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511092317/https://www.lzinios.lt/Gimtasis-krastas/teise-balsuoti-lietuvos-moterys-gavo-vienos-pirmuju-pasaulyje/287033 |archive-date=11 May 2019}}</ref> | Lithuania was one of the first countries in the world to ] in the elections. Lithuanian women were allowed to vote by the ] and used their newly granted right for the first time in 1919. By doing so, Lithuania allowed it earlier than such democratic countries as the ] (1920), ] (1945), ] (1952), ] (1971).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baronienė |first1=Daiva |title=Teisę balsuoti Lietuvos moterys gavo vienos pirmųjų pasaulyje |url=https://www.lzinios.lt/Gimtasis-krastas/teise-balsuoti-lietuvos-moterys-gavo-vienos-pirmuju-pasaulyje/287033 |website=Lzinios.lt |access-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511092317/https://www.lzinios.lt/Gimtasis-krastas/teise-balsuoti-lietuvos-moterys-gavo-vienos-pirmuju-pasaulyje/287033 |archive-date=11 May 2019}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania exhibits a fragmented multi-party system,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_saarts.pdf |title=Comparative Party System Analysis in Central and Eastern Europe: the Case of the Baltic States |last1=Saarts |first1=Tõnis |publisher=Studies of Transition States and Societies |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019212154/http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_saarts.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2016 |
Lithuania exhibits a fragmented multi-party system,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_saarts.pdf |title=Comparative Party System Analysis in Central and Eastern Europe: the Case of the Baltic States |last1=Saarts |first1=Tõnis |publisher=Studies of Transition States and Societies |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019212154/http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_saarts.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2016}}</ref> with a number of small parties in which coalition governments are common. Ordinary elections to the ] take place on the second Sunday of October every four years.<ref name="Seimas"/> To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 21 years old on the election day, not under allegiance to a foreign state and permanently reside in Lithuania.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2022 |title=Lithuanian parliament amends Constitution to allow direct mayoral elections |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1677980/lithuanian-parliament-amends-constitution-to-allow-direct-mayoral-elections |access-date=7 November 2024 |website=lrt.lt}}</ref> Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the election are not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments may not stand for election.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rinkimų įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.06267D86738E/lyGURhvddO|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234446/https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.06267D86738E/lyGURhvddO|url-status=live}}</ref> ] won the ]s and gained 50 of 141 seats in the parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vrk.lt/2020-seimo/rezultatai|title=Rezultatai - vrk.lt|website=www.vrk.lt|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627231053/https://www.vrk.lt/2020-seimo/rezultatai|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, the prime ministerial candidate of Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) ] formed a centre-right coalition with two liberal parties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/1151388/lithuania-to-get-new-conservative-liberal-coalition-prime-minister|title=Lithuania to get new conservative-liberal coalition prime minister|author=<!-- no byline -->|date=26 October 2020|website=ERR|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417191035/https://news.err.ee/1151388/lithuania-to-get-new-conservative-liberal-coalition-prime-minister|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] in the historical ] hall where it was originally signed in 1990. The ceremony is attended by the Lithuanian President, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Seimas and other high-ranking officials.]] | ] in the historical ] hall where it was originally signed in 1990. The ceremony is attended by the Lithuanian President, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Seimas and other high-ranking officials.]] | ||
The ] is the head of state of the country, elected to a five-year term in a majority vote. Elections take place on the last Sunday no more than two months before the end of current presidential term.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web |url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm |title=Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania |publisher=The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania |access-date=31 July 2015}}</ref> To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 40 years old on the election day and reside in Lithuania for at least three years, in addition to satisfying the eligibility criteria for a member of the parliament. Same President may serve for not more than two terms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidento rinkimų įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.E39827DBDE34/rYdcColjED|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> ] |
The ] is the head of state of the country, elected to a five-year term in a majority vote. Elections take place on the last Sunday no more than two months before the end of current presidential term.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web |url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm |title=Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania |publisher=The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-date=17 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117080458/http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 40 years old on the election day and reside in Lithuania for at least three years, in addition to satisfying the eligibility criteria for a member of the parliament. Same President may serve for not more than two terms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidento rinkimų įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.E39827DBDE34/rYdcColjED|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201550/https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.E39827DBDE34/rYdcColjED|url-status=live}}</ref> ] was elected as an independent candidate in ] and re-elected in ].<ref name="president2019" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2024 |title=Nausėda claims landslide victory in Lithuania's presidential run-off |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2278660/nauseda-claims-landslide-victory-in-lithuania-s-presidential-run-off |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=lrt.lt}}</ref> | ||
Each municipality in Lithuania is governed by a ] and a ], who is a member of the municipal council. The number of members, elected on a four-year term, in each municipal council depends on the size of the municipality and varies from 15 (in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents) to 51 (in municipalities with more than 500,000 residents). 1,524 municipal council members were elected in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/1/vrk-prieme-svarbius-sprendimus-artejanciu-savivaldybiu-tarybu-rinkimu-klausimais |title=VRK priėmė svarbius sprendimus artėjančių savivaldybių tarybų rinkimų klausimais |language=lt |trans-title=CEC took important decisions regarding the upcoming election to municipal councils |date=23 September 2014 |publisher=Central Electoral Commission |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212040822/http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/1/vrk-prieme-svarbius-sprendimus-artejanciu-savivaldybiu-tarybu-rinkimu-klausimais |archive-date=12 February 2015 |
Each municipality in Lithuania is governed by a ] and a ], who is a member of the municipal council. The number of members, elected on a four-year term, in each municipal council depends on the size of the municipality and varies from 15 (in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents) to 51 (in municipalities with more than 500,000 residents). 1,524 municipal council members were elected in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/1/vrk-prieme-svarbius-sprendimus-artejanciu-savivaldybiu-tarybu-rinkimu-klausimais |title=VRK priėmė svarbius sprendimus artėjančių savivaldybių tarybų rinkimų klausimais |language=lt |trans-title=CEC took important decisions regarding the upcoming election to municipal councils |date=23 September 2014 |publisher=Central Electoral Commission |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212040822/http://www.vrk.lt/naujienos/-/content/10180/1/vrk-prieme-svarbius-sprendimus-artejanciu-savivaldybiu-tarybu-rinkimu-klausimais |archive-date=12 February 2015}}</ref> Members of the council, with the exception of the mayor, are elected using proportional representation. Starting with 2015, the mayor is elected directly by the majority of residents of the municipality.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Respublikos savivaldybių tarybų rinkimų įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.336A4B109EBC/HEexqWkxmV|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234518/https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.336A4B109EBC/HEexqWkxmV|url-status=live}}</ref> ] won most of the positions in the 2015 elections (372 municipal councils seats and 16 mayors).<ref>{{cite web|title=2015 m. kovo 1 d. Lietuvos Respublikos savivaldybių tarybų rinkimai|url=http://www.vrk.lt/2015-savivaldybiu-tarybu|website=vrk.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234238/http://www.vrk.lt/2015-savivaldybiu-tarybu|archive-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> | ||
As of 2019, the number of seats in the ] allocated to Lithuania was 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/us/en/elections_2014.html |title=European Parliament 2014 |publisher=European Parliament Liaison Office with U.S. Congress |access-date=31 July 2015}}</ref> Ordinary elections take place on a Sunday on the same day as in other EU countries. The vote is open to all citizens of Lithuania, as well as citizens of other EU countries that permanently reside in Lithuania, who are at least 18 years old on the election day. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 21 years old on the election day, a citizen of Lithuania or a citizen of another EU country permanently residing in Lithuania. Candidates are not allowed to stand for election in more than one country. Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the election are not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments may not stand for election.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Respublikos rinkimų į Europos Parlamentą įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.FE3C428580B8/DOAAhMeuda|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> Six political parties and one committee representatives gained seats in the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 m. gegužės 26 d. Europos Parlamento rinkimai |url=https://www.vrk.lt/2019-europos-parlamento |website=vrk.lt |access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref> | As of 2019, the number of seats in the ] allocated to Lithuania was 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/us/en/elections_2014.html |title=European Parliament 2014 |publisher=European Parliament Liaison Office with U.S. Congress |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-date=14 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314172522/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/us/en/elections_2014.html/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Ordinary elections take place on a Sunday on the same day as in other EU countries. The vote is open to all citizens of Lithuania, as well as citizens of other EU countries that permanently reside in Lithuania, who are at least 18 years old on the election day. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 21 years old on the election day, a citizen of Lithuania or a citizen of another EU country permanently residing in Lithuania. Candidates are not allowed to stand for election in more than one country. Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the election are not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments may not stand for election.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Respublikos rinkimų į Europos Parlamentą įstatymas|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.FE3C428580B8/DOAAhMeuda|website=e-tar.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201545/https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.FE3C428580B8/DOAAhMeuda|url-status=live}}</ref> Six political parties and one committee representatives gained seats in the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 m. gegužės 26 d. Europos Parlamento rinkimai |url=https://www.vrk.lt/2019-europos-parlamento |website=vrk.lt |access-date=23 September 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623221103/https://www.vrk.lt/2019-europos-parlamento |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Law and law enforcement=== | ===Law and law enforcement=== | ||
{{Main|Law of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Law of Lithuania}} | ||
] were the central piece of Lithuanian law in 1529–1795.]] | ] were the central piece of Lithuanian law in 1529–1795.]] | ||
The first attempt to ] the Lithuanian laws was in 1468 when the ] was compiled and adopted by Grand Duke ].<ref name="LawVle">{{cite web |last1=Matulienė |first1=Snieguolė |last2=Spruogis |first2=Ernestas |title=Lietuvos teisės šaltiniai |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-teises-saltiniai/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=22 February 2022 |language=lt}}</ref> In the 16th century three editions of the ] were created with the First Statute being adopted in 1529, the Second Statute in 1566, and the Third Statute in 1588.<ref name="LawVle" /> On 3 May 1791, the Europe's first and the world's second ] was adopted by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gegužės trečiosios konstitucija |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/geguzes-treciosios-konstitucija/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=22 February 2022 |language=lt}}</ref> The Third Statute was partly in force in the territory of Lithuania even until 1840, despite the ] in 1795.<ref name="LawVle" /> | The first attempt to ] the Lithuanian laws was in 1468 when the ] was compiled and adopted by Grand Duke ].<ref name="LawVle">{{cite web |last1=Matulienė |first1=Snieguolė |last2=Spruogis |first2=Ernestas |title=Lietuvos teisės šaltiniai |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-teises-saltiniai/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=22 February 2022 |language=lt |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222211158/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-teises-saltiniai/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In the 16th century three editions of the ] were created with the First Statute being adopted in 1529, the Second Statute in 1566, and the Third Statute in 1588.<ref name="LawVle" /> On 3 May 1791, the Europe's first and the world's second ] was adopted by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gegužės trečiosios konstitucija |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/geguzes-treciosios-konstitucija/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=22 February 2022 |language=lt |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222211200/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/geguzes-treciosios-konstitucija/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Third Statute was partly in force in the territory of Lithuania even until 1840, despite the ] in 1795.<ref name="LawVle" /> | ||
In 1934–1935, Lithuania held the ], the ] were sentenced to imprisonment in a ] and ]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gliožaitis |first1=Algirdas |title=Neumanno-Sasso byla |trans-title= |
In 1934–1935, Lithuania held the ], the ] were sentenced to imprisonment in a ] and ]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gliožaitis |first1=Algirdas |title=Neumanno-Sasso byla |trans-title=The Case of Neumann-Sass |url=https://www.mle.lt/straipsniai/neumanno-sasso-byla |website=Mažosios Lietuvos enciklopedija |access-date=12 February 2022 |language=lt |archive-date=12 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212210419/https://www.mle.lt/straipsniai/neumanno-sasso-byla |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
After regaining of independence in 1990, the largely modified Soviet legal codes were in force for about a decade. The current ] was adopted on 25 October 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Konstitucija|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Konstitucija.htm|website=lrs.lt|access-date=17 February 2018}}</ref> In 2001, the ] was passed in ]. It was succeeded by the ] and ] Code in 2003. The approach to the ] is ], as opposed to ]; it is generally characterised by an insistence on formality and rationalisation, as opposed to practicality and informality. Normative legal act enters into force on the next day after its publication in the ''Teisės aktų registras'', unless it has a later entry into force date.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nuo 2014 m. sausio 1 d. teisės aktai oficialiai skelbiami Teisės aktų registre|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter/w5_show?p_r=4443&p_d=143651&p_k=1|website=3.lrs.lt|access-date=24 February 2018|language=lt}}</ref> | After regaining of independence in 1990, the largely modified Soviet legal codes were in force for about a decade. The current ] was adopted on 25 October 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos Konstitucija|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Konstitucija.htm|website=lrs.lt|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612091928/https://www.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Konstitucija.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2001, the ] was passed in ]. It was succeeded by the ] and ] Code in 2003. The approach to the ] is ], as opposed to ]; it is generally characterised by an insistence on formality and rationalisation, as opposed to practicality and informality. Normative legal act enters into force on the next day after its publication in the ''Teisės aktų registras'', unless it has a later entry into force date.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nuo 2014 m. sausio 1 d. teisės aktai oficialiai skelbiami Teisės aktų registre|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter/w5_show?p_r=4443&p_d=143651&p_k=1|website=3.lrs.lt|access-date=24 February 2018|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623223041/https://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter/w5_show?p_r=4443&p_d=143651&p_k=1|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The ] is an integral part of the Lithuanian legal system since 1 May 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nacionalinės teisės aktų derinimo su Europos Sąjungos teise metodiniai nurodymai|url=http://www.etd.lt/index.php?189546198|website=etd.lt|access-date=22 October 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218090653/http://www.etd.lt/index.php?189546198|archive-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> | The ] is an integral part of the Lithuanian legal system since 1 May 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nacionalinės teisės aktų derinimo su Europos Sąjungos teise metodiniai nurodymai|url=http://www.etd.lt/index.php?189546198|website=etd.lt|access-date=22 October 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218090653/http://www.etd.lt/index.php?189546198|archive-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania, after breaking away from the Soviet Union, had a difficult crime situation, however, the Lithuanian law enforcement agencies fought crime over the years, making Lithuania a reasonably safe country.<ref>{{cite web|title=LRT dokumentikos ciklas "Nematoma Lietuvos istorija" – apie valstybės pergalę prieš mafiją|url=http://www.lrt.lt/televizija/anonsai/22093/lrt-dokumentikos-ciklas-nematoma-lietuvos-istorija-apie-valstybes-pergale-pries-mafija|website=LRT|access-date=5 September 2016|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223636/http://www.lrt.lt/televizija/anonsai/22093/lrt-dokumentikos-ciklas-nematoma-lietuvos-istorija-apie-valstybes-pergale-pries-mafija|archive-date=28 February 2018}}</ref> Crime in Lithuania has been declining rapidly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21469|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508011825/https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21469|archive-date=8 May 2017|title=Lithuania 2017 Crime & Safety Report|date=8 May 2017}}</ref> Law enforcement in Lithuania is primarily the responsibility of local ''Lietuvos policija'' (Lithuanian Police) commissariats. They are supplemented by the ''Lietuvos policijos antiteroristinių operacijų rinktinė Aras'' (Anti-Terrorist Operations Team of the Lithuanian Police ''Aras''), ''Lietuvos kriminalinės policijos biuras'' (Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau), ''Lietuvos policijos kriminalistinių tyrimų centras'' (Lithuanian Police Forensic Research Center) and ''Lietuvos kelių policijos tarnyba'' (Lithuanian Road Police Service).<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos policija|url=https://policija.lrv.lt/|website=policija.lrv.lt|access-date=31 March 2018|language=lt}}</ref> | Lithuania, after breaking away from the Soviet Union, had a difficult crime situation, however, the Lithuanian law enforcement agencies fought crime over the years, making Lithuania a reasonably safe country.<ref>{{cite web|title=LRT dokumentikos ciklas "Nematoma Lietuvos istorija" – apie valstybės pergalę prieš mafiją|url=http://www.lrt.lt/televizija/anonsai/22093/lrt-dokumentikos-ciklas-nematoma-lietuvos-istorija-apie-valstybes-pergale-pries-mafija|website=LRT|access-date=5 September 2016|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223636/http://www.lrt.lt/televizija/anonsai/22093/lrt-dokumentikos-ciklas-nematoma-lietuvos-istorija-apie-valstybes-pergale-pries-mafija|archive-date=28 February 2018}}</ref> Crime in Lithuania has been declining rapidly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21469|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508011825/https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21469|archive-date=8 May 2017|title=Lithuania 2017 Crime & Safety Report|date=8 May 2017}}</ref> Law enforcement in Lithuania is primarily the responsibility of local ''Lietuvos policija'' (Lithuanian Police) commissariats. They are supplemented by the ''Lietuvos policijos antiteroristinių operacijų rinktinė Aras'' (Anti-Terrorist Operations Team of the Lithuanian Police ''Aras''), ''Lietuvos kriminalinės policijos biuras'' (Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau), ''Lietuvos policijos kriminalistinių tyrimų centras'' (Lithuanian Police Forensic Research Center) and ''Lietuvos kelių policijos tarnyba'' (Lithuanian Road Police Service).<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos policija|url=https://policija.lrv.lt/|website=policija.lrv.lt|access-date=31 March 2018|language=lt|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630082829/https://policija.lrv.lt/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
], Vilnius]] | ], Vilnius]] | ||
In 2017, there were 63,846 crimes registered in Lithuania. Of these, thefts comprised a large part with 19,630 cases (13.2% less than in 2016). While 2,835 crimes were serious and very serious (crimes that may lead to more than six years imprisonment), which is 14.5% less than in 2016. In total, 129 homicides or attempted homicide occurred (19.9% less than in 2016), while serious bodily harm was registered 178 times (17.6% less than in 2016). Another problematic crime ] cases also decreased by 27.2% from 2016 numbers. Meanwhile, crimes in electronic data and information technology security fields noticeably increased by 26.6%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Užregistruota ir ištirta nusikalstamų veikų (2017 / Sausis – Gruodis)|url=https://www.ird.lt/lt/paslaugos/nusikalstamu-veiku-zinybinio-registro-nvzr-paslaugos/ataskaitos-1/nusikalstamumo-ir-ikiteisminiu-tyrimu-statistika-1/view_item_datasource?id=6763&datasource=18743|website=Ird.lt|access-date=31 March 2018|language=lt}}</ref> In the 2013 Special Eurobarometer, 29% of Lithuanians said that corruption affects their daily lives (EU average 26%). Moreover, 95% of Lithuanians regarded corruption as widespread in their country (EU average 76%), and 88% agreed that bribery and the use of connections is often the easiest way of obtaining certain public services (EU average 73%).<ref>{{cite book|title=Lithuania's EU Anti-Corruption Report|date=2014|publisher=European Commission|location=Brussels|pages=2–3|url=https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/corruption/anti-corruption-report/docs/2014_acr_lithuania_chapter_en.pdf}}</ref> Though, according to local branch of Transparency International, corruption levels have been decreasing over the past decade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Korupcija Lietuvoje: prarandame milijonus, jei ne milijardus|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/korupcija-lietuvoje-prarandame-milijonus-jei-ne-milijardus-733110|website=kauno.diena.lt|date=7 February 2016 |
In 2017, there were 63,846 crimes registered in Lithuania. Of these, thefts comprised a large part with 19,630 cases (13.2% less than in 2016). While 2,835 crimes were serious and very serious (crimes that may lead to more than six years imprisonment), which is 14.5% less than in 2016. In total, 129 homicides or attempted homicide occurred (19.9% less than in 2016), while serious bodily harm was registered 178 times (17.6% less than in 2016). Another problematic crime ] cases also decreased by 27.2% from 2016 numbers. Meanwhile, crimes in electronic data and information technology security fields noticeably increased by 26.6%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Užregistruota ir ištirta nusikalstamų veikų (2017 / Sausis – Gruodis)|url=https://www.ird.lt/lt/paslaugos/nusikalstamu-veiku-zinybinio-registro-nvzr-paslaugos/ataskaitos-1/nusikalstamumo-ir-ikiteisminiu-tyrimu-statistika-1/view_item_datasource?id=6763&datasource=18743|website=Ird.lt|access-date=31 March 2018|language=lt|archive-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190249/https://www.ird.lt/lt/paslaugos/nusikalstamu-veiku-zinybinio-registro-nvzr-paslaugos/ataskaitos-1/nusikalstamumo-ir-ikiteisminiu-tyrimu-statistika-1/view_item_datasource?id=6763&datasource=18743|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2013 Special Eurobarometer, 29% of Lithuanians said that corruption affects their daily lives (EU average 26%). Moreover, 95% of Lithuanians regarded corruption as widespread in their country (EU average 76%), and 88% agreed that bribery and the use of connections is often the easiest way of obtaining certain public services (EU average 73%).<ref>{{cite book|title=Lithuania's EU Anti-Corruption Report|date=2014|publisher=European Commission|location=Brussels|pages=2–3|url=https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/corruption/anti-corruption-report/docs/2014_acr_lithuania_chapter_en.pdf|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308122240/https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/corruption/anti-corruption-report/docs/2014_acr_lithuania_chapter_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Though, according to local branch of Transparency International, corruption levels have been decreasing over the past decade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Korupcija Lietuvoje: prarandame milijonus, jei ne milijardus|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/korupcija-lietuvoje-prarandame-milijonus-jei-ne-milijardus-733110|website=kauno.diena.lt|date=7 February 2016|access-date=7 February 2016|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627233814/https://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/korupcija-lietuvoje-prarandame-milijonus-jei-ne-milijardus-733110|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] was suspended in 1996 and eliminated in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=Siūlymas grąžinti mirties bausmę pripažintas prieštaraujančiu Konstitucijai|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/siulymas-grazinti-mirties-bausme-pripazintas-priestaraujanciu-konstitucijai.d?id=62993028|website=DELFI.lt|access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> Lithuania has the highest number of prison inmates in the EU. According to scientist Gintautas Sakalauskas, this is not because of a high criminality rate in the country, but due to Lithuania's high repression level and the lack of trust of the convicted, who are frequently sentenced to imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kuo mažiau pasitikėjimo, tuo pilnesni kalėjimai: Lietuva kalinių skaičiumi pirmauja|url=https://www.lzinios.lt/lzinios/lietuva/kuo-maziau-pasitikejimo-tuo-pilnesni-kalejimai-lietuva-kaliniu-skaiciumi-pirmauja/248403|website=LZINIOS.lt|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812032325/http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/kuo-maziau-pasitikejimo-tuo-pilnesni-kalejimai-lietuva-kaliniu-skaiciumi-pirmauja/248403|archive-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> | ] was suspended in 1996 and eliminated in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=Siūlymas grąžinti mirties bausmę pripažintas prieštaraujančiu Konstitucijai|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/siulymas-grazinti-mirties-bausme-pripazintas-priestaraujanciu-konstitucijai.d?id=62993028|website=DELFI.lt|access-date=9 October 2013|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181834/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/siulymas-grazinti-mirties-bausme-pripazintas-priestaraujanciu-konstitucijai.d?id=62993028|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania has the highest number of prison inmates in the EU. According to scientist Gintautas Sakalauskas, this is not because of a high criminality rate in the country, but due to Lithuania's high repression level and the lack of trust of the convicted, who are frequently sentenced to imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kuo mažiau pasitikėjimo, tuo pilnesni kalėjimai: Lietuva kalinių skaičiumi pirmauja|url=https://www.lzinios.lt/lzinios/lietuva/kuo-maziau-pasitikejimo-tuo-pilnesni-kalejimai-lietuva-kaliniu-skaiciumi-pirmauja/248403|website=LZINIOS.lt|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812032325/http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Lietuva/kuo-maziau-pasitikejimo-tuo-pilnesni-kalejimai-lietuva-kaliniu-skaiciumi-pirmauja/248403|archive-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> | ||
===Administrative divisions=== | ===Administrative divisions=== | ||
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Administrative divisions of Lithuania}} | ||
{{See also|Counties of Lithuania|Municipalities of Lithuania|Elderships of Lithuania}} | {{See also|Counties of Lithuania|Municipalities of Lithuania|Elderships of Lithuania|Cultural regions of Lithuania}} | ||
{{Map of Counties of Lithuania| |
{{Map of Counties of Lithuania|50px|float=right}} | ||
] (Mažoji Lietuva)}} | |||
The current system of administrative division was established in 1994 and modified in 2000 to meet the requirements of the European Union. The country's ] (Lithuanian: singular – ''apskritis'', plural – ''apskritys'') are subdivided into ] (Lithuanian: singular – ''savivaldybė'', plural – ''savivaldybės''), and further divided into 500 ] (Lithuanian: singular – ''seniūnija'', plural – ''seniūnijos''). | |||
{{legend|#eafeea|] (Žemaitija)}} | |||
{{legend|#fec0c0|] (Aukštaitija)}} | |||
{{legend|#fefeea|] (Dzūkija)}} | |||
{{legend|#fde5d9|] (Suvalkija)}}]] | |||
The current system of administrative division was established in 1994 and modified in 2000 to meet the requirements of the European Union. The country's ] (Lithuanian: singular – ''apskritis'', plural – ''apskritys'') are subdivided into ] (Lithuanian: singular – ''savivaldybė'', plural – ''savivaldybės''), and further divided into 500 ] (Lithuanian: singular – ''seniūnija'', plural – ''seniūnijos''). There are also 5 distinct cultural regions in Lithuania – ], ], ], ] and ], which are recognized by the state. | |||
Municipalities have been the most important unit of administration in Lithuania since the system of ] (''apskrities viršininkas'') was dissolved in 2010.<ref name="county">{{in lang|lt}} , ] law database, 7 July 2009, Law no. XI-318.</ref> Some municipalities are historically called "district municipalities" (often shortened to "district"), while others are called "city municipalities" (sometimes shortened to "city"). Each has its own elected government. The election of municipality councils originally occurred every three years, but now takes place every four years. The council appoints ] to govern the elderships. Mayors have been directly elected since 2015; prior to that, they were appointed by the council.<ref>{{in lang|lt}} Justinas Vanagas, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014091111/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seimas-iteisino-tiesioginius-meru-rinkimus.d?id=65139619 |date=14 October 2017 |
Municipalities have been the most important unit of administration in Lithuania since the system of ] (''apskrities viršininkas'') was dissolved in 2010.<ref name="county">{{in lang|lt}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205162011/http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=349513 |date=5 February 2016}}, ] law database, 7 July 2009, Law no. XI-318.</ref> Some municipalities are historically called "district municipalities" (often shortened to "district"), while others are called "city municipalities" (sometimes shortened to "city"). Each has its own elected government. The election of municipality councils originally occurred every three years, but now takes place every four years. The council appoints ] to govern the elderships. Mayors have been directly elected since 2015; prior to that, they were appointed by the council.<ref>{{in lang|lt}} Justinas Vanagas, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014091111/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seimas-iteisino-tiesioginius-meru-rinkimus.d?id=65139619 |date=14 October 2017}}, Delfi.lt, 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2015.</ref> | ||
Elderships, numbering over 500, are the smallest administrative units and do not play a role in national politics. They provide necessary local public services—for example, registering births and deaths in rural areas. They are most active in the social sector, identifying needy individuals or families and organizing and distributing welfare and other forms of relief.<ref name="elderates">{{in lang|lt}} , ] law database, 12 October 2000, Law no. VIII-2018. Retrieved 3 June 2006.</ref> Some citizens feel that elderships have no real power and receive too little attention, and that they could otherwise become a source of local initiative for addressing rural problems.<ref>{{in lang|lt}} Indrė Makaraitytė, , Atgimimas, Delfi.lt, 16 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2006.</ref> | Elderships, numbering over 500, are the smallest administrative units and do not play a role in national politics. They provide necessary local public services—for example, registering births and deaths in rural areas. They are most active in the social sector, identifying needy individuals or families and organizing and distributing welfare and other forms of relief.<ref name="elderates">{{in lang|lt}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919182519/http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter2/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=146527 |date=19 September 2013}}, ] law database, 12 October 2000, Law no. VIII-2018. Retrieved 3 June 2006.</ref> Some citizens feel that elderships have no real power and receive too little attention, and that they could otherwise become a source of local initiative for addressing rural problems.<ref>{{in lang|lt}} Indrė Makaraitytė, , Atgimimas, Delfi.lt, 16 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2006.</ref> | ||
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" | {| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! style="width:170px;"|County !! style="width:70px;"|Area (km<sup>2</sup>)!! style="width:50px;"|Population (2023)<ref name="Population">{{cite web|title=Resident population at the beginning of the year|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?indicator=S3R167#/}}</ref>!! style="width:50px;"|GDP (billion EUR)<ref name="Counties">{{cite web|title=BENDRASIS VIDAUS PRODUKTAS PAGAL APSKRITIS 2022 M.|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/informaciniai-pranesimai?articleId=11709298|website=osp.stat.gov.lt}}</ref>!! style="width:50px;"|GDP per capita (EUR)<ref name="Counties" /> | ! style="width:170px;"|County !! style="width:70px;"|Area (km<sup>2</sup>)!! style="width:50px;"|Population (2023)<ref name="Population">{{cite web|title=Resident population at the beginning of the year|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?indicator=S3R167#/|access-date=15 December 2023|archive-date=8 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508162636/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?indicator=S3R167#/|url-status=live}}</ref>!! style="width:50px;"|GDP (billion EUR)<ref name="Counties">{{cite web|title=BENDRASIS VIDAUS PRODUKTAS PAGAL APSKRITIS 2022 M.|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/informaciniai-pranesimai?articleId=11709298|website=osp.stat.gov.lt|access-date=15 December 2023|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215154029/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/informaciniai-pranesimai?articleId=11709298|url-status=live}}</ref>!! style="width:50px;"|GDP per capita (EUR)<ref name="Counties" /> | ||
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{{Main|Foreign relations of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Foreign relations of Lithuania}} | ||
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 ], the ], ], as well as ] and its adjunct North Atlantic Coordinating Council. Lithuania gained membership in the ] on 31 May 2001, and joined the ] on 5 July 2018,<ref name="Lithuania's accession to the OECD">{{cite web |
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 ], the ], ], as well as ] and its adjunct North Atlantic Coordinating Council. Lithuania gained membership in the ] on 31 May 2001, and joined the ] on 5 July 2018,<ref name="Lithuania's accession to the OECD">{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/countries/lithuania/lithuania-accession-to-the-oecd.htm|publisher=]|title=Lithuania's accession to the OECD|date=5 July 2016|access-date=6 July 2016|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705150906/https://www.oecd.org/countries/lithuania/lithuania-accession-to-the-oecd.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> while also seeking membership in 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 |website=Urm.lt |access-date=2 January 2011 |archive-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209094022/http://www.urm.lt/index.php?949836981}}</ref> | 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 |website=Urm.lt |access-date=2 January 2011 |archive-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209094022/http://www.urm.lt/index.php?949836981}}</ref> | ||
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The ] and Lithuania engage in political cooperation to attain mutual goals and to determine new trends and possibilities for joint cooperation. The council's information office aims to disseminate ] concepts and to demonstrate and promote Nordic cooperation. | The ] and Lithuania engage in political cooperation to attain mutual goals and to determine new trends and possibilities for joint cooperation. The council's information office aims to disseminate ] concepts and to demonstrate and promote Nordic cooperation. | ||
]. Its representatives are on the right side.]] | ]. Its representatives are on the right side.]] | ||
Lithuania, together with the five Nordic countries and the two other Baltic countries, is a member of the ] and cooperates in its NORDPLUS programme, which is committed to education. | Lithuania, together with the five Nordic countries and the two other Baltic countries, is a member of the ] and cooperates in its NORDPLUS programme, which is committed to education. | ||
The 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 BDF's 12th summit was held in Vilnius.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdforum.org/|title=Home – Baltic Development Forum|website=Baltic Development Forum|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> | The 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 BDF's 12th summit was held in Vilnius.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdforum.org/|title=Home – Baltic Development Forum|website=Baltic Development Forum|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=26 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426202715/http://www.bdforum.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] was highly supportive of Lithuanian independence, despite Lithuania's ] of its ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Situation of Polish minorities in Lithuania is a discrimination of EU citizens |url=http://media.efhr.eu/2017/05/09/situation-polish-minorities-lithuania-discrimination-eu-citizens/ |work=] |date=9 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dyskryminacja Polaków na Litwie. Zbierają pieniądze na grzywnę |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1028881,Dyskryminacja-Polakow-na-Litwie-Zbieraja-pieniadze-na-grzywne |work=] |date=20 January 2014}}</ref> The former ] leader and Polish President ] criticised the government of Lithuania over discrimination against the Polish minority and rejected Lithuania's ].<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014092518/http://thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/54645,Walesa-declines-Lithuanian-honour |date=14 October 2017 |
] was highly supportive of Lithuanian independence, despite Lithuania's ] of its ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Situation of Polish minorities in Lithuania is a discrimination of EU citizens |url=http://media.efhr.eu/2017/05/09/situation-polish-minorities-lithuania-discrimination-eu-citizens/ |work=] |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627224730/https://media.efhr.eu/2017/05/09/situation-polish-minorities-lithuania-discrimination-eu-citizens/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dyskryminacja Polaków na Litwie. Zbierają pieniądze na grzywnę |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1028881,Dyskryminacja-Polakow-na-Litwie-Zbieraja-pieniadze-na-grzywne |work=] |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222405/https://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1028881,Dyskryminacja-Polakow-na-Litwie-Zbieraja-pieniadze-na-grzywne |url-status=live}}</ref> The former ] leader and Polish President ] criticised the government of Lithuania over discrimination against the Polish minority and rejected Lithuania's ].<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014092518/http://thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/54645,Walesa-declines-Lithuanian-honour |date=14 October 2017}}". Radio Poland. 7 September 2011.</ref> Lithuania maintains greatly warm mutual relations with ] and strongly supports its European Union and NATO aspirations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Valdo Adamkaus bulvaras Gruzijoje|url=http://global.truelithuania.com/lt/tag/valdas-adamkus-boulevard-in-anaklia-georgia/|website=True Lithuania|access-date=16 January 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623223004/http://global.truelithuania.com/lt/tag/valdas-adamkus-boulevard-in-anaklia-georgia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Premjeras: Lietuvą ir Gruziją sieja daugiau nei paprasta draugystė|url=https://ministraspirmininkas.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/premjeras-lietuva-ir-gruzija-sieja-daugiau-nei-paprasta-draugyste|website=MinistrasPirmininkas.LRV.lt|access-date=30 March 2017|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222740/https://ministraspirmininkas.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/premjeras-lietuva-ir-gruzija-sieja-daugiau-nei-paprasta-draugyste|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=L. Linkevičius: esame pasirengę remti Gruziją ruošiantis ES Rytų partnerystės viršūnių susitikimui|url=https://ua.mfa.lt/default/lt/naujienos/l-linkevicius-esame-pasirenge-remti-gruzija-ruosiantis-es-rytu-partnerystes-virsuniu-susitikimui-|website=ua.mfa.lt|access-date=8 February 2017|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222040/https://ua.mfa.lt/default/lt/naujienos/l-linkevicius-esame-pasirenge-remti-gruzija-ruosiantis-es-rytu-partnerystes-virsuniu-susitikimui-}}</ref> During the ] in 2008, when the Russian troops were occupying the territory of Georgia and approaching towards the Georgian capital ], President ], together with the Polish and Ukrainian presidents, went to Tbilisi by answering to the Georgians request of the international assistance.<ref>{{cite web|title=V.Adamkus išskrenda į rusų okupuojamą Gruziją|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/v.adamkus-isskrenda-i-rusu-okupuojama-gruzija-atnaujinta-07.36-val-57-2552|website=]|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222226/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/v.adamkus-isskrenda-i-rusu-okupuojama-gruzija-atnaujinta-07.36-val-57-2552|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=V.Adamkus: mes esame su Gruzija|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/vadamkus-mes-esame-su-gruzija.d?id=18078623|website=]|access-date=12 August 2008|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194857/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/vadamkus-mes-esame-su-gruzija.d?id=18078623|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly, Lithuanians and the ] also began collecting financial support for the war victims.<ref>{{cite web|title=Renkamos aukos nukentėjusiems nuo karo Gruzijoje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/renkamos-aukos-nukentejusiems-nuo-karo-gruzijoje.d?id=18053959|website=]|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417192337/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/renkamos-aukos-nukentejusiems-nuo-karo-gruzijoje.d?id=18053959|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bažnyčia ragina nelikti abejingiems karui Gruzijoje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/baznycia-ragina-nelikti-abejingiems-karui-gruzijoje.d?id=18071947|website=]|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194918/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/baznycia-ragina-nelikti-abejingiems-karui-gruzijoje.d?id=18071947|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2004–2009, ] served as ] within the ]-led Commission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maurer |first1=Andreas |last2=Reichel |first2=Sarah |last3=Jonas |first3=Alexandra |title=The Future European Commission The Debate Regarding Leadership, Collegiality and Tasks |url=https://www.swp-berlin.org/publications/products/comments/comments2004_25_mrr_ks.pdf |access-date=28 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hollar|first=Sherman|date=1 June 2012|title=Dalia Grybauskaite president of Lithuania|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dalia-Grybauskaite|access-date=25 June 2021|website=Britannica}}</ref> | In 2004–2009, ] served as ] within the ]-led Commission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maurer |first1=Andreas |last2=Reichel |first2=Sarah |last3=Jonas |first3=Alexandra |title=The Future European Commission The Debate Regarding Leadership, Collegiality and Tasks |url=https://www.swp-berlin.org/publications/products/comments/comments2004_25_mrr_ks.pdf |access-date=28 October 2022 |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028104308/https://www.swp-berlin.org/publications/products/comments/comments2004_25_mrr_ks.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hollar|first=Sherman|date=1 June 2012|title=Dalia Grybauskaite president of Lithuania|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dalia-Grybauskaite|access-date=25 June 2021|website=Britannica|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103162421/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dalia-Grybauskaite|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] | |||
In 2013, Lithuania was elected to the ] for a two-year term,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46277&Cr=security+council&Cr1=#.UmFPr1OWDtk |title=Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia elected to serve on UN Security Council |website=Un.org |date=17 October 2013 |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> becoming the first ] country elected to this post. During its membership, Lithuania actively supported ] and often condemned ] for the ], immediately earning vast Ukrainians esteem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uatoday.tv/geopolitics/lithuania-calls-un-security-council-meeting-on-ukraine-403385.html|title=Lithuania calls UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine|website=Uatoday.tv|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lankininkaitė|first1=Rūta|title=Ukrainiečiai: Lietuva – mums pavyzdys|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/world/ukrainieciai-lietuva-mums-pavyzdys.d?id=67403332|website=], ]|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref> As the ] progressed, President Dalia Grybauskaitė has compared the Russian President ] to ] and to ], she has also called Russia a "terrorist state".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/the-baltic-iron-lady-putins-solitary-foe-dalia-grybauskaite/|title=The Baltic 'Iron Lady': Putin's solitary foe|website=Politico.eu|date=21 May 2015|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> | |||
In 2013, Lithuania was elected to the ] for a two-year term,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46277&Cr=security+council&Cr1=#.UmFPr1OWDtk |title=Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia elected to serve on UN Security Council |website=Un.org |date=17 October 2013 |access-date=30 April 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020020717/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46277&Cr=security+council&Cr1=#.UmFPr1OWDtk |url-status=live}}</ref> becoming the first ] country elected to this post. During its membership, Lithuania actively supported ] and often condemned ] for the ], immediately earning vast Ukrainians esteem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uatoday.tv/geopolitics/lithuania-calls-un-security-council-meeting-on-ukraine-403385.html|title=Lithuania calls UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine|website=Uatoday.tv|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603213903/http://uatoday.tv/geopolitics/lithuania-calls-un-security-council-meeting-on-ukraine-403385.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lankininkaitė|first1=Rūta|title=Ukrainiečiai: Lietuva – mums pavyzdys|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/world/ukrainieciai-lietuva-mums-pavyzdys.d?id=67403332|website=], ]|access-date=11 March 2015|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194911/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/world/ukrainieciai-lietuva-mums-pavyzdys.d?id=67403332|url-status=live}}</ref> As the ] progressed, President Dalia Grybauskaitė has compared the Russian President ] to ] and to ], she has also called Russia a "terrorist state".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/the-baltic-iron-lady-putins-solitary-foe-dalia-grybauskaite/|title=The Baltic 'Iron Lady': Putin's solitary foe|website=Politico.eu|date=21 May 2015|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703110448/https://www.politico.eu/article/the-baltic-iron-lady-putins-solitary-foe-dalia-grybauskaite/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2018 Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia were awarded the {{ill|Peace of Westphalia Prize|de|Internationaler Preis des Westfälischen Friedens}} – for their exceptional model of democratic development and contribution to peace in the continent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prestigious Peace of Westphalia Prize – for Lithuania and the Baltic states |url=https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-centre/press-releases/prestigious-peace-of-westphalia-prize-for-lithuania-and-the-baltic-states/29212 |website=Lrp.lt |access-date=14 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703111813/https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-centre/press-releases/prestigious-peace-of-westphalia-prize-for-lithuania-and-the-baltic-states/29212}}</ref> In 2019 Lithuania condemned the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=EU condemning Turkey is only the beginning, says Lithuanian Foreign Minister |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/news-in-english/19/1106677/eu-condemning-turkey-is-only-the-beginning-says-lithuanian-foreign-minister |work=LRT RADIJAS |date=14 October 2019}}</ref> In December 2021, Lithuania reported that in an escalation of the diplomatic spat with ] over its ],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lau |first1=Stuart |last2=Moens |first2=Barbara |title=China's trade attack on Lithuania exposes EU's powerlessness |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/china-trade-attack-on-lithuania-exposes-eu-powerlessness/ |website=politico.eu |publisher=Politico |date=16 December 2021}}</ref> China had stopped all imports from Lithuania.<ref>{{cite news |title=China blocking EU imports with Lithuanian components over Taiwan row, says Brussels |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/12/24/china-blocking-eu-imports-with-lithuanian-components-over-taiwan-row-says-brussels |work=Euronews |date=24 December 2021}}</ref> According to Lithuanian intelligence agencies, in 2023 there was an increase in Chinese intelligence activity against Lithuania, including cyberespionage and increased focus on Lithuania's internal affairs and foreign policy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intelligence warns of Chinese services' increased attention to Lithuania's internal affair |url=https://www.baltictimes.com/intelligence_warns_of_chinese_services__increased_attention_to_lithuania_s_internal_affair/ |access-date=2024 |
In 2018 Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia were awarded the {{ill|Peace of Westphalia Prize|de|Internationaler Preis des Westfälischen Friedens}} – for their exceptional model of democratic development and contribution to peace in the continent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prestigious Peace of Westphalia Prize – for Lithuania and the Baltic states |url=https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-centre/press-releases/prestigious-peace-of-westphalia-prize-for-lithuania-and-the-baltic-states/29212 |website=Lrp.lt |access-date=14 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703111813/https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-centre/press-releases/prestigious-peace-of-westphalia-prize-for-lithuania-and-the-baltic-states/29212}}</ref> In 2019 Lithuania condemned the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=EU condemning Turkey is only the beginning, says Lithuanian Foreign Minister |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/news-in-english/19/1106677/eu-condemning-turkey-is-only-the-beginning-says-lithuanian-foreign-minister |work=LRT RADIJAS |date=14 October 2019 |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623221806/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/news-in-english/19/1106677/eu-condemning-turkey-is-only-the-beginning-says-lithuanian-foreign-minister |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2021, Lithuania reported that in an escalation of the diplomatic spat with ] over its ],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lau |first1=Stuart |last2=Moens |first2=Barbara |title=China's trade attack on Lithuania exposes EU's powerlessness |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/china-trade-attack-on-lithuania-exposes-eu-powerlessness/ |website=politico.eu |publisher=Politico |date=16 December 2021 |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=16 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216201946/https://www.politico.eu/article/china-trade-attack-on-lithuania-exposes-eu-powerlessness/ |url-status=live}}</ref> China had stopped all imports from Lithuania.<ref>{{cite news |title=China blocking EU imports with Lithuanian components over Taiwan row, says Brussels |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/12/24/china-blocking-eu-imports-with-lithuanian-components-over-taiwan-row-says-brussels |work=Euronews |date=24 December 2021 |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227134522/https://www.euronews.com/2021/12/24/china-blocking-eu-imports-with-lithuanian-components-over-taiwan-row-says-brussels |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Lithuanian intelligence agencies, in 2023 there was an increase in Chinese intelligence activity against Lithuania, including cyberespionage and increased focus on Lithuania's internal affairs and foreign policy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intelligence warns of Chinese services' increased attention to Lithuania's internal affair |url=https://www.baltictimes.com/intelligence_warns_of_chinese_services__increased_attention_to_lithuania_s_internal_affair/ |access-date=8 March 2024 |website=www.baltictimes.com |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308033406/https://www.baltictimes.com/intelligence_warns_of_chinese_services__increased_attention_to_lithuania_s_internal_affair/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The 2023 ] was held in the Lithuanian capital ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania to host 2023 NATO summit, first event 'of such a scale' |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1431705/lithuania-to-host-2023-nato-summit-first-event-of-such-a-scale |website=] |access-date=15 June 2021 |date=15 June 2021}}</ref> | The 2023 ] was held in the Lithuanian capital ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuania to host 2023 NATO summit, first event 'of such a scale' |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1431705/lithuania-to-host-2023-nato-summit-first-event-of-such-a-scale |website=] |access-date=15 June 2021 |date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625161817/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1431705/lithuania-to-host-2023-nato-summit-first-event-of-such-a-scale |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Military=== | ===Military=== | ||
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The Lithuanian Armed Forces is the name for the unified armed forces of ], ], ], ] and other units: Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Headquarters Battalion, ]. Directly subordinated to the ] are the ] and Military Police. The Reserve Forces are under command of the ]. | The Lithuanian Armed Forces is the name for the unified armed forces of ], ], ], ] and other units: Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Headquarters Battalion, ]. Directly subordinated to the ] are the ] and Military Police. The Reserve Forces are under command of the ]. | ||
The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of some 20,000 active personnel, which may be supported by ].<ref>{{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2019|year=2019 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85743-988-5}}</ref> Compulsory ] ended in 2008 but was reintroduced in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.delfi.lt/politics/conscription-notices-to-be-sent-to-37-000-men-in-lithuania.d?id=67940028|title=Conscription notices to be sent to 37,000 men in Lithuania|website=DELFI}}</ref> The Lithuanian Armed Forces currently have |
The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of some 20,000 active personnel, which may be supported by ].<ref>{{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2019|year=2019 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85743-988-5}}</ref> Compulsory ] ended in 2008 but was reintroduced in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.delfi.lt/politics/conscription-notices-to-be-sent-to-37-000-men-in-lithuania.d?id=67940028|title=Conscription notices to be sent to 37,000 men in Lithuania|website=DELFI|access-date=24 July 2019|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103002530/https://en.delfi.lt/politics/conscription-notices-to-be-sent-to-37-000-men-in-lithuania.d?id=67940028|url-status=live}}</ref> The Lithuanian Armed Forces currently have 30 soldiers and officers participating in nine international operations and European Union training missions deployed in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and in the ], providing training for Ukrainian soldiers on ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2024 |title=LR Krašto apsaugos ministerija |url=https://kam.lt/en/international-operations-and-training-missions/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kariuomene.lt/en/2024-training-cycle-for-the-ukrainian-military-begins-lithuanian-instructors-depart-for-operation-interflex/25739|title=2024 training cycle for the Ukrainian military begins: Lithuanian instructors depart for Operation Interflex | Lithuanian army}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania became a full member of ] in March 2004. ] of NATO members are deployed in ] and ]. | Lithuania became a full member of ] in March 2004. ] of NATO members are deployed in ] and ]. | ||
Beginning in summer of 2005, Lithuania was part of the ] in Afghanistan (ISAF), leading a ] (PRT) in the town of ] in the province of ]. The PRT included personnel from ], Iceland and the ]. There were also ] units in Afghanistan, placed in ]. Since joining international operations in 1994, Lithuania has lost two soldiers: Lt. Normundas Valteris fell in ], 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 ].<ref>{{in lang|lt}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018173406/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/international_operations_1446/in_remembrance.html |date=18 October 2018}}. Kariuomene.kam.lt. Retrieved on 24 December 2011.</ref> | |||
The Lithuanian National Defence Policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the ] and ] of the state, the ] of its land, territorial waters and airspace, and its constitutional order. Its main strategic goals are to defend the country's interests, and to maintain and expand the capabilities of its armed forces so they may contribute to and participate in the missions of NATO and European Union member states.<ref name="WB">{{cite web |url=http://www.kam.lt/kam/download/7963/bk-en1.pdf |title=White Paper Lithuanian defence policy |language=lt |website=Kam.lt |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031046/http://www.kam.lt/kam/download/7963/bk-en1.pdf}}</ref> | The Lithuanian National Defence Policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the ] and ] of the state, the ] of its land, territorial waters and airspace, and its constitutional order. Its main strategic goals are to defend the country's interests, and to maintain and expand the capabilities of its armed forces so they may contribute to and participate in the missions of NATO and European Union member states.<ref name="WB">{{cite web |url=http://www.kam.lt/kam/download/7963/bk-en1.pdf |title=White Paper Lithuanian defence policy |language=lt |website=Kam.lt |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031046/http://www.kam.lt/kam/download/7963/bk-en1.pdf}}</ref> | ||
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The ] is responsible for combat forces, ], and intelligence operations. The 5,000 ] fall under the ]'s supervision and are responsible for border protection, passport and customs duties, and share responsibility with the ] for ] and drug trafficking interdiction. A special security department handles VIP protection and ]. In 2015 ] was created. Paramilitary organisation ] acts as a civilian self-defence institution. | The ] is responsible for combat forces, ], and intelligence operations. The 5,000 ] fall under the ]'s supervision and are responsible for border protection, passport and customs duties, and share responsibility with the ] for ] and drug trafficking interdiction. A special security department handles VIP protection and ]. In 2015 ] was created. Paramilitary organisation ] acts as a civilian self-defence institution. | ||
According to NATO, in 2020, Lithuania allocated 2.13% of its ] to the national defense.<ref name="nato-lt-spending">{{cite web|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2013-2020)|url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2021/3/pdf/210316-pr-2020-30-en.pdf|publisher=NATO|date= |
According to NATO, in 2020, Lithuania allocated 2.13% of its ] to the national defense.<ref name="nato-lt-spending">{{cite web|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2013-2020)|url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2021/3/pdf/210316-pr-2020-30-en.pdf|publisher=NATO|date=16 March 2021|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505115056/https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2021/3/pdf/210316-pr-2020-30-en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> For a long time, especially after the ] in 2008, Lithuania lagged behind NATO allies in terms of defence spending. However, in recent years it has begun to rapidly increase the funding, exceeding the NATO guideline of 2% in 2019. | ||
Lithuania's president ] called for more NATO troops on 22 April 2022, saying NATO should increase its deployment of troops in Lithuania and elsewhere on Europe's eastern flank following ], during a meeting in Vilnius.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuania's president calls for more NATO troops |url=https://wtvbam.com/2022/04/22/lithuanias-president-calls-for-more-nato-troops/ |access-date= |
Lithuania's president ] called for more NATO troops on 22 April 2022, saying NATO should increase its deployment of troops in Lithuania and elsewhere on Europe's eastern flank following ], during a meeting in Vilnius.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuania's president calls for more NATO troops |url=https://wtvbam.com/2022/04/22/lithuanias-president-calls-for-more-nato-troops/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=WTVB}}</ref> | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
{{Main|Economy of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Economy of Lithuania}} | ||
{{update|section|date=May 2024}} | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
Lithuania has an open and ] that is classified as a ] by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111190936/https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups – World Bank Data Help Desk|date=11 January 2018|website=Datahelpdesk.worldbank.org}}</ref> {{As of|2017}} the three largest sectors were – services (67% of GDP), industry (29%) and agriculture (3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/|title=GDP – composition, by sector of origin|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622180812/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania joined ] in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/invitees2004/lithuania/chronology.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111192030/https://www.nato.int/invitees2004/lithuania/chronology.htm|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=7 Invitees – Lithuania|date=11 January 2018|website=Nato.int}}</ref> EU in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries_en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111191856/https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries_en|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=EUROPA – EU member countries in brief – European Union|date=11 January 2018|website=Europa.eu}}</ref> ] in 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://il.mfa.lt/il/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/lithuania-in-the-schengen-area|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111191923/https://il.mfa.lt/il/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/lithuania-in-the-schengen-area|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=Lithuania in the Schengen area – Coming to Lithuania – Travel and Residence – Ministry of Foreign Affairs|date=11 January 2018}}</ref> and ] in 2018.<ref name="Lithuania's accession to the OECD"/> On 1 January 2015, the euro became the national currency, replacing ] at the rate of EUR 1.00 = LTL 3.45280.<ref name=iso4217news2014>{{cite web | url=http://www.currency-iso.org/dam/downloads/dl_currency_iso_amendment_159.docx | title=ISO Currency – ISO 4217 Amendment Number 159 | publisher=SIX Interbank Clearing | work=Currency Code Services – ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency | date=15 August 2014 | access-date=23 June 2016 | archive-date=30 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430211020/https://www.currency-iso.org/dam/downloads/dl_currency_iso_amendment_159.docx | url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania has an open and ] that is classified as ] by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111190936/https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups – World Bank Data Help Desk|date=11 January 2018|website=Datahelpdesk.worldbank.org}}</ref> | |||
Agricultural products and food comprise 18% of exports; other major sectors include chemical products and plastics (18%), machinery and appliances (16%), mineral products (15%), wood and furniture (13%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enterpriselithuania.com/en/lithuanian-export-map/2017-2/|title=Lithuanian export map|website=Enterpriselithuania.com|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703112426/https://www.enterpriselithuania.com/en/lithuanian-export-map/2017-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2016}} more than half of exports go to 7 countries including Russia (14%), Latvia (10%), Poland (9%), Germany (8%), Estonia (5%), Sweden (%) and the UK (4%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/export/ltu/show/all/2016/|title=Where does Lithuania export to? (2016)|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024223637/http://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/export/ltu/show/all/2016/}}</ref> Exports equaled 81% of GDP in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/country/LTU/startyear/LTST/endyear/LTST/indicator/NE-EXP-GNFS-ZS|title=Lithuania Exports of goods and services % of GDP 1988–2017|access-date=1 October 2019|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417192221/https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/country/LTU/startyear/LTST/endyear/LTST/indicator/NE-EXP-GNFS-ZS|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
According to data from 2017, the three largest sectors in Lithuanian economy are – services (67.2% of GDP), industry (29.4%) and agriculture (3.5%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/|title=GDP – composition, by sector of origin|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref> ]'s ] ranks Lithuania 41st (of 137 ranked countries). | |||
GDP experienced very high real growth rates for the decade up to 2009, peaking at 11% in 2007. As a result, the country was often termed a ]. However, in 2009 due to the ], GDP contracted 15%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seb.lt/sites/default/files/web/document/lietuvos_ekonomikos_apzvalga_LMR/lmr58_0.pdf |title=Lithuanian Macroeconomic Review No 58 |publisher=SEB |date=December 2014 |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308134859/https://www.seb.lt/sites/default/files/web/document/lietuvos_ekonomikos_apzvalga_LMR/lmr58_0.pdf}}</ref> and unemployment rate reached 17.8% in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.seb.lt/documents/660/662 | title="Lietuvos makroekonomikos apžvalga" nr. 62 | publisher=SEB | date=April 2014 | access-date=7 September 2016 | archive-date=3 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703115931/https://www.seb.lt/documents/660/662}}</ref> Growth has since been much slower. According to the IMF, financial conditions are conducive to growth and financial soundness indicators remain strong. The public debt ratio in 2016 was 40% of GDP, it had been 15% in 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imf.org/~/media/Files/Publications/CR/2017/cr17177.ashx | title=REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA. 2017 ARTICLE IV CONSULTATION—PRESS RELEASE AND STAFF REPORT | publisher=IMF | format=PDF | page=4 | access-date=28 March 2018 | archive-date=12 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312130212/https://www.imf.org/~/media/Files/Publications/CR/2017/cr17177.ashx | url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania joined ] in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/invitees2004/lithuania/chronology.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111192030/https://www.nato.int/invitees2004/lithuania/chronology.htm|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=7 Invitees – Lithuania|date=11 January 2018|website=Nato.int}}</ref> EU in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries_en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111191856/https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries_en|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=EUROPA – EU member countries in brief – European Union|date=11 January 2018|website=Europa.eu}}</ref> ] in 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://il.mfa.lt/il/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/lithuania-in-the-schengen-area|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111191923/https://il.mfa.lt/il/en/travel-and-residence/coming-to-lithuania/lithuania-in-the-schengen-area|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=Lithuania in the Schengen area – Coming to Lithuania – Travel and Residence – Ministry of Foreign Affairs|date=11 January 2018}}</ref> and ] in 2018.<ref name="Lithuania's accession to the OECD"/> | |||
On average, more than 95% of all ] comes from EU countries. Sweden is historically the largest investor with 20% – 30% of FDI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lb.lt/lt/tiesiogines-uzsienio-investicijos-lietuvoje-pagal-sali-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109194528/https://www.lb.lt/lt/tiesiogines-uzsienio-investicijos-lietuvoje-pagal-sali-1|archive-date=9 January 2018|title=Tiesioginės užsienio investicijos Lietuvoje pagal šalį – Lietuvos bankas|date=9 January 2018}}</ref> FDI into Lithuania spiked in 2017, reaching its highest ever recorded number of greenfield investment projects. In 2017, Lithuania was third, after ] and ] by the average job value of investment projects.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dencik |first1=Jacob |last2=Spee |first2=Roel |title=Global Location Trends – 2018 Annual Report: Getting ready for Globalization 4.0 |url=https://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/93/en/93017793usen/93017793usen-00_93017793USEN.pdf |publisher=IBM Institute for Business Value |page=7 |date=July 2018 |quote=Ireland continues to lead the world for attracting high-value investment, generating substantial inward investment with strengths in key high-value sectors such as ICT, financial and business services and life sciences. But Singapore is now a close second, with Lithuania and Switzerland right behind. |access-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410223308/https://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/93/en/93017793usen/93017793usen-00_93017793USEN.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2019}}</ref> | |||
On 1 January 2015, the euro became the national currency, replacing ] at the rate of EUR 1.00 = LTL 3.45280.<ref name=iso4217news2014>{{cite web | url=http://www.currency-iso.org/dam/downloads/dl_currency_iso_amendment_159.docx | title=ISO Currency – ISO 4217 Amendment Number 159 | publisher=SIX Interbank Clearing | work=Currency Code Services – ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency | date=15 August 2014}}</ref> | |||
The US was the leading source country in 2017, 25% of total FDI. Next up were Germany and the UK, each representing 11% of total project numbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/Trend-Tracker/Lithuania-FDI-skyrockets-in-2017|title=Lithuania FDI skyrockets in 2017|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308233716/https://www.fdiintelligence.com/Trend-Tracker/Lithuania-FDI-skyrockets-in-2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Based on the Eurostat's data, in 2017, the value of exports recorded the most rapid growth not only in the Baltic countries, but across Europe, which was 17%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuanian exports which grew most across Europe last year will beat value records this year |url=https://www.verslilietuva.lt/en/news/lithuanian-exports-grew-across-europe-last-year-will-beat-value-records-year/ |website=www.verslilietuva.lt |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417180625/https://www.verslilietuva.lt/en/news/lithuanian-exports-grew-across-europe-last-year-will-beat-value-records-year/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Between 2004 and 2016, one out of five Lithuanians emigrated, primarily due to insufficient income for residents;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/ieskodami-darbuotoju-jau-verciasi-per-galva-net-tokiomis-algomis-nepavyksta-sugundyti.d?id=77973215|title=Ieškodami darbuotojų jau verčiasi per galvą: net tokiomis algomis nepavyksta sugundyti|language=lt|website=delfi.lt|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703110800/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/ieskodami-darbuotoju-jau-verciasi-per-galva-net-tokiomis-algomis-nepavyksta-sugundyti.d?id=77973215|url-status=live}}</ref> secondarily seeking to study. Long term emigration and economic growth has resulted in a shortage in the labor market<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/emigracija-smogia-negailestingai-lietuvoje-vis-labiau-truksta-darbuotoju.d?id=75467805|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111194908/https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/emigracija-smogia-negailestingai-lietuvoje-vis-labiau-truksta-darbuotoju.d?id=75467805|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=Emigracija smogia negailestingai: Lietuvoje vis labiau trūksta darbuotojų – DELFI Verslas|date=11 January 2018}}</ref> and growth in salaries being larger than growth in labor efficiency.<ref name="archive org 11">{{cite web|url=https://verslas.lrytas.lt/izvalgos-ir-nuomones/2017/06/13/news/ekspertai-ispeja-virs-lietuvos-ekonomikos-kaupiasi-debesys-1665764/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111195018/https://verslas.lrytas.lt/izvalgos-ir-nuomones/2017/06/13/news/ekspertai-ispeja-virs-lietuvos-ekonomikos-kaupiasi-debesys-1665764/|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=Ekonomistai įspėja: virš Lietuvos kaupiasi debesys|date=11 January 2018}}</ref> Unemployment in 2017 was 8%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania: Unemployment rate from 2007 to 2017|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/375259/unemployment-rate-in-lithuania/|website=Statista.com|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222449/https://www.statista.com/statistics/375259/unemployment-rate-in-lithuania/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Agricultural products and food comprise 18.3% of exports; other major sectors include chemical products and plastics (17.8%), machinery and appliances (15.8%), mineral products (14.7%), wood and furniture (12.5%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enterpriselithuania.com/en/lithuanian-export-map/2017-2/|title=Lithuanian export map|website=Enterpriselithuania.com|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> According to data from 2016, more than half of all Lithuanian exports go to 7 countries including Russia (14%), Latvia (9.9%), Poland (9.1%), Germany (7.7%), Estonia (5.3%), Sweden (4.8%) and United Kingdom (4.3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/export/ltu/show/all/2016/|title=Where does Lithuania export to? (2016)|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024223637/http://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/export/ltu/show/all/2016/}}</ref> Exports equaled 81.31 percent of Lithuania's GDP in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/country/LTU/startyear/LTST/endyear/LTST/indicator/NE-EXP-GNFS-ZS|title=Lithuania Exports of goods and services % of GDP 1988–2017 |access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> | |||
As of 2022, Lithuanian ] wealth per adult was ]32,000 (] was $70,000), while total national wealth was $147bn.<ref name=CS2023-1>{{Cite web|title = UBS Global Wealth Databook 2023|url = https://www.ubs.com/global/en/family-office-uhnw/reports/global-wealth-report-2023/_jcr_content/mainpar/toplevelgrid_5684475/col2/linklistnewlook/link_copy.0357374027.file/PS9jb250ZW50L2RhbS9hc3NldHMvd20vZ2xvYmFsL2ltZy9nbG9iYWwtZmFtaWx5LW9mZmljZS9kb2NzL2RhdGFib29rLWdsb2JhbC13ZWFsdGgtcmVwb3J0LTIwMjMtZW4ucGRm/databook-global-wealth-report-2023-en.pdf|publisher = ]|access-date = 30 September 2023|archive-date = 27 September 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230927130459/https://www.ubs.com/global/en/family-office-uhnw/reports/global-wealth-report-2023/_jcr_content/mainpar/toplevelgrid_5684475/col2/linklistnewlook/link_copy.0357374027.file/PS9jb250ZW50L2RhbS9hc3NldHMvd20vZ2xvYmFsL2ltZy9nbG9iYWwtZmFtaWx5LW9mZmljZS9kb2NzL2RhdGFib29rLWdsb2JhbC13ZWFsdGgtcmVwb3J0LTIwMjMtZW4ucGRm/databook-global-wealth-report-2023-en.pdf|url-status = dead}} See table 3-1 for all countries, on pages 119-122, for mean and median wealth, ], distribution of adults (%) by wealth range, and number of adults. All of that info (except the Gini coefficient) is also in table 2-2 on pages 109-112. See the end of table 2-2 on page 112 for regional numbers. Page 4 mentions "46 countries lacking sufficient suitable data for wealth estimation". Pages 20-24 (table 2-1) then feature estimates for ] per adult for said countries, with wealth data quality characterized as "n.a." (not available).</ref> As of 2023 Q2, the average monthly gross salary in Lithuania was €2,000.<ref name="https://osp.stat.gov.lt">{{Cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/informaciniai-pranesimai?eventId=292505|title=Darbo užmokestis šalyje|website=osp.stat.gov.lt|access-date=25 August 2023|archive-date=25 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825101342/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/informaciniai-pranesimai?eventId=292505|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Lithuanian GDP experienced very high real growth rates for decade up to 2009, peaking at 11.1% in 2007. As a result, the country was often termed as a ]. However, in 2009 due to a ] marked experienced a drastic decline – GDP contracted by 14.9%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seb.lt/sites/default/files/web/document/lietuvos_ekonomikos_apzvalga_LMR/lmr58_0.pdf |title=Lithuanian Macroeconomic Review No 58 |publisher=SEB |date=December 2014 |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308134859/https://www.seb.lt/sites/default/files/web/document/lietuvos_ekonomikos_apzvalga_LMR/lmr58_0.pdf}}</ref> and unemployment rate reached 17.8% in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.seb.lt/documents/660/662 | title="Lietuvos makroekonomikos apžvalga" nr. 62 | publisher=SEB | date=April 2014 | access-date=7 September 2016 | archive-date=3 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703115931/https://www.seb.lt/documents/660/662}}</ref> After the decline of 2009, Lithuanian annual economic growth has been much slower compared to pre-2009 years. According to IMF, financial conditions are conducive to growth and financial soundness indicators remain strong. The public debt ratio in 2016 fell to 40 percent of GDP, to compare with 42.7 in 2015 (before global finance crisis – 15 percent of GDP in 2008).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/~/media/Files/Publications/CR/2017/cr17177.ashx |title= REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA. 2017 ARTICLE IV CONSULTATION—PRESS RELEASE AND STAFF REPORT | publisher=IMF | format=PDF | page=4 | access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania has a ] rather than a ]. The personal income tax (15%) and corporate tax (15%) rates are among the lowest in the EU.<ref name="epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu">{{cite web | url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/gen_info/economic_analysis/tax_structures/2014/report.pdf | title=Taxation trends in the European Union | publisher=Eurostat | date=2014 | access-date=22 May 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509130331/http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/gen_info/economic_analysis/tax_structures/2014/report.pdf | archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> The country has the lowest implicit rate of tax on capital (9.8%) in the EU. The corporate tax rate is 15% and 5% for small businesses; 7 ]s operate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pramoniniai parkai ir LEZ|url=https://ukmin.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/investiciju-veiklos-sritis/pramoniniai-parkai-ir-lez|website=ukmin.lrv.lt|access-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071555/https://ukmin.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/investiciju-veiklos-sritis/pramoniniai-parkai-ir-lez|archive-date=24 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
On average, more than 95% of all ] in Lithuania comes from ] countries. Sweden is historically the largest investor with 20% – 30% of all FDI in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lb.lt/lt/tiesiogines-uzsienio-investicijos-lietuvoje-pagal-sali-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109194528/https://www.lb.lt/lt/tiesiogines-uzsienio-investicijos-lietuvoje-pagal-sali-1|archive-date=9 January 2018|title=Tiesioginės užsienio investicijos Lietuvoje pagal šalį – Lietuvos bankas|date=9 January 2018}}</ref> FDI into Lithuania spiked in 2017, reaching its highest ever recorded number of greenfield investment projects. In 2017, Lithuania was third country, after ] and ] by the average job value of investment projects.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dencik |first1=Jacob |last2=Spee |first2=Roel |title=Global Location Trends – 2018 Annual Report: Getting ready for Globalization 4.0 |url=https://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/93/en/93017793usen/93017793usen-00_93017793USEN.pdf |publisher=IBM Institute for Business Value |page=7 |date=July 2018 |quote=Ireland continues to lead the world for attracting high-value investment, generating substantial inward investment with strengths in key high-value sectors such as ICT, financial and business services and life sciences. But Singapore is now a close second, with Lithuania and Switzerland right behind. |access-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410223308/https://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/93/en/93017793usen/93017793usen-00_93017793USEN.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2019}}</ref> | |||
The US was the leading source country in 2017, 24.59% of total FDI. Next up are Germany and the UK, each representing 11.48% of total project numbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/Trend-Tracker/Lithuania-FDI-skyrockets-in-2017|title=Lithuania FDI skyrockets in 2017|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> Based on the Eurostat's data, in 2017, the value of Lithuanian exports recorded the most rapid growth not only in the Baltic countries, but also across Europe, which was 16.9 per cent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lithuanian exports which grew most across Europe last year will beat value records this year |url=https://www.verslilietuva.lt/en/news/lithuanian-exports-grew-across-europe-last-year-will-beat-value-records-year/ |website=www.verslilietuva.lt |access-date=24 November 2018}}</ref> | |||
] production is growing, reaching €2 billion in 2016.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Samuolis|first1=Gediminas|title=Informacinės technologijos Lietuvoje|date=2017|publisher=Lietuvos statistikos departamentas|location=Vilnius|page=8|url=https://ivpk.lrv.lt/uploads/ivpk/documents/files/Naujienos/IT%20Lietuvoje%202017.pdf|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308150136/https://ivpk.lrv.lt/uploads/ivpk/documents/files/Naujienos/IT%20Lietuvoje%202017.pdf}}</ref> In 2017 only, 35<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania Registered 35 New Fintech Companies in 2017|url=https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2018/02/128160-lithuania-registered-35-new-fintech-companies-2017|website=Crowdfundinsider.com|date=8 February 2018|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208172543/https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2018/02/128160-lithuania-registered-35-new-fintech-companies-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] companies came to Lithuania – a result of the government and Bank of Lithuania simplifying procedures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Institutions Enhance Focus on New Financial Technologies and Fintech Sector Development in Lithuania|url=https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuanian-institutions-enhance-focus-on-new-financial-technologies-and-fintech-sector-development-in-lithuania|website=finmin.lrv.lt|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714164452/https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuanian-institutions-enhance-focus-on-new-financial-technologies-and-fintech-sector-development-in-lithuania}}</ref> Lithuania has granted a total of 39 e-money licenses, second in the EU only to the UK with 128 licenses. In 2018 ] set up a payment company in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Milda Šeputytė |author2=Jeremy Kahn |title=Google Payment Expands With E-Money License From Lithuania |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-21/google-payment-expands-with-e-money-license-from-lithuania |website=www.bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |quote=Google Payment, a company owned by Alphabet Inc., obtained an e-money license in Lithuania, joining a growing number of fintech firms that have secured permission from the Baltic nation to offer financial services across the European Union. |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930201924/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-21/google-payment-expands-with-e-money-license-from-lithuania |url-status=live}}</ref> Europe's first international Blockchain Centre launched in Vilnius in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kostaki |first1=Irene |date=31 January 2018 |title=Lithuania debuts as EU gateway for global blockchain industry |url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/lithuania-debuts-eu-gateway-global-blockchain-industry/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703110944/https://www.neweurope.eu/article/lithuania-debuts-eu-gateway-global-blockchain-industry/ |archive-date=3 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2018 |website=Neweurope.eu |quote=The Lithuanian capital Vilnius launched Europe's first international Blockchain Centre on January 27, making it the EU's only hub for the digital ledger. The new hub will help Europe connect with partner Blockchain Centres in Australia, China, Canada, the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Gibraltar, Ukraine, Israel, and Latvia.}}</ref> Since 2021, Lithuania has issued hundreds of licenses for cryptocurrency exchange and storage operations, making it one of the leading countries in the EU in this sector.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crypto license in Lithuania - Cryptocurrency license |url=https://adamsmith.lt/en/finance-and-blockchain/cryptocurrency-license-in-lithuania/ |access-date=7 November 2024 |website=AdamSmith}}</ref> | |||
In the period between 2004 and 2016, one out of five Lithuanians emigrated, primarily due to insufficient income for residents;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/ieskodami-darbuotoju-jau-verciasi-per-galva-net-tokiomis-algomis-nepavyksta-sugundyti.d?id=77973215|title=Ieškodami darbuotojų jau verčiasi per galvą: net tokiomis algomis nepavyksta sugundyti|language=lt|website=delfi.lt|access-date=13 May 2018}}</ref> secondarily seeking to study abroad. Long term emigration and economy growth has resulted in a noticeable shortage in the labor market<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/emigracija-smogia-negailestingai-lietuvoje-vis-labiau-truksta-darbuotoju.d?id=75467805|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111194908/https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/emigracija-smogia-negailestingai-lietuvoje-vis-labiau-truksta-darbuotoju.d?id=75467805|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=Emigracija smogia negailestingai: Lietuvoje vis labiau trūksta darbuotojų – DELFI Verslas|date=11 January 2018}}</ref> and growth in salaries being larger than growth in labor efficiency.<ref name="archive org 11">{{cite web|url=https://verslas.lrytas.lt/izvalgos-ir-nuomones/2017/06/13/news/ekspertai-ispeja-virs-lietuvos-ekonomikos-kaupiasi-debesys-1665764/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111195018/https://verslas.lrytas.lt/izvalgos-ir-nuomones/2017/06/13/news/ekspertai-ispeja-virs-lietuvos-ekonomikos-kaupiasi-debesys-1665764/|archive-date=11 January 2018|title=Ekonomistai įspėja: virš Lietuvos kaupiasi debesys|date=11 January 2018}}</ref> Unemployment rate in 2017 was 8.1%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania: Unemployment rate from 2007 to 2017|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/375259/unemployment-rate-in-lithuania/|website=Statista.com|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
As of 2022, Lithuanian ] wealth per adult was ]32,000 (] was $70,000), while the total national wealth was $147 billion.<ref name=CS2023-1>{{Cite web|title = UBS Global Wealth Databook 2023|url = https://www.ubs.com/global/en/family-office-uhnw/reports/global-wealth-report-2023/_jcr_content/mainpar/toplevelgrid_5684475/col2/linklistnewlook/link_copy.0357374027.file/PS9jb250ZW50L2RhbS9hc3NldHMvd20vZ2xvYmFsL2ltZy9nbG9iYWwtZmFtaWx5LW9mZmljZS9kb2NzL2RhdGFib29rLWdsb2JhbC13ZWFsdGgtcmVwb3J0LTIwMjMtZW4ucGRm/databook-global-wealth-report-2023-en.pdf|publisher = ]}} See table 3-1 for all countries, on pages 119-122, for mean and median wealth, ], distribution of adults (%) by wealth range, and number of adults. All of that info (except the Gini coefficient) is also in table 2-2 on pages 109-112. See the end of table 2-2 on page 112 for regional numbers. Page 4 mentions "46 countries lacking sufficient suitable data for wealth estimation". Pages 20-24 (table 2-1) then feature estimates for ] per adult for said countries, with wealth data quality characterized as "n.a." (not available).</ref> As of 2023 Q2, the average monthly gross salary in Lithuania was €2,000.<ref name="https://osp.stat.gov.lt">{{Cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/informaciniai-pranesimai?eventId=292505|title=Darbo užmokestis šalyje|website=osp.stat.gov.lt}}</ref> Although, ] in the country also is sufficiently less with the price level for ] (HFCE) – 63, being 39% lower than EU average – 102 in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comparative price levels of consumer goods and services – Statistics Explained|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Comparative_price_levels_of_consumer_goods_and_services|website=]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania has a ] rate rather than a ]. According to Eurostat,<ref name="epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu">{{cite web | url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/gen_info/economic_analysis/tax_structures/2014/report.pdf | title=Taxation trends in the European Union | publisher=Eurostat | date=2014 | access-date=22 May 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509130331/http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/gen_info/economic_analysis/tax_structures/2014/report.pdf | archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> the personal income tax (15%) and corporate tax (15%) rates in Lithuania are among the lowest in the EU. The country has the lowest implicit rate of tax on capital (9.8%) in the EU. Corporate tax rate in Lithuania is 15% and 5% for small businesses. 7 ] are operating in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pramoniniai parkai ir LEZ|url=https://ukmin.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/investiciju-veiklos-sritis/pramoniniai-parkai-ir-lez|website=ukmin.lrv.lt|access-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071555/https://ukmin.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/investiciju-veiklos-sritis/pramoniniai-parkai-ir-lez|archive-date=24 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
] production is growing in the country, reaching €1.9 billion in 2016.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Samuolis|first1=Gediminas|title=Informacinės technologijos Lietuvoje|date=2017|publisher=Lietuvos statistikos departamentas|location=Vilnius|page=8|url=https://ivpk.lrv.lt/uploads/ivpk/documents/files/Naujienos/IT%20Lietuvoje%202017.pdf|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308150136/https://ivpk.lrv.lt/uploads/ivpk/documents/files/Naujienos/IT%20Lietuvoje%202017.pdf}}</ref> In 2017 only, 35 | |||
<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania Registered 35 New Fintech Companies in 2017|url=https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2018/02/128160-lithuania-registered-35-new-fintech-companies-2017|website=Crowdfundinsider.com|date=8 February 2018|access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref> ] companies came to Lithuania – a result of Lithuanian government and Bank of Lithuania simplified procedures for obtaining licences for the activities of e-money and payment institutions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Institutions Enhance Focus on New Financial Technologies and Fintech Sector Development in Lithuania|url=https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuanian-institutions-enhance-focus-on-new-financial-technologies-and-fintech-sector-development-in-lithuania|website=finmin.lrv.lt|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714164452/https://finmin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuanian-institutions-enhance-focus-on-new-financial-technologies-and-fintech-sector-development-in-lithuania}}</ref> Europe's first international Blockchain Centre launched in Vilnius in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kostaki |first1=Irene |title=Lithuania debuts as EU gateway for global blockchain industry |url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/lithuania-debuts-eu-gateway-global-blockchain-industry/ |website=Neweurope.eu |date=31 January 2018 |quote=The Lithuanian capital Vilnius launched Europe's first international Blockchain Centre on January 27, making it the EU's only hub for the digital ledger. The new hub will help Europe connect with partner Blockchain Centres in Australia, China, Canada, the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Gibraltar, Ukraine, Israel, and Latvia. |access-date=14 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703110944/https://www.neweurope.eu/article/lithuania-debuts-eu-gateway-global-blockchain-industry/}}</ref> Lithuania has granted a total of 39 e-money licenses, second in the EU only to the U.K. with 128 licenses. In 2018 ] set up a payment company in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Milda Šeputytė |author2=Jeremy Kahn |title=Google Payment Expands With E-Money License From Lithuania |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-21/google-payment-expands-with-e-money-license-from-lithuania |website=www.bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg | quote=Google Payment, a company owned by Alphabet Inc., obtained an e-money license in Lithuania, joining a growing number of fintech firms that have secured permission from the Baltic nation to offer financial services across the European Union. |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018}}</ref> | |||
===Companies=== | |||
Largest companies of Lithuania in 2022, by revenue:<ref name="vz-largest-corp">{{cite web|title=Didžiausios Lietuvos bendrovės 2022|url=https://www.vz.lt/reitingai|trans-title=Largest companies of Lithuania 2022|language=lt|date=31 May 2022|website=Verslo Žinios|access-date=4 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
], located in K29 business centre in ], Vilnius<ref>{{cite web |title=Nasdaq Vilnius |url=https://nasdaqbaltic.com/en/about-us/nasdaq-vilnius/ |website=nasdaqbaltic.com |access-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716220952/https://nasdaqbaltic.com/en/about-us/nasdaq-vilnius/ |archive-date=16 July 2019}}</ref>]] | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;" | |||
|- style="background:#efefef;" | |||
! style="text-align:center;"| Rank|| style="text-align:center;"| Name|| style="text-align:center;"| Headquarters|| style="text-align:center;"| Revenue<br />(mil. €) || style="text-align:center;"| Employees || style="text-align:center;"| Industry<br /> | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}1. || style="text-align:left;"| ], AB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 7,552 || 1,437 || style="text-align:left;"| ], ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}2. || style="text-align:left;"| ], UAB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 2,929 || 345 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}3. || style="text-align:left;"| ], UAB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 1,985 || 12,035 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}4. || style="text-align:left;"| ], UAB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 1,477 || 1,817 || style="text-align:left;"| ], ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}5. || style="text-align:left;"| ], UAB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 981 || 1,139 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}6. || style="text-align:left;"| ], AB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 937 || 1,207 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}7. || style="text-align:left;"| Linas Agro Group, AB || style="text-align:left;" | ] || 882 || 198 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}8. || style="text-align:left;"| ], UAB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 858 || 972 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}9. || style="text-align:left;"| ] || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 819 || 5,861 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="text-align:center;"| {{0}}10. || style="text-align:left;"| NEO Group, UAB || style="text-align:left;"| ] || 740 || 211 || style="text-align:left;"| ] | |||
|} | |||
===Agriculture=== | ===Agriculture=== | ||
{{Main|Agriculture in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Agriculture in Lithuania}} | ||
Agriculture in Lithuania dates to the ] period, about 3,000 to 1,000 ]. It has been one of Lithuania's most important occupations for many centuries.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jurginis|first1=J.|title=Arimo įrankių reikšmė žemdirbystės sistemoms|url=http://lad.lt/data/com_ladlibrary/988/156-163.pdf|website=lad.lt|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> Lithuania's accession to the ] in 2004 ushered in a new agricultural era. The EU pursues a very high standard of food safety and purity. In 1999, the ] (parliament) of Lithuania adopted a Law on Product Safety, and in 2000 it adopted a Law on Food.<ref>{{cite web|title=Law on Product Safety|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/f9a7f340736a11e6a0f68fd135e6f40c?jfwid=-brx0ubedz|website=e-seimas.lrs.lt|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Law on Food|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/74505e2018da11e6aa14e8b63147ee94?jfwid=rivwzvpvg|website=e-seimas.lrs.lt|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> The reform of the agricultural market has been carried out on the basis of these two laws. | Agriculture in Lithuania dates to the ] period, about 3,000 to 1,000 ]. It has been one of Lithuania's most important occupations for many centuries.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jurginis|first1=J.|title=Arimo įrankių reikšmė žemdirbystės sistemoms|url=http://lad.lt/data/com_ladlibrary/988/156-163.pdf|website=lad.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304164424/http://lad.lt/data/com_ladlibrary/988/156-163.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania's accession to the ] in 2004 ushered in a new agricultural era. The EU pursues a very high standard of food safety and purity. In 1999, the ] (parliament) of Lithuania adopted a Law on Product Safety, and in 2000 it adopted a Law on Food.<ref>{{cite web|title=Law on Product Safety|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/f9a7f340736a11e6a0f68fd135e6f40c?jfwid=-brx0ubedz|website=e-seimas.lrs.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222321/https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/f9a7f340736a11e6a0f68fd135e6f40c?jfwid=-brx0ubedz|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Law on Food|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/74505e2018da11e6aa14e8b63147ee94?jfwid=rivwzvpvg|website=e-seimas.lrs.lt|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222225/https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/74505e2018da11e6aa14e8b63147ee94?jfwid=rivwzvpvg|url-status=live}}</ref> The reform of the agricultural market has been carried out on the basis of these two laws. | ||
In 2016, agricultural production |
In 2016, agricultural production was €2.3 billion. ] occupied the largest part (5710 tons), other significant types include: ] (934 tons), ] (393 tons) and ]es (340 tons). Products totaling €4,385 million were exported to foreign markets, of which products for €3,165 million were of Lithuanian origin. Export of agricultural and food products accounted for 19% of all exports of goods.<ref>{{cite web|title=Žemės ir maisto ūkio 2016 metų apžvalga|url=https://zum.lrv.lt/uploads/zum/documents/files/LT_versija/Veiklos_sritys/Statistin%C4%97%20informacija/%C5%BDem%C4%97s%20ir%20maisto%20%C5%ABkio%202016%20met%C5%B3%20ap%C5%BEvalga%20(03).pdf|website=zum.lrv.lt|pages=1–3|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222205/https://zum.lrv.lt/uploads/zum/documents/files/LT_versija/Veiklos_sritys/Statistin%C4%97%20informacija/%C5%BDem%C4%97s%20ir%20maisto%20%C5%ABkio%202016%20met%C5%B3%20ap%C5%BEvalga%20(03).pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] is |
] is becoming more popular. The status of organic growers and producers is granted by the public body ''Ekoagros''. In 2016, there were 2539 such farms that occupied 225,542 hectares. Of these, 43% were cereals, 31% perennial grasses, 14% leguminous crops and 12% others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Veiklos ataskaita, 2016 m.|url=https://www.ekoagros.lt/media/1/2016-m-veiklos-ataskaita.pdf|website=ekoagros.lt|pages=1–4|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222140/https://www.ekoagros.lt/media/1/2016-m-veiklos-ataskaita.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Science and technology=== | ===Science and technology=== | ||
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The foundation of the ] in 1579 was a major factor in fostering a scientific and academic community within Lithuania. The university has welcomed such prominent scientists and thinkers as ], ], ]. The 17th century artillery expert ] is considered a pioneer of ]ry; his publication, the ''Artis Magnae Artilleriae,'' was a basic ] manual throughout Europe, containing a large chapter on caliber, construction, production and properties of rockets (for military and civil purposes), including ]s, ], and rockets with ] ].<ref>{{cite book|page=44|title=Astronautics|author=Ulrich Walter|publisher=]|year=2008|isbn=978-3-527-40685-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kazimieras Simonavičius|url=http://www.ksu.lt/en/kazimieras-simonavicius-2/|website=]|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> Botanist ] (1771–1849) created the first systematic guide of Lithuanian flora, ''Taislius auguminis'' (''Botany''), written in the Samogitian dialect, the Latin-Lithuanian dictionary of plant names, and the first Lithuanian geography textbook. German scientist ] (1785–1822), who proposed the ], lived and worked in the {{Ill|Gedučiai manor|lt|Gedučių dvaras}}, where he gained local prominence for his effort to educate and improve the well-being of peasants.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kajėnas |first1=Kostas |last2=Stankevičius |first2=Martynas |date=21 June 2022 |title=Theodoras von Grotthussas. Garsiausias Lietuvos mokslininkas, pralenkęs laiką |url=https://www.bernardinai.lt/theodoras-von-grotthussas-garsiausias-lietuvos-mokslininkas-pralenkes-laika/ |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=Bernardinai.lt |language=lt}}</ref> | The foundation of the ] in 1579 was a major factor in fostering a scientific and academic community within Lithuania. The university has welcomed such prominent scientists and thinkers as ], ], ]. The 17th century artillery expert ] is considered a pioneer of ]ry; his publication, the ''Artis Magnae Artilleriae,'' was a basic ] manual throughout Europe, containing a large chapter on caliber, construction, production and properties of rockets (for military and civil purposes), including ]s, ], and rockets with ] ].<ref>{{cite book|page=44|title=Astronautics|author=Ulrich Walter|publisher=]|year=2008|isbn=978-3-527-40685-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kazimieras Simonavičius|url=http://www.ksu.lt/en/kazimieras-simonavicius-2/|website=]|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304035956/https://ksu.lt/en/kazimieras-simonavicius-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Botanist ] (1771–1849) created the first systematic guide of Lithuanian flora, ''Taislius auguminis'' (''Botany''), written in the Samogitian dialect, the Latin-Lithuanian dictionary of plant names, and the first Lithuanian geography textbook. German scientist ] (1785–1822), who proposed the ], lived and worked in the {{Ill|Gedučiai manor|lt|Gedučių dvaras}}, where he gained local prominence for his effort to educate and improve the well-being of peasants.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kajėnas |first1=Kostas |last2=Stankevičius |first2=Martynas |date=21 June 2022 |title=Theodoras von Grotthussas. Garsiausias Lietuvos mokslininkas, pralenkęs laiką |url=https://www.bernardinai.lt/theodoras-von-grotthussas-garsiausias-lietuvos-mokslininkas-pralenkes-laika/ |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=Bernardinai.lt |language=lt |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621202655/https://www.bernardinai.lt/theodoras-von-grotthussas-garsiausias-lietuvos-mokslininkas-pralenkes-laika/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The world wars of the |
The world wars of the 20th century severely diminished Lithuanian science and academia, although Lithuanian scholars and scientists managed to succeed, particularly abroad, including philosopher ], jurist ], aviator ], management theorist ], archaeologist ], primatologist ], linguist ], and ] ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos kronika 1993 – 16 (1674) Marija Alseikaitė – Gimbutienė|url=http://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/31010/lietuvos-kronika-1993-16-1674-marija-alseikaite-gimbutiene|website=LRT|date=15 September 1993|access-date=29 March 2018|language=lt|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430133853/https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/31010/lietuvos-kronika-1993-16-1674-marija-alseikaite-gimbutiene|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Bulota|first1=Šarūnas|title=Garsiausia pasaulio orangutanų tyrinėtoja Birutė Galdikas: "Lietuvių kultūra – mano kraujyje"|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/gyvunu-klubas/ivykiai/garsiausia-pasaulio-orangutanu-tyrinetoja-birute-galdikas-lietuviu-kultura-mano-kraujyje-172-331747|website=15min.lt|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417191035/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/gyvunu-klubas/ivykiai/garsiausia-pasaulio-orangutanu-tyrinetoja-birute-galdikas-lietuviu-kultura-mano-kraujyje-172-331747|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Arvydas Kliorė|url=http://www.yrasalis.lt/desimt/inzinieriai/dr-arvydas-kliore/|website=yrasalis.lt|access-date=15 February 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194859/http://www.yrasalis.lt/desimt/inzinieriai/dr-arvydas-kliore/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Biografija – A. J. Greimas|url=http://www.greimas.eu/biografija/|website=greimas.eu|access-date=15 February 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216091947/http://www.greimas.eu/biografija/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=STAR (Self-Testing And Repairing) computer|url=http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/STAR.html|website=Daviddarling.info|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430190659/https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/STAR.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Mathematician ], long-term rector of the ], is known for works in ], including the ], Theorem of Kubilius and the ]. Kubilius also successfully resisted attempts to Russify the university.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iš Vilniaus universiteto istorijos, 1955–1990|date=5 November 1995|pages=1–2|url=http://www.draugas.org/archive/1994_reg/1994-11-05-PRIEDAS-DRAUGAS-i5-8.pdf|access-date=31 March 2018|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225022329/http://www.draugas.org/archive/1994_reg/1994-11-05-PRIEDAS-DRAUGAS-i5-8.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
]s and ] are flagship fields of the Lithuanian science and high-tech industry.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/lithuania-leading-light-laser-technology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110175105/https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/lithuania-leading-light-laser-technology|archive-date=10 January 2018|title=Lithuania, a leading light in laser technology – Digital Single Market|date=10 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daugiausiai inovacijų lietuviai sukūrė gyvybės mokslų srityje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/daugiausiai-inovaciju-lietuviai-sukure-gyvybes-mokslu-srityje.d?id=75754757|website=]|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref> ''Šviesos konversija'' ("Light Conversion") has developed a ] laser system that has 80% market share worldwide, with applications in DNA research, ophthalmological surgeries, and nanotechnology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Light Conversion – About Us|url=http://lightcon.com/about-us.html|website=lightcon.com|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120194735/http://www.lightcon.com/about-us.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Įgyvendinta svajonė sukėlė perversmą pasaulinėje lazerių rinkoje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/igyvendinta-svajone-sukele-perversma-pasaulineje-lazeriu-rinkoje.d?id=75532853|website=]|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref> The ] Laser Research Center has developed one of the most powerful femtosecond lasers in the world dedicated primarily to ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuviai sukūrė vieną galingiausių lazerių pasaulyje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/lietuviai-sukure-viena-galingiausiu-lazeriu-pasaulyje.d?id=75607431|website=]|access-date=31 August 2017}}</ref> In 1963, ] and his colleagues created ] that is used in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilniaus astrofotometrinė sistema|url=http://astronomija.lt/enciklopedija/index.php/Vilniaus_astrofotometrin%C4%97_sistema|website=astronomija.lt|access-date=4 February 2018|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072446/http://astronomija.lt/enciklopedija/index.php/Vilniaus_astrofotometrin%C4%97_sistema|archive-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> Noninvasive intracranial pressure and blood flow measuring devices were developed by ] scientist A. Ragauskas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.epo.org/european-inventor/finalists/2016/ragauskas.html|website=m.epo.org/|title=Finalist for the European Inventor Award 2016|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407184238/https://m.epo.org/european-inventor/finalists/2016/ragauskas.html|archive-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>Kęstutis Pyragas contributed to the study of ] with his method of delayed feedback control, the ]. ] laureate ] is known for his discoveries in ], namely with respect to CRISPR-].<ref>{{cite magazine|url= |
]s and ] are flagship fields of the Lithuanian science and high-tech industry.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/lithuania-leading-light-laser-technology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110175105/https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/lithuania-leading-light-laser-technology|archive-date=10 January 2018|title=Lithuania, a leading light in laser technology – Digital Single Market|date=10 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daugiausiai inovacijų lietuviai sukūrė gyvybės mokslų srityje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/daugiausiai-inovaciju-lietuviai-sukure-gyvybes-mokslu-srityje.d?id=75754757|website=]|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181824/https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/daugiausiai-inovaciju-lietuviai-sukure-gyvybes-mokslu-srityje.d?id=75754757|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Šviesos konversija'' ("Light Conversion") has developed a ] laser system that has 80% market share worldwide, with applications in DNA research, ophthalmological surgeries, and nanotechnology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Light Conversion – About Us|url=http://lightcon.com/about-us.html|website=lightcon.com|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120194735/http://www.lightcon.com/about-us.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Įgyvendinta svajonė sukėlė perversmą pasaulinėje lazerių rinkoje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/igyvendinta-svajone-sukele-perversma-pasaulineje-lazeriu-rinkoje.d?id=75532853|website=]|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194908/https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/igyvendinta-svajone-sukele-perversma-pasaulineje-lazeriu-rinkoje.d?id=75532853|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] Laser Research Center has developed one of the most powerful femtosecond lasers in the world dedicated primarily to ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuviai sukūrė vieną galingiausių lazerių pasaulyje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/lietuviai-sukure-viena-galingiausiu-lazeriu-pasaulyje.d?id=75607431|website=]|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417195008/https://www.delfi.lt/partnerio-turinys/lietuvos-amziaus-inovacijos/lietuviai-sukure-viena-galingiausiu-lazeriu-pasaulyje.d?id=75607431|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1963, ] and his colleagues created ] that is used in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilniaus astrofotometrinė sistema|url=http://astronomija.lt/enciklopedija/index.php/Vilniaus_astrofotometrin%C4%97_sistema|website=astronomija.lt|access-date=4 February 2018|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072446/http://astronomija.lt/enciklopedija/index.php/Vilniaus_astrofotometrin%C4%97_sistema|archive-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> Noninvasive intracranial pressure and blood flow measuring devices were developed by ] scientist A. Ragauskas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.epo.org/european-inventor/finalists/2016/ragauskas.html|website=m.epo.org/|title=Finalist for the European Inventor Award 2016|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407184238/https://m.epo.org/european-inventor/finalists/2016/ragauskas.html|archive-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> Kęstutis Pyragas contributed to the study of ] with his method of delayed feedback control, the ]. ] laureate ] is known for his discoveries in ], namely with respect to CRISPR-].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/10/battle-genome-editing-gets-science-wrong/|author=Sarah Zhang|date=10 April 2015|magazine=Wired|title=The Battle Over Genome Editing Gets Science All Wrong|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607095645/https://www.wired.com/2015/10/battle-genome-editing-gets-science-wrong/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Giorgia Guglielmi|date=31 May 2015|journal=Nature|title=Million-dollar Kavli prize recognizes scientist scooped on CRISPR|volume=558|issue=7708|pages=17–18|doi=10.1038/d41586-018-05308-5|pmid=29872189|s2cid=46949947|doi-access=free}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania has launched three satellites to space: ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rutkauskas|first1=Adomas|title=Į kosmosą pakilo trečiasis Lietuvos palydovas|url=https://it.lrytas.lt/laboratorija/2017/06/23/news/i-kosmosa-kyla-treciasis-lietuvos-palydovas-1755953/|website=]|date=23 June 2017|access-date=23 June 2017|language=lt-LT|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308143523/https://it.lrytas.lt/laboratorija/2017/06/23/news/i-kosmosa-kyla-treciasis-lietuvos-palydovas-1755953/}}</ref> ] and ] is located in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology|url=http://www.etnokosmomuziejus.lt/en/|access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref> Fifteen R&D institutions are members of ]; Lithuania is a cooperating state with ].<ref>{{cite web|title=First Baltic Space Activities Roundtable|url=https://www.eas.ee/images/doc/ettevotjale/innovatsioon/kosmos/roundtable1/baltic_roundtable_vidmantas_tomkus.pdf|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174553/https://www.eas.ee/images/doc/ettevotjale/innovatsioon/kosmos/roundtable1/baltic_roundtable_vidmantas_tomkus.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania becomes eighth ESA Cooperating State|url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Lithuania_becomes_eighth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|website=Esa.int|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref> ] is the only ethnically Lithuanian ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vienintelis Lietuvos kosmonautas R.Stankevičius tėvynės neiškeitė į vietą raketoje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/video/mokslas-ir-gamta/vienintelis-lietuvos-kosmonautas-rstankevicius-tevynes-neiskeite-i-vieta-raketoje.d?id=62705647#o8TgpziG|website=DELFI|access-date=12 April 2011}}</ref> | <!-- Deleted image removed: ] in the thermal-vacuum chamber]] -->Lithuania has launched three satellites to space: ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rutkauskas|first1=Adomas|title=Į kosmosą pakilo trečiasis Lietuvos palydovas|url=https://it.lrytas.lt/laboratorija/2017/06/23/news/i-kosmosa-kyla-treciasis-lietuvos-palydovas-1755953/|website=]|date=23 June 2017|access-date=23 June 2017|language=lt-LT|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308143523/https://it.lrytas.lt/laboratorija/2017/06/23/news/i-kosmosa-kyla-treciasis-lietuvos-palydovas-1755953/}}</ref> ] and ] is located in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology|url=http://www.etnokosmomuziejus.lt/en/|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515194253/https://etnokosmomuziejus.lt/en/|url-status=live}}</ref> Fifteen R&D institutions are members of ]; Lithuania is a cooperating state with ].<ref>{{cite web|title=First Baltic Space Activities Roundtable|url=https://www.eas.ee/images/doc/ettevotjale/innovatsioon/kosmos/roundtable1/baltic_roundtable_vidmantas_tomkus.pdf|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174553/https://www.eas.ee/images/doc/ettevotjale/innovatsioon/kosmos/roundtable1/baltic_roundtable_vidmantas_tomkus.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania becomes eighth ESA Cooperating State|url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Lithuania_becomes_eighth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|website=Esa.int|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016155321/https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/Lithuania_becomes_eighth_ESA_European_Cooperating_State|url-status=live}}</ref> ] is the only ethnically Lithuanian ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vienintelis Lietuvos kosmonautas R.Stankevičius tėvynės neiškeitė į vietą raketoje|url=https://www.delfi.lt/video/mokslas-ir-gamta/vienintelis-lietuvos-kosmonautas-rstankevicius-tevynes-neiskeite-i-vieta-raketoje.d?id=62705647#o8TgpziG|website=DELFI|access-date=12 April 2011|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526064612/https://www.delfi.lt/video/mokslas-ir-gamta/vienintelis-lietuvos-kosmonautas-rstankevicius-tevynes-neiskeite-i-vieta-raketoje.d?id=62705647#o8TgpziG|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania in 2018 became Associated Member State of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania becomes Associate Member State of CERN|url=https://home.cern/about/updates/2018/01/lithuania-becomes-associate-member-state-cern|website=home.cern|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314173513/https://home.cern/about/updates/2018/01/lithuania-becomes-associate-member-state-cern|archive-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> Two CERN incubators in Vilnius and Kaunas will be hosted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Davos: Final decision on CERN business incubation centers in Lithuania |url=https://mission-geneva.mfa.lt/mission-geneva/en/news/davos-final-decision-on-cern-business-incubation-centers-in-lithuania |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417192724/https://mission-geneva.mfa.lt/mission-geneva/en/news/davos-final-decision-on-cern-business-incubation-centers-in-lithuania}}</ref> | Lithuania in 2018 became an Associated Member State of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania becomes Associate Member State of CERN|url=https://home.cern/about/updates/2018/01/lithuania-becomes-associate-member-state-cern|website=home.cern|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314173513/https://home.cern/about/updates/2018/01/lithuania-becomes-associate-member-state-cern|archive-date=14 March 2018}}</ref> Two CERN incubators in Vilnius and Kaunas will be hosted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Davos: Final decision on CERN business incubation centers in Lithuania |url=https://mission-geneva.mfa.lt/mission-geneva/en/news/davos-final-decision-on-cern-business-incubation-centers-in-lithuania |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417192724/https://mission-geneva.mfa.lt/mission-geneva/en/news/davos-final-decision-on-cern-business-incubation-centers-in-lithuania}}</ref> The most advanced scientific research is being conducted at the Life Sciences Center,<ref>{{cite web|title=Life Sciences Center. Lithuania|url=http://www.gmc.vu.lt/en/|website=Gmc.vu.lt|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526002551/https://www.gmc.vu.lt/en/|url-status=live}}</ref> Center For Physical Sciences and Technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Center For Physical Sciences and Technology. Lithuania|url=https://www.ftmc.lt/en|website=Ftmc.lt|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181226/https://www.ftmc.lt/en|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
As of 2016 calculations, yearly growth of Lithuania's biotech and life science sector was 22% over the past 5 years. 16 academic institutions, 15 R&D centres (science parks and innovation valleys) and more than 370 manufacturers operate in the Lithuanian life science and biotech industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/export/sites/trade/files/market_studies/Life%20science%20and%20biotech%20industry_Lituania_2016.pdf|website=Flandersinvestmentandtrade.com|title=The life science industry in Lithuania|page=2|access-date=31 March 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308083504/https://www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/export/sites/trade/files/market_studies/Life%20science%20and%20biotech%20industry_Lituania_2016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Most advanced scientific research in Lithuania is being conducted at the Life Sciences Center,<ref>{{cite web|title=Life Sciences Center. Lithuania|url=http://www.gmc.vu.lt/en/|website=Gmc.vu.lt|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref> Center For Physical Sciences and Technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Center For Physical Sciences and Technology. Lithuania|url=https://www.ftmc.lt/en|website=Ftmc.lt|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
In 2008 the Valley development programme was started aiming to upgrade Lithuanian scientific research infrastructure and encourage business and science cooperation. Five R&D Valleys were launched – Jūrinis (maritime technologies), Nemunas (agro, bioenergy, forestry), Saulėtekis (laser and light, semiconductor), Santara (biotechnology, medicine), Santaka (sustainable chemistry and pharmacy).<ref>{{cite web |title=R&D in Lithuania |url=https://investlithuania.com/why-lithuania/innovation/ |website=investlithuania.com |access-date=6 October 2019 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608011138/https://investlithuania.com/why-lithuania/innovation/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuanian Innovation Center is created to provide support for innovations and research institutions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Innovation Center|url=http://lic.lt/en/|website=lic.lt|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922202528/https://lic.lt/en/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
As of 2016 calculations, yearly growth of Lithuania's biotech and life science sector was 22% over the past 5 years. 16 academic institutions, 15 R&D centres (science parks and innovation valleys) and more than 370 manufacturers operate in the Lithuanian life science and biotech industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/export/sites/trade/files/market_studies/Life%20science%20and%20biotech%20industry_Lituania_2016.pdf|website=Flandersinvestmentandtrade.com|title=The life science industry in Lithuania|page=2|access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania ranks moderately in the ],<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lmt.lt/data/public/uploads/2016/09/ekonomikos-moksliniu-tyrimu-programos-rekomendacijos.pdf |title=Lietuvos ekonomikos ilgalaikio konkurencingumo iššūkiai |date=2015 |publisher=Lietuvos mokslo taryba |page=18 |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228012636/https://www.lmt.lt/data/public/uploads/2016/09/ekonomikos-moksliniu-tyrimu-programos-rekomendacijos.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> and is placed 15th among EU countries by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=European Innovation Scoreboard |url=http://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/innovation/facts-figures/scoreboards_lt |access-date=31 March 2018 |website=ec.europa.eu |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406041555/https://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/innovation/facts-figures/scoreboards_lt |url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania was ranked 35th in the ] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite book |author=] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=6 October 2024 |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref> | |||
In 2008 the Valley development programme was started aiming to upgrade Lithuanian scientific research infrastructure and encourage business and science cooperation. Five R&D Valleys were launched – Jūrinis (maritime technologies), Nemunas (agro, bioenergy, forestry), Saulėtekis (laser and light, semiconductor), Santara (biotechnology, medicine), Santaka (sustainable chemistry and pharmacy).<ref>{{cite web |title=R&D in Lithuania |url=https://investlithuania.com/why-lithuania/innovation/ |website=investlithuania.com |access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref> Lithuanian Innovation Center is created to provide support for innovations and research institutions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Innovation Center|url=http://lic.lt/en/|website=lic.lt|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania ranks moderately in the ],<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lmt.lt/data/public/uploads/2016/09/ekonomikos-moksliniu-tyrimu-programos-rekomendacijos.pdf |title=Lietuvos ekonomikos ilgalaikio konkurencingumo iššūkiai |date=2015 |publisher=Lietuvos mokslo taryba |page=18 |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228012636/https://www.lmt.lt/data/public/uploads/2016/09/ekonomikos-moksliniu-tyrimu-programos-rekomendacijos.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>and is placed 15th among EU countries by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=European Innovation Scoreboard |url=http://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/innovation/facts-figures/scoreboards_lt |access-date=31 March 2018 |website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref> Lithuania was ranked 34th in the ] in 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2013 |title=Global Innovation Index |url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=INSEAD Knowledge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.wipo.int |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Tourism=== | ===Tourism=== | ||
{{Main|Tourism in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Tourism in Lithuania}} | ||
] is a popular ].]] | ] is a popular ].]] | ||
Statistics from |
Statistics from 2023 showed 1.4 million tourists from foreign countries visited Lithuania and spent at least one night. The largest number of tourists came from ] (173,500), ] (144,300), ] (141,900), ] (127,400), the ] (74,200), the ] (69,700), ] (67,000), and ] (61,300).<ref name="tou">{{cite web |title=Indicators of accommodation |url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=8e87198b-d15b-4a23-93c1-1b6ad2c3884c |publisher=] |access-date=6 June 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606160321/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=8e87198b-d15b-4a23-93c1-1b6ad2c3884c |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Domestic tourism has been on the rise as well. Currently there are up to 1000 places of attraction in Lithuania. Most tourists visit the big cities—], ], and ], seaside resorts, such as ], ], and ]s – ], ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Turizmas Lietuvoje 2016|url=http://www.tourism.lt/uploads/documents/Turizmas-Lietuvoje_2016.pdf|website=tourism.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042530/http://www.tourism.lt/uploads/documents/Turizmas-Lietuvoje_2016.pdf|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> | |||
The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to country GDP was €2,005.5 million, 5.3% of GDP in 2016, and is forecast to rise by 7.3% in 2017, and to rise by 4.2% pa to €3,243.5 million, 6.7% of GDP in 2027.<ref>{{cite web|title=TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT 2017 LITHUANIA|url=https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2017/lithuania2017.pdf|website=Wttc.org|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105359/https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2017/lithuania2017.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> Hot air ballooning is very popular in Lithuania, especially in Vilnius and Trakai. Bicycle tourism is growing, especially in Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. ] routes EV10, EV11, EV13 go through Lithuania. Total length of bicycle tracks amounts to | |||
3769 km (of which 1988 km is asphalt pavement).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Geography of Tourism of Central and Eastern European Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cf36DQAAQBAJ&q=bicycle+tourism+in+lithuania&pg=PA260|access-date=5 May 2018|isbn = 978-3-319-42205-3|last1 = Widawski|first1 = Krzysztof|last2 = Wyrzykowski|first2 = Jerzy|date = 24 January 2017| publisher=Springer }}</ref> | |||
] and ] are known for birdwatching.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fatbirder. Lithuania|url=http://fatbirder.com/links_geo/europe/lithuania.html|website=Fatbirder.com|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref> | Hot air ballooning is popular, especially in Vilnius and Trakai. Bicycle tourism is growing, especially the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. ] routes EV10, EV11, EV13 go through Lithuania. The total length of bicycle tracks amounts to 3769 km (of which 1988 km is asphalt pavement).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Geography of Tourism of Central and Eastern European Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cf36DQAAQBAJ&q=bicycle+tourism+in+lithuania&pg=PA260|access-date=5 May 2018|isbn = 978-3-319-42205-3|last1 = Widawski|first1 = Krzysztof|last2 = Wyrzykowski|first2 = Jerzy|date = 24 January 2017| publisher=Springer}}</ref> ] and ] are known for birdwatching.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fatbirder. Lithuania|url=http://fatbirder.com/links_geo/europe/lithuania.html|website=Fatbirder.com|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=15 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715190932/http://fatbirder.com/links_geo/europe/lithuania.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The total contribution of tourism to GDP had been forecast to rise to €3.2 billion, 7% of GDP by 2027,<ref>{{cite web|title=TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT 2017 LITHUANIA|url=https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2017/lithuania2017.pdf|website=Wttc.org|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105359/https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2017/lithuania2017.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> but has decreased <!--2b in 2016--> to €1.7 billion, 2.3% of GDP in 2023, although it is rising post ].<ref name="MCTo">{{cite news | title=Viceministras tikina, kad "Michelin" įvertinimas prisidės prie šalies turizmo sektoriaus atsigavimo | work=Lrytas.lt | date=23 May 2024 | url=https://www.lrytas.lt/skonis/gurmanu-klubas/2024/05/23/news/viceministras-tikina-kad-michelin-ivertinimas-prisides-prie-salies-turizmo-sektoriaus-atsigavimo-32024372 | language=lt | access-date=5 June 2024 | archive-date=23 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523195822/https://www.lrytas.lt/skonis/gurmanu-klubas/2024/05/23/news/viceministras-tikina-kad-michelin-ivertinimas-prisides-prie-salies-turizmo-sektoriaus-atsigavimo-32024372 | url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Domestic tourism has been on the rise as well. Currently there are up to 1000 places of attraction in Lithuania. Most tourists visit the big cities—], ], and ], seaside resorts, such as ], ], and ]s – ], ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Turizmas Lietuvoje 2016|url=http://www.tourism.lt/uploads/documents/Turizmas-Lietuvoje_2016.pdf|website=tourism.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042530/http://www.tourism.lt/uploads/documents/Turizmas-Lietuvoje_2016.pdf|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> | |||
==Infrastructure== | ==Infrastructure== | ||
===Communication=== | ===Communication=== | ||
{{Main|Telecommunications in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Telecommunications in Lithuania}} | ||
] (skyscraper with the old ] logo) and ] headquarters in ]]] | ] (skyscraper with the old ] logo) and ] headquarters in ]]] | ||
Lithuania has a well developed communications infrastructure. The country has 2.8 million citizens<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-gyventoju-skaicius-sumazejo-dar-40-tukstanciu-1527125/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104123442/http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-gyventoju-skaicius-sumazejo-dar-40-tukstanciu-1527125/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lietuvos gyventojų skaičius sumažėjo dar 40 tūkstančių|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and 5 million SIM cards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/lietuvoje-3-mln-gyventoju-ir-5-mln-mobiliojo-rysio-naudotoju.d?id=60719345|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104123305/https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/lietuvoje-3-mln-gyventoju-ir-5-mln-mobiliojo-rysio-naudotoju.d?id=60719345|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lietuvoje – 3 mln. gyventojų ir 5 mln. mobiliojo ryšio naudotojų – DELFI Mokslas|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> The largest LTE (4G) mobile network covers 97% of Lithuania's territory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ryšio kokybės žemėlapis rodo: du operatoriai lygūs, trečias – iš paskos |url=https://www.15min.lt/mokslasit/straipsnis/technologijos/rysio-kokybes-zemelapis-rodo-du-operatoriai-lygus-o-trecias-is-paskos-646-767870 |website=15min.lt |access-date=13 March 2017 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222406/https://www.15min.lt/mokslasit/straipsnis/technologijos/rysio-kokybes-zemelapis-rodo-du-operatoriai-lygus-o-trecias-is-paskos-646-767870}}</ref> Usage of fixed phone lines has been rapidly decreasing due to rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/laidinio-rysio-telefonams-gresia-isnykimas.d?id=58099004|title=Laidinio ryšio telefonams gresia išnykimas?|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | Lithuania has a well developed communications infrastructure. The country has 2.8 million citizens<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-gyventoju-skaicius-sumazejo-dar-40-tukstanciu-1527125/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104123442/http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/lietuva/lietuvos-naujienos/lietuvos-gyventoju-skaicius-sumazejo-dar-40-tukstanciu-1527125/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lietuvos gyventojų skaičius sumažėjo dar 40 tūkstančių|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and 5 million SIM cards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/lietuvoje-3-mln-gyventoju-ir-5-mln-mobiliojo-rysio-naudotoju.d?id=60719345|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104123305/https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/lietuvoje-3-mln-gyventoju-ir-5-mln-mobiliojo-rysio-naudotoju.d?id=60719345|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lietuvoje – 3 mln. gyventojų ir 5 mln. mobiliojo ryšio naudotojų – DELFI Mokslas|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> The largest LTE (4G) mobile network covers 97% of Lithuania's territory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ryšio kokybės žemėlapis rodo: du operatoriai lygūs, trečias – iš paskos |url=https://www.15min.lt/mokslasit/straipsnis/technologijos/rysio-kokybes-zemelapis-rodo-du-operatoriai-lygus-o-trecias-is-paskos-646-767870 |website=15min.lt |access-date=13 March 2017 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222406/https://www.15min.lt/mokslasit/straipsnis/technologijos/rysio-kokybes-zemelapis-rodo-du-operatoriai-lygus-o-trecias-is-paskos-646-767870}}</ref> Usage of fixed phone lines has been rapidly decreasing due to rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/laidinio-rysio-telefonams-gresia-isnykimas.d?id=58099004|title=Laidinio ryšio telefonams gresia išnykimas?|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417191034/https://www.delfi.lt/mokslas/technologijos/laidinio-rysio-telefonams-gresia-isnykimas.d?id=58099004|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2017, Lithuania was top 30 in the world by average mobile broadband speeds and top 20 by average fixed broadband speeds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedtest.net/global-index|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104105117/https://www.speedtest.net/global-index|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Speedtest Global Index – Monthly comparisons of internet speeds from around the world|date=4 January 2018|website=Speedtest.net|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | In 2017, Lithuania was top 30 in the world by average mobile broadband speeds and top 20 by average fixed broadband speeds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedtest.net/global-index|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104105117/https://www.speedtest.net/global-index|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Speedtest Global Index – Monthly comparisons of internet speeds from around the world|date=4 January 2018|website=Speedtest.net|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | ||
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There are four TIER III datacenters in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uptimeinstitute.com/TierCertification/allCertifications.php?page=1&ipp=All&clientId=&countryName=Lithuania&tierLevel=3|title=Uptime Institute. Country: Lithuania, Tier Level: Tier III|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320044020/https://uptimeinstitute.com/TierCertification/allCertifications.php?page=1&ipp=All&clientId=&countryName=Lithuania&tierLevel=3|archive-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> | There are four TIER III datacenters in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uptimeinstitute.com/TierCertification/allCertifications.php?page=1&ipp=All&clientId=&countryName=Lithuania&tierLevel=3|title=Uptime Institute. Country: Lithuania, Tier Level: Tier III|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320044020/https://uptimeinstitute.com/TierCertification/allCertifications.php?page=1&ipp=All&clientId=&countryName=Lithuania&tierLevel=3|archive-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania is 44th globally ranked country on data center density according to Cloudscene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cloudscene.com/market/data-centers-in-lithuania/all|title=Colocation Lithuania – Data Centers|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref> | Lithuania is 44th globally ranked country on data center density according to Cloudscene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cloudscene.com/market/data-centers-in-lithuania/all|title=Colocation Lithuania – Data Centers|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181833/https://cloudscene.com/market/data-centers-in-lithuania/all|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Long-term project (2005–2013) – Development of Rural Areas Broadband Network (RAIN) was started with the objective to provide residents, state and municipal authorities and businesses with fibre-optic broadband access in rural areas. RAIN infrastructure allows 51 communications operators to provide network services to their clients. The project was funded by the European Union and the Lithuanian government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/strategic-project-for-lithuania-rain-2-won-the-international-award|title=Strategic project for Lithuania RAIN-2 won the international award|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=4988&usg=AOvVaw0HNGsJE3UEplZ5ekHB2MgY|title=RAIN project in Lithuania|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref> 72% of Lithuanian households have access to internet, a number which in 2017 was among EU's lowest<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Internet_access_and_use_statistics_-_households_and_individuals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104125212/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Internet_access_and_use_statistics_-_households_and_individuals|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Internet access and use statistics – households and individuals – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and in 2016 ranked 97th by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2153rank.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104130822/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2153rank.html|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Number of households with internet access is expected to increase and reach 77% by 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eshopworld.com/blog-articles/lithuania-ecommerce-insights/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104125319/https://www.eshopworld.com/blog-articles/lithuania-ecommerce-insights/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lithuania eCommerce will nearly triple its online shoppers in 4 years|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Almost 50% of Lithuanians had smartphones in 2016, a number that is expected to increase to 65% by 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/568195/predicted-smartphone-user-penetration-rate-in-lithuania/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104125609/https://www.statista.com/statistics/568195/predicted-smartphone-user-penetration-rate-in-lithuania/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=• Lithuania: smartphone user penetration 2015–2022 – Forecast|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | Long-term project (2005–2013) – Development of Rural Areas Broadband Network (RAIN) was started with the objective to provide residents, state and municipal authorities and businesses with fibre-optic broadband access in rural areas. RAIN infrastructure allows 51 communications operators to provide network services to their clients. The project was funded by the European Union and the Lithuanian government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/strategic-project-for-lithuania-rain-2-won-the-international-award|title=Strategic project for Lithuania RAIN-2 won the international award|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222959/https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/strategic-project-for-lithuania-rain-2-won-the-international-award|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=4988&usg=AOvVaw0HNGsJE3UEplZ5ekHB2MgY|title=RAIN project in Lithuania|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501155805/https://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=4988&usg=AOvVaw0HNGsJE3UEplZ5ekHB2MgY|url-status=live}}</ref> 72% of Lithuanian households have access to internet, a number which in 2017 was among EU's lowest<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Internet_access_and_use_statistics_-_households_and_individuals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104125212/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Internet_access_and_use_statistics_-_households_and_individuals|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Internet access and use statistics – households and individuals – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and in 2016 ranked 97th by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2153rank.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104130822/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2153rank.html|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Number of households with internet access is expected to increase and reach 77% by 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eshopworld.com/blog-articles/lithuania-ecommerce-insights/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104125319/https://www.eshopworld.com/blog-articles/lithuania-ecommerce-insights/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lithuania eCommerce will nearly triple its online shoppers in 4 years|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Almost 50% of Lithuanians had smartphones in 2016, a number that is expected to increase to 65% by 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/568195/predicted-smartphone-user-penetration-rate-in-lithuania/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104125609/https://www.statista.com/statistics/568195/predicted-smartphone-user-penetration-rate-in-lithuania/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=• Lithuania: smartphone user penetration 2015–2022 – Forecast|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | ||
Lithuania has the highest FTTH (Fiber to the home) penetration rate in Europe (36.8% in September 2016) according to FTTH Council Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ftthcouncil.eu/documents/PressReleases/2016/PR20160217_FTTHranking_panorama_award.pdf|title=Breaking news from the FTTH Conference 2016: Croatia, Germany and Poland join the FTTH ranking|website=Ftthcouncil.eu|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430204430/https://www.ftthcouncil.eu/documents/PressReleases/2016/PR20160217_FTTHranking_panorama_award.pdf}}</ref> | Lithuania has the highest FTTH (Fiber to the home) penetration rate in Europe (36.8% in September 2016) according to FTTH Council Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ftthcouncil.eu/documents/PressReleases/2016/PR20160217_FTTHranking_panorama_award.pdf|title=Breaking news from the FTTH Conference 2016: Croatia, Germany and Poland join the FTTH ranking|website=Ftthcouncil.eu|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430204430/https://www.ftthcouncil.eu/documents/PressReleases/2016/PR20160217_FTTHranking_panorama_award.pdf}}</ref> | ||
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{{Main|Transport in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Transport in Lithuania}} | ||
] | ] | ||
], completed in 1924]] | |||
] near ]]] | |||
], the highest (42 m.) and the longest (599 m.) railway bridge in ]]] | |||
Lithuania received its first railway connection in the middle of the 19th century, when the ] was constructed. It included a stretch from ] via Vilnius and Kaunas to Virbalis. The first and only still operating ] was completed in 1860. | Lithuania received its first railway connection in the middle of the 19th century, when the ] was constructed. It included a stretch from ] via Vilnius and Kaunas to Virbalis. The first and only still operating ] was completed in 1860. | ||
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Transportation is the third largest sector in Lithuanian economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-is-ready-to-implement-transport-investment-projects-of-a-strategic-importance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104145320/https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-is-ready-to-implement-transport-investment-projects-of-a-strategic-importance|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lithuania is ready to implement transport investment project of a strategic importance – Ministry of Transport and Communications|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Lithuanian transport companies drew attention in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Largest-Fleet-Order-from-Eastern-Europe-for-Mercedes-Benz-Trucks-in-Its-History-Major-order-of-1000-Mercedes-Benz-Actros-by-Girteka-Logistics.xhtml?oid=9918964|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104150306/http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Largest-Fleet-Order-from-Eastern-Europe-for-Mercedes-Benz-Trucks-in-Its-History-Major-order-of-1000-Mercedes-Benz-Actros-by-Girteka-Logistics.xhtml?oid=9918964|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Largest Fleet Order from Eastern Europe for Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Its History: Major order of 1,000 Mercedes-Benz Actros by Girteka Logistics – Daimler Global Media Site|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volvogroup.com/en-en/news/2017/sep/record-breaking-agreement-for-volvo-trucks.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104150048/http://www.volvogroup.com/en-en/news/2017/sep/record-breaking-agreement-for-volvo-trucks.html|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Record breaking agreement for Volvo Trucks – Volvo Group|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> with huge and record-breaking orders of trucks. Almost 90% of commercial truck traffic in Lithuania is international transports, the highest of any EU country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Freight_transport_statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104135126/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Freight_transport_statistics|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Freight transport statistics – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | Transportation is the third largest sector in Lithuanian economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-is-ready-to-implement-transport-investment-projects-of-a-strategic-importance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104145320/https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-is-ready-to-implement-transport-investment-projects-of-a-strategic-importance|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Lithuania is ready to implement transport investment project of a strategic importance – Ministry of Transport and Communications|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Lithuanian transport companies drew attention in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Largest-Fleet-Order-from-Eastern-Europe-for-Mercedes-Benz-Trucks-in-Its-History-Major-order-of-1000-Mercedes-Benz-Actros-by-Girteka-Logistics.xhtml?oid=9918964|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104150306/http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Largest-Fleet-Order-from-Eastern-Europe-for-Mercedes-Benz-Trucks-in-Its-History-Major-order-of-1000-Mercedes-Benz-Actros-by-Girteka-Logistics.xhtml?oid=9918964|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Largest Fleet Order from Eastern Europe for Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Its History: Major order of 1,000 Mercedes-Benz Actros by Girteka Logistics – Daimler Global Media Site|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volvogroup.com/en-en/news/2017/sep/record-breaking-agreement-for-volvo-trucks.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104150048/http://www.volvogroup.com/en-en/news/2017/sep/record-breaking-agreement-for-volvo-trucks.html|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Record breaking agreement for Volvo Trucks – Volvo Group|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> with huge and record-breaking orders of trucks. Almost 90% of commercial truck traffic in Lithuania is international transports, the highest of any EU country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Freight_transport_statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104135126/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Freight_transport_statistics|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Freight transport statistics – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | ||
], completed in 1924]] | |||
Lithuania has an extensive network of motorways. WEF grades Lithuanian roads at 4.7 / 7.0<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2017-2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2017%E2%80%932018.pdf|title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2017–2018|page=185|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> and Lithuanian road authority (LAKD) at 6.5 / 10.0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plius.lakd.lt/lt.php/naujienos/susumuoti_keliu_apziuros_rezultatai/11801;_wai;1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326104027/http://plius.lakd.lt/lt.php/naujienos/susumuoti_keliu_apziuros_rezultatai/11801;_wai;1|archive-date=26 March 2018|title=Lietuvos automobilių kelių direkcija prie Susisiekimo ministerijos|date=26 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania has an extensive network of motorways. WEF grades Lithuanian roads at 4.7 / 7.0<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2017-2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2017%E2%80%932018.pdf|title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2017–2018|page=185|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920210549/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2017-2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2017%E2%80%932018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and Lithuanian road authority (LAKD) at 6.5 / 10.0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plius.lakd.lt/lt.php/naujienos/susumuoti_keliu_apziuros_rezultatai/11801;_wai;1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326104027/http://plius.lakd.lt/lt.php/naujienos/susumuoti_keliu_apziuros_rezultatai/11801;_wai;1|archive-date=26 March 2018|title=Lietuvos automobilių kelių direkcija prie Susisiekimo ministerijos|date=26 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
The ] is the only commercial cargo port in Lithuania. In 2011 45.5 million tons of cargo were handled (including ] figures)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shortsea.lt/index.php/pagrindinis_meniu/naujienos/klaipedos_ir_kitu_baltijos_juros_rytines_pakrantes_uostu_krovos_apzvalga__m_sausiogruodzio_men_/1201|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019182532/http://www.shortsea.lt/index.php/pagrindinis_meniu/naujienos/klaipedos_ir_kitu_baltijos_juros_rytines_pakrantes_uostu_krovos_apzvalga__m_sausiogruodzio_men_/1201|archive-date=19 October 2013|title=Short Sea|date=19 October 2013|website=shortsea.lt|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> ] is outside of EU's 20 largest ports,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Maritime_ports_freight_and_passenger_statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132949/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Maritime_ports_freight_and_passenger_statistics|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Maritime ports freight and passenger statistics – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Top_20_container_ports_in_2015_-_on_the_basis_of_volume_of_containers_handled_in_(1000_TEUs).png|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104133109/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Top_20_container_ports_in_2015_-_on_the_basis_of_volume_of_containers_handled_in_(1000_TEUs).png|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=File:Top 20 container ports in 2015 - on the basis of volume of containers handled in (1000 TEUs).png – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> but it is the eighth largest port in the ] region<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=90478|title=Riga and Klaipėda included in TOP-10 ports in Baltic Sea Region by container turnover :: The Baltic Course – Baltic States news & analytics|date=21 December 2017|website=Baltic-course.com|access-date=21 December 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221104115/http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=90478|archive-date=21 December 2017}}</ref> | The ] is the only commercial cargo port in Lithuania. In 2011 45.5 million tons of cargo were handled (including ] figures)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shortsea.lt/index.php/pagrindinis_meniu/naujienos/klaipedos_ir_kitu_baltijos_juros_rytines_pakrantes_uostu_krovos_apzvalga__m_sausiogruodzio_men_/1201|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019182532/http://www.shortsea.lt/index.php/pagrindinis_meniu/naujienos/klaipedos_ir_kitu_baltijos_juros_rytines_pakrantes_uostu_krovos_apzvalga__m_sausiogruodzio_men_/1201|archive-date=19 October 2013|title=Short Sea|date=19 October 2013|website=shortsea.lt|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> ] is outside of EU's 20 largest ports,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Maritime_ports_freight_and_passenger_statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132949/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Maritime_ports_freight_and_passenger_statistics|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Maritime ports freight and passenger statistics – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Top_20_container_ports_in_2015_-_on_the_basis_of_volume_of_containers_handled_in_(1000_TEUs).png|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104133109/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Top_20_container_ports_in_2015_-_on_the_basis_of_volume_of_containers_handled_in_(1000_TEUs).png|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=File:Top 20 container ports in 2015 - on the basis of volume of containers handled in (1000 TEUs).png – Statistics Explained|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> but it is the eighth largest port in the ] region<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=90478|title=Riga and Klaipėda included in TOP-10 ports in Baltic Sea Region by container turnover :: The Baltic Course – Baltic States news & analytics|date=21 December 2017|website=Baltic-course.com|access-date=21 December 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221104115/http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/good_for_business/?doc=90478|archive-date=21 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://actiaforum.pl/en/assets/files/realizacje/pdf/PM-17-EN.pdf|title=2016 – a better year for most of the Top 10 Baltic container ports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132642/http://actiaforum.pl/en/assets/files/realizacje/pdf/PM-17-EN.pdf|archive-date=4 January 2018|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> with ongoing expansion plans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://port.today/klaipeda-outer-port-constructed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132737/https://port.today/klaipeda-outer-port-constructed/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Klaipėda outer port to be constructed – port.today|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | ||
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://actiaforum.pl/en/assets/files/realizacje/pdf/PM-17-EN.pdf|title=2016 – a better year for most of the Top 10 Baltic container ports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132642/http://actiaforum.pl/en/assets/files/realizacje/pdf/PM-17-EN.pdf|archive-date=4 January 2018|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> with ongoing expansion plans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://port.today/klaipeda-outer-port-constructed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132737/https://port.today/klaipeda-outer-port-constructed/|archive-date=4 January 2018|title=Klaipėda outer port to be constructed – port.today|date=4 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> | |||
As of 2022, the LIWA (Lithuanian Inland Waterways Authority, Vidaus vandens keliu direkcija in Lithuanian) is developing a strategy to resurrect cargo shipping on the Nemunas. Its fleet of electric ships will travel 260 |
As of 2022, the LIWA (Lithuanian Inland Waterways Authority, Vidaus vandens keliu direkcija in Lithuanian) is developing a strategy to resurrect cargo shipping on the Nemunas. Its fleet of electric ships will travel 260 km between the port of Klaipda on the Baltic Sea coast and the industrial and transportation centre of ].<ref name=":159">{{Cite web |title=Reviving Lithuania's inland waterways to cut emissions |url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/lithuania-waterways-emissions |access-date=19 July 2023 |website=European Investment Bank |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721092822/https://www.eib.org/en/stories/lithuania-waterways-emissions |url-status=live}}</ref> The project is anticipated to need a €75.7 million initial investment in total. and estimated to eliminate 48 000 truck trips annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuania: EIB advisory services support green inland cargo shipping |url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2022-245-eib-advisory-services-support-green-inland-cargo-shipping-in-lithuania |access-date=31 July 2023|website=European Investment Bank |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720223356/https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2022-245-eib-advisory-services-support-green-inland-cargo-shipping-in-lithuania |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Will there be an intermodal connection between Kaunas and Hamburg? The Port of Hamburg and Klaipeda will co-develop new logistics routes {{!}} RAILTARGET |url=https://www.railtarget.cz/business/will-there-be-an-intermodal-connection-between-kaunas-and-hamburg-the-port-of-hamburg-and-klaipeda-will-codevelop-new-logistics-routes-2492.html |access-date=31 July 2023 |website=www.railtarget.cz |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731145827/https://www.railtarget.cz/business/will-there-be-an-intermodal-connection-between-kaunas-and-hamburg-the-port-of-hamburg-and-klaipeda-will-codevelop-new-logistics-routes-2492.html |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] is the largest airport in Lithuania, 91st busiest airport in Europe (]). It served 3.8 million passengers in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/news/?id=1930281 |title=The Lithuanian Airports Have Presented the Results for the Year 2016: the Number of Passengers Has Surged to Record Levels of 4.8 Million |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085407/http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/news/?id=1930281 |archive-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> Other international airports include ], ] and ]. ] is also a small commercial cargo airport which started regular commercial cargo traffic in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kaunozinios.lt/naujienos/kauno-oro-uoste-ivykdytas-pirmas-reguliarus-krovininis-reisas_36224.html|title=Kauno oro uoste įvykdytas pirmas reguliarus krovininis reisas|website=Kaunozinios.lt|date=4 April 2011 }}</ref> The inland river cargo port in Marvelė, linking Kaunas and Klaipėda, received first cargo in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marvelės uostą pasiekė pirmasis krovinys!|url=https://klaipeda.diena.lt/naujienos/kaunas/miesto-pulsas/marveles-uosta-pasieke-pirmasis-krovinys-910893 |website=klaipeda.diena.lt |date=23 April 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |language=LT}}</ref> | ] is the largest airport in Lithuania, 91st busiest airport in Europe (]). It served 3.8 million passengers in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/news/?id=1930281 |title=The Lithuanian Airports Have Presented the Results for the Year 2016: the Number of Passengers Has Surged to Record Levels of 4.8 Million |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085407/http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/news/?id=1930281 |archive-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> Other international airports include ], ] and ]. ] is also a small commercial cargo airport which started regular commercial cargo traffic in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kaunozinios.lt/naujienos/kauno-oro-uoste-ivykdytas-pirmas-reguliarus-krovininis-reisas_36224.html|title=Kauno oro uoste įvykdytas pirmas reguliarus krovininis reisas|website=Kaunozinios.lt|date=4 April 2011|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627215332/https://kaunozinios.lt/naujienos/kauno-oro-uoste-ivykdytas-pirmas-reguliarus-krovininis-reisas_36224.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The inland river cargo port in Marvelė, linking Kaunas and Klaipėda, received first cargo in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marvelės uostą pasiekė pirmasis krovinys! |url=https://klaipeda.diena.lt/naujienos/kaunas/miesto-pulsas/marveles-uosta-pasieke-pirmasis-krovinys-910893 |website=klaipeda.diena.lt |date=23 April 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |language=LT |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222405/https://klaipeda.diena.lt/naujienos/kaunas/miesto-pulsas/marveles-uosta-pasieke-pirmasis-krovinys-910893 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Water supply and sanitation=== | |||
]]] | |||
Lithuania has one of the largest fresh water supplies, compared with other countries in Europe. Lithuania and ] are the only countries in Europe, which are fully equipped with fresh groundwater. Lithuanians consume about 0.5 million cubic metres of water per day, which is only 12–14 percent of all explored fresh groundwater resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gėlo vandens ištekliais Lietuva išsiskiria iš kitų Europos šalių|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/137832/gelo-vandens-istekliais-lietuva-issiskiria-is-kitu-europos-saliu|website=LRT|date=25 May 2016|access-date=25 May 2016|language=lt}}</ref> Water quality in the country is very high and is determined by the fact that drinking water comes from deep layers that are protected from pollution on the surface of the earth. Drilling depth usually reaches 30–50 metres, but in ] it even reaches 250 metres. Consequently, Lithuania is one of very few European countries where groundwater is used for centralized water supply. With a large underground fresh water reserves, Lithuania exports mineral-rich water to other countries. Approved mineral water quantity is about 2.7 million cubic metres per year, while production is only 4–5 percent of all mineral water resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gėlas vanduo – milžiniškas turtas Lietuvos gelmėse|url=http://alkas.lt/2012/03/15/gelas-vanduo-milziniskas-turtas-lietuvos-gelmese/|website=alkas.lt|date=15 March 2012|access-date=15 March 2012|language=lt-LT}}</ref> | |||
] is the only Baltic capital that uses centralized water supplying from deep water springs, which are protected from pollution and has no ] or ] that are harmful to the human body. Water is cleaned without chemicals in Lithuania. About 20% of the consumed water in the state is a non-filtered very high quality water.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raudonis|first1=Jokūbas|title=Vilniaus turtas – švarus vanduo iš giluminių šaltinių|url=https://verslas.lrytas.lt/rinkos-pulsas/2013/05/08/news/vilniaus-turtas---svarus-vanduo-is-giluminiu-saltiniu-5024475/|website=lrytas.lt|date=8 May 2013|access-date=8 May 2013|language=lt-LT|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308021218/https://verslas.lrytas.lt/rinkos-pulsas/2013/05/08/news/vilniaus-turtas---svarus-vanduo-is-giluminiu-saltiniu-5024475/}}</ref> | |||
===Energy=== | ===Energy=== | ||
{{Main|Energy in Lithuania}} {{See also|Renewable energy in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Energy in Lithuania}} {{See also|Renewable energy in Lithuania}} | ||
] in port of Klaipėda]] | ] in port of Klaipėda]] | ||
Systematic diversification of energy imports and resources is Lithuania's key energy strategy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsta.lt/files/seminarai/2015-04-09_Ryga/03.-ey-bus-2015-rokas-masiulis.pdf|title=Lithuania's Energy Sector Development Trends|page=2|website=Lsta.lt|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824064812/http://www.lsta.lt/files/seminarai/2015-04-09_Ryga/03.-ey-bus-2015-rokas-masiulis.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Long-term aims were defined in National Energy Independence strategy in 2012 by Lietuvos Seimas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamyba.le.lt/sites/default/files/media/dynamic/files/481/nationalenergyindependencestrategy.pdf|title=National Energy Independence Strategy|website=Gamyba.le.lt|access-date=13 April 2018|archive-date=13 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185919/https://gamyba.le.lt/sites/default/files/media/dynamic/files/481/nationalenergyindependencestrategy.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It was estimated that strategic energy independence initiatives will cost €6.3–7.8 billion in total and provide annual savings of €0.9–1.1 billion. | |||
Systematic diversification of energy imports and resources is Lithuania's key energy strategy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsta.lt/files/seminarai/2015-04-09_Ryga/03.-ey-bus-2015-rokas-masiulis.pdf|title=Lithuania's Energy Sector Development Trends|page=2|website=Lsta.lt|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> Long-term aims were defined in National Energy Independence strategy in 2012 by Lietuvos Seimas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamyba.le.lt/sites/default/files/media/dynamic/files/481/nationalenergyindependencestrategy.pdf|title=National Energy Independence Strategy |website=Gamyba.le.lt|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> It was estimated that strategic energy independence initiatives will cost €6.3–7.8 billion in total and provide annual savings of €0.9–1.1 billion. | |||
After the decommissioning of the ], Lithuania turned from electricity exporter to electricity importer. Unit No. 1 was closed in December 2004, as a condition of Lithuania's entry into the European Union; Unit No. 2 was closed down on 31 December 2009. Proposals have been made to construct a new – ] 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 |website=Bellona.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423155352/http://www.bellona.org/articles/articles_2010/ignalina_shut_down |archive-date=23 April 2010}}</ref> However, ] held in October 2012 clouded the prospects for the Visaginas project, as 63% of voters said no to a new nuclear power plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-G-N/Lithuania/|title=Nuclear Power in Lithuania – Lithuanian Nuclear Energy – World Nuclear Association|website=World-nuclear.org|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126160031/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-G-N/Lithuania/|archive-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> | After the decommissioning of the ], Lithuania turned from electricity exporter to electricity importer. Unit No. 1 was closed in December 2004, as a condition of Lithuania's entry into the European Union; Unit No. 2 was closed down on 31 December 2009. Proposals have been made to construct a new – ] 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 |website=Bellona.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423155352/http://www.bellona.org/articles/articles_2010/ignalina_shut_down |archive-date=23 April 2010}}</ref> However, ] held in October 2012 clouded the prospects for the Visaginas project, as 63% of voters said no to a new nuclear power plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-G-N/Lithuania/|title=Nuclear Power in Lithuania – Lithuanian Nuclear Energy – World Nuclear Association|website=World-nuclear.org|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126160031/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-G-N/Lithuania/|archive-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> | ||
Line 685: | Line 551: | ||
The country's main primary source of electrical power is ]. Other primary sources of Lithuania's electrical power are ] and ]. ] 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.kruoniohae.lt/lt/main/activity|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928033447/http://www.kruoniohae.lt/lt/main/activity|archive-date=28 September 2012|title=Kruonio hidroakumuliacinė elektrinė > Veikla|date=28 September 2012|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2015}}, 66% of electrical power was imported.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/energetikos-sistema/elektros-energetikos-sistemos-informacija/elektros-gamybos-ir-vartojimo-balanso-duomenys/2287|title=Litgrid|website=www.litgrid.eu|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118024627/http://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/energetikos-sistema/elektros-energetikos-sistemos-informacija/elektros-gamybos-ir-vartojimo-balanso-duomenys/2287|archive-date=18 November 2016}}</ref> First geothermal heating plant (]) in the Baltic Sea region was built in 2004. | The country's main primary source of electrical power is ]. Other primary sources of Lithuania's electrical power are ] and ]. ] 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.kruoniohae.lt/lt/main/activity|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928033447/http://www.kruoniohae.lt/lt/main/activity|archive-date=28 September 2012|title=Kruonio hidroakumuliacinė elektrinė > Veikla|date=28 September 2012|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2015}}, 66% of electrical power was imported.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/energetikos-sistema/elektros-energetikos-sistemos-informacija/elektros-gamybos-ir-vartojimo-balanso-duomenys/2287|title=Litgrid|website=www.litgrid.eu|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118024627/http://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/energetikos-sistema/elektros-energetikos-sistemos-informacija/elektros-gamybos-ir-vartojimo-balanso-duomenys/2287|archive-date=18 November 2016}}</ref> First geothermal heating plant (]) in the Baltic Sea region was built in 2004. | ||
Lithuania–Sweden submarine electricity interconnection ] and Lithuania–Poland electricity interconnection ] were launched at the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ceer.eu/documents/104400/3736793/C16_NR_Lithuania-EN.pdf/1c379f34-4e09-7311-e715-5974e45eab3f|title=Annual Report on Electricity and Natural Gas Markets of the Republic of Lithuania to the European Commission|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref> | Lithuania–Sweden submarine electricity interconnection ] and Lithuania–Poland electricity interconnection ] were launched at the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ceer.eu/documents/104400/3736793/C16_NR_Lithuania-EN.pdf/1c379f34-4e09-7311-e715-5974e45eab3f|title=Annual Report on Electricity and Natural Gas Markets of the Republic of Lithuania to the European Commission|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222139/https://www.ceer.eu/documents/104400/3736793/C16_NR_Lithuania-EN.pdf/1c379f34-4e09-7311-e715-5974e45eab3f|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2018, synchronising the Baltic states' electricity grid with the ] has started.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-4285_en.htm |title= |
In 2018, synchronising the Baltic states' electricity grid with the ] has started.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-4285_en.htm |title=Questions and answers on the synchronisation of the Baltic States' electricity networks with the continental European network (CEN) |date=28 June 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727105009/http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-4285_en.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, 20.8% of electricity consumed in Lithuania came from renewable sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Table_1-Share_of_renewables_in_gross_inland_energy_consumption_2016.png|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326100659/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Table_1-Share_of_renewables_in_gross_inland_energy_consumption_2016.png|archive-date=26 March 2018|title=File:Table 1-Share of renewables in gross inland energy consumption 2016.png – Statistics Explained|date=26 March 2018}}</ref> | ||
In order to break down ]'s monopoly<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/33113758-8680-11e7-8bb1-5ba57d47eff7 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/33113758-8680-11e7-8bb1-5ba57d47eff7 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Lithuania becomes first ex-Soviet state to buy US natural gas | website=Financial Times |date=21 August 2017 | access-date=26 March 2018 | language=LT|last1=Sheppard |first1=David |
In order to break down ]'s monopoly<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/33113758-8680-11e7-8bb1-5ba57d47eff7 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/33113758-8680-11e7-8bb1-5ba57d47eff7 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Lithuania becomes first ex-Soviet state to buy US natural gas | website=Financial Times |date=21 August 2017 | access-date=26 March 2018 | language=LT|last1=Sheppard |first1=David}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/lithuania-breaks-gazprom-s-monopoly-by-signing-first-lng-deal/ |title=Lithuania breaks Gazprom's monopoly by signing first LNG deal |website=Euractiv.com |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=26 March 2018 |language=LT |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004151953/https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/lithuania-breaks-gazprom-s-monopoly-by-signing-first-lng-deal/ |url-status=live}}</ref> in natural gas market of Lithuania, first large scale LNG import terminal (]) in the Baltic region was built in port of Klaipėda in 2014. The Klaipėda LNG terminal was called Independence, thus emphasising the aim to diversify energy market of Lithuania. Norwegian company ] supplies {{convert|540|e6m3|abbr=off}} of natural gas annually from 2015 until 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://enmin.lrv.lt/uploads/enmin/documents/files/EN_Versija/Activities/Activity_benchmarks/Strategic_projects/Liquefied_natural_gas_terminal_in_Klaip%C4%97da/LNG_factsheet_EN.pdf | title=Klaipėda LNG terminal Factsheet | publisher=Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania | date=27 October 2014 | access-date=19 March 2018 | archive-date=19 March 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319214309/http://enmin.lrv.lt/uploads/enmin/documents/files/EN_Versija/Activities/Activity_benchmarks/Strategic_projects/Liquefied_natural_gas_terminal_in_Klaip%C4%97da/LNG_factsheet_EN.pdf}}</ref> The terminal is able to meet the Lithuania's demand 100 percent, and Latvia's and Estonia's national demand 90 percent in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/29/119304/klaipeda-lng-terminal-one-year-on-independence-or-responsibility |title=Klaipėda LNG Terminal one year on – independence or responsibility? |website=Lrt.lt |date=11 November 2015 |access-date=19 March 2018 |archive-date=14 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714022515/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/29/119304/klaipeda-lng-terminal-one-year-on-independence-or-responsibility |url-status=live}}</ref> ] (GIPL), also known as Lithuania–Poland pipeline, is a natural gas pipeline interconnection between Lithuania and Poland that became operational in 2022. | ||
==Demographics== | ==Demographics== | ||
{{Main|Demographics of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Demographics of Lithuania}} | ||
] | |||
] | ] | ||
Since the Neolithic period, the demographics of Lithuania have stayed fairly homogenous. There is a high probability that the inhabitants of present-day Lithuania have similar genetic compositions to their ancestors,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Česnys | first1 = G. | year = 1991 | title = Anthropological roots of the Lithuanians | journal = Science, Arts and Lithuania | volume = 1 | pages = 4–10 |
Since the Neolithic period, the demographics of Lithuania have stayed fairly homogenous. There is a high probability that the inhabitants of present-day Lithuania have similar genetic compositions to their ancestors,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Česnys | first1 = G. | year = 1991 | title = Anthropological roots of the Lithuanians | journal = Science, Arts and Lithuania | volume = 1 | pages = 4–10}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |people=akad. Rimantas Jankauskas |date=6 May 2018 |title="Mokslo ekspresas": tūkstantmečiai kapai atskleidžia Lietuvos priešistorės paslaptis |medium=Video |language=lt |url=https://www.delfi.lt/video/laidos/mokslo-ekspresas/mokslo-ekspresas-tukstantmeciai-kapai-atskleidzia-lietuvos-priesistores-paslaptis.d?id=77886901 |access-date=11 May 2018 |time=04:06 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417193842/https://www.delfi.lt/video/laidos/mokslo-ekspresas/mokslo-ekspresas-tukstantmeciai-kapai-atskleidzia-lietuvos-priesistores-paslaptis.d?id=77886901 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The genetic prehistory of the Baltic Sea region |author=Alissa Mittnik |author2=Chuan-Chao Wang |author3=Saskia Pfrengle |author4=Mantas Daubaras |author5=Gunita Zariņa |author6=Fredrik Hallgren |author7=Raili Allmäe |author8=Valery Khartanovich |author9=Vyacheslav Moiseyev |author10=Mari Tõrv |author11=Anja Furtwängler |author12=Aida Andrades Valtueña |author13=Michal Feldman |author14=Christos Economou |author15=Markku Oinonen |author16=Andrejs Vasks |author17=Elena Balanovska |author18=David Reich |author19=Rimantas Jankauskas |author20=Wolfgang Haak |author21=Stephan Schiffels |author22=Johannes Krause |journal=Nature Communications|volume=9 |doi=10.1038/s41467-018-02825-9|pmid=29382937 |pmc=5789860 |issue=1|page=442 |bibcode=2018NatCo...9..442M|year=2018}}</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|access-date=24 December 2011|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921091744/http://www.ebiblioteka.lt/resursai/LMA/Ekologija/E-89.pdf}}</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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227130058/http://images.katalogas.lt/maleidykla/act41/A-01.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2008 |title=Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Analysis in the Lithuanian Population |author=Dalia Kasperavičiūtė and Vaidutis Kučinskas |journal=Acta Medica Lituanica |year=2004 |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=1–6}}</ref> | ||
A 2004 analysis of ] in the Lithuanian population revealed that Lithuanians are genetically close to the ] and ] speaking populations of Northern and Eastern Europe. ] SNP ] analysis showed Lithuanians to be genetically closest to ] and ].<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=15469421 |author=D Kasperaviciūte, V Kucinskas and M Stoneking |url=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 |s2cid=26562505 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225205400/http://www.eva.mpg.de/genetics/pdf/Kasperavicuite.2004.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2009}}</ref> | A 2004 analysis of ] in the Lithuanian population revealed that Lithuanians are genetically close to the ] and ] speaking populations of Northern and Eastern Europe. ] SNP ] analysis showed Lithuanians to be genetically closest to ] and ].<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=15469421 |author=D Kasperaviciūte, V Kucinskas and M Stoneking |url=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 |s2cid=26562505 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225205400/http://www.eva.mpg.de/genetics/pdf/Kasperavicuite.2004.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2009}}</ref> | ||
In 2021, the age structure of the population was as follows: | In 2021, the age structure of the population was as follows: | ||
* 0–14 years, 14.86% (male 214,113/female 203,117) | * 0–14 years, 14.86% (male 214,113/female 203,117) | ||
* 15–64 years: 65.19% (male 896,400/female 934,467) | * 15–64 years: 65.19% (male 896,400/female 934,467) | ||
* 65 years and over: 19.95% (male 195,269/female 365,014).<ref name="population2022">{{cite web|title=The population of Lithuania (edition 2022)|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lietuvos-gyventojai-2022/salies-gyventojai|publisher=]|access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> |
* 65 years and over: 19.95% (male 195,269/female 365,014).<ref name="population2022">{{cite web|title=The population of Lithuania (edition 2022)|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lietuvos-gyventojai-2022/salies-gyventojai|publisher=]|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927122155/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/lietuvos-gyventojai-2022/salies-gyventojai|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The median age in 2022 was 44 years (male: 41, female: 47).<ref name="population2022" /> | The median age in 2022 was 44 years (male: 41, female: 47).<ref name="population2022" /> | ||
Line 710: | Line 574: | ||
===Functional urban areas=== | ===Functional urban areas=== | ||
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" | {|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" | ||
|-style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" | |-style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" | ||
!align=center|]<ref name="FUA,Euro">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/URB_LPOP1/default/table?lang=en&category=urb.urb_luz|title=Eurostat|website=eurostat.ec.europa.eu}}</ref> | !align=center|]<ref name="FUA,Euro">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/URB_LPOP1/default/table?lang=en&category=urb.urb_luz|title=Eurostat|website=eurostat.ec.europa.eu|access-date=14 June 2023|archive-date=19 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619104844/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/URB_LPOP1/default/table?lang=en&category=urb.urb_luz|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
!align=center|Population <br />( |
!align=center|Population <br />(2023) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| align=right|{{increase}} |
| align=right|{{increase}} 747,864 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| align=right|{{increase}} |
| align=right|{{increase}} 403,375 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| align=right|{{ |
| align=right|{{IncreaseNeutral}} 122,860 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 733: | Line 596: | ||
| width = 300px | | width = 300px | ||
| float = right | | float = right | ||
| title = Residents of Lithuania by ethnicity ( |
| title = Residents of Lithuania by ethnicity (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize#/|title=Rodiklių duomenų bazė - Oficialiosios statistikos portalas}}</ref> | ||
| titlebar = #ddd | | titlebar = #ddd | ||
| bars = | | bars = | ||
{{bar percent|Lithuanians|green| |
{{bar percent|Lithuanians|green|82.6}} | ||
{{bar percent|Poles|red|6. |
{{bar percent|Poles|red|6.3}} | ||
{{bar percent|Russians|blue|5.0}} | {{bar percent|Russians|blue|5.0}} | ||
{{bar percent|Belarusians|purple| |
{{bar percent|Belarusians|purple|2.1}} | ||
{{bar percent|Ukrainians|brown| |
{{bar percent|Ukrainians|brown|1.7}} | ||
{{bar percent|Others|gray|2.3}} | {{bar percent|Others|gray|2.3}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
Lithuania has the most homogeneous population in the Baltic States. Ethnic Lithuanians make up about five-sixths of the country's population. In |
Lithuania has the most homogeneous population in the Baltic States. Ethnic Lithuanians make up about five-sixths of the country's population. In 2024, 82.6% of the 2,809,977 Lithuania's residents were ethnic ] who speak ], which is the official language of the country. Several sizeable minorities exist, such as ] (6.3%), ] (5.0%), ] (2.1%) and ] (1.7%).<ref name="TGKT21">{{cite web | title=Lietuvos Respublikos 2021 m. gyventojų ir būstų surašymo rezultatai. Tautybė, gimtoji kalba ir tikyba | website=osp.stat.gov.lt | url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/2021-gyventoju-ir-bustu-surasymo-rezultatai/tautybe-gimtoji-kalba-ir-tikyba | language=lt | access-date=6 January 2024 | archive-date=4 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204230406/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/2021-gyventoju-ir-bustu-surasymo-rezultatai/tautybe-gimtoji-kalba-ir-tikyba | url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] are the largest minority, concentrated in southeast Lithuania (the ]), constituting majority in ] (76.3%) and ] (46.8%). ] are the second largest minority, concentrated in ] (47.4%), ] (17.2%) and ] (16%).<ref name="TGKT21" /> About 2,250 ] live in Lithuania, mostly in Vilnius, ] and ]; 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 |website=Tspmi.vu.lt |access-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325051515/http://www.tspmi.vu.lt/files/mprojektai/finallithsecpapergalutinis.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009}}</ref> For centuries, ] and ] communities have lived in Lithuania. In 2021, there were around 2,150 registered Tatars and 196 Karaites in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/lithuanian_tatars.shtml|title=The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire|website=Eki.ee}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Karaimai Lietuvoje |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/276df92a4a974d938e3fcc7a9caeac55 |publisher=] |access-date=6 January 2024 |language=lt-LT |date=15 June 2022}}</ref> | ] are the largest minority, concentrated in southeast Lithuania (the ]), constituting majority in ] (76.3%) and ] (46.8%). ] are the second largest minority, concentrated in ] (47.4%), ] (17.2%) and ] (16%).<ref name="TGKT21" /> About 2,250 ] live in Lithuania, mostly in Vilnius, ] and ]; 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 |website=Tspmi.vu.lt |access-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325051515/http://www.tspmi.vu.lt/files/mprojektai/finallithsecpapergalutinis.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009}}</ref> For centuries, ] and ] communities have lived in Lithuania. In 2021, there were around 2,150 registered Tatars and 196 Karaites in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/lithuanian_tatars.shtml|title=The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire|website=Eki.ee|access-date=14 September 2013|archive-date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608180539/http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/lithuanian_tatars.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Karaimai Lietuvoje |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/276df92a4a974d938e3fcc7a9caeac55 |publisher=] |access-date=6 January 2024 |language=lt-LT |date=15 June 2022 |archive-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106112228/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/276df92a4a974d938e3fcc7a9caeac55 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The official language is ], but in some areas there is a significant presence of minority languages such as ], ], ] and ]. The greatest presence of minorities and the use of these languages are in Šalčininkai, Visaginas, and Vilnius District.<ref name="TGKT21" /> ] is spoken by members of the tiny remaining ] in Lithuania. The state laws guarantee education in minority languages and there are numerous publicly funded schools in the areas populated by minorities, with Polish as the language of instruction being the most widely available.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lrkm.lrv.lt/en/activities/national-minorities|title=Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, National Minorities|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> | The official language is ], but in some areas there is a significant presence of minority languages such as ], ], ] and ]. The greatest presence of minorities and the use of these languages are in Šalčininkai, Visaginas, and Vilnius District.<ref name="TGKT21" /> ] is spoken by members of the tiny remaining ] in Lithuania. The state laws guarantee education in minority languages and there are numerous publicly funded schools in the areas populated by minorities, with Polish as the language of instruction being the most widely available.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lrkm.lrv.lt/en/activities/national-minorities|title=Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, National Minorities|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417192221/https://lrkm.lrv.lt/en/activities/national-minorities|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
According to the survey carried out within the framework of the ], 85.33% of the country's population speak Lithuanian as their native language, 6.8% are native speakers of Russian and 5.1% of Polish. {{ |
According to the survey carried out within the framework of the ], 85.33% of the country's population speak Lithuanian as their native language, 6.8% are native speakers of Russian and 5.1% of Polish. {{As of|2021}}, 60.6% of residents speak Russian as a foreign language, 31.1% – English, 10.5% – Lithuanian, 8% – German, 7.9% – Polish, 1.9% – French, 2.6% – various others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/gyventoju-ir-bustu-surasymai1|title=Population by command of languages in municipality|access-date=23 September 2022|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305052046/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/gyventoju-ir-bustu-surasymai1|url-status=live}}</ref> Most Lithuanian schools teach English as the first foreign language, but students may also study German, or, in some schools, French or Russian. Around 80% of young people in Lithuania know English.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Employees fluent in three languages – it's the norm in Lithuania|url=https://investlithuania.com/news/employees-fluent-in-three-languages-its-the-norm-in-lithuania/|access-date=21 February 2021|website=Invest Lithuania|archive-date=19 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019201722/https://investlithuania.com/news/employees-fluent-in-three-languages-its-the-norm-in-lithuania/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Urbanization=== | ===Urbanization=== | ||
{{See also|List of cities in Lithuania}} | {{See also|List of cities in Lithuania|List of cities in the Baltic states by population}} | ||
There has been a steady ] since the 1990s, encouraged by the planning of regional centres, such as ], ], ], ], and ]. By the early 21st century, about two-thirds of the total population lived in urban areas. {{As of|2021}}, 68.19% of the total population lives in urban areas.<ref name="population2022"/> Lithuania's ] include ] (population 708,203), ] (population 391,153), and ] (population 124,526).<ref name="FUA,Euro"/> The fDI of the Financial Times in their research ''Cities and Regions of the Future'' ranked Vilnius fourth in the mid-sized European cities category in the 2018–19 ranking, second in the 2022–23 ranking, second in 2023 ranking while the city claimed 24th spot in the worldwide overall ranking in 2021–22 and Vilnius county was ranked 10th in the small European regions category in 2018–19, fifth in 2022–23, fifth in 2023 rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/download/71341/2038156/file/fDi%20European%20Cities%20and%20Regions%20of%20the%20Future%202018:19.pdf|website=Fdiintelligence.com|page=57,73|title=Cities and Regions of the Future 2018/19|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/rankings-and-awards/fdis-global-cities-of-the-future-202122-overall-winners-79334 | title=FDi's Global Cities of the Future 2021/22 — overall winners |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.s-ge.com/sites/default/files/article/downloads/fdi_170222_ecof.pdf|title=European Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/23|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/download/82064/2683542/file/fDi_0223_ECOF.pdf|title=European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023|publisher=]}}</ref> | There has been a steady ] since the 1990s, encouraged by the planning of regional centres, such as ], ], ], ], and ]. By the early 21st century, about two-thirds of the total population lived in urban areas. {{As of|2021}}, 68.19% of the total population lives in urban areas.<ref name="population2022"/> Lithuania's ] include ] (population 708,203), ] (population 391,153), and ] (population 124,526).<ref name="FUA,Euro"/> The fDI of the Financial Times in their research ''Cities and Regions of the Future'' ranked Vilnius fourth in the mid-sized European cities category in the 2018–19 ranking, second in the 2022–23 ranking, second in 2023 ranking while the city claimed 24th spot in the worldwide overall ranking in 2021–22 and Vilnius county was ranked 10th in the small European regions category in 2018–19, fifth in 2022–23, fifth in 2023 rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/download/71341/2038156/file/fDi%20European%20Cities%20and%20Regions%20of%20the%20Future%202018:19.pdf|website=Fdiintelligence.com|page=57,73|title=Cities and Regions of the Future 2018/19|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307232329/https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/download/71341/2038156/file/fDi%20European%20Cities%20and%20Regions%20of%20the%20Future%202018:19.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/rankings-and-awards/fdis-global-cities-of-the-future-202122-overall-winners-79334 | title=FDi's Global Cities of the Future 2021/22 — overall winners | publisher=] | access-date=5 June 2023 | archive-date=9 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409125140/https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/rankings-and-awards/fdis-global-cities-of-the-future-202122-overall-winners-79334 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.s-ge.com/sites/default/files/article/downloads/fdi_170222_ecof.pdf|title=European Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/23|publisher=]|access-date=5 June 2023|archive-date=5 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605141453/https://www.s-ge.com/sites/default/files/article/downloads/fdi_170222_ecof.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/download/82064/2683542/file/fDi_0223_ECOF.pdf|title=European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023|publisher=]|access-date=5 June 2023|archive-date=5 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605181456/https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/download/82064/2683542/file/fDi_0223_ECOF.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
{{Largest cities | {{Largest cities | ||
| country = Lithuania | | country = Lithuania | ||
| stat_ref = ] (2024)<ref><!--for July:{{cite web |title=Resident population by city/town as of 1 July|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=2a5b03b7-33c3-46c8-a418-023a1cd21c02|publisher=State Data Agency|access-date= |
| stat_ref = ] (2024)<ref><!--for July: -->{{cite web |title=Resident population by city/town as of 1 July|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=2a5b03b7-33c3-46c8-a418-023a1cd21c02|publisher=State Data Agency|access-date=24 July 2024}}<!--For January:{{cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=2d797f1b-da49-4151-9250-8a01f40ba128#/|title=Resident population by city/town at the beginning of the year|website=osp.stat.gov.lt|access-date=22 January 2024|archive-date=22 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122200901/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/statistiniu-rodikliu-analize?hash=2d797f1b-da49-4151-9250-8a01f40ba128#/|url-status=live}}--></ref> | ||
| list_by_pop = List of cities in Lithuania | | list_by_pop = List of cities in Lithuania | ||
| div_name = County | | div_name = County | ||
| div_link = Counties of Lithuania{{!}}County | | div_link = Counties of Lithuania{{!}}County | ||
| city_1 = Vilnius | div_1 = Vilnius County{{!}}Vilnius | pop_1 = |
| city_1 = Vilnius | div_1 = Vilnius County{{!}}Vilnius | pop_1 = 605,270 | img_1 = Vilnius old town by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg | ||
| city_2 = Kaunas | div_2 = Kaunas County{{!}}Kaunas | pop_2 = 304, |
| city_2 = Kaunas | div_2 = Kaunas County{{!}}Kaunas | pop_2 = 304,731 | img_2 = Vytautas the Great Bridge from hill, Kaunas, Lithuania - Diliff.jpg | ||
| city_3 = Klaipėda | div_3 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_3 = |
| city_3 = Klaipėda | div_3 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_3 = 160,357 | img_3 = Klaipėda. Senamiestis.jpg | ||
| city_4 = Šiauliai | div_4 = Šiauliai County{{!}}Šiauliai | pop_4 = |
| city_4 = Šiauliai | div_4 = Šiauliai County{{!}}Šiauliai | pop_4 = 112,581 | img_4 = Calle Vilnius, Siauliai, Lituania, 2012-08-09, DD 01.JPG | ||
| city_5 = Panevėžys | div_5 = Panevėžys County{{!}}Panevėžys | pop_5 = 86, |
| city_5 = Panevėžys | div_5 = Panevėžys County{{!}}Panevėžys | pop_5 = 86,202 | ||
| city_6 = Alytus | div_6 = Alytus County{{!}}Alytus | pop_6 = |
| city_6 = Alytus | div_6 = Alytus County{{!}}Alytus | pop_6 = 50,996 | ||
| city_7 = Marijampolė | div_7 = Marijampolė County{{!}}Marijampolė | pop_7 = 36, |
| city_7 = Marijampolė | div_7 = Marijampolė County{{!}}Marijampolė | pop_7 = 36,567 | ||
| city_8 = Mažeikiai | div_8 = Telšiai County{{!}}Telšiai | pop_8 = 33, |
| city_8 = Mažeikiai | div_8 = Telšiai County{{!}}Telšiai | pop_8 = 33,340 | ||
| city_9 = Utena | div_9 = Utena County{{!}}Utena | pop_9 = 27, |
| city_9 = Utena | div_9 = Utena County{{!}}Utena | pop_9 = 27,175 | ||
| city_10 = Jonava | div_10 = Kaunas County{{!}}Kaunas | pop_10 = 26, |
| city_10 = Jonava | div_10 = Kaunas County{{!}}Kaunas | pop_10 = 26,720 | ||
| city_11 = Kėdainiai | div_11 = Kaunas County{{!}}Kaunas | pop_11 = 23, |
| city_11 = Kėdainiai | div_11 = Kaunas County{{!}}Kaunas | pop_11 = 23,359 | ||
| city_12 = Telšiai | div_12 = Telšiai County{{!}}Telšiai | pop_12 = |
| city_12 = Telšiai | div_12 = Telšiai County{{!}}Telšiai | pop_12 = 21,920 | ||
| city_13 = |
| city_13 = Ukmergė | div_13 = Vilnius County{{!}}Vilnius | pop_13 = 21,383 | ||
| city_14 = |
| city_14 = Tauragė | div_14 = Tauragė County{{!}}Tauragė | pop_14 = 21,344 | ||
| city_15 = Visaginas | div_15 = Utena County{{!}}Utena | pop_15 = 19, |
| city_15 = Visaginas | div_15 = Utena County{{!}}Utena | pop_15 = 19,214 | ||
| city_16 = Palanga | div_16 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_16 = 18, |
| city_16 = Palanga | div_16 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_16 = 18,187 | ||
| city_17 = Plungė | div_17 = Telšiai County{{!}}Telšiai | pop_17 = 17, |
| city_17 = Plungė | div_17 = Telšiai County{{!}}Telšiai | pop_17 = 17,105 | ||
| city_18 = Kretinga | div_18 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_18 = 16, |
| city_18 = Kretinga | div_18 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_18 = 16,874 | ||
| city_19 = Šilutė | div_19 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_19 = |
| city_19 = Šilutė | div_19 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_19 = 15,995 | ||
| city_20 = Radviliškis | div_20 = Šiauliai County{{!}}Šiauliai | pop_20 = 15, |
| city_20 = Radviliškis | div_20 = Šiauliai County{{!}}Šiauliai | pop_20 = 15,604<!-- | ||
| city_20 = Gargždai | div_20 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_20 = 15, |
| city_20 = Gargždai | div_20 = Klaipėda County{{!}}Klaipėda | pop_20 = 15,434--> | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Health=== | ===Health=== | ||
{{Main|Health in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Health in Lithuania}} | ||
], a medical institution in Lithuania]] | ], a medical institution in Lithuania]] | ||
Lithuania provides free state-funded healthcare to all citizens and registered long-term residents.<ref>{{cite book |title=Health Care Systems in Transition – Lithuania |date=2000 |page=19 |url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323173750/http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |
Lithuania provides free state-funded healthcare to all citizens and registered long-term residents.<ref>{{cite book |title=Health Care Systems in Transition – Lithuania |date=2000 |page=19 |url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323173750/http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> It co-exists with a significant private healthcare sector. In 2003–2012, the network of hospitals was restructured, as part of wider healthcare service reforms. It started in 2003–2005 with the expansion of ambulatory services and primary care.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://healthmanagement.org/c/hospital/issuearticle/the-healthcare-system-in-lithuania|title=The Healthcare System in Lithuania|website=healthmanagement.org|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222226/https://healthmanagement.org/c/hospital/issuearticle/the-healthcare-system-in-lithuania|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2016, Lithuania ranked 27th in Europe in the ], a ranking of European healthcare systems based on waiting time, results and other indicators. | In 2016, Lithuania ranked 27th in Europe in the ], a ranking of European healthcare systems based on waiting time, results and other indicators. Lithuania ranked 19th in the 2024 edition of the ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Celia |date=23 March 2024 |title=This is the happiest country for Gen Z and millennials, according to The World Happiness Report |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/23/world-happiness-report-happiest-countries-gen-z-millennials.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505112046/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/23/world-happiness-report-happiest-countries-gen-z-millennials.html |archive-date=5 May 2024 |access-date=5 May 2024 |website=CNBC}}</ref> | ||
{{As of|2023}}, Lithuanian ] at birth was 76.0 (70.6 years for males and 81.6 for females)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life expectancy at birth - The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/life-expectancy-at-birth/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=www.cia.gov}}</ref> and the ] rate was 2.99 per 1,000 births.<ref>{{cite web|title=Infant mortality rate - Total|publisher=] Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation|url=https://childmortality.org/data/Lithuania}}{{Dead link|date=May 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes |
{{As of|2023}}, Lithuanian ] at birth was 76.0 (70.6 years for males and 81.6 for females)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life expectancy at birth - The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/life-expectancy-at-birth/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=www.cia.gov |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212221326/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/life-expectancy-at-birth |url-status=live}}</ref> and the ] rate was 2.99 per 1,000 births.<ref>{{cite web|title=Infant mortality rate - Total|publisher=] Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation|url=https://childmortality.org/data/Lithuania}}{{Dead link|date=May 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The annual population growth rate increased by 0.3% in 2007. Lithuania has seen a dramatic rise in suicides in the 1990s.<ref name="who-suicide-data">{{cite web|title=Suicide rates. Data by country|url=http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.MHSUICIDE?lang=en|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626141542/http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.MHSUICIDE?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The suicide rate has been constantly decreasing since, but it still remains the highest in the EU and one of the highest in the ]. The suicide rate as of 2019 is 20.2 per 100,000 people.<ref name="who-suicide-data"/> ] has been a subject of research, but the main reasons behind the high rate are thought{{who|date=October 2024}} to be both psychological and economic, including: social transformations and economic recessions, alcoholism, lack of tolerance in the society and bullying.<ref name="lrt-suicide-reasons">{{cite web|title=Pradeda veikti Savižudybių prevencijos biuras|date=5 January 2015|access-date=19 May 2021|publisher=Lithuanian Radio and Television|language=lt|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/tavo-lrt/15/88217/pradeda-veikti-savizudybiu-prevencijos-biuras|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623221809/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/tavo-lrt/15/88217/pradeda-veikti-savizudybiu-prevencijos-biuras|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
By 2000, the vast majority of Lithuanian health care institutions were non-profit-making enterprises and a private sector developed, providing mostly outpatient services which are paid for out-of-pocket. The ] also runs a few health care facilities and is involved in the running of the two major Lithuanian teaching hospitals. It is responsible for the State Public Health Centre which manages the public health network including ten county public health centres with their local branches. The ten ] run county hospitals and specialised health care facilities.<ref>{{cite book|title=Health Care Systems in Transition|date=2000|publisher=WHO|url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf?ua=1|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227035833/https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf?ua=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> | By 2000, the vast majority of Lithuanian health care institutions were non-profit-making enterprises and a private sector developed, providing mostly outpatient services which are paid for out-of-pocket. The ] also runs a few health care facilities and is involved in the running of the two major Lithuanian teaching hospitals. It is responsible for the State Public Health Centre which manages the public health network including ten county public health centres with their local branches. The ten ] run county hospitals and specialised health care facilities.<ref>{{cite book|title=Health Care Systems in Transition|date=2000|publisher=WHO|url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf?ua=1|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227035833/https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/95127/E69920.pdf?ua=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
Line 796: | Line 659: | ||
There is ] for the Lithuanian residents. There are 5 Territorial Health Insurance Funds, covering Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. Contributions for people who are economically active are 9% of income.<ref>{{cite web|title=Compulsory Health Insurance Contributions|url=http://www.vlk.lt/sites/en/health-insurance-in-Lithuania/compulsory-health-insurance-contributions/|publisher=VLK|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227080202/http://www.vlk.lt/sites/en/health-insurance-in-Lithuania/compulsory-health-insurance-contributions/}}</ref> | There is ] for the Lithuanian residents. There are 5 Territorial Health Insurance Funds, covering Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. Contributions for people who are economically active are 9% of income.<ref>{{cite web|title=Compulsory Health Insurance Contributions|url=http://www.vlk.lt/sites/en/health-insurance-in-Lithuania/compulsory-health-insurance-contributions/|publisher=VLK|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227080202/http://www.vlk.lt/sites/en/health-insurance-in-Lithuania/compulsory-health-insurance-contributions/}}</ref> | ||
Emergency medical services are provided free of charge to all residents. Access to the secondary and tertiary care, such as hospital treatment, is normally via referral by a ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Accessing healthcare in Lithuania|url=http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinLithuania.aspx|website=NHS Choices|access-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> Lithuania also has one of the lowest ] prices in Europe.<ref>{{cite book|title=Comparing Hospital and Health Prices and Volumes Internationally|date=6 August 2014|publisher=]|page=28|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/728703/728971/OECD-health-working-papers-75.pdf/a6e22472-95c4-4e77-bdb0-db3af4668e7f}}</ref> | Emergency medical services are provided free of charge to all residents. Access to the secondary and tertiary care, such as hospital treatment, is normally via referral by a ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Accessing healthcare in Lithuania|url=http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinLithuania.aspx|website=NHS Choices|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401005245/https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinLithuania.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania also has one of the lowest ] prices in Europe.<ref>{{cite book|title=Comparing Hospital and Health Prices and Volumes Internationally|date=6 August 2014|publisher=]|page=28|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/728703/728971/OECD-health-working-papers-75.pdf/a6e22472-95c4-4e77-bdb0-db3af4668e7f|access-date=31 March 2018|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501013353/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/728703/728971/OECD-health-working-papers-75.pdf/a6e22472-95c4-4e77-bdb0-db3af4668e7f|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Religion=== | ===Religion=== | ||
{{Main|Religion in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Religion in Lithuania}} | ||
{{See also|Lithuanian mythology}} | {{See also|Lithuanian mythology}} | ||
] near ]]] | ] near ]]] | ||
According to the 2021 census, 74.2% of residents of Lithuania were Catholics.<ref name="religion-stats"/> Catholicism has been the main religion since the official ] in 1387. The Catholic Church was persecuted by the Russian Empire as part of the ] policies and by the Soviet Union as part of the overall ]. During the Soviet era, some priests actively led the resistance against the Communist regime, as symbolised by the ] and exemplified by '']''. | According to the 2021 census, 74.2% of residents of Lithuania were Catholics.<ref name="religion-stats"/> Catholicism has been the main religion since the official ] in 1387. The Catholic Church was persecuted by the Russian Empire as part of the ] policies and by the Soviet Union as part of the overall ]. During the Soviet era, some priests actively led the resistance against the Communist regime, as symbolised by the ] and exemplified by '']''. | ||
Line 807: | Line 669: | ||
3.7% of the population are ], mainly among the Russian minority.<ref name="religion-stats"/> The community of ] (0.6% of population) dates back to the 1660s. | 3.7% of the population are ], mainly among the Russian minority.<ref name="religion-stats"/> The community of ] (0.6% of population) dates back to the 1660s. | ||
] are 0.8%, of which 0.6% are ] and 0.2% are ]. The ] did not impact Lithuania to a great extent as seen in ], ], or ]. Before World War II, according to Losch (1932), the Lutherans were 3.3% of the total population.<ref name="lmaleidykla.lt">{{cite web |url=http://lmaleidykla.lt/publ/1392-1096/2004/2/Geo_026_33.pdf |title=Lietuvos gyventojø religijos ir jø paplitimas |access-date=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509100300/http://www.lmaleidykla.lt/publ/1392-1096/2004/2/Geo_026_33.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2016}}</ref> They were mainly ] and ] in the ] (Memel territory). This population ], and |
] are 0.8%, of which 0.6% are ] and 0.2% are ]. The ] did not impact Lithuania to a great extent as seen in ], ], or ]. Before World War II, according to Losch (1932), the Lutherans were 3.3% of the total population.<ref name="lmaleidykla.lt">{{cite web |url=http://lmaleidykla.lt/publ/1392-1096/2004/2/Geo_026_33.pdf |title=Lietuvos gyventojø religijos ir jø paplitimas |access-date=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509100300/http://www.lmaleidykla.lt/publ/1392-1096/2004/2/Geo_026_33.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2016}}</ref> They were mainly ] and ] in the ] (Memel territory). This population ], and Protestantism is now mainly represented by ethnic Lithuanians throughout the northern and western parts of the country, as well as in large urban areas. Newly arriving ] 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 |website=Umc.org |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014092015/http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.2012693/k.AEBE/United_Methodists_evangelize_in_Lithuania_with_ads_brochures.htm |archive-date=14 October 2017}}</ref> | ||
Hinduism is a minority religion and a fairly recent development in Lithuania. Hinduism is spread in Lithuania by Hindu organizations: ], ], ] and ]. ] (Lithuanian: Krišnos sąmonės judėjimas) is the largest and the oldest movement as the first Krishna followers date to 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.religija.lt/content/view/388/33/ |title=Krišnos sąmonės judėjimas |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020165549/http://www.religija.lt/content/view/388/33/ |archive-date=20 October 2008}}</ref> It has three centres in Lithuania: in ], ] and ]. ] maintains the Centre Brahma Kumaris in ], Vilnius. | Hinduism is a minority religion and a fairly recent development in Lithuania. Hinduism is spread in Lithuania by Hindu organizations: ], ], ] and ]. ] (Lithuanian: Krišnos sąmonės judėjimas) is the largest and the oldest movement as the first Krishna followers date to 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.religija.lt/content/view/388/33/ |title=Krišnos sąmonės judėjimas |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020165549/http://www.religija.lt/content/view/388/33/ |archive-date=20 October 2008}}</ref> It has three centres in Lithuania: in ], ] and ]. ] maintains the Centre Brahma Kumaris in ], Vilnius. | ||
The historical communities of ] maintain ] as their religion. Lithuania was historically home to a significant ] and was an important centre of Jewish scholarship and culture from the 18th century until the eve of World War II. Of the approximately 220,000 Jews who lived in Lithuania in June 1941, almost all were killed during ].<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 |
The historical communities of ] maintain ] as their religion. Lithuania was historically home to a significant ] and was an important centre of Jewish scholarship and culture from the 18th century until the eve of World War II. Of the approximately 220,000 Jews who lived in Lithuania in June 1941, almost all were killed during ].<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=978-90-420-0850-2 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mdXRKbcyi5oC&pg=PA219 |pages=218–219 |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115084900/https://books.google.com/books?id=mdXRKbcyi5oC&pg=PA219&vq=is+the+worst+tragedy+of+Lithuania%27s&dq=Holocaust+1941+Lithuania&as_brr=3&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ZtduokysVV6MqLWS7I9uw7tMUFE |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Lithuania|url=http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005444|encyclopedia=Holocaust Encyclopedia|publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|access-date=12 April 2012|archive-date=20 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920235107/http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005444|url-status=live}}</ref> The Lithuanian Jewish 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://www.stat.gov.lt/en/pages/view/?id=1731&PHPSESSID=a2cc98ebfc3a13b8297889cb6f68d571 |work=Statistics Lithuania |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070604090852/http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/pages/view/?id=1731&PHPSESSID=311ec85274c89154e6f4befbc159a0e8 |archive-date=4 June 2007}}</ref> | ||
], the ] revival of the ], has gained popularity over the years. Romuva claims to continue living pagan traditions, which survived in folklore and customs.<ref>Dundzila (2007), pp. 279, 296–298.</ref><ref>Dundzila and Strmiska (2005), p. 247.</ref><ref>Ignatow (2007), p. 104.</ref> Romuva is a ] pagan faith, which asserts the sanctity of nature and has elements of ].<ref>Dundzila and Strmiska (2005), p. 244.</ref> According to the ], there were 1,270 people of Baltic faith in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religija.lt/straipsniai/tyrimai-analize-nuomones/lietuvos-gyventojai-pagal-tikyba|title=Lietuvos gyventojai pagal tikybą 2001 m. – religija.lt|website=Religija.lt}}</ref> That number jumped to 5,118 in the 2011 census.<ref name="osp.stat.gov.lt">{{cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/documents/10180/217110/Gyv_kalba_tikyba.pdf/1d9dac9a-3d45-4798-93f5-941fed00503f|format=PDF|title=GYVENTOJAI PAGAL TAUTYBĘ, GIMTĄJĄ KALBĄ IR TIKYBĄ: Lietuvos Respublikos 2011 metų visuotinio gyventojų ir būstų surašymo rezultatai|website=Ops.stat.gov.lt|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> | ], the ] revival of the ], has gained popularity over the years. Romuva claims to continue living pagan traditions, which survived in folklore and customs.<ref>Dundzila (2007), pp. 279, 296–298.</ref><ref>Dundzila and Strmiska (2005), p. 247.</ref><ref>Ignatow (2007), p. 104.</ref> Romuva is a ] pagan faith, which asserts the sanctity of nature and has elements of ].<ref>Dundzila and Strmiska (2005), p. 244.</ref> According to the ], there were 1,270 people of Baltic faith in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religija.lt/straipsniai/tyrimai-analize-nuomones/lietuvos-gyventojai-pagal-tikyba|title=Lietuvos gyventojai pagal tikybą 2001 m. – religija.lt|website=Religija.lt|access-date=10 January 2018|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627233429/https://religija.lt/straipsniai/tyrimai-analize-nuomones/lietuvos-gyventojai-pagal-tikyba|url-status=live}}</ref> That number jumped to 5,118 in the 2011 census.<ref name="osp.stat.gov.lt">{{cite web|url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/documents/10180/217110/Gyv_kalba_tikyba.pdf/1d9dac9a-3d45-4798-93f5-941fed00503f|format=PDF|title=GYVENTOJAI PAGAL TAUTYBĘ, GIMTĄJĄ KALBĄ IR TIKYBĄ: Lietuvos Respublikos 2011 metų visuotinio gyventojų ir būstų surašymo rezultatai|website=Ops.stat.gov.lt|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=13 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313110843/https://osp.stat.gov.lt/documents/10180/217110/Gyv_kalba_tikyba.pdf/1d9dac9a-3d45-4798-93f5-941fed00503f|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Education=== | ===Education=== | ||
{{Main|Education in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Education in Lithuania}} | ||
], one of the oldest universities in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=FOUR CENTURIES OF ENLIGHTENMENT: A Historic View of the University of Vilnius, 1579–1979|url=http://www.lituanus.org/1981_2/81_2_01.htm|author=Tomas Venclova|website=Lituanus.org|access-date=2 June 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222449/http://www.lituanus.org/1981_2/81_2_01.htm}}</ref> It was established by ], King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, in 1579.]] | ], one of the oldest universities in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=FOUR CENTURIES OF ENLIGHTENMENT: A Historic View of the University of Vilnius, 1579–1979|url=http://www.lituanus.org/1981_2/81_2_01.htm|author=Tomas Venclova|website=Lituanus.org|access-date=2 June 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222449/http://www.lituanus.org/1981_2/81_2_01.htm}}</ref> It was established by ], King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, in 1579.]] | ||
The ] mandates ten-year education ending at age 16 and guarantees a free public higher education for students deemed 'good'.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania came into force on 2 November 1992|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm|access-date=6 April 2010|publisher=Republic of Lithuania}}</ref> The ] proposes national educational policies and goals that are then voted for in the Seimas. 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|access-date=6 April 2010|title=Education in Lithuania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215022049/http://www.european-agency.org/country-information/lithuania/lithuania-docs/education_lithuania.pdf|archive-date=15 December 2010}}</ref> 5.4% of GDP or 15.4% of total public expenditure was spent for education in 2016.<ref name=edumonitor>{{cite web|title=Education and Training Monitor 2017. Lithuania|url=https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/education/files/monitor2017-lt_en.pdf|access-date=5 April 2018|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041020/https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/education/files/monitor2017-lt_en.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> | The ] mandates ten-year education ending at age 16 and guarantees a free public higher education for students deemed 'good'.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania came into force on 2 November 1992|url=http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm|access-date=6 April 2010|publisher=Republic of Lithuania|archive-date=17 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117080458/http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] proposes national educational policies and goals that are then voted for in the Seimas. 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|access-date=6 April 2010|title=Education in Lithuania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215022049/http://www.european-agency.org/country-information/lithuania/lithuania-docs/education_lithuania.pdf|archive-date=15 December 2010}}</ref> 5.4% of GDP or 15.4% of total public expenditure was spent for education in 2016.<ref name=edumonitor>{{cite web|title=Education and Training Monitor 2017. Lithuania|url=https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/education/files/monitor2017-lt_en.pdf|access-date=5 April 2018|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041020/https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/education/files/monitor2017-lt_en.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> | ||
] Life Sciences Center in the Sunrise Valley]] | ] Life Sciences Center in the Sunrise Valley]] | ||
According to the ], the literacy rate among Lithuanians aged 15 years and older is 100%.<ref>{{cite web|title=ICT at a Glance |url=http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/ltu_ict.pdf |publisher=] |access-date=7 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707184435/http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/ltu_ict.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2007}}</ref> School attendance rates are above the EU average and school leave is less common than in the EU. According to ] Lithuania leads among other countries of the ] in people with secondary education (93.3%).<ref>{{cite web|title=Upper secondary education in EU|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&plugin=1&language=en&pcode=tps00065|publisher=]|access-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> Based on OECD data, Lithuania is among the top 5 countries in the world in postsecondary (tertiary) education attainment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population with tertiary education|url=https://data.oecd.org/eduatt/population-with-tertiary-education.htm|website=data.oecd.org|access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, 54.9% of the population aged 25 to 34, and 30.7% of the population aged 55 to 64 had completed tertiary education.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population with tertiary education|url=https://data.oecd.org/eduatt/population-with-tertiary-education.htm|website=data.oecd.org|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> The share of tertiary-educated 25–64-year-olds in STEM (]) fields in Lithuania were above the OECD average (29% and 26% respectively), similarly to business, administration and law (25% and 23% respectively).<ref>{{cite web|title=Education at a glance 2017. Lithuania|url=http://gpseducation.oecd.org/Content/EAGCountryNotes/LTU.pdf|website=gpseducation.oecd.org|page=2|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021023/http://gpseducation.oecd.org/Content/EAGCountryNotes/LTU.pdf}}</ref> | According to the ], the literacy rate among Lithuanians aged 15 years and older is 100%.<ref>{{cite web|title=ICT at a Glance |url=http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/ltu_ict.pdf |publisher=] |access-date=7 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707184435/http://devdata.worldbank.org/ict/ltu_ict.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2007}}</ref> School attendance rates are above the EU average and school leave is less common than in the EU. According to ] Lithuania leads among other countries of the ] in people with secondary education (93.3%).<ref>{{cite web|title=Upper secondary education in EU|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&plugin=1&language=en&pcode=tps00065|publisher=]|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-date=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120812/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&plugin=1&language=en&pcode=tps00065|url-status=live}}</ref> Based on OECD data, Lithuania is among the top 5 countries in the world in postsecondary (tertiary) education attainment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population with tertiary education|url=https://data.oecd.org/eduatt/population-with-tertiary-education.htm|website=data.oecd.org|access-date=17 November 2018|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925040912/https://data.oecd.org/eduatt/population-with-tertiary-education.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, 54.9% of the population aged 25 to 34, and 30.7% of the population aged 55 to 64 had completed tertiary education.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population with tertiary education|url=https://data.oecd.org/eduatt/population-with-tertiary-education.htm|website=data.oecd.org|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925040912/https://data.oecd.org/eduatt/population-with-tertiary-education.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The share of tertiary-educated 25–64-year-olds in STEM (]) fields in Lithuania were above the OECD average (29% and 26% respectively), similarly to business, administration and law (25% and 23% respectively).<ref>{{cite web|title=Education at a glance 2017. Lithuania|url=http://gpseducation.oecd.org/Content/EAGCountryNotes/LTU.pdf|website=gpseducation.oecd.org|page=2|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021023/http://gpseducation.oecd.org/Content/EAGCountryNotes/LTU.pdf}}</ref> | ||
Modern Lithuanian education system has multiple structural problems. Insufficient funding, quality issues, and decreasing student population are the most prevalent. Lithuanian teacher salaries are the lowest in the entire EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/ringas/politics/m-adomenas-lietuvos-svietimas-ka-daryciau-kitaip.d?id=71141632|title=M. Adomėnas. Lietuvos švietimas: ką daryčiau kitaip?|first=Mantas Adomėnas, TS-LKD frakcijos narys|last=Seime|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> Low teacher salaries was the primary reason behind national teacher strikes in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/mokyklose-prasideda-neterminuotas-mokytoju-streikas.d?id=66552496|title=Mokyklose prasideda neterminuotas mokytojų streikas|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-pavyko-1419148/|title=Mokytojų streikas pavyko |
Modern Lithuanian education system has multiple structural problems. Insufficient funding, quality issues, and decreasing student population are the most prevalent. Lithuanian teacher salaries are the lowest in the entire EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/ringas/politics/m-adomenas-lietuvos-svietimas-ka-daryciau-kitaip.d?id=71141632|title=M. Adomėnas. Lietuvos švietimas: ką daryčiau kitaip?|first=Mantas Adomėnas, TS-LKD frakcijos narys|last=Seime|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417180635/https://www.delfi.lt/news/ringas/politics/m-adomenas-lietuvos-svietimas-ka-daryciau-kitaip.d?id=71141632|url-status=live}}</ref> Low teacher salaries was the primary reason behind national teacher strikes in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/mokyklose-prasideda-neterminuotas-mokytoju-streikas.d?id=66552496|title=Mokyklose prasideda neterminuotas mokytojų streikas|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417193855/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/mokyklose-prasideda-neterminuotas-mokytoju-streikas.d?id=66552496|url-status=live}}</ref> 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-pavyko-1419148/|title=Mokytojų streikas pavyko|website=Dienraštis Vakaru ekspresas|date=9 December 2015|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511221339/https://ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-pavyko-1419148|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-svarbiausi-faktai-233-591297|title=Mokytojų streikas: svarbiausi faktai|website=15min.lt|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222404/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-svarbiausi-faktai-233-591297|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-tesiasi-110-ugdymo-istaigu-233-590739|title=Mokytojų streikas tęsiasi 110 ugdymo įstaigų|website=15min.lt|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222223/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/svietimas/mokytoju-streikas-tesiasi-110-ugdymo-istaigu-233-590739|url-status=live}}</ref> Salaries in the higher education sector are also low. Many Lithuanian professors have a second job to supplement their income.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/934883/lietuvos-destytojai-bei-mokslininkai-atvirai-prabilo-kaip-prisiduria-prie-algos|title=Lietuvos dėstytojai bei mokslininkai atvirai prabilo, kaip prisiduria prie algos|website=Tv3.lt|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031153254/https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/934883/lietuvos-destytojai-bei-mokslininkai-atvirai-prabilo-kaip-prisiduria-prie-algos|url-status=live}}</ref> PISA report from 2010 found that Lithuanian results in math, science and reading were below OECD average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisaproducts/46619703.pdf|title=PISA 2009 Results: Executive Summary|website=Oecd.org|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516195314/https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisaproducts/46619703.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> PISA report from 2015 reconfirmed these findings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisa-2015-results-in-focus.pdf|title=Pisa 2015: Results in Focus|website=Oecd.org|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=8 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208150138/https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisa-2015-results-in-focus.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The population ages 6 to 19 has decreased by 36% between 2005 and 2015. As a result, the student-teacher ratio is decreasing and expenditure per student is increasing, but schools, particularly in rural areas, are forced into reorganizations and consolidations.<ref name=edumonitor/> As with other Baltic nations, in particular ], the large volume of higher education graduates within the country, coupled with the high rate of spoken second languages is contributing to an education ]. | ||
{{As of|2008}}, there were 15 public and 6 private universities as well as 16 public and 11 private colleges in Lithuania (see: ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/AcademicCareersObservatory/AcademicCareersbyCountry/Lithuania.aspx|publisher=]|title=Lithuania, Academic Career Structure|access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref> ] is one of the ] and the largest university in Lithuania. ] is the largest technical university in the Baltic States and the second largest university in Lithuania. In an attempt to reduce costs<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/12887651/universitetu-reforma-darbas-ant-durniaus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151138/https://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/12887651/universitetu-reforma-darbas-ant-durniaus|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Alfa.lt – Universitetų reforma – "darbas ant durniaus"|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> and adapt to sharply decreasing number of high-school students,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/pristatyta-aukstuju-mokyklu-tinklo-pertvarka-1550590/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151028/http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/pristatyta-aukstuju-mokyklu-tinklo-pertvarka-1550590/|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Pristatyta aukštųjų mokyklų tinklo pertvarka|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> Lithuanian parliament decided to reduce the number of universities in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/vyriausybe-pritare-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui-838745|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151301/http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/vyriausybe-pritare-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui-838745|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Vyriausybė pritarė universitetų pertvarkos planui – Diena.lt|date=13 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seimas-po-svarstymo-pritare-valstybiniu-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui.d?id=75022448|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151333/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seimas-po-svarstymo-pritare-valstybiniu-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui.d?id=75022448|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Seimas po svarstymo pritarė valstybinių universitetų pertvarkos planui – DELFI|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> In early 2018, ] and ] were merged into ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/seimas-pritare-3-universitetu-sujungimui-formuojamas-naujas-darinys.d?id=76893227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113152341/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/seimas-pritare-3-universitetu-sujungimui-formuojamas-naujas-darinys.d?id=76893227|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Seimas pritarė 3 universitetų sujungimui: formuojamas naujas darinys – DELFI|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> | {{As of|2008}}, there were 15 public and 6 private universities as well as 16 public and 11 private colleges in Lithuania (see: ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/AcademicCareersObservatory/AcademicCareersbyCountry/Lithuania.aspx|publisher=]|title=Lithuania, Academic Career Structure|access-date=7 April 2010|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101054454/http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/AcademicCareersObservatory/AcademicCareersbyCountry/Lithuania.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> ] is one of the ] and the largest university in Lithuania. ] is the largest technical university in the Baltic States and the second largest university in Lithuania. In an attempt to reduce costs<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/12887651/universitetu-reforma-darbas-ant-durniaus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151138/https://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/12887651/universitetu-reforma-darbas-ant-durniaus|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Alfa.lt – Universitetų reforma – "darbas ant durniaus"|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> and adapt to sharply decreasing number of high-school students,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/pristatyta-aukstuju-mokyklu-tinklo-pertvarka-1550590/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151028/http://www.ve.lt/naujienos/visuomene/svietimas/pristatyta-aukstuju-mokyklu-tinklo-pertvarka-1550590/|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Pristatyta aukštųjų mokyklų tinklo pertvarka|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> Lithuanian parliament decided to reduce the number of universities in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/vyriausybe-pritare-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui-838745|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151301/http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/vyriausybe-pritare-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui-838745|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Vyriausybė pritarė universitetų pertvarkos planui – Diena.lt|date=13 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seimas-po-svarstymo-pritare-valstybiniu-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui.d?id=75022448|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113151333/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/seimas-po-svarstymo-pritare-valstybiniu-universitetu-pertvarkos-planui.d?id=75022448|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Seimas po svarstymo pritarė valstybinių universitetų pertvarkos planui – DELFI|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> In early 2018, ] and ] were merged into ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/seimas-pritare-3-universitetu-sujungimui-formuojamas-naujas-darinys.d?id=76893227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113152341/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/education/seimas-pritare-3-universitetu-sujungimui-formuojamas-naujas-darinys.d?id=76893227|archive-date=13 January 2018|title=Seimas pritarė 3 universitetų sujungimui: formuojamas naujas darinys – DELFI|date=13 January 2018}}</ref> | ||
==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
{{Main|Culture of Lithuania}} | {{Main|Culture of Lithuania}} | ||
{{See also|List of Lithuanians}} | |||
===Lithuanian language=== | ===Lithuanian language=== | ||
{{Main|Lithuanian language}} | {{Main|Lithuanian language}} | ||
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The ] (''lietuvių kalba'') is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the ]s of the ]. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 0.2 million abroad. | The ] (''lietuvių kalba'') is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the ]s of the ]. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 0.2 million abroad. | ||
Lithuanian is a ], closely related to ], although they are not ]. It is written in an adapted version of the ]. Lithuanian is believed to be the ] living ], retaining many features of ].<ref name="zinkevicius">{{cite book | author = Z. Zinkevičius | title = Rytų Lietuva praeityje ir dabar | publisher = Vilnius: ] | year = 1993| page = 9| quote=...linguist generally accepted that Lithuanian language is the most archaic among live Indo-European languages...| isbn = 978-5-420-01085-3}}</ref> Lithuanian language studies are important for ] and for reconstruction of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lituanus.org/1969/69_3_02.htm |title=THE IMPORTANCE OF LITHUANIAN FOR INDO-EUROPEAN LINGUISTICS |access-date=21 March 2018 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509145609/http://www.lituanus.org/1969/69_3_02.htm}}</ref> Lithuanian was studied by linguists such as ], ], ], ],<ref>{{cite book|title=Key Thinkers in Linguistics and the Philosophy of Language|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQ6CTNgAbPMC&q=danis+hjelmslev+studied+lithuanian&pg=PA124|format=PDF|page=124|access-date=4 March 2018|isbn = 978-0-19-518768-7|last1 = Chapman|first1 = Siobhan|last2 = Routledge|first2 = Christopher|year = 2005| publisher=Oxford University Press |
Lithuanian is a ], closely related to ], although they are not ]. It is written in an adapted version of the ]. Lithuanian is believed to be the ] living ], retaining many features of ].<ref name="zinkevicius">{{cite book | author = Z. Zinkevičius | title = Rytų Lietuva praeityje ir dabar | publisher = Vilnius: ] | year = 1993| page = 9| quote=...linguist generally accepted that Lithuanian language is the most archaic among live Indo-European languages...| isbn = 978-5-420-01085-3}}</ref> Lithuanian language studies are important for ] and for reconstruction of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lituanus.org/1969/69_3_02.htm |title=THE IMPORTANCE OF LITHUANIAN FOR INDO-EUROPEAN LINGUISTICS |access-date=21 March 2018 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509145609/http://www.lituanus.org/1969/69_3_02.htm}}</ref> Lithuanian was studied by linguists such as ], ], ], ],<ref>{{cite book|title=Key Thinkers in Linguistics and the Philosophy of Language|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQ6CTNgAbPMC&q=danis+hjelmslev+studied+lithuanian&pg=PA124|format=PDF|page=124|access-date=4 March 2018|isbn = 978-0-19-518768-7|last1 = Chapman|first1 = Siobhan|last2 = Routledge|first2 = Christopher|year = 2005| publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Lithuanian Accentuation Mattered to Saussure|url=http://www.lel.ed.ac.uk/~josephj/LHI_Joseph%5b1%5d.pdf|website=Lel.ed.ac.uk|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224193735/http://www.lel.ed.ac.uk/~josephj/LHI_Joseph%5b1%5d.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ], ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Remembering Vladimir Toporov|url=http://www.lituanus.org/2007/07_2_01%20Sabaliauskas.html|website=Lituanus.org|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224180000/http://www.lituanus.org/2007/07_2_01%20Sabaliauskas.html}}</ref> and others. | ||
] book ''Liber Discipuli de eruditione Christifidelium''. Words: ''teprÿdavʒÿ'' (let it strike), ''vbagÿſte'' (indigence).]] | ] book ''Liber Discipuli de eruditione Christifidelium''. Words: ''teprÿdavʒÿ'' (let it strike), ''vbagÿſte'' (indigence).]] | ||
There are two main dialects of the Lithuanian language: ] and ]. Aukštaitian dialect is mainly used in the central, southern and eastern parts of Lithuania while Samogitian dialect is used in the western part of the country.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Lietuvių kalbos tarmės|url=http://geografija6-8.mkp.emokykla.lt/lt/mo/zinynas/lietuviu_kalbos_tarmes/|access-date=27 June 2020}}</ref> The Samogitian dialect also has many completely different words and is even considered a separate language by some linguists.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Juozas Pabrėža: "Stipriausia kalba Lietuvoje yra žemaičių"|url=http://www.santarve.lt/aktualijos/seniunijoje/dr-juozas-pabreza-stipriausia-kalba-lietuvoje-yra-zemaiciu/|website=santarve.lt|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503154650/http://www.santarve.lt/aktualijos/seniunijoje/dr-juozas-pabreza-stipriausia-kalba-lietuvoje-yra-zemaiciu/}}</ref> Nowadays, the distinguishing feature between the two main Lithuanian dialects is the unequal pronunciation of accented and unaccented two-vowels uo and ie.<ref name="auto"/> | There are two main dialects of the Lithuanian language: ] and ]. Aukštaitian dialect is mainly used in the central, southern and eastern parts of Lithuania while Samogitian dialect is used in the western part of the country.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Lietuvių kalbos tarmės|url=http://geografija6-8.mkp.emokykla.lt/lt/mo/zinynas/lietuviu_kalbos_tarmes/|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222325/http://geografija6-8.mkp.emokykla.lt/lt/mo/zinynas/lietuviu_kalbos_tarmes/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Samogitian dialect also has many completely different words and is even considered a separate language by some linguists.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Juozas Pabrėža: "Stipriausia kalba Lietuvoje yra žemaičių"|url=http://www.santarve.lt/aktualijos/seniunijoje/dr-juozas-pabreza-stipriausia-kalba-lietuvoje-yra-zemaiciu/|website=santarve.lt|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503154650/http://www.santarve.lt/aktualijos/seniunijoje/dr-juozas-pabreza-stipriausia-kalba-lietuvoje-yra-zemaiciu/}}</ref> Nowadays, the distinguishing feature between the two main Lithuanian dialects is the unequal pronunciation of accented and unaccented two-vowels uo and ie.<ref name="auto"/> | ||
The groundwork for written Lithuanian was laid in 16th and 17th centuries by Lithuanian noblemen and scholars, who promoted Lithuanian language, created dictionaries and published books – ], ], ], ], ], ], Simonas Vaišnoras-Varniškis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vaišnoras Simonas (Varniškis) apie 1545 – †1600 XI 16|url=http://www.varniai-museum.lt/index.php?mid=11&art=460&langID=1|website=Varniai-museum.lt|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225162228/http://www.varniai-museum.lt/index.php?mid=11&art=460&langID=1}}</ref> | The groundwork for written Lithuanian was laid in 16th and 17th centuries by Lithuanian noblemen and scholars, who promoted Lithuanian language, created dictionaries and published books – ], ], ], ], ], ], Simonas Vaišnoras-Varniškis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vaišnoras Simonas (Varniškis) apie 1545 – †1600 XI 16|url=http://www.varniai-museum.lt/index.php?mid=11&art=460&langID=1|website=Varniai-museum.lt|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225162228/http://www.varniai-museum.lt/index.php?mid=11&art=460&langID=1}}</ref> | ||
The first grammar book of the Lithuanian language ''Grammatica Litvanica'' was published in Latin in 1653 by ]. | The first grammar book of the Lithuanian language ''Grammatica Litvanica'' was published in Latin in 1653 by ]. | ||
]' works and activities are especially important for the Lithuanian literature moving from the use of dialects to a standard Lithuanian language. The linguistic material which he collected was published in the 20 volumes of ] and is still being used in research and in editing of texts and books. He also introduced the letter ''ū'' into Lithuanian writing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Šlekonytė|first1=Jūratė|title=Lietuvių tautosakos populiarintojas Jonas Jablonskis|url=http://www.llti.lt/failai/23_Sukaktys_Jablonskis.pdf|website=llti.lt|access-date=17 February 2018}}</ref> | ]' works and activities are especially important for the Lithuanian literature moving from the use of dialects to a standard Lithuanian language. The linguistic material which he collected was published in the 20 volumes of ] and is still being used in research and in editing of texts and books. He also introduced the letter ''ū'' into Lithuanian writing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Šlekonytė|first1=Jūratė|title=Lietuvių tautosakos populiarintojas Jonas Jablonskis|url=http://www.llti.lt/failai/23_Sukaktys_Jablonskis.pdf|website=llti.lt|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227081301/http://www.llti.lt/failai/23_Sukaktys_Jablonskis.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Literature=== | ===Literature=== | ||
{{Main|Lithuanian literature}} | {{Main|Lithuanian literature}} | ||
] book, '']'' (1547, Königsberg)]] | ] book, '']'' (1547, Königsberg)]] | ||
] (1512–1584) and recounts the ] of ] over Moscow troops (1564).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Radvanas |first1=Jonas |title=Radivilias, sive De vita, et rebus praeclarissime gestis immortalis memoriae |url=http://www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/exhibition-reading-europe/detail.html?id=97294 |website=theeuropeanlibrary.org |publisher=ex officina Ioannis Kartzani |access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref>]] | ] (1512–1584) and recounts the ] of ] over Moscow troops (1564).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Radvanas |first1=Jonas |title=Radivilias, sive De vita, et rebus praeclarissime gestis immortalis memoriae |url=http://www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/exhibition-reading-europe/detail.html?id=97294 |website=theeuropeanlibrary.org |publisher=ex officina Ioannis Kartzani |access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref>]] | ||
There is a great deal of Lithuanian literature written in ], the main scholarly language of the Middle Ages. The edicts of the Lithuanian King ] are the prime example of the literature of this kind. The ] are another crucial heritage of the Lithuanian Latin writings. | There is a great deal of Lithuanian literature written in ], the main scholarly language of the Middle Ages. The edicts of the Lithuanian King ] are the prime example of the literature of this kind. The ] are another crucial heritage of the Lithuanian Latin writings. | ||
One of the first Lithuanian authors who wrote in Latin was ] (around 1480 – after 1533). His poem ''Carmen de statura, feritate ac venatione bisontis'' (''A Song about the Appearance, Savagery and Hunting of the Bison''), published in 1523, describes the Lithuanian landscape, way of life and customs, touches on some actual political problems, and reflects the clash of paganism and Christianity. A person under the pseudonym {{ill|Michalo Lituanus|lt}} (around 1490 – 1560) wrote a treatise '']'' (''On the Customs of Tatars, Lithuanians and Muscovites'') in the middle of the 16th century, but it was not published until 1615. An extraordinary figure in the cultural life of Lithuania in the 16th century was the lawyer and poet of Spanish origin Petrus Roysius Maurus Alcagnicensis (around 1505 – 1571). The publicist, lawyer, and mayor of Vilnius, ] (around 1520–1582) wrote a no longer existent history of Lithuania in Latin around the year 1560. loannes Radvanus, a humanist poet of the second half of the 16th century, wrote an epic poem imitating the ] of ]. His ''Radivilias'', intended to become the Lithuanian national epic, was published in Vilnius in 1588.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dambrauskaitė |first1=Ramunė |title=A Latin Funeral Oration From Vilnius (1594) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=101lb8v-bJcC&pg=PA253 |publisher=Leuven University Press, Humanistica Lovaniensia |access-date=13 July 2018 |location=Leuven |page=253 |date=1995|isbn=978-90-6186-680-0}}</ref> | One of the first Lithuanian authors who wrote in Latin was ] (around 1480 – after 1533). His poem ''Carmen de statura, feritate ac venatione bisontis'' (''A Song about the Appearance, Savagery and Hunting of the Bison''), published in 1523, describes the Lithuanian landscape, way of life and customs, touches on some actual political problems, and reflects the clash of paganism and Christianity. A person under the pseudonym {{ill|Michalo Lituanus|lt}} (around 1490 – 1560) wrote a treatise '']'' (''On the Customs of Tatars, Lithuanians and Muscovites'') in the middle of the 16th century, but it was not published until 1615. An extraordinary figure in the cultural life of Lithuania in the 16th century was the lawyer and poet of Spanish origin Petrus Roysius Maurus Alcagnicensis (around 1505 – 1571). The publicist, lawyer, and mayor of Vilnius, ] (around 1520–1582) wrote a no longer existent history of Lithuania in Latin around the year 1560. loannes Radvanus, a humanist poet of the second half of the 16th century, wrote an epic poem imitating the ] of ]. His ''Radivilias'', intended to become the Lithuanian national epic, was published in Vilnius in 1588.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dambrauskaitė |first1=Ramunė |title=A Latin Funeral Oration From Vilnius (1594) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=101lb8v-bJcC&pg=PA253 |publisher=Leuven University Press, Humanistica Lovaniensia |access-date=13 July 2018 |location=Leuven |page=253 |date=1995|isbn=978-90-6186-680-0}}</ref> | ||
17th century Lithuanian scholars also wrote in Latin – Kazimieras Kojelavičius-Vijūkas, ] are known for their Latin writings in theology, rhetorics and music. Albertas Kojalavičius-Vijūkas wrote first printed Lithuanian history ''Historia Lithuania''. | 17th century Lithuanian scholars also wrote in Latin – {{ill|Kazimieras Kojelavičius-Vijūkas|lt|Kojelavičius}}, ] are known for their Latin writings in theology, rhetorics and music. ] wrote first printed Lithuanian history ''Historia Lithuania''. | ||
Lithuanian literary works in the ] started being first published in the 16th century. In 1547 ] compiled and published the first printed Lithuanian book ''Katekizmo prasti žodžiai'' (''The Simple Words of Catechism''), which marks the beginning of literature, printed in Lithuanian. He was followed by ] with ''Katechizmas''. In the 16th and 17th centuries, as in the whole Christian Europe, Lithuanian literature was primarily religious. | Lithuanian literary works in the ] started being first published in the 16th century. In 1547 ] compiled and published the first printed Lithuanian book ''Katekizmo prasti žodžiai'' (''The Simple Words of Catechism''), which marks the beginning of literature, printed in Lithuanian. He was followed by ] with ''Katechizmas''. In the 16th and 17th centuries, as in the whole Christian Europe, Lithuanian literature was primarily religious. | ||
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The evolution of the old (14th–18th century) Lithuanian literature ends with ], one of the most prominent authors of the ]. Donelaitis' poem ''Metai'' ('']'') is a landmark of the Lithuanian fiction literature, written in ].<ref name="INST">Institute of Lithuanian Scientific Society. {{cite web|url=http://anthology.lms.lt/ |title=Lithuanian Classic Literature |access-date=16 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204191505/http://anthology.lms.lt/ |archive-date=4 February 2005}}</ref> | The evolution of the old (14th–18th century) Lithuanian literature ends with ], one of the most prominent authors of the ]. Donelaitis' poem ''Metai'' ('']'') is a landmark of the Lithuanian fiction literature, written in ].<ref name="INST">Institute of Lithuanian Scientific Society. {{cite web|url=http://anthology.lms.lt/ |title=Lithuanian Classic Literature |access-date=16 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204191505/http://anthology.lms.lt/ |archive-date=4 February 2005}}</ref> | ||
With a mix of ], ] and ], the Lithuanian literature of the first half of the 19th century is represented by ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="INST" /> During the Tsarist annexation of Lithuania in the 19th century, the ] was implemented, which led to the formation of the ] (Book smugglers) movement. This movement is thought to be the very reason the Lithuanian language and literature survived |
With a mix of ], ] and ], the Lithuanian literature of the first half of the 19th century is represented by ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="INST" /> During the Tsarist annexation of Lithuania in the 19th century, the ] was implemented, which led to the formation of the ] (Book smugglers) movement. This movement is thought{{who|date=October 2024}} to be the very reason the Lithuanian language and literature survived. | ||
20th-century Lithuanian literature is represented by ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | 20th-century Lithuanian literature is represented by ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} | ||
In 21st century debuted ], Renata Šerelytė, Valdas Papievis, ], ]. | In 21st century debuted ], Renata Šerelytė, Valdas Papievis, ], ].{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} | ||
===Architecture=== | ===Architecture=== | ||
{{See also|Lithuanian design}} | {{See also|Lithuanian design}} | ||
] by ] |
] by ]]] | ||
Several ] are notable for their achievements in the field of architecture. ], ], ] and ] were instrumental in introducing ] and ] architectural movements to the Lithuanian architecture during the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Baroque architecture|url=http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/9_LITHUANIAN_BAROQUE_ARCHITECTURE.pdf|website=kpd.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021028/http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/9_LITHUANIAN_BAROQUE_ARCHITECTURE.pdf}}</ref> ] is considered as a capital of the Eastern Europe Baroque.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilniaus barokas|url=http://www.ivilnius.lt/apie-vilniu/architektura/barokas/|website=iVilnius.lt|access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref> ] that is full of astonishing Baroque churches and other buildings is a ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilnius Historic Centre|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/541|website=whc.unesco.org|access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref> | Several ] are notable for their achievements in the field of architecture. ], ], ] and ] were instrumental in introducing ] and ] architectural movements to the Lithuanian architecture during the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Baroque architecture|url=http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/9_LITHUANIAN_BAROQUE_ARCHITECTURE.pdf|website=kpd.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021028/http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/9_LITHUANIAN_BAROQUE_ARCHITECTURE.pdf}}</ref> ] is considered as a capital of the Eastern Europe Baroque.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilniaus barokas|url=http://www.ivilnius.lt/apie-vilniu/architektura/barokas/|website=iVilnius.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194854/http://www.ivilnius.lt/apie-vilniu/architektura/barokas/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] that is full of astonishing Baroque churches and other buildings is a ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vilnius Historic Centre|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/541|website=whc.unesco.org|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=27 October 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027114553/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/541|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] | ] | ||
Lithuania is also known for ]. About twenty castles exist in Lithuania. Some castles had to be rebuilt or survive partially. Many ]s' historic ] have remained till the nowadays and were reconstructed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos dvarų duomenų bazė|url=http://www.heritage.lt/dvarai/|website=heritage.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209184503/http://www.heritage.lt/dvarai/|archive-date=9 February 2018}}</ref> Lithuanian village life has existed since the days of ]. ] and ] are two of many ]s in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethnographic settlements of Lithuania|url=http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/23_ETHNOGRAPHIC_SETTLEMENTS_OF_LITHUANIA.pdf|website=kpd.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021041/http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/23_ETHNOGRAPHIC_SETTLEMENTS_OF_LITHUANIA.pdf}}</ref> ] is an open space museum where old ethnographic architecture is preserved. | Lithuania is also known for ]. About twenty castles exist in Lithuania. Some castles had to be rebuilt or survive partially. Many ]s' historic ] have remained till the nowadays and were reconstructed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos dvarų duomenų bazė|url=http://www.heritage.lt/dvarai/|website=heritage.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209184503/http://www.heritage.lt/dvarai/|archive-date=9 February 2018}}</ref> Lithuanian village life has existed since the days of ]. ] and ] are two of many ]s in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethnographic settlements of Lithuania|url=http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/23_ETHNOGRAPHIC_SETTLEMENTS_OF_LITHUANIA.pdf|website=kpd.lt|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021041/http://www.kpd.lt/uploads/EN/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/Heritage%20in%20Lithuania/23_ETHNOGRAPHIC_SETTLEMENTS_OF_LITHUANIA.pdf}}</ref> ] is an open space museum where old ethnographic architecture is preserved. | ||
During the ], ], Lithuanian National Romanticism architectural style buildings were constructed in the Lithuania's temporary capital ]. Its architecture is regarded as one of the finest examples of the European Art Deco and has received the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaunas of 1919–1940, Lithuania|url=https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/actions/heritage-label/sites/kaunas-1919-1940_en|website=ec.europa.eu|access-date=20 February 2018}}</ref> | During the ], ], Lithuanian National Romanticism architectural style buildings were constructed in the Lithuania's temporary capital ]. Its architecture is regarded as one of the finest examples of the European Art Deco and has received the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaunas of 1919–1940, Lithuania|url=https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/actions/heritage-label/sites/kaunas-1919-1940_en|website=ec.europa.eu|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104192723/https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/actions/heritage-label/sites/kaunas-1919-1940_en|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Arts and museums=== | ===Arts and museums=== | ||
{{Main|List of museums in Lithuania}} | {{Main|List of museums in Lithuania}} | ||
]]] | ]]] | ||
The ] 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 |website=Ldm.lt |access-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510013109/http://www.ldm.lt/LDM/History_LAM_en.htm |archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> Among other important museums are the ], where ] pieces comprise a major part of the collection, National Gallery of Art, presenting collection of Lithuanian art of the 20th and 21st century, ] presenting Lithuanian archaeology, history and ethnic culture. In 2018 two private museums were opened – ] devoted to modern and contemporary Lithuanian art and ''Tartle'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tartle.lt/en/news.html |title=Tartle |website=tartle.lt |access-date=1 November 2018 | |
The ] 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 |website=Ldm.lt |access-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510013109/http://www.ldm.lt/LDM/History_LAM_en.htm |archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> Among other important museums are the ], where ] pieces comprise a major part of the collection, National Gallery of Art, presenting collection of Lithuanian art of the 20th and 21st century, ] presenting Lithuanian archaeology, history and ethnic culture. In 2018 two private museums were opened – ] devoted to modern and contemporary Lithuanian art and ''Tartle'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tartle.lt/en/news.html |title=Tartle |website=tartle.lt |access-date=1 November 2018 |quote=The Art Centre TARTLE opened in Užupis district in Vilnius will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with Lithuanian art treasures and historical artefacts from cultural heritage of the pagan times to the contemporary art. The target of the collection and the art centre is not only to collect and bring back to homeland the Lithuanian cultural and historical heritage scattered all over the world.. |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516182614/https://www.tartle.lt/en/news.html |url-status=live}}</ref> exhibiting a collection of Lithuanian art heritage and artefacts. | ||
Perhaps the most renowned figure in Lithuania's art community was the composer ] (1875–1911), an internationally renowned musician. The ] asteroid, identified in 1975, honors his achievements. The ], as well as the only military museum in Lithuania, ], are located in Kaunas. | Perhaps the most renowned figure in Lithuania's art community was the composer ] (1875–1911), an internationally renowned musician. The ] asteroid, identified in 1975, honors his achievements. The ], as well as the only military museum in Lithuania, ], are located in Kaunas. | ||
], ], ] and ] are the most prominent Lithuanian painters of the 18th and 19th centuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lietuvos tapyba |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-tapyba/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=12 February 2022 |language=lt}}</ref> | ], ], ] and ] are the most prominent Lithuanian painters of the 18th and 19th centuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lietuvos tapyba |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-tapyba/ |website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija |access-date=12 February 2022 |language=lt |archive-date=12 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212224043/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-tapyba/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Theatre=== | ===Theatre=== | ||
]]] | |||
Lithuania has some very famous theatre directors well known in the country and abroad. One of them is ]. He was awarded more than forty times with special prizes. Possibly most prestigious award is Swedish Commander Grand Cross: ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Oskaras Koršunovas|url=https://www.okt.lt/kurejai/oskaras-korsunovas/|website=Okt.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|language=lt-LT}}</ref> Today's the most famous theatres in Lithuania are in ], ], ] and ]. It is ], '']'' (Theatre of Freaks) in Vilnius, ], Theatre of Oskaras Koršunovas, Klaipėda Drama Theatre, Theatre of ], Miltinis Drama Theatre in Panevėžys, The Doll's Theatre, ] and others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Teatras|url=https://lrkm.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/teatras|website=lrkm.lrv.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222206/https://lrkm.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/teatras}}</ref> There are some very popular theatre festivals like ''Sirenos'' (Sirens), ''TheATRIUM'', ''Nerk į teatrą'' (Dive into the Theatre) and others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sirenos|url=http://www.sirenos.lt/|website=sirenos.lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FESTIVALIS "TheATRIUM"|url=http://kldt.lt/festivalis-the-atrium/|website=kldt.lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Festivalis "Nerk į teatrą"|url=http://dramosteatras.lt/lt/projektai/festivalis-nerk-i-teatra/|website=dramosteatras.lt}}</ref> The figures dominating in Lithuanian theatre world are directors like ], ], Cezaris Graužinis, Gintaras Varnas, ], Artūras Areima; number of talented actors like Dainius Gavenonis, Rolandas Kazlas, Saulius Balandis, Gabija Jaraminaitė and many others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nariai|url=http://teatrosajunga.lt/member/|website=teatrosajunga.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|language=lt-LT}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania has theatres in ], ], ] and ]. These include ], '']'' (Theatre of Freaks) in Vilnius, ], Theatre of Oskaras Koršunovas, Klaipėda Drama Theatre, Theatre of ], Miltinis Drama Theatre in Panevėžys, The Doll's Theatre, ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Teatras|url=https://lrkm.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/teatras|website=lrkm.lrv.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222206/https://lrkm.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/teatras}}</ref> Theatre festivals include ''Sirenos'' (Sirens), ''TheATRIUM'', ''Nerk į teatrą'' (Dive into the Theatre).<ref>{{cite web|title=Sirenos|url=http://www.sirenos.lt/|website=sirenos.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515175753/https://www.sirenos.lt/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FESTIVALIS "TheATRIUM"|url=http://kldt.lt/festivalis-the-atrium/|website=kldt.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430230735/https://kldt.lt/festivalis-the-atrium/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Festivalis "Nerk į teatrą"|url=http://dramosteatras.lt/lt/projektai/festivalis-nerk-i-teatra/|website=dramosteatras.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222326/http://dramosteatras.lt/lt/projektai/festivalis-nerk-i-teatra/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Lithuanian theatre directors include ], ], Cezaris Graužinis, Gintaras Varnas, ] and Artūras Areima. Actors include Dainius Gavenonis, Rolandas Kazlas, Saulius Balandis and Gabija Jaraminaitė.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nariai|url=http://teatrosajunga.lt/member/|website=teatrosajunga.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627225847/https://teatrosajunga.lt/member/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Theatre director ] was awarded the Swedish Commander Grand Cross – the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Oskaras Koršunovas|url=https://www.okt.lt/kurejai/oskaras-korsunovas/|website=Okt.lt|access-date=18 February 2018|language=lt-LT|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222248/https://www.okt.lt/kurejai/oskaras-korsunovas/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Cinema=== | ===Cinema=== | ||
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On 28 July 1896, ] live photography session was held in the Concerts Hall of the ]. After a year, similar American movies were available with the addition of special ]s that also provided sound. In 1909, Lithuanian cinema pioneers ] and ] released their first movies. Soon the Račiūnas' recordings of Lithuania's views became very popular among the ] abroad. In 1925, Pranas Valuskis filmed movie ''Naktis Lietuvoje'' (Night in Lithuania) about ] that left the first bright Lithuanian footprint in ]. The most significant and mature Lithuanian American movie of the time ''Aukso žąsis'' (Golden goose) was created in 1965 by {{ill|Birutė Pūkelevičiūtė|lt}} that featured motifs from the ] fairy tales. In 1940, ] was opened in ] and currently is the oldest still operational cinema in Lithuania. After the occupation of the state, movies mostly were used for the ] purposes, nevertheless Almantas Grikevičius, Gytis Lukšas, Henrikas Šablevičius, Arūnas Žebriūnas, Raimondas Vabalas were able to overcome the obstacles and create valuable films. After the restoration of the independence, ], ], ], Audrius Juzėnas, ], {{ill|Janina Lapinskaitė|lt}}, Dijana and her husband Kornelijus Matuzevičius received success in international movie festivals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kino Lietuvoje istorija |url=https://sites.google.com/site/lietuvoskinas19/lietuvos-kinas |website=sites.google.com |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225094905/https://sites.google.com/site/lietuvoskinas19/lietuvos-kinas}}</ref> | On 28 July 1896, ] live photography session was held in the Concerts Hall of the ]. After a year, similar American movies were available with the addition of special ]s that also provided sound. In 1909, Lithuanian cinema pioneers ] and ] released their first movies. Soon the Račiūnas' recordings of Lithuania's views became very popular among the ] abroad. In 1925, Pranas Valuskis filmed movie ''Naktis Lietuvoje'' (Night in Lithuania) about ] that left the first bright Lithuanian footprint in ]. The most significant and mature Lithuanian American movie of the time ''Aukso žąsis'' (Golden goose) was created in 1965 by {{ill|Birutė Pūkelevičiūtė|lt}} that featured motifs from the ] fairy tales. In 1940, ] was opened in ] and currently is the oldest still operational cinema in Lithuania. After the occupation of the state, movies mostly were used for the ] purposes, nevertheless Almantas Grikevičius, Gytis Lukšas, Henrikas Šablevičius, Arūnas Žebriūnas, Raimondas Vabalas were able to overcome the obstacles and create valuable films. After the restoration of the independence, ], ], ], Audrius Juzėnas, ], {{ill|Janina Lapinskaitė|lt}}, Dijana and her husband Kornelijus Matuzevičius received success in international movie festivals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kino Lietuvoje istorija |url=https://sites.google.com/site/lietuvoskinas19/lietuvos-kinas |website=sites.google.com |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225094905/https://sites.google.com/site/lietuvoskinas19/lietuvos-kinas}}</ref> | ||
In 2018, 4,265,414 cinema tickets were sold in Lithuania with the average price of €5.26.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faktai ir statistika |url=http://www.lkc.lt/faktai-ir-statistika/ |website=lkc.lt |access-date=22 September 2019 |language=lt-LT}}</ref> | In 2018, 4,265,414 cinema tickets were sold in Lithuania with the average price of €5.26.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faktai ir statistika |url=http://www.lkc.lt/faktai-ir-statistika/ |website=lkc.lt |access-date=22 September 2019 |language=lt-LT |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207204352/http://www.lkc.lt/faktai-ir-statistika/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Music=== | ===Music=== | ||
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| image2 = Dainu svente 2009-07-06.jpg | | image2 = Dainu svente 2009-07-06.jpg | ||
}} | }} | ||
Lithuanian folk music belongs to ] music branch which is connected with ] ] culture. Two instrument cultures meet in the areas inhabited by Lithuanians: stringed (]) and wind instrument cultures. Lithuanian folk music is archaic, mostly used for ritual purposes, containing elements of ] faith. There are three ancient styles of singing in Lithuania connected with ethnographical regions: ], ] and ]. Folk song genres: Sutartinės (Multipart Songs),<ref>{{cite web|title=Sutartinės, Lithuanian multipart songs|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sutartines-lithuanian-multipart-songs-00433|website=ich.unesco.org|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Wedding Songs, War-Historical Time Songs, Calendar Cycle and Ritual Songs and Work Songs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anthology of Lithuanian ethnoculture|url=http://www.lnkc.lt/eknygos/eka/|website=Lnkc.lt|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> | Lithuanian folk music belongs to ] music branch which is connected with ] ] culture. Two instrument cultures meet in the areas inhabited by Lithuanians: stringed (]) and wind instrument cultures. Lithuanian folk music is archaic, mostly used for ritual purposes, containing elements of ] faith. There are three ancient styles of singing in Lithuania connected with ethnographical regions: ], ] and ]. Folk song genres: Sutartinės (Multipart Songs),<ref>{{cite web|title=Sutartinės, Lithuanian multipart songs|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sutartines-lithuanian-multipart-songs-00433|website=ich.unesco.org|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208020335/https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sutartines-lithuanian-multipart-songs-00433|url-status=live}}</ref> Wedding Songs, War-Historical Time Songs, Calendar Cycle and Ritual Songs and Work Songs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anthology of Lithuanian ethnoculture|url=http://www.lnkc.lt/eknygos/eka/|website=Lnkc.lt|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222324/http://www.lnkc.lt/eknygos/eka/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Italian artists organized the first ] in Lithuania on 4 September 1636 at the ] by the order of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Operos dieną Valdovų rūmuose vainikuos pasaulinis šedevras – K. Monteverdžio opera "Orfėjas"|url=http://valdovurumai.lt/aktualijos/claudio-monteverdi-opera-orfejas-lorfeo|website=valdovurumai.lt|access-date=7 September 2015|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308060834/https://www.valdovurumai.lt/aktualijos/claudio-monteverdi-opera-orfejas-lorfeo}}</ref> Currently, operas are staged at the ] and also by independent troupe ]. | Italian artists organized the first ] in Lithuania on 4 September 1636 at the ] by the order of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Operos dieną Valdovų rūmuose vainikuos pasaulinis šedevras – K. Monteverdžio opera "Orfėjas"|url=http://valdovurumai.lt/aktualijos/claudio-monteverdi-opera-orfejas-lorfeo|website=valdovurumai.lt|access-date=7 September 2015|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308060834/https://www.valdovurumai.lt/aktualijos/claudio-monteverdi-opera-orfejas-lorfeo}}</ref> Currently, operas are staged at the ] and also by independent troupe ]. | ||
]]] | ]]] | ||
] was a Lithuanian painter and composer. During his short life he created about 200 pieces of music. His works have influenced modern Lithuanian culture. His ]s ''In the Forest'' (''Miške'') and ''The Sea'' (''Jūra'') were performed only ]. Čiurlionis contributed to symbolism and art nouveau and was representative of the fin de siècle epoch. He has been considered one of the pioneers of abstract art in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Painting {{!}} M. K. Čiurlionis|url=http://ciurlionis.eu/en/painting/|website=ciurlionis.eu|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222149/http://ciurlionis.eu/en/painting/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In Lithuania, ] is important. ] is the only city with three choirs laureates (Brevis, Jauna Muzika and Chamber Choir of the Conservatoire) at the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murauskaitė |first1=Rasa |title=Trys meilės chorui dešimtmečiai. Pokalbis su Vaclovu Augustinu |url=https://www.15min.lt/kultura/naujiena/muzika/trys-meiles-chorui-desimtmeciai-pokalbis-su-vaclovu-augustinu-284-1207238 |website=] |access-date=31 October 2019 |language=lt |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417174122/https://www.15min.lt/kultura/naujiena/muzika/trys-meiles-chorui-desimtmeciai-pokalbis-su-vaclovu-augustinu-284-1207238 |url-status=live}}</ref> There is a long-standing tradition of the ''Dainų šventė'' (]). The first one took place in ] 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Song Festival|url=http://www.dainusvente.lt/en/history/|website=DainuSvente.lt|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611213024/https://www.dainusvente.lt/en/history/}}</ref> In 2008, Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival together with its ] and ] versions was inscribed as UNESCO ].<ref>{{cite book|title=Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|date=2005|publisher=]|page=50|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001473/147344e.pdf|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617201025/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001473/147344e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Gatvės muzikos diena'' (Street Music Day) gathers musicians of various genres annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=Street Music Day|url=http://gmd.lt/en|website=gmd.lt|access-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021339/http://gmd.lt/en|archive-date=11 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
] 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 ]s ''In the Forest'' (''Miške'') and ''The Sea'' (''Jūra'') were performed only ]. Čiurlionis contributed to symbolism and art nouveau and was representative of the fin de siècle epoch. He has been considered one of the pioneers of abstract art in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Painting {{!}} M. K. Čiurlionis|url=http://ciurlionis.eu/en/painting/|website=ciurlionis.eu|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> | |||
Modern classical composers emerged in seventies – ], {{ill|Feliksas Bajoras|lt}}, ], ], ] and others. Most of those composers explored archaic Lithuanian music and its harmonic combination with modern minimalism and neoromanticism.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Modern Music of Lithuania: Past & Present|url=http://www.mic.lt/en/database/classical/history/|website=Mic.lt|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627234436/https://www.mic.lt/en/database/classical/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In Lithuania, ] is very important. ] is the only city with three choirs laureates (Brevis, Jauna Muzika and Chamber Choir of the Conservatoire) at the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murauskaitė |first1=Rasa |title=Trys meilės chorui dešimtmečiai. Pokalbis su Vaclovu Augustinu |url=https://www.15min.lt/kultura/naujiena/muzika/trys-meiles-chorui-desimtmeciai-pokalbis-su-vaclovu-augustinu-284-1207238 |website=] |access-date=31 October 2019 |language=lt}}</ref> There is a long-standing tradition of the ''Dainų šventė'' (]). The first one took place in ] 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian Song Festival|url=http://www.dainusvente.lt/en/history/|website=DainuSvente.lt|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611213024/https://www.dainusvente.lt/en/history/}}</ref> In 2008, Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival together with its ] and ] versions was inscribed as UNESCO ].<ref>{{cite book|title=Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|date=2005|publisher=]|page=50|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001473/147344e.pdf}}</ref> ''Gatvės muzikos diena'' (Street Music Day) gathers musicians of various genres annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=Street Music Day|url=http://gmd.lt/en|website=gmd.lt|access-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021339/http://gmd.lt/en|archive-date=11 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
Jazz scene was active even during the years of Soviet occupation. In 1970–71 the Ganelin/Tarasov/Chekasin trio established the Vilnius Jazz School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jazz in Lithuania|url=http://www.vilniusjazz.lt/press/99jil.php|website=Vilniusjazz.lt|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227190616/http://www.vilniusjazz.lt/press/99jil.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Most known annual events are ], ], Birštonas Jazz. | |||
Conductor ] performing on the scenes of Rome, New York and Birmingham. | |||
Modern classical composers emerged in seventies – ], {{ill|Feliksas Bajoras|lt}}, ], ], ] and others. Most of those composers explored archaic Lithuanian music and its harmonic combination with modern minimalism and neoromanticism.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Modern Music of Lithuania: Past & Present|url=http://www.mic.lt/en/database/classical/history/|website=Mic.lt|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
Jazz scene was active even during the years of Soviet occupation. The real breakthrough would occur in 1970–71 with the coming together of the Ganelin/Tarasov/Chekasin trio, the alleged instigators of the Vilnius Jazz School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jazz in Lithuania|url=http://www.vilniusjazz.lt/press/99jil.php|website=Vilniusjazz.lt|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> Most known annual events are ], ], Birštonas Jazz. | |||
] (MICL) collects, promotes and shares information on Lithuanian musical culture. | ] (MICL) collects, promotes and shares information on Lithuanian musical culture. | ||
====Rock and protest music==== | ====Rock and protest music==== | ||
{{Main|Rock music in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Rock music in Lithuania}} | ||
], which under firm ] actively mocked the ] regime by using ]s in their lyrics, during an ], ] concert in 1987]] | ], which under firm ] actively mocked the ] regime by using ]s in their lyrics, during an ], ] concert in 1987]] | ||
After the ], the ] continued firmly controlling all artistic expressions in Lithuania, and any violations by criticizing the regime would immediately result in punishments.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sinitsyna|first1=Olga|title=CENSORSHIP IN THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS CULTURAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESULTS FOR ARTS AND ART LIBRARIES|date=1999|url=https://forge.fh-potsdam.de/~IFLA/INSPEL/99-1sino.pdf}}</ref> The first local rock bands started to emerge around 1965 and included ''Kertukai'', ''Aitvarai'' and ''Nuogi ant slenksčio'' in Kaunas, and ], ''Vienuoliai'', and ''Gėlių Vaikai'' in Vilnius, among others. Unable to express their opinions directly, the Lithuanian artists began organizing patriotic ] and were using ]s in their songs' lyrics, which were easily identified for their true meanings by the locals.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tilvikaitė|first1=Patricija|title=Ir lietuviškas rokas padėjo Lietuvai atkurti Nepriklausomybę|url=http://www.universitetozurnalistas.kf.vu.lt/2016/08/ir-lietuviskas-rokas-padejo-lietuvai-atkurti-nepriklausomybe/|website=Universitetozurnalistas.kf.vu.lt|access-date=23 August 2016|language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A. Mamontovas: "Roko maršai" buvo toks įrankis, koks dabar yra internetas|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/mamontovas-roko-marsai-buvo-toks-irankis-koks-dabar-yra-internetas-801615|website=Kauno diena / LRT|date=12 March 2017 |
After the ], the ] continued firmly controlling all artistic expressions in Lithuania, and any violations by criticizing the regime would immediately result in punishments.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sinitsyna|first1=Olga|title=CENSORSHIP IN THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS CULTURAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESULTS FOR ARTS AND ART LIBRARIES|date=1999|url=https://forge.fh-potsdam.de/~IFLA/INSPEL/99-1sino.pdf|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308143445/https://forge.fh-potsdam.de/~IFLA/INSPEL/99-1sino.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The first local rock bands started to emerge around 1965 and included ''Kertukai'', ''Aitvarai'' and ''Nuogi ant slenksčio'' in Kaunas, and ], ''Vienuoliai'', and ''Gėlių Vaikai'' in Vilnius, among others. Unable to express their opinions directly, the Lithuanian artists began organizing patriotic ] and were using ]s in their songs' lyrics, which were easily identified for their true meanings by the locals.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tilvikaitė|first1=Patricija|title=Ir lietuviškas rokas padėjo Lietuvai atkurti Nepriklausomybę|url=http://www.universitetozurnalistas.kf.vu.lt/2016/08/ir-lietuviskas-rokas-padejo-lietuvai-atkurti-nepriklausomybe/|website=Universitetozurnalistas.kf.vu.lt|access-date=23 August 2016|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222325/http://www.universitetozurnalistas.kf.vu.lt/2016/08/ir-lietuviskas-rokas-padejo-lietuvai-atkurti-nepriklausomybe/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A. Mamontovas: "Roko maršai" buvo toks įrankis, koks dabar yra internetas|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/mamontovas-roko-marsai-buvo-toks-irankis-koks-dabar-yra-internetas-801615|website=Kauno diena / LRT|date=12 March 2017|access-date=12 March 2017|language=lt|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627235041/https://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/mamontovas-roko-marsai-buvo-toks-irankis-koks-dabar-yra-internetas-801615|url-status=live}}</ref> ] ] band ] and its vocalist ] were one of the most active performers who mocked the Soviet regime by using metaphors. For example, in the song ''Zombiai'' (Zombies), the band indirectly sang about the ] soldiers who occupied the state and its military base in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ukmergės karinis miestelis|url=http://www.autc.lt/lt/architekturos-objektai/1558|website=Autc.lt|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222917/http://www.autc.lt/lt/architekturos-objektai/1558}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Knyga "Antiška" (II dalis): iki "Anties" lietuviai nežinojo, kas yra zombis (ištrauka, video)|url=https://kultura.lrytas.lt/literatura/knyga-antiska-ii-dalis-iki-anties-lietuviai-nezinojo-kas-yra-zombis-istrauka-video.htm|website=]|access-date=29 July 2013|language=lt-LT|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222913/https://kultura.lrytas.lt/literatura/knyga-antiska-ii-dalis-iki-anties-lietuviai-nezinojo-kas-yra-zombis-istrauka-video.htm}}</ref> ]' song ''Kolorado vabalai'' (]) was also a favourite due to its lyrics in which true meaning of the Colorado beetles was intended to be the Soviets decorated with the ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bacanskas|first1=Benas|title=Dainos teatras – Kolorado vabalai (1991-12-25)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDLmyqENH3U| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809142047/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDLmyqENH3U| archive-date=9 August 2021|website=]|access-date=19 December 2014|date=19 December 2014}}</ref> | ||
In the early independence years, rock band ] was particularly popular and gathered tens of thousands of spectators to the concerts.<ref>{{cite web|title=A. Mamontovas: padėsime galutinį tašką "Foje" istorijoje – LRT|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kalba-vilnius/32/26683/a-mamontovas-padesime-galutini-taska-foje-istorijoje|website=LRT|date=6 October 2013|access-date=6 October 2013|language=lt}}</ref> After disbanding in 1997, Foje vocalist ] remained one of the most prominent Lithuanian performers and an active participant in various ] events.<ref>{{cite web|title=A. Mamontovas: populiarumą išnaudoju geriems darbams|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kultura/26/117983/a-mamontovas-populiaruma-isnaudoju-geriems-darbams|website=LRT|date=31 October 2015|access-date=31 October 2015|language=lt}}</ref> ] is famous for creating unofficial Lithuania sport anthem ''Trys milijonai'' (Three million) and official anthem of the ] ''Nebetyli sirgaliai'' (English version was named ''Celebrate Basketball'').<ref>{{YouTube|fmmg3Wl86kQ|Marijonas Mikutavičius – Trys milijonai}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Marijonas Mikutavičius, Mantas, Mia – Nebetyli sirgaliai|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TyDEPzXr3M|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109115739/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TyDEPzXr3M&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=9 January 2019|website=]|access-date=15 October 2014|date=15 October 2014|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | In the early independence years, rock band ] was particularly popular and gathered tens of thousands of spectators to the concerts.<ref>{{cite web|title=A. Mamontovas: padėsime galutinį tašką "Foje" istorijoje – LRT|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kalba-vilnius/32/26683/a-mamontovas-padesime-galutini-taska-foje-istorijoje|website=LRT|date=6 October 2013|access-date=6 October 2013|language=lt|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627232410/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kalba-vilnius/32/26683/a-mamontovas-padesime-galutini-taska-foje-istorijoje|url-status=live}}</ref> After disbanding in 1997, Foje vocalist ] remained one of the most prominent Lithuanian performers and an active participant in various ] events.<ref>{{cite web|title=A. Mamontovas: populiarumą išnaudoju geriems darbams|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kultura/26/117983/a-mamontovas-populiaruma-isnaudoju-geriems-darbams|website=LRT|date=31 October 2015|access-date=31 October 2015|language=lt|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430135756/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/kultura/26/117983/a-mamontovas-populiaruma-isnaudoju-geriems-darbams|url-status=live}}</ref> ] is famous for creating unofficial Lithuania sport anthem ''Trys milijonai'' (Three million) and official anthem of the ] ''Nebetyli sirgaliai'' (English version was named ''Celebrate Basketball'').<ref>{{YouTube|fmmg3Wl86kQ|Marijonas Mikutavičius – Trys milijonai}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Marijonas Mikutavičius, Mantas, Mia – Nebetyli sirgaliai|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TyDEPzXr3M|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109115739/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TyDEPzXr3M&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=9 January 2019|website=]|access-date=15 October 2014|date=15 October 2014|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> | ||
===Cuisine=== | ===Cuisine=== | ||
Line 945: | Line 808: | ||
]]] | ]]] | ||
]'', a ]-based dumpling dish characteristic of ] with meat, ] or mushrooms]] | ]'', a ]-based dumpling dish characteristic of ] with meat, ] or mushrooms]] | ||
Lithuanian cuisine features the products suited to the cool and ] ] of Lithuania: ], ]es, ], ]s, greens, berries, and ]s are locally grown, and dairy products are one of its specialties. ] dishes are very popular in the coastal region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tradicinė lietuviška virtuvė|url=https://www.delfi.lt/gyvenimas/receptai/tradicine-lietuviska-virtuve.d?id=12788805|website=DELFI|access-date=8 April 2007}}</ref> Since it shares its climate and agricultural practices with Northern Europe, Lithuanian cuisine has some similarities to ]. Nevertheless, it has its own distinguishing features, which were formed by a variety of influences during the country's long and difficult history. | Lithuanian cuisine features the products suited to the cool and ] ] of Lithuania: ], ]es, ], ]s, greens, berries, and ]s are locally grown, and dairy products are one of its specialties. ] dishes are very popular in the coastal region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tradicinė lietuviška virtuvė|url=https://www.delfi.lt/gyvenimas/receptai/tradicine-lietuviska-virtuve.d?id=12788805|website=DELFI|access-date=8 April 2007|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417194304/https://www.delfi.lt/gyvenimas/receptai/tradicine-lietuviska-virtuve.d?id=12788805|url-status=live}}</ref> Since it shares its climate and agricultural practices with Northern Europe, Lithuanian cuisine has some similarities to ]. Nevertheless, it has its own distinguishing features, which were formed by a variety of influences during the country's long and difficult history. | ||
Dairy products are an important part of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. These include white cottage cheese (''varškės sūris''), curd (''varškė''), soured milk (''rūgpienis''), sour cream (''grietinė''), butter (''sviestas''), and sour cream butter ''kastinis''. Traditional meat products are usually seasoned, matured and smoked – smoked sausages (''dešros''), lard (''lašiniai''), '']'', smoked ham (''kumpis''). Soups (''sriubos'') – boletus soup (''baravykų sriuba''), cabbage soup (''kopūstų sriuba''), beer soup (''alaus sriuba''), milk soup (''pieniška sriuba''), cold-beet soup (''šaltibarščiai'') and various kinds of porridges (''košės'') are part of tradition and daily diet. Freshwater fish, herring, wild berries and mushrooms, honey are highly popular diet to this day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos virtuvė|url=https://maistologija.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/lietuvos-virtuve/|website=maistologija.wordpress.com|date=7 August 2010|access-date=25 March 2018|language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The only guide to Lithuanian cuisine you will ever need|url=https://www.urbanadventures.com/blog/guide-lithuanian-cuisine.html|website=Urbanadventures.com|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041111/https://www.urbanadventures.com/blog/guide-lithuanian-cuisine.html|archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> | Dairy products are an important part of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. These include white cottage cheese (''varškės sūris''), curd (''varškė''), soured milk (''rūgpienis''), sour cream (''grietinė''), butter (''sviestas''), and sour cream butter ''kastinis''. Traditional meat products are usually seasoned, matured and smoked – smoked sausages (''dešros''), lard (''lašiniai''), '']'', smoked ham (''kumpis''). Soups (''sriubos'') – boletus soup (''baravykų sriuba''), cabbage soup (''kopūstų sriuba''), beer soup (''alaus sriuba''), milk soup (''pieniška sriuba''), cold-beet soup (''šaltibarščiai'') and various kinds of porridges (''košės'') are part of tradition and daily diet. Freshwater fish, herring, wild berries and mushrooms, honey are highly popular diet to this day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos virtuvė|url=https://maistologija.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/lietuvos-virtuve/|website=maistologija.wordpress.com|date=7 August 2010|access-date=25 March 2018|language=lt|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623222139/https://maistologija.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/lietuvos-virtuve/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The only guide to Lithuanian cuisine you will ever need|url=https://www.urbanadventures.com/blog/guide-lithuanian-cuisine.html|website=Urbanadventures.com|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041111/https://www.urbanadventures.com/blog/guide-lithuanian-cuisine.html|archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> | ||
].]] | ].]] | ||
One of the oldest and most fundamental Lithuanian food products was and is rye bread. Rye bread is eaten every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bread played an important role in family rituals and agrarian ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|title=LITHUANIAN TRADITIONAL FOODS – BREAD|url=http://www.lnkc.lt/eknygos/eka/food/bread.html|website=Lnkc.lt|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325233234/http://www.lnkc.lt/eknygos/eka/food/bread.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Lithuanians and other nations that once formed part of the ] share many dishes and beverages. ] also influenced Lithuanian cuisine, introducing pork and potato dishes, such as potato pudding (''kugelis'' or kugel) and ] (''vėdarai''), as well as the baroque tree cake known as '']''. The most exotic of all the influences is Eastern (Karaite) cuisine – the '']'' are popular in Lithuania. Lithuanian noblemen usually hired French chefs, so ] influence came to Lithuania in this way.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kokią įtaką Lietuvos virtuvei padarė prancūzai?|url=https://www.15min.lt/maistas/naujiena/virtuve/kokia-itaka-lietuvos-virtuvei-padare-prancuzai-1044-719414|website=15min.lt|access-date=26 March 2018|language=lt|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326064821/https://www.15min.lt/maistas/naujiena/virtuve/kokia-itaka-lietuvos-virtuvei-padare-prancuzai-1044-719414|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
One of the oldest and most fundamental Lithuanian food products was and is rye bread. Rye bread is eaten every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bread played an important role in family rituals and agrarian ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|title=LITHUANIAN TRADITIONAL FOODS – BREAD|url=http://www.lnkc.lt/eknygos/eka/food/bread.html|website=Lnkc.lt|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
] were using ] ('']'') for thousands of years.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Astrauskas|first1=Antanas|title=Per barzdą varvėjo: svaigiųjų gėrimų istorija Lietuvoje|date=2008|publisher=Baltos lankos|location=Vilnius|isbn=978-9955-23-141-7}}</ref> Beer (''alus'') is the most common alcoholic beverage. Lithuania has a long farmhouse ], first mentioned in 11th century chronicles. Beer was brewed for ancient Baltic ] and rituals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.llti.lt/failai/05_Laurinkienes.pdf|website=Llti.lt|page=18|title=Alus – apeiginis baltų gėrimas|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021048/http://www.llti.lt/failai/05_Laurinkienes.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> Farmhouse brewing survived to a greater extent in Lithuania than anywhere else, and through accidents of history the Lithuanians then developed a commercial brewing culture from their unique farmhouse traditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.garshol.priv.no/download/lithuanian-beer-guide/book.pdf|website=Garshol.priv.no|page=5|title=Lithuanian beer – A rough guide|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215235338/http://www.garshol.priv.no/download/lithuanian-beer-guide/book.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.garshol.priv.no/blog/253.html|website=Garshol.priv.no|title=Trying to understand Lithuanian beer|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430211724/https://www.garshol.priv.no/blog/253.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania is top 5 by consumption of beer per capita in Europe in 2015, counting 75 active breweries, 32 of them are microbreweries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brewersofeurope.org/uploads/mycms-files/documents/publications/2016/stats_2016_web.pdf|website=Brewersofeurope.org|title=Beer statistics – 2016 edition|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701100831/http://www.brewersofeurope.org/uploads/mycms-files/documents/publications/2016/stats_2016_web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The microbrewery scene in Lithuania has grown, with a number of bars focusing on these beers opening in Vilnius and other parts of the country.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} | |||
Lithuanians and other nations that once formed part of the ] share many dishes and beverages. ] also influenced Lithuanian cuisine, introducing pork and potato dishes, such as potato pudding (''kugelis'' or kugel) and ] (''vėdarai''), as well as the baroque tree cake known as '']''. The most exotic of all the influences is Eastern (Karaite) cuisine – the '']'' are popular in Lithuania. Lithuanian noblemen usually hired French chefs, so ] influence came to Lithuania in this way.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kokią įtaką Lietuvos virtuvei padarė prancūzai?|url=https://www.15min.lt/maistas/naujiena/virtuve/kokia-itaka-lietuvos-virtuvei-padare-prancuzai-1044-719414|website=15min.lt|access-date=26 March 2018|language=lt}}</ref> | |||
Eight Lithuanian restaurants are listed in the White Guide Baltic Top 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whiteguide-nordic.com/nyheter/there-is-no-better-time-than-now-to-visit-baltic-restaurants|website=Whiteguide-nordic.com|title=The best restaurants in the Nordics|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124174247/http://www.whiteguide-nordic.com/nyheter/there-is-no-better-time-than-now-to-visit-baltic-restaurants}}</ref> The local „30 geriausių restoranų” guide lists top domestic places,<ref>{{cite news | last1=Laurinavičienė | first1=Beatričė | last2=Budreikienė | first2=Jovita | title=Paskelbti 30 geriausių Lietuvos restoranų, pirmoje vietoje – "Gaspar's" | work=Verslo žinios | date=28 July 2023 | url=https://www.vz.lt/laisvalaikis/maistas-ir-gerimai/2023/07/28/paskelbti-30-geriausiu-lietuvos-restoranu-pirmoje-vietoje--gaspars | language=lt | access-date=5 June 2024 | archive-date=5 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605134437/https://www.vz.lt/laisvalaikis/maistas-ir-gerimai/2023/07/28/paskelbti-30-geriausiu-lietuvos-restoranu-pirmoje-vietoje--gaspars | url-status=live}}</ref> and Lithuanian restaurants will appear in the ] on 13 June 2024.<ref>{{cite news | last=Laurinavičienė | first=Beatričė | title="Michelin" gido įvertinti restoranai – ir Lietuvoje | work=Verslo žinios | date=11 April 2024 | url=https://www.vz.lt/laisvalaikis/maistas-ir-gerimai/2024/04/11/michelin-gido-ivertinti-restoranai--ir-lietuvoje | language=lt | access-date=5 June 2024 | archive-date=5 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605124425/https://www.vz.lt/laisvalaikis/maistas-ir-gerimai/2024/04/11/michelin-gido-ivertinti-restoranai--ir-lietuvoje | url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] were using ] ('']'') for thousands of years.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Astrauskas|first1=Antanas|title=Per barzdą varvėjo: svaigiųjų gėrimų istorija Lietuvoje|date=2008|publisher=Baltos lankos|location=Vilnius|isbn=978-9955-23-141-7}}</ref> Beer (''alus'') is the most common alcoholic beverage. Lithuania has a long farmhouse ], first mentioned in 11th century chronicles. Beer was brewed for ancient Baltic ] and rituals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.llti.lt/failai/05_Laurinkienes.pdf|website=Llti.lt|page=18|title=Alus – apeiginis baltų gėrimas|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021048/http://www.llti.lt/failai/05_Laurinkienes.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> Farmhouse brewing survived to a greater extent in Lithuania than anywhere else, and through accidents of history the Lithuanians then developed a commercial brewing culture from their unique farmhouse traditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.garshol.priv.no/download/lithuanian-beer-guide/book.pdf|website=Garshol.priv.no|page=5|title=Lithuanian beer – A rough guide|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.garshol.priv.no/blog/253.html|website=Garshol.priv.no|title=Trying to understand Lithuanian beer|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> Lithuania is top 5 by consumption of beer per capita in Europe in 2015, counting 75 active breweries, 32 of them are microbreweries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brewersofeurope.org/uploads/mycms-files/documents/publications/2016/stats_2016_web.pdf|website=Brewersofeurope.org|title=Beer statistics – 2016 edition|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> The microbrewery scene in Lithuania has been growing in later years, with a number of bars focusing on these beers popping up in Vilnius and also in other parts of the country. | |||
Eight Lithuanian restaurants are listed in the White Guide Baltic Top 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whiteguide-nordic.com/nyheter/there-is-no-better-time-than-now-to-visit-baltic-restaurants|website=Whiteguide-nordic.com|title=The best restaurants in the Nordics|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124174247/http://www.whiteguide-nordic.com/nyheter/there-is-no-better-time-than-now-to-visit-baltic-restaurants}}</ref> | |||
===Media=== | ===Media=== | ||
{{main|Mass media in Lithuania}} | {{main|Mass media in Lithuania}} | ||
The ] provides for ] and ], and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote these freedoms. However, the constitutional definition of freedom of expression does not protect certain acts, such as incitement to national, racial, religious, or social hatred, violence and discrimination, or slander, and disinformation. It is a crime to deny or "grossly trivialize" Soviet or Nazi German crimes against Lithuania or its citizens, or to deny genocide, ], or ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204308|title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017|website=State.gov|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> | The ] provides for ] and ], and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote these freedoms. However, the constitutional definition of freedom of expression does not protect certain acts, such as incitement to national, racial, religious, or social hatred, violence and discrimination, or slander, and disinformation. It is a crime to deny or "grossly trivialize" Soviet or Nazi German crimes against Lithuania or its citizens, or to deny genocide, ], or ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204308|title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017|website=State.gov|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623221806/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204308|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2021, the best-selling daily national newspapers in Lithuania were '']'' (5.4% of all weekly ]), ''{{ill|Vakaro žinios|lt}}'' (3.2%), '']'' (2.9%). Best-selling weekly newspapers were ''{{ill|lt=Savaitė|Savaitė (1999)|lt}}'' (16.5%), ''{{ill|lt=Žmonės|Žmonės (žurnalas)|lt}}'' (8.4%), ''Prie kavos'' (4.1%), '']'' (3.9%) and '']'' (3.2%).<ref name="Kantar21">{{cite web |title=Annual Review of Media Surveys 2021 |url=https://www.kantar.lt/data/files/Metines_apzvalgos/Annual_Review_of_Media_Surveys_2021.pdf |publisher=Kantar |access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref> | In 2021, the best-selling daily national newspapers in Lithuania were '']'' (5.4% of all weekly ]), ''{{ill|Vakaro žinios|lt}}'' (3.2%), '']'' (2.9%). Best-selling weekly newspapers were ''{{ill|lt=Savaitė|Savaitė (1999)|lt}}'' (16.5%), ''{{ill|lt=Žmonės|Žmonės (žurnalas)|lt}}'' (8.4%), ''Prie kavos'' (4.1%), '']'' (3.9%) and '']'' (3.2%).<ref name="Kantar21">{{cite web |title=Annual Review of Media Surveys 2021 |url=https://www.kantar.lt/data/files/Metines_apzvalgos/Annual_Review_of_Media_Surveys_2021.pdf |publisher=Kantar |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619104838/https://www.kantar.lt/data/files/Metines_apzvalgos/Annual_Review_of_Media_Surveys_2021.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2021, the most popular national ]s in Lithuania were ] (34.6% of the daily |
In 2021, the most popular national ]s in Lithuania were ] (34.6% of the daily audience), ] (32.3%), ] (31.6%), ] (17.3%), ] (16.2%), ] (15.3%).<ref name="Kantar21"/> | ||
The most popular ]s in Lithuania were ] (14.5% of daily listeners), ''Lietus'' (12.7%), '']'' (9.1%) and '']'' (8.5%).<ref name="Kantar21"/> | The most popular ]s in Lithuania were ] (14.5% of daily listeners), ''Lietus'' (12.7%), '']'' (9.1%) and '']'' (8.5%).<ref name="Kantar21"/> | ||
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===Public holidays and festivals=== | ===Public holidays and festivals=== | ||
{{main|Public holidays in Lithuania}} | {{main|Public holidays in Lithuania}} | ||
As a result of a thousand-years history, Lithuania has two ]s. |
As a result of a thousand-years history, Lithuania has two ]s. The first one is the ] on 6 July, marking the establishment of the medieval ] by ] in 1253. The creation of modern Lithuanian state is commemorated on 16 February as a ] on which declaration of independence from Russia and Germany was declared in 1918. ] (previously known as ''Rasos'') is a public holiday with ]ic roots that celebrates a ]. As of 2018, there are 13 public holidays (which come with a day off).<ref>{{cite web|title=National Holidays|url=http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/en/media/cultural-events/national-holidays/|access-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628125054/http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/en/media/cultural-events/national-holidays/|archive-date=28 June 2018}}</ref> | ||
] is an annual ] held since the beginning of the 17th century that commemorates the anniversary of ]'s death and gathers thousands of visitors and many craftsmen. Other notable festivals are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], {{ill|Apuolė 854|lt}}, ]. | ] is an annual ] held since the beginning of the 17th century that commemorates the anniversary of ]'s death and gathers thousands of visitors and many craftsmen. Other notable festivals are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], {{ill|Apuolė 854|lt}}, ]. | ||
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===Sports=== | ===Sports=== | ||
{{Main|Sport in Lithuania}} | {{Main|Sport in Lithuania}} | ||
] is the most popular and ] of Lithuania. The ] has |
] is the most popular and ] of Lithuania. The ] has won the ] on three occasions (], ] and ]), as well a total of 8 other medals in the Eurobasket, the ] and the ]. 76% of the country's population watched the men's national team games live in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuvos krepšinio rinktinės kovas šįmet matė per 2 mln. televizijos žiūrovų|url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/sportas/krepsinis/lietuvos-krepsinio-rinktines-kovas-simet-mate-per-2-mln-televizijos-ziurovu-23-466445|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150127002110/http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/sportas/krepsinis/lietuvos-krepsinio-rinktines-kovas-simet-mate-per-2-mln-televizijos-ziurovu-23-466445|archive-date=27 January 2015|website=15min.lt|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref> Lithuania hosted the Eurobasket in 1939 and ]. The historic Lithuanian basketball team ], from Kaunas, won the European basketball league ] in 1999. Lithuania has ] of ] players, including ] inductees ] and ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers-index/ |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Hall of Famers Index |website=Hoophall.com |access-date=30 April 2016 |archive-date=25 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325102924/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers-index/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and current NBA players ], ].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://pr.nba.com/nba-rosters-international-players-2016-17/ |title=NBA rosters feature record 113 international players from 41 countries and territories |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=25 October 2016 |access-date=11 September 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501012400/https://pr.nba.com/nba-rosters-international-players-2016-17/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
] is ranked eighth worldwide in ].]] | ] is ranked eighth worldwide in ].]] | ||
Lithuania has won a total of ], including 6 gold medals in ], ], ], and ]. Other Lithuanians won Olympic medals representing Soviet Union. ]er ] is the most successful Olympic athlete of independent Lithuania, having won gold medals in the ] and ] games, as well as a bronze in ] and numerous ] medals. More recently, a gold medal was won by 15-year-old swimmer ] at the ] in London, and sparked a rise in popularity for the sport in Lithuania.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} | |||
Lithuania hosted the ], the first time Lithuania had hosted a FIFA tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three cities set to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/futsalworldcup/lithuania2021/media-releases/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.comthree-cities-set-to-host-the-fifa-futsal-world-cup-lithuania-2020tm |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=www.fifa.com}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> | |||
Lithuania has won a total of ], including 6 gold medals in ], ], ], and ]. Numerous other Lithuanians won Olympic medals representing Soviet Union. ]er ] is the most successful Olympic athlete of independent Lithuania, having won gold medals in the ] and ] games, as well as a bronze in ] and numerous ] medals. More recently, the gold medal won by a then 15-year-old swimmer ] at the ] in London sparked a rise in popularity for the sport in Lithuania. | |||
Lithuania has produced prominent athletes in athletics, modern pentathlon, ] and ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and other sports. | |||
Lithuania hosted the ], the first time Lithuania had hosted a FIFA tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three cities set to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/futsalworldcup/lithuania2021/media-releases/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.comthree-cities-set-to-host-the-fifa-futsal-world-cup-lithuania-2020tm |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | |||
Few Lithuanian athletes have found success in ], although facilities are provided by several ice rinks and skiing slopes, including ], the first indoor ski slope in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/sveikata/sveikata/ziemos-sportas-lietuvoje-podukros-vietoje-674533#.VRUtQaM1jct |title=Žiemos sportas Lietuvoje – podukros vietoje |language=lt |website=Kauno.diena.lt |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> In 2018 ] won gold medals at the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jie tai padarė! Lietuviai žaibiškai atsitiesė po šalto dušo ir iškovojo istorinį titulą|url=https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/ziemos-sportas/jie-tai-padare-lietuviai-zaibiskai-atsitiese-po-salto-duso-ir-iskovojo-istorini-titula-295-963998|website=15min.lt|access-date=28 April 2018}}</ref> | Few Lithuanian athletes have found success in ], although facilities are provided by several ice rinks and skiing slopes, including ], the first indoor ski slope in the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/sveikata/sveikata/ziemos-sportas-lietuvoje-podukros-vietoje-674533#.VRUtQaM1jct |title=Žiemos sportas Lietuvoje – podukros vietoje |language=lt |website=Kauno.diena.lt |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=30 April 2016 |archive-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430183452/https://kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/sveikata/sveikata/ziemos-sportas-lietuvoje-podukros-vietoje-674533#.VRUtQaM1jct |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018 ] won gold medals at the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jie tai padarė! Lietuviai žaibiškai atsitiesė po šalto dušo ir iškovojo istorinį titulą|url=https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/ziemos-sportas/jie-tai-padare-lietuviai-zaibiskai-atsitiese-po-salto-duso-ir-iskovojo-istorini-titula-295-963998|website=15min.lt|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625120911/https://www.15min.lt/sportas/naujiena/ziemos-sportas/jie-tai-padare-lietuviai-zaibiskai-atsitiese-po-salto-duso-ir-iskovojo-istorini-titula-295-963998|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Line 1,007: | Line 866: | ||
{{EB1922 Poster|Lithuania, Republic of}} | {{EB1922 Poster|Lithuania, Republic of}} | ||
; Government | ; Government | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115013011/https://www.lrp.lt/en |date=15 January 2016 |
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115013011/https://www.lrp.lt/en |date=15 January 2016}} – Official site of the President of the Republic of Lithuania | ||
* – Official site of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania | * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331224459/https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_k=2 |date=31 March 2022}} – Official site of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406001528/https://lrv.lt/en/ |date=6 April 2021 |
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406001528/https://lrv.lt/en/ |date=6 April 2021}} – Official site of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005094900/https://www.stat.gov.lt/en |date=5 October 2022 |
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005094900/https://www.stat.gov.lt/en |date=5 October 2022}} – Official site of Department of Statistics to the Government of Lithuania | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401141631/http://www.travel.lt/turizmas/selectPage.do?docLocator=1DDDB5E44C7311DAB36D746164617373&inlanguage=en |date=1 April 2013 |
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401141631/http://www.travel.lt/turizmas/selectPage.do?docLocator=1DDDB5E44C7311DAB36D746164617373&inlanguage=en |date=1 April 2013}} – The Official Travel Guide by the Lithuanian National Tourism Development Agency | ||
; General information | ; General information | ||
*{{WorldCat|lh|The Baltic States and geopolitics}} | *{{WorldCat|lh|The Baltic States and geopolitics}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625131927/https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3AGeopolitics+Baltic+States.&qt=hot_subject%2FLH.html |date=25 June 2021}} | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602011848/https://lietuva.lt/en/ |date=2 June 2021 |
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602011848/https://lietuva.lt/en/ |date=2 June 2021}} – Lithuanian internet gates | ||
* . '']''. ]. | * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622180812/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/ |date=22 June 2021}}. '']''. ]. | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161247/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/world-leaders-1/LH.html |date=16 October 2020 |
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161247/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/world-leaders-1/LH.html |date=16 October 2020}} | ||
* from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' | * from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' | ||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604175849/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17536867 |date=4 June 2021}} from the ] | |||
* {{curlie|Regional/Europe/Lithuania}} | |||
* from the ] | |||
* {{wikiatlas|Lithuania}} | * {{wikiatlas|Lithuania}} | ||
; Other | ; Other | ||
* from ] | * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417192223/http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=LT |date=17 April 2021}} from ] | ||
* of Lithuania | * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201632/http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Lithuania |date=18 October 2018}} of Lithuania | ||
* {{osmrelation-inline|72596}} | * {{osmrelation-inline|72596}} | ||
Latest revision as of 05:58, 22 December 2024
Country in Europe For other uses, see Lithuania (disambiguation). "Litwa" redirects here. For other uses, see Litwa (disambiguation). "Lietuva" redirects here. For newspapers under the name Lietuva, see Lietuva (newspaper).
Republic of LithuaniaLietuvos Respublika (Lithuanian) | |
---|---|
Flag Coat of arms | |
Anthem: Tautiška giesmė "National Hymn" | |
Location of Lithuania (dark green) – in Europe (green & dark grey) | |
Capitaland largest city | Vilnius 54°41′N 25°19′E / 54.683°N 25.317°E / 54.683; 25.317 |
Official languages | Lithuanian |
Ethnic groups (2024) |
|
Religion (2021) |
|
Demonym(s) | Lithuanian |
Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
• President | Gitanas Nausėda |
• Prime Minister | Gintautas Paluckas |
• Seimas Speaker | Saulius Skvernelis |
Legislature | Seimas |
Formation | |
• First mentioned | 9 March 1009 |
• Grand Duchy | 1236 |
• Coronation of Mindaugas | 6 July 1253 |
• Union with Poland | 2 February 1386 |
• Commonwealth created | 1 July 1569 |
• Partitioned | 24 October 1795 |
• Independence reinstated | 16 February 1918 |
• Soviet occupation | 19 June 1940 |
• Independence restored | 11 March 1990 |
Area | |
• Total | 65,300 km (25,200 sq mi) (121st) |
• Water (%) | 1.98 (2015) |
Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 2,885,891 (135th) |
• Density | 44/km (114.0/sq mi) (138th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $144.585 billion (88th) |
• Per capita | $50,600 (39th) |
GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $81.979 billion (78th) |
• Per capita | $28,407 (40th) |
Gini (2022) | 36.2 medium inequality |
HDI (2022) | 0.879 very high (37th) |
Currency | Euro (€) (EUR) |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Date format | yyyy-mm-dd |
Drives on | Right |
Calling code | +370 |
ISO 3166 code | LT |
Internet TLD | .lt |
Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast to the southwest, with a maritime border with Sweden to the west. Lithuania covers an area of 65,300 km (25,200 sq mi), with a population of 2.88 million. Its capital and largest city is Vilnius; other major cities include Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. Lithuanians belong to the linguistic group of the Balts and speak Lithuanian.
For millennia, the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea were inhabited by various Baltic tribes. In the 1230s, Lithuanian lands were united for the first time by Mindaugas, who formed the Kingdom of Lithuania on 6 July 1253. Subsequent expansion and consolidation resulted in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which by the 14th century was the largest country in Europe. In 1386, the Grand Duchy entered into a de facto personal union with the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland. The two realms were united into the bi-confederal Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569, forming one of the largest and most prosperous states in Europe. The Commonwealth lasted more than two centuries, until neighbouring countries gradually dismantled it between 1772 and 1795, with the Russian Empire annexing most of Lithuania's territory.
Towards the end of World War I, Lithuania declared Independence in 1918, founding the modern Republic of Lithuania. In World War II, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union, then by Nazi Germany, before being reoccupied by the Soviets in 1944. Lithuanian armed resistance to the Soviet occupation lasted until the early 1950s. On 11 March 1990, a year before the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to break away when it proclaimed the restoration of its independence.
Lithuania is a developed country with a high income and an advanced economy, ranking 37th in the Human Development Index (HDI) and 19th in the World Happiness Report. Lithuania is a member of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the eurozone, the Nordic Investment Bank, the Schengen Agreement, NATO, and OECD. It also participates in the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) regional co-operation format.
Etymology
Main article: Name of LithuaniaThe spelling of Lithuania was a later addition to the original Latinate Lituania since 1800 as a form of hyperforeignism (such as the word author being a superseding form of older autor) influenced by Greek loanwords with the theta; it is ultimately from Lithuanian: Lietuva. The first known record of Lietuva is in a 9 March 1009 story of Saint Bruno in the Quedlinburg Chronicle. The Chronicle recorded a Latinized form of the name Lietuva: Litua (pronounced ). Due to lack of reliable evidence, the true meaning of the name is unknown and scholars still debate it. There are a few plausible versions.
Lietava, a small river not far from Kernavė, the core area of the early Lithuanian state and a possible first capital of the eventual Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is usually credited as the source of the name. However, the river is very small and some find it improbable that such a small and local object could have lent its name to an entire nation. On the other hand, such naming is not unprecedented in world history.
Artūras Dubonis proposed another hypothesis, that Lietuva relates to the word leičiai (plural of leitis). From the middle of the 13th century, leičiai were a distinct warrior social group of the Lithuanian society subordinate to the Lithuanian ruler or the state itself. The word leičiai is used in 14–16th century historical sources as an ethnonym for Lithuanians (but not Samogitians) and is still used, usually poetically or in historical contexts, in the Latvian language, which is closely related to Lithuanian.
History
Main article: History of LithuaniaEarly history and Baltic tribes
Main article: BaltsThe history of Lithuania dates back to settlements founded about 10,000 years ago. The first people settled in the territory of Lithuania after the last glacial period in the 10th millennium BC: Kunda, Neman and Narva cultures. They were traveling hunters. In the 8th millennium BC the climate became warmer and forests developed. The inhabitants of what is now Lithuania travelled less and engaged in local hunting, gathering and fresh-water fishing. The Indo-Europeans, who arrived in the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC, mixed with the local population and formed various Baltic tribes. The Baltic tribes did not maintain close cultural or political contacts with the Roman Empire, while maintaining trade contacts via the amber road.
From the 9th to the 11th centuries, coastal Balts were subjected to raids by the Vikings.
Kingdom of Lithuania, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Main articles: Kingdom of Lithuania, Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and Kościuszko UprisingThe first written record of the name for the country dates back to 1009 AD. Facing the German threat, Mindaugas in the middle of the 13th century united a large part of the Baltic tribes and founded the State of Lithuania, while in 1253 he was crowned as the Catholic King of Lithuania. Moreover by taking advantage of the weakened territory of the former Kievan Rus' due to the Mongol invasion, Mindaugas incorporated Black Ruthenia into Lithuania. After Mindaugas' assassination in 1263, pagan Lithuania was again a target of the Christian crusades of the Teutonic Knights and Livonian Order. Traidenis during his reign (1269–1282) reunified all Lithuanian lands and achieved military successes against the Crusaders, fighting alongside other Baltic tribes, but was unable to militarily assist the Old Prussians in their Great Uprising. Traidenis' main residence was in Kernavė.
From the late 13th century members of the Lithuanian Gediminids dynasty began ruling Lithuania, who consolidated a hereditary monarchy and the status of Vilnius as permanent capital city, christianized Lithuania and by incorporating East Slavs' territories (e.g. principalities of Minsk, Kyiv, Polotsk, Vitebsk, Smolensk, etc.) significantly expanded the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's territory, which reached ~650,000 km2 in the first half of the 14th century. At the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest country in Europe. In 1385, Lithuania formed a dynastic union with Poland through the Union of Krewo. Furthermore, in the late 14th–15th centuries patrilineal members of the Lithuanian ruling Gediminids dynasty ruled not only Lithuania and Poland, but Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, and Moldavia. The German attacks on Lithuania were ceased with a decisive Polish–Lithuanian victory in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and by concluding the Treaty of Melno in 1422.
In the 15th century the strengthened Grand Duchy of Moscow renewed the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars for the Lithuanian-controlled Eastern Orthodox territories. Due to the unsuccessful beginning of the Livonian War, loss of land to the Tsardom of Russia, and pressure by monarch Sigismund II Augustus, a supporter of a close Polish–Lithuanian union, the Lithuanian nobility agreed to conclude the Union of Lublin in 1569 with the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, which created a new federative Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth with a joint monarch (holding both titles of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania), but Lithuania remained a separate state from Poland with its own territory (~300 000 km2), coat of arms, management apparatus, laws, courts, seal, army, treasury, etc. After concluding the real union Lithuania and Poland jointly managed to reach military successes during the Livonian War, occupation of Moscow (1610), war with Sweden (1600–1611), Smolensk war with Russia (1632–1634), etc. In 1588, Sigismund III Vasa personally confirmed the Third Statute of Lithuania where it was stated that Lithuania and Poland have equal rights within the Commonwealth and ensured the separation of powers. The real union strongly intensified the Polonization of Lithuania and Lithuanian nobility.
The mid-17th century was marked with disastrous military loses for Lithuania as during the Deluge most of the territory of Lithuania was annexed by the Tsardom of Russia and even Lithuania's capital Vilnius was fully captured for the first time by a foreign army and ravaged. In 1655, Lithuania unilaterally seceded from Poland, declared the Swedish King Charles X Gustav as the Grand Duke of Lithuania and fell under the protection of the Swedish Empire. However, by 1657 Lithuania was once again a part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth following the Lithuanian revolt against the Swedes. Vilnius was recaptured from the Russians in 1661.
In the second half of the 18th century the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was three times partitioned by three neighboring countries which completely dissoluted both independent Lithuania and Poland from the political map in 1795 after a failed Kościuszko Uprising and short-lived recapture of capital Vilnius in 1794. Most of Lithuania's territory was annexed by the Russian Empire, while Užnemunė [lt] was annexed by Prussia.
Efforts to restore statehood
Main articles: November Uprising, January Uprising, and Lithuanian National RevivalFollowing the annexation the Russian Tsarist authorities implemented Russification policies in Lithuania, which then made a part of a new administrative region Northwestern Krai. In 1812 Napoleon during the French invasion of Russia has established the puppet Lithuanian Provisional Governing Commission to support his war efforts, however after Napoleon's defeat the Russian rule was reinstated in Lithuania.
During the November Uprising (1830–1831) the Lithuanians and Poles jointly attempted to restore their statehoods, however the Russian victory resulted in stricter Russification measures: the Russian language was introduced in all government institutions, Vilnius University was closed in 1832, and theories that Lithuania had been a "Western Russian" state since its establishment were propagated. Subsequently, the Lithuanians once again tried to restore statehood by participating in the January Uprising (1863–1864), but yet another Russian victory resulted in even stronger Russification policies with the introduction of the Lithuanian press ban, pressure of the Catholic Church in Lithuania and Mikhail Muravyov-Vilensky's repressions.
The Lithuanians resisted Russification through an extensive network of Lithuanian book smugglers, secret Lithuanian publishing and homeschooling. Moreover, the Lithuanian National Revival, inspired by Lithuanian history, language and culture, laid the foundations for the reestablishment of an independent Lithuania. The Great Seimas of Vilnius was held in 1905 and its participants adopted resolutions which demanded a wide autonomy for Lithuania.
Restored statehood and occupations
Main articles: Act of Independence of Lithuania and Occupation of the Baltic statesDuring World War I the German Empire annexed Lithuanian territories from the Russian Empire and they became a part of Ober Ost. In 1907, the Lithuanians organized the Vilnius Conference which adopted a resolution, featuring the aspiration for the restoration of Lithuania's sovereignty and military alliance with Germany and elected the Council of Lithuania. In 1918, the short-lived Kingdom of Lithuania was proclaimed; however on 16 February 1918 the Council of Lithuania adopted the Act of Independence of Lithuania which restored Lithuania as democratic republic with its capital in Vilnius and separated that state from all state relations that existed with other nations. In 1918–1920 the Lithuanians defended the statehood of Lithuania during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence with Bolsheviks, Bermontians and Poles. The aims of the newly restored Lithuania clashed with Józef Piłsudski's plans to create a federation (Intermarium) in territories previously ruled by the Jagiellonians. The Lithuanian authorities prevented the 1919 Polish coup attempt in Lithuania and in 1920 during the Żeligowski's Mutiny the Polish forces captured Vilnius Region and established a puppet state of the Republic of Central Lithuania, which in 1922 was incorporated into Poland. Consequently, Kaunas became the temporary capital of Lithuania where the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania was held and other primary Lithuanian institutions operated until 1940. In 1923, the Klaipėda Revolt was organized which unified the Klaipėda Region with Lithuania. The 1926 Lithuanian coup d'état replaced the democratically elected government and president with an authoritarian regime led by Antanas Smetona.
In the late 1930s Lithuania has accepted the 1938 Polish ultimatum, 1939 German ultimatum and transferred the Klaipėda Region to Nazi Germany and following the beginning of the World War II concluded the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty. In 1940 Lithuania has accepted the Soviet ultimatum and recovered the control of historical capital Vilnius, however the acceptance resulted in the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and its transformation into the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1941 during the June Uprising in Lithuania it was attempted to restore independent Lithuania and the Red Army was expelled from its territory, however in a few days Lithuania was occupied by Nazi Germany. In 1944 Lithuania was re-occupied by the Soviet Union and Soviet political repressions along with Soviet deportations from Lithuania resumed. Thousands of Lithuanian partisans and their supporters attempted to militarily restore independent Lithuania, but their resistance was eventually suppressed in 1953 by the Soviet authorities and their collaborators. Jonas Žemaitis, the chairman of the Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters, was captured and executed in 1954, his successor as chairman Adolfas Ramanauskas was brutally tortured and executed in 1957. Since the late 1980s Sąjūdis movement sought for the restoration of independent Lithuania and in 1989 the Baltic Way was held.
1990–present
Main article: Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania On 11 March 1990, the Supreme Council announced the restoration of Lithuania's independence. After refusal to revoke the Act, Soviet forces stormed the Seimas Palace while Lithuanians defended the democratically elected Council. The Act, the first such declaration in the USSR, later was a model and inspiration to other Soviet republics, and strongly influenced the dissolution of the Soviet Union.On 11 March 1990, the Supreme Council announced the restoration of Lithuania's independence. Lithuania became the first Soviet-occupied state to announce the restitution of independence. On 20 April 1990, the Soviets imposed an economic blockade by ceasing to deliver supplies of raw materials to Lithuania. Not only domestic industry, but also the population started feeling the lack of fuel, essential goods, and even hot water. Although the blockade lasted for 74 days, Lithuania did not renounce the declaration of independence.
Gradually, economic relations were restored. However, tensions peaked again in January 1991. Attempts were made to carry out a coup using the Soviet Armed Forces, the Internal Army of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the USSR Committee for State Security (KGB). Because of the poor economic situation in Lithuania, the forces in Moscow thought the coup d'état would receive strong public support. People flooded to Vilnius to defend the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania and independence. The coup ended with a few casualties and material loss. The Soviet Army killed 14 people and injured hundreds. A large part of the Lithuanian population participated in the January Events. On 31 July 1991, Soviet paramilitaries killed 7 Lithuanian border guards on the Belarusian border in what became known as the Medininkai Massacre. On 17 September 1991, Lithuania was admitted to the United Nations.
On 25 October 1992, citizens voted in a referendum to adopt the current constitution. On 14 February 1993, during the direct general elections, Algirdas Brazauskas became the first president after the restoration of independence. On 31 August 1993 the last units of the former Soviet Army left Lithuania.
On 31 May 2001, Lithuania joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since March 2004, Lithuania has been part of NATO. On 1 May 2004, it became a full member of the European Union, and a member of the Schengen Agreement in December 2007. On 1 January 2015, Lithuania joined the eurozone and adopted the European Union's single currency. On 4 July 2018, Lithuania officially joined the OECD. Dalia Grybauskaitė was the first female President of Lithuania (2009–2019) and the first to be re-elected for a second consecutive term. On 24 February 2022, Lithuania declared a state of emergency in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Together with seven other NATO member states, it invoked NATO Article 4 to hold consultations on security. On 11–12 July 2023, the 2023 NATO summit was held in Vilnius.
Geography
Main article: Geography of LithuaniaLithuania is located in the Baltic region of Europe and covers an area of 65,300 km (25,200 sq mi). It lies between latitudes 53° and 57° N, and mostly between longitudes 21° and 27° E (part of the Curonian Spit lies west of 21°). It has around 99 kilometres (61.5 mi) of sandy coastline, only about 38 kilometres (24 mi) of which face the open Baltic Sea, less than the other two Baltic states. 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 country's main and largest river, the Nemunas River, and some of its tributaries carry international shipping.
Lithuania lies at the edge of the North European Plain. Its landscape was smoothed by the glaciers of the last ice age, and is a combination of moderate lowlands and highlands. Its highest point is Aukštojas Hill at 294 metres (965 ft) in the eastern part of the country. The terrain features numerous lakes (Lake Vištytis, for example) and wetlands, and a mixed forest zone covers over 33% of the country. Drūkšiai is the largest, Tauragnas is the deepest and Asveja is the longest lake in Lithuania.
After a re-estimation of the boundaries of the continent of Europe in 1989, Jean-George Affholder, a scientist at the Institut Géographique National (French National Geographic Institute), determined that the geographic centre of Europe was in Lithuania, at 54°54′N 25°19′E / 54.900°N 25.317°E / 54.900; 25.317 (Purnuškės (centre of gravity)), 26 kilometres (16 mi) north of Lithuania's capital city of Vilnius. Affholder accomplished this by calculating the centre of gravity of the geometrical figure of Europe.
Climate
Main article: Geography of Lithuania § ClimateLithuania has a temperate climate with both maritime and continental influences. It is defined as humid continental (Dfb) under the Köppen climate classification (but is close to oceanic in a narrow coastal zone).
Average temperatures on the coast are −2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in January and 16 °C (61 °F) in July. In Vilnius, the average temperatures are −6 °C (21 °F) in January and 17 °C (63 °F) in July. During the summer, 20 °C (68 °F) is common during the day, while 14 °C (57 °F) is common at night; in the past, temperatures have reached as high as 30 or 35 °C (86 or 95 °F). Some winters can be very cold. −20 °C (−4 °F) occurs almost every winter. Winter extremes are −34 °C (−29 °F) in coastal areas and −43 °C (−45 °F) in the east of Lithuania.
The average annual precipitation is 800 mm (31.5 in) on the coast, 900 mm (35.4 in) in the Samogitia highlands, and 600 mm (23.6 in) in the eastern part of the country. Snow occurs every year, and 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 records of measured temperature in the Baltic area cover about 250 years. The data show 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.
Lithuania experienced a drought in 2002, causing forest and peat bog fires.
Biodiversity and conservation
Main articles: Fauna of Lithuania and Flora of Lithuania Lithuanian flatlands with lakes, swamps and forests. Lithuania has thousands of lakes.Sand dunes of the Curonian Spit near Nida, which are the highest drifting sand dunes in Europe (UNESCO World Heritage Site)After the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990, the Aplinkos apsaugos įstatymas (Environmental Protection Act) was adopted already in 1992. The law provided the foundations for regulating social relations in the field of environmental protection, established the basic rights and obligations of legal and natural persons in preserving the biodiversity inherent in Lithuania, ecological systems and the landscape. Lithuania agreed to cut carbon emissions by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020 and by at least 40% by 2030, together with all European Union members. Also, by 2020 at least 20% (27% by 2030) of the country's total energy consumption should be from the renewable energy sources. In 2016, Lithuania introduced especially effective container deposit legislation, which resulted in collecting 92% of all packagings in 2017.
Lithuania does not have high mountains and its landscape is dominated by blooming meadows, dense forests and fertile fields of cereals. However, it stands out by the abundance of hillforts, which previously had castles where the ancient Lithuanians burned altars for pagan gods. Lithuania is a particularly watered region with more than 3,000 lakes, mostly in the northeast. The country is also drained by numerous rivers, most notably the longest Nemunas. Lithuania is home to two terrestrial ecoregions: Central European mixed forests and Sarmatic mixed forests.
Forest has long been one of the most important natural resources in Lithuania. Forests occupy one-third of the country's territory and timber-related industrial production accounts for almost 11% of industrial production in the country. Lithuania has five national parks, 30 regional parks, 402 nature reserves, 668 state-protected natural heritage objects.
In 2018 Lithuania was ranked fifth, second to Sweden (first 3 places were not granted) in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). It had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 1.62/10, ranking it 162nd globally out of 172 countries.
Lithuanian ecosystems include natural and semi-natural (forests, bogs, wetlands and meadows), and anthropogenic (agrarian and urban) ecosystems. Among natural ecosystems, forests are particularly important to Lithuania, covering 33% of the country's territory. Wetlands (raised bogs, fens, transitional mires, etc.) cover 7.9% of the country, with 70% of wetlands having been lost due to drainage and peat extraction between 1960 and 1980. Changes in wetland plant communities resulted in the replacement of moss and grass communities by trees and shrubs, and fens not directly affected by land reclamation have become drier as a result of a drop in the water table. There are 29,000 rivers with a total length of 64,000 km in Lithuania, the Nemunas River basin occupying 74% of the territory of the country. Due to the construction of dams, approximately 70% of spawning sites of potential catadromous fish species have disappeared. In some cases, river and lake ecosystems continue to be impacted by anthropogenic eutrophication.
Agricultural land comprises 54% of Lithuania's territory (roughly 70% of that is arable land and 30% meadows and pastures), approximately 400,000 ha of agricultural land is not farmed, and acts as an ecological niche for weeds and invasive plant species. Habitat deterioration is occurring in regions with very productive and expensive lands as crop areas are expanded. Currently, 18.9% of all plant species, including 1.87% of all known fungi species and 31% of all known species of lichens, are listed in the Lithuanian Red Data Book. The list also contains 8% of all fish species.
The wildlife populations have rebounded as the hunting became more restricted and urbanization allowed replanting forests (forests already tripled in size since their lows). Currently, Lithuania has approximately 250,000 larger wild animals or 5 per each square kilometre. The most prolific large wild animal in every part of Lithuania is the roe deer, with 120,000 of them. They are followed by boars (55,000). Other ungulates are the deer (~22,000), fallow-deer (~21,000) and the largest one: moose (~7,000). Among the Lithuanian predators, foxes are the most common (~27,000). Wolves are, however, more ingrained into the mythology as there are just 800 in Lithuania. Even rarer are the lynxes (~200). The large animals mentioned above exclude the rabbit, ~200,000 of which may live in the Lithuanian forests.
Government and politics
Main article: Politics of LithuaniaGovernment
Since Lithuania declared the restoration of its independence on 11 March 1990, it has maintained strong democratic traditions. It held its first independent general elections on 25 October 1992, in which 56.75% of voters supported the new constitution. There were intense debates concerning the constitution, particularly the role of the president. A separate referendum was held on 23 May 1992 to gauge public opinion on the matter, and 41% of voters supported the restoration of the President of Lithuania. Through compromise, a semi-presidential system was agreed on.
Gitanas Nausėda,President since 2019Ingrida Šimonytė,
Prime Minister since 2020
The Lithuanian head of state is the president, directly elected for a five-year term and serving a maximum of two terms. The president oversees foreign affairs and national security, and is the commander-in-chief of the military. The president also appoints the 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 except the Constitutional Court. The current Lithuanian head of state, Gitanas Nausėda was elected on 26 May 2019 by unanimously winning in all municipalities of Lithuania in the second election round. He was re-elected in 2024, winning more than 74% of the run-off votes.
The judges of the Constitutional Court (Konstitucinis Teismas) serve nine-year terms. The court is renewed by a third every three years. The judges are appointed by the Seimas, on the nomination of the President, Chairman of the Seimas, and the Chairman of the Supreme Court,. The unicameral Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has 141 members who are elected to four-year terms. 71 of the members of its members are elected in single-member constituencies, and the others 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.
Political parties and elections
Main article: Elections in LithuaniaLithuania was one of the first countries in the world to grant women a right to vote in the elections. Lithuanian women were allowed to vote by the 1918 Constitution of Lithuania and used their newly granted right for the first time in 1919. By doing so, Lithuania allowed it earlier than such democratic countries as the United States (1920), France (1945), Greece (1952), Switzerland (1971).
Lithuania exhibits a fragmented multi-party system, with a number of small parties in which coalition governments are common. Ordinary elections to the Seimas take place on the second Sunday of October every four years. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 21 years old on the election day, not under allegiance to a foreign state and permanently reside in Lithuania. Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the election are not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments may not stand for election. Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats won the 2020 Lithuanian parliamentary elections and gained 50 of 141 seats in the parliament. In October 2020, the prime ministerial candidate of Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) Ingrida Šimonytė formed a centre-right coalition with two liberal parties.
The President of Lithuania is the head of state of the country, elected to a five-year term in a majority vote. Elections take place on the last Sunday no more than two months before the end of current presidential term. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 40 years old on the election day and reside in Lithuania for at least three years, in addition to satisfying the eligibility criteria for a member of the parliament. Same President may serve for not more than two terms. Gitanas Nausėda was elected as an independent candidate in 2019 and re-elected in 2024.
Each municipality in Lithuania is governed by a municipal council and a mayor, who is a member of the municipal council. The number of members, elected on a four-year term, in each municipal council depends on the size of the municipality and varies from 15 (in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents) to 51 (in municipalities with more than 500,000 residents). 1,524 municipal council members were elected in 2015. Members of the council, with the exception of the mayor, are elected using proportional representation. Starting with 2015, the mayor is elected directly by the majority of residents of the municipality. Social Democratic Party of Lithuania won most of the positions in the 2015 elections (372 municipal councils seats and 16 mayors).
As of 2019, the number of seats in the European Parliament allocated to Lithuania was 11. Ordinary elections take place on a Sunday on the same day as in other EU countries. The vote is open to all citizens of Lithuania, as well as citizens of other EU countries that permanently reside in Lithuania, who are at least 18 years old on the election day. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 21 years old on the election day, a citizen of Lithuania or a citizen of another EU country permanently residing in Lithuania. Candidates are not allowed to stand for election in more than one country. Persons serving or due to serve a sentence imposed by the court 65 days before the election are not eligible. Also, judges, citizens performing military service, and servicemen of professional military service and officials of statutory institutions and establishments may not stand for election. Six political parties and one committee representatives gained seats in the 2019 elections.
Law and law enforcement
Main article: Law of LithuaniaThe first attempt to codify the Lithuanian laws was in 1468 when the Casimir's Code was compiled and adopted by Grand Duke Casimir IV Jagiellon. In the 16th century three editions of the Statutes of Lithuania were created with the First Statute being adopted in 1529, the Second Statute in 1566, and the Third Statute in 1588. On 3 May 1791, the Europe's first and the world's second Constitution was adopted by the Great Sejm. The Third Statute was partly in force in the territory of Lithuania even until 1840, despite the Third Partition of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795.
In 1934–1935, Lithuania held the first mass trial of the Nazis in Europe, the convicted were sentenced to imprisonment in a heavy labor prison and capital punishments.
After regaining of independence in 1990, the largely modified Soviet legal codes were in force for about a decade. The current Constitution of Lithuania was adopted on 25 October 1992. In 2001, the Civil Code of Lithuania was passed in Seimas. It was succeeded by the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in 2003. The approach to the criminal law is inquisitorial, as opposed to adversarial; it is generally characterised by an insistence on formality and rationalisation, as opposed to practicality and informality. Normative legal act enters into force on the next day after its publication in the Teisės aktų registras, unless it has a later entry into force date.
The European Union law is an integral part of the Lithuanian legal system since 1 May 2004.
Lithuania, after breaking away from the Soviet Union, had a difficult crime situation, however, the Lithuanian law enforcement agencies fought crime over the years, making Lithuania a reasonably safe country. Crime in Lithuania has been declining rapidly. Law enforcement in Lithuania is primarily the responsibility of local Lietuvos policija (Lithuanian Police) commissariats. They are supplemented by the Lietuvos policijos antiteroristinių operacijų rinktinė Aras (Anti-Terrorist Operations Team of the Lithuanian Police Aras), Lietuvos kriminalinės policijos biuras (Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau), Lietuvos policijos kriminalistinių tyrimų centras (Lithuanian Police Forensic Research Center) and Lietuvos kelių policijos tarnyba (Lithuanian Road Police Service).
In 2017, there were 63,846 crimes registered in Lithuania. Of these, thefts comprised a large part with 19,630 cases (13.2% less than in 2016). While 2,835 crimes were serious and very serious (crimes that may lead to more than six years imprisonment), which is 14.5% less than in 2016. In total, 129 homicides or attempted homicide occurred (19.9% less than in 2016), while serious bodily harm was registered 178 times (17.6% less than in 2016). Another problematic crime contraband cases also decreased by 27.2% from 2016 numbers. Meanwhile, crimes in electronic data and information technology security fields noticeably increased by 26.6%. In the 2013 Special Eurobarometer, 29% of Lithuanians said that corruption affects their daily lives (EU average 26%). Moreover, 95% of Lithuanians regarded corruption as widespread in their country (EU average 76%), and 88% agreed that bribery and the use of connections is often the easiest way of obtaining certain public services (EU average 73%). Though, according to local branch of Transparency International, corruption levels have been decreasing over the past decade.
Capital punishment in Lithuania was suspended in 1996 and eliminated in 1998. Lithuania has the highest number of prison inmates in the EU. According to scientist Gintautas Sakalauskas, this is not because of a high criminality rate in the country, but due to Lithuania's high repression level and the lack of trust of the convicted, who are frequently sentenced to imprisonment.
Administrative divisions
Main article: Administrative divisions of Lithuania See also: Counties of Lithuania, Municipalities of Lithuania, Elderships of Lithuania, and Cultural regions of LithuaniaAlytus County
Kaunas County
Klaipėda
County
Marijampolė
County
Panevėžys County
Šiauliai County
Tauragė County
Telšiai County
Utena County
Vilnius County Baltic Sea Latvia Belarus Poland Russia
The current system of administrative division was established in 1994 and modified in 2000 to meet the requirements of the European Union. The country's 10 counties (Lithuanian: singular – apskritis, plural – apskritys) are subdivided into 60 municipalities (Lithuanian: singular – savivaldybė, plural – savivaldybės), and further divided into 500 elderships (Lithuanian: singular – seniūnija, plural – seniūnijos). There are also 5 distinct cultural regions in Lithuania – Dzūkija, Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, Samogitia and Lithuania Minor, which are recognized by the state.
Municipalities have been the most important unit of administration in Lithuania since the system of county governorship (apskrities viršininkas) was dissolved in 2010. Some municipalities are historically called "district municipalities" (often shortened to "district"), while others are called "city municipalities" (sometimes shortened to "city"). Each has its own elected government. The election of municipality councils originally occurred every three years, but now takes place every four years. The council appoints elders to govern the elderships. Mayors have been directly elected since 2015; prior to that, they were appointed by the council.
Elderships, numbering over 500, are the smallest administrative units and do not play a role in national politics. They provide necessary local public services—for example, registering births and deaths in rural areas. They are most active in the social sector, identifying needy individuals or families and organizing and distributing welfare and other forms of relief. Some citizens feel that elderships have no real power and receive too little attention, and that they could otherwise become a source of local initiative for addressing rural problems.
County | Area (km) | Population (2023) | GDP (billion EUR) | GDP per capita (EUR) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alytus County | 5,425 | 135,367 | 1.8 | 13,600 |
Kaunas County | 8,089 | 580,333 | 13.7 | 23,900 |
Klaipėda County | 5,209 | 336,104 | 7.0 | 21,300 |
Marijampolė County | 4,463 | 135,891 | 2.0 | 14,400 |
Panevėžys County | 7,881 | 211,652 | 3.6 | 17,100 |
Šiauliai County | 8,540 | 261,764 | 4.6 | 17,600 |
Tauragė County | 4,411 | 90,652 | 1.2 | 13,200 |
Telšiai County | 4,350 | 131,431 | 2.2 | 16,900 |
Utena County | 7,201 | 125,462 | 1.7 | 13,800 |
Vilnius County | 9,731 | 851,346 | 29.4 | 35,300 |
Lithuania | 65,300 | 2,860,002 | 67.4 | 23,800 |
Foreign relations
Main article: Foreign relations of LithuaniaLithuania 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, as well as NATO and its adjunct North Atlantic Coordinating Council. Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization on 31 May 2001, and joined the OECD on 5 July 2018, while also seeking membership in other Western organizations.
Lithuania has established diplomatic relations with 149 countries.
In 2011, Lithuania hosted the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Ministerial Council Meeting. During the second half of 2013, Lithuania assumed the role of the presidency of the European Union.
Lithuania is also active in developing cooperation among northern European countries. It is a member of the interparliamentary Baltic Assembly, the intergovernmental Baltic Council of Ministers and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
Lithuania also cooperates with Nordic and the two other Baltic countries through the Nordic-Baltic Eight format. A similar format, NB6, unites Nordic and Baltic members of EU. NB6's focus is to discuss and agree on positions before presenting them to the Council of the European Union and at the meetings of EU foreign affairs ministers.
The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) was established in Copenhagen in 1992 as an informal regional political forum. Its main aim is to promote integration and to close contacts between the region's countries. The members of CBSS are Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia, and the European Commission. Its observer states are Belarus, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
The Nordic Council of Ministers and Lithuania engage in political cooperation to attain mutual goals and to determine new trends and possibilities for joint cooperation. The council's information office aims to disseminate Nordic concepts and to demonstrate and promote Nordic cooperation.
Lithuania, together with the five Nordic countries and the two other Baltic countries, is a member of the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and cooperates in its NORDPLUS programme, which is committed to education.
The 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 BDF's 12th summit was held in Vilnius.
Poland was highly supportive of Lithuanian independence, despite Lithuania's discriminatory treatment of its Polish minority. The former Solidarity leader and Polish President Lech Wałęsa criticised the government of Lithuania over discrimination against the Polish minority and rejected Lithuania's Order of Vytautas the Great. Lithuania maintains greatly warm mutual relations with Georgia and strongly supports its European Union and NATO aspirations. During the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, when the Russian troops were occupying the territory of Georgia and approaching towards the Georgian capital Tbilisi, President Valdas Adamkus, together with the Polish and Ukrainian presidents, went to Tbilisi by answering to the Georgians request of the international assistance. Shortly, Lithuanians and the Lithuanian Catholic Church also began collecting financial support for the war victims.
In 2004–2009, Dalia Grybauskaitė served as European Commissioner for Financial Programming and the Budget within the José Manuel Barroso-led Commission.
In 2013, Lithuania was elected to the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term, becoming the first Baltic country elected to this post. During its membership, Lithuania actively supported Ukraine and often condemned Russia for the war in Ukraine, immediately earning vast Ukrainians esteem. As the war in Donbas progressed, President Dalia Grybauskaitė has compared the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Josef Stalin and to Adolf Hitler, she has also called Russia a "terrorist state".
In 2018 Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia were awarded the Peace of Westphalia Prize [de] – for their exceptional model of democratic development and contribution to peace in the continent. In 2019 Lithuania condemned the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria. In December 2021, Lithuania reported that in an escalation of the diplomatic spat with China over its relations with Taiwan, China had stopped all imports from Lithuania. According to Lithuanian intelligence agencies, in 2023 there was an increase in Chinese intelligence activity against Lithuania, including cyberespionage and increased focus on Lithuania's internal affairs and foreign policy.
The 2023 NATO summit was held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
Military
Main article: Lithuanian Armed ForcesThe 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. 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 20,000 active personnel, which may be supported by reserve forces. Compulsory conscription ended in 2008 but was reintroduced in 2015. The Lithuanian Armed Forces currently have 30 soldiers and officers participating in nine international operations and European Union training missions deployed in Kosovo, Iraq, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Mozambique, Spain, Italy, and in the United Kingdom, providing training for Ukrainian soldiers on Operation Interflex.
Lithuania became a full member of NATO in March 2004. Fighter jets of NATO members are deployed in Šiauliai Air Base and provide safety for the Baltic airspace.
Beginning in summer of 2005, Lithuania was 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 included personnel from Denmark, Iceland and the US. There were also special operation forces units in Afghanistan, placed in Kandahar Province. Since joining international operations in 1994, Lithuania has lost two soldiers: 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.
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 and airspace, and its constitutional order. Its main strategic goals are to defend the country's interests, and to maintain and expand the capabilities of its armed forces so they may contribute to and participate in the missions of NATO and European Union member states.
The defense ministry is responsible for combat forces, search and rescue, and intelligence operations. The 5,000 border guards fall under the Interior Ministry's supervision and are responsible for border protection, passport and customs duties, and share responsibility with the navy for smuggling and drug trafficking interdiction. A special security department handles VIP protection and communications security. In 2015 National Cyber Security Centre of Lithuania was created. Paramilitary organisation Lithuanian Riflemen's Union acts as a civilian self-defence institution.
According to NATO, in 2020, Lithuania allocated 2.13% of its GDP to the national defense. For a long time, especially after the global financial crisis in 2008, Lithuania lagged behind NATO allies in terms of defence spending. However, in recent years it has begun to rapidly increase the funding, exceeding the NATO guideline of 2% in 2019.
Lithuania's president Gitanas Nausėda called for more NATO troops on 22 April 2022, saying NATO should increase its deployment of troops in Lithuania and elsewhere on Europe's eastern flank following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, during a meeting in Vilnius.
Economy
Main article: Economy of LithuaniaThis section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2024) |
Lithuania has an open and mixed economy that is classified as a high-income economy by the World Bank. As of 2017 the three largest sectors were – services (67% of GDP), industry (29%) and agriculture (3%). Lithuania joined NATO in 2004, EU in 2004, Schengen in 2007 and OECD in 2018. On 1 January 2015, the euro became the national currency, replacing litas at the rate of EUR 1.00 = LTL 3.45280.
Agricultural products and food comprise 18% of exports; other major sectors include chemical products and plastics (18%), machinery and appliances (16%), mineral products (15%), wood and furniture (13%). As of 2016 more than half of exports go to 7 countries including Russia (14%), Latvia (10%), Poland (9%), Germany (8%), Estonia (5%), Sweden (%) and the UK (4%). Exports equaled 81% of GDP in 2017.
GDP experienced very high real growth rates for the decade up to 2009, peaking at 11% in 2007. As a result, the country was often termed a Baltic Tiger. However, in 2009 due to the 2007–2008 financial crisis, GDP contracted 15% and unemployment rate reached 17.8% in 2010. Growth has since been much slower. According to the IMF, financial conditions are conducive to growth and financial soundness indicators remain strong. The public debt ratio in 2016 was 40% of GDP, it had been 15% in 2008.
On average, more than 95% of all foreign direct investment comes from EU countries. Sweden is historically the largest investor with 20% – 30% of FDI. FDI into Lithuania spiked in 2017, reaching its highest ever recorded number of greenfield investment projects. In 2017, Lithuania was third, after Ireland and Singapore by the average job value of investment projects. The US was the leading source country in 2017, 25% of total FDI. Next up were Germany and the UK, each representing 11% of total project numbers. Based on the Eurostat's data, in 2017, the value of exports recorded the most rapid growth not only in the Baltic countries, but across Europe, which was 17%.
Between 2004 and 2016, one out of five Lithuanians emigrated, primarily due to insufficient income for residents; secondarily seeking to study. Long term emigration and economic growth has resulted in a shortage in the labor market and growth in salaries being larger than growth in labor efficiency. Unemployment in 2017 was 8%.
As of 2022, Lithuanian median wealth per adult was $32,000 (mean was $70,000), while total national wealth was $147bn. As of 2023 Q2, the average monthly gross salary in Lithuania was €2,000.
Lithuania has a flat tax rather than a progressive scheme. The personal income tax (15%) and corporate tax (15%) rates are among the lowest in the EU. The country has the lowest implicit rate of tax on capital (9.8%) in the EU. The corporate tax rate is 15% and 5% for small businesses; 7 free economic zones operate.
Information technology production is growing, reaching €2 billion in 2016. In 2017 only, 35 FinTech companies came to Lithuania – a result of the government and Bank of Lithuania simplifying procedures. Lithuania has granted a total of 39 e-money licenses, second in the EU only to the UK with 128 licenses. In 2018 Google set up a payment company in Lithuania. Europe's first international Blockchain Centre launched in Vilnius in 2018. Since 2021, Lithuania has issued hundreds of licenses for cryptocurrency exchange and storage operations, making it one of the leading countries in the EU in this sector.
Agriculture
Main article: Agriculture in LithuaniaAgriculture in Lithuania dates to the Neolithic period, about 3,000 to 1,000 BC. It has been one of Lithuania's most important occupations for many centuries. Lithuania's accession to the European Union in 2004 ushered in a new agricultural era. The EU pursues a very high standard of food safety and purity. In 1999, the Seimas (parliament) of Lithuania adopted a Law on Product Safety, and in 2000 it adopted a Law on Food. The reform of the agricultural market has been carried out on the basis of these two laws.
In 2016, agricultural production was €2.3 billion. Cereal crops occupied the largest part (5710 tons), other significant types include: sugar beet (934 tons), rapeseed (393 tons) and potatoes (340 tons). Products totaling €4,385 million were exported to foreign markets, of which products for €3,165 million were of Lithuanian origin. Export of agricultural and food products accounted for 19% of all exports of goods.
Organic farming is becoming more popular. The status of organic growers and producers is granted by the public body Ekoagros. In 2016, there were 2539 such farms that occupied 225,542 hectares. Of these, 43% were cereals, 31% perennial grasses, 14% leguminous crops and 12% others.
Science and technology
Lithuanian nobleman and artillery expert Kazimieras Simonavičius developed and popularized the concept of a multistage rocket.The foundation of the University of Vilnius in 1579 was a major factor in fostering a scientific and academic community within Lithuania. The university has welcomed such prominent scientists and thinkers as Georg Forster, Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert, Johann Peter Frank. The 17th century artillery expert Kazimieras Simonavičius is considered a pioneer of rocketry; his publication, the Artis Magnae Artilleriae, was a basic artillery manual throughout Europe, containing a large chapter on caliber, construction, production and properties of rockets (for military and civil purposes), including multistage rockets, batteries of rockets, and rockets with delta wing stabilizers. Botanist Jurgis Pabrėža (1771–1849) created the first systematic guide of Lithuanian flora, Taislius auguminis (Botany), written in the Samogitian dialect, the Latin-Lithuanian dictionary of plant names, and the first Lithuanian geography textbook. German scientist Theodor Grotthuss (1785–1822), who proposed the Grotthuss mechanism, lived and worked in the Gedučiai manor [lt], where he gained local prominence for his effort to educate and improve the well-being of peasants.
The world wars of the 20th century severely diminished Lithuanian science and academia, although Lithuanian scholars and scientists managed to succeed, particularly abroad, including philosopher Vosylius Sezemanas, jurist Mykolas Römeris, aviator Antanas Gustaitis, management theorist Vytautas Andrius Graičiūnas, archaeologist Marija Gimbutas, primatologist Birutė Galdikas, linguist Algirdas Julien Greimas, and medievalist Jurgis Baltrušaitis. Mathematician Jonas Kubilius, long-term rector of the University of Vilnius, is known for works in Probabilistic number theory, including the Kubilius model, Theorem of Kubilius and the Turán–Kubilius inequality. Kubilius also successfully resisted attempts to Russify the university.
Lasers and biotechnology are flagship fields of the Lithuanian science and high-tech industry. Šviesos konversija ("Light Conversion") has developed a femtosecond laser system that has 80% market share worldwide, with applications in DNA research, ophthalmological surgeries, and nanotechnology. The Vilnius University Laser Research Center has developed one of the most powerful femtosecond lasers in the world dedicated primarily to oncological diseases. In 1963, Vytautas Straižys and his colleagues created Vilnius photometric system that is used in astronomy. Noninvasive intracranial pressure and blood flow measuring devices were developed by KTU scientist A. Ragauskas. Kęstutis Pyragas contributed to the study of chaos theory with his method of delayed feedback control, the Pyragas method. Kavli Prize laureate Virginijus Šikšnys is known for his discoveries in CRISPR, namely with respect to CRISPR-Cas9.
Lithuania has launched three satellites to space: LitSat-1, Lituanica SAT-1 and LituanicaSAT-2. Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology and Molėtai Astronomical Observatory is located in Kulionys. Fifteen R&D institutions are members of Lithuanian Space Association; Lithuania is a cooperating state with European Space Agency. Rimantas Stankevičius is the only ethnically Lithuanian astronaut.
Lithuania in 2018 became an Associated Member State of CERN. Two CERN incubators in Vilnius and Kaunas will be hosted. The most advanced scientific research is being conducted at the Life Sciences Center, Center For Physical Sciences and Technology.
As of 2016 calculations, yearly growth of Lithuania's biotech and life science sector was 22% over the past 5 years. 16 academic institutions, 15 R&D centres (science parks and innovation valleys) and more than 370 manufacturers operate in the Lithuanian life science and biotech industry.
In 2008 the Valley development programme was started aiming to upgrade Lithuanian scientific research infrastructure and encourage business and science cooperation. Five R&D Valleys were launched – Jūrinis (maritime technologies), Nemunas (agro, bioenergy, forestry), Saulėtekis (laser and light, semiconductor), Santara (biotechnology, medicine), Santaka (sustainable chemistry and pharmacy). Lithuanian Innovation Center is created to provide support for innovations and research institutions.
Lithuania ranks moderately in the International Innovation Index, and is placed 15th among EU countries by the European Innovation Scoreboard. Lithuania was ranked 35th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.
Tourism
Main article: Tourism in LithuaniaStatistics from 2023 showed 1.4 million tourists from foreign countries visited Lithuania and spent at least one night. The largest number of tourists came from Poland (173,500), Latvia (144,300), Belarus (141,900), Germany (127,400), the United Kingdom (74,200), the United States (69,700), Ukraine (67,000), and Estonia (61,300).
Domestic tourism has been on the rise as well. Currently there are up to 1000 places of attraction in Lithuania. Most tourists visit the big cities—Vilnius, Klaipėda, and Kaunas, seaside resorts, such as Neringa, Palanga, and Spa towns – Druskininkai, Birštonas.
Hot air ballooning is popular, especially in Vilnius and Trakai. Bicycle tourism is growing, especially the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route. EuroVelo routes EV10, EV11, EV13 go through Lithuania. The total length of bicycle tracks amounts to 3769 km (of which 1988 km is asphalt pavement). Nemunas Delta Regional Park and Žuvintas biosphere reserve are known for birdwatching.
The total contribution of tourism to GDP had been forecast to rise to €3.2 billion, 7% of GDP by 2027, but has decreased to €1.7 billion, 2.3% of GDP in 2023, although it is rising post COVID-19 pandemic.
Infrastructure
Communication
Main article: Telecommunications in LithuaniaLithuania has a well developed communications infrastructure. The country has 2.8 million citizens and 5 million SIM cards. The largest LTE (4G) mobile network covers 97% of Lithuania's territory. Usage of fixed phone lines has been rapidly decreasing due to rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services.
In 2017, Lithuania was top 30 in the world by average mobile broadband speeds and top 20 by average fixed broadband speeds. Lithuania was also top 7 in 2017 in the List of countries by 4G LTE penetration. In 2016, Lithuania was ranked 17th in United Nations' e-participation index.
There are four TIER III datacenters in Lithuania. Lithuania is 44th globally ranked country on data center density according to Cloudscene.
Long-term project (2005–2013) – Development of Rural Areas Broadband Network (RAIN) was started with the objective to provide residents, state and municipal authorities and businesses with fibre-optic broadband access in rural areas. RAIN infrastructure allows 51 communications operators to provide network services to their clients. The project was funded by the European Union and the Lithuanian government. 72% of Lithuanian households have access to internet, a number which in 2017 was among EU's lowest and in 2016 ranked 97th by CIA World Factbook. Number of households with internet access is expected to increase and reach 77% by 2021. Almost 50% of Lithuanians had smartphones in 2016, a number that is expected to increase to 65% by 2022. Lithuania has the highest FTTH (Fiber to the home) penetration rate in Europe (36.8% in September 2016) according to FTTH Council Europe.
Transport
Main article: Transport in LithuaniaLithuania 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 tunnel was completed in 1860.
Rail transport in Lithuania consists of 1,762 km (1,095 mi) of 1,520 mm (4 ft 11.8 in) Russian gauge railway of which 122 km (76 mi) are electrified. This railway network is incompatible with European standard gauge and requires train switching. However, Lithuanian railway network also has 115 km (71 mi) of standard gauge lines. More than half of all inland freight transported in Lithuania is carried by rail. The Trans-European standard gauge Rail Baltica railway, linking Helsinki–Tallinn–Riga–Kaunas–Warsaw and continuing on to Berlin is under construction. In 2017, Lietuvos Geležinkeliai, a company that operates most railway lines in Lithuania, received EU penalty for breaching EU's antitrust laws and restricting competition.
Transportation is the third largest sector in Lithuanian economy. Lithuanian transport companies drew attention in 2016 and 2017 with huge and record-breaking orders of trucks. Almost 90% of commercial truck traffic in Lithuania is international transports, the highest of any EU country.
Lithuania has an extensive network of motorways. WEF grades Lithuanian roads at 4.7 / 7.0 and Lithuanian road authority (LAKD) at 6.5 / 10.0.
The Port of Klaipėda is the only commercial cargo port in Lithuania. In 2011 45.5 million tons of cargo were handled (including Būtingė oil terminal figures) Port of Klaipėda is outside of EU's 20 largest ports, but it is the eighth largest port in the Baltic Sea region with ongoing expansion plans.
As of 2022, the LIWA (Lithuanian Inland Waterways Authority, Vidaus vandens keliu direkcija in Lithuanian) is developing a strategy to resurrect cargo shipping on the Nemunas. Its fleet of electric ships will travel 260 km between the port of Klaipda on the Baltic Sea coast and the industrial and transportation centre of Kaunas. The project is anticipated to need a €75.7 million initial investment in total. and estimated to eliminate 48 000 truck trips annually.
Vilnius International Airport is the largest airport in Lithuania, 91st busiest airport in Europe (EU's 100 largest airports). It served 3.8 million passengers in 2016. Other international airports include Kaunas International Airport, Palanga International Airport and Šiauliai International Airport. Kaunas International Airport is also a small commercial cargo airport which started regular commercial cargo traffic in 2011. The inland river cargo port in Marvelė, linking Kaunas and Klaipėda, received first cargo in 2019.
Energy
Main article: Energy in Lithuania See also: Renewable energy in LithuaniaSystematic diversification of energy imports and resources is Lithuania's key energy strategy. Long-term aims were defined in National Energy Independence strategy in 2012 by Lietuvos Seimas. It was estimated that strategic energy independence initiatives will cost €6.3–7.8 billion in total and provide annual savings of €0.9–1.1 billion.
After the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, Lithuania turned from electricity exporter to electricity importer. Unit No. 1 was closed in December 2004, as a condition of Lithuania's entry into the European Union; Unit No. 2 was closed down on 31 December 2009. Proposals have been made to construct a new – Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania. However, a non-binding referendum held in October 2012 clouded the prospects for the Visaginas project, as 63% of voters said no to a new nuclear power plant.
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. As of 2015, 66% of electrical power was imported. First geothermal heating plant (Klaipėda Geothermal Demonstration Plant) in the Baltic Sea region was built in 2004.
Lithuania–Sweden submarine electricity interconnection NordBalt and Lithuania–Poland electricity interconnection LitPol Link were launched at the end of 2015.
In 2018, synchronising the Baltic states' electricity grid with the Synchronous grid of Continental Europe has started. In 2016, 20.8% of electricity consumed in Lithuania came from renewable sources.
In order to break down Gazprom's monopoly in natural gas market of Lithuania, first large scale LNG import terminal (Klaipėda LNG FSRU) in the Baltic region was built in port of Klaipėda in 2014. The Klaipėda LNG terminal was called Independence, thus emphasising the aim to diversify energy market of Lithuania. Norwegian company Equinor supplies 540 million cubic metres (19 billion cubic feet) of natural gas annually from 2015 until 2020. The terminal is able to meet the Lithuania's demand 100 percent, and Latvia's and Estonia's national demand 90 percent in the future. Gas Interconnection Poland–Lithuania (GIPL), also known as Lithuania–Poland pipeline, is a natural gas pipeline interconnection between Lithuania and Poland that became operational in 2022.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of LithuaniaSince the Neolithic period, the demographics of Lithuania have stayed fairly homogenous. There is a high probability that the inhabitants of present-day Lithuania have similar genetic compositions to their ancestors, although without being actually isolated from them. The Lithuanian population appears to be relatively homogeneous, without apparent genetic differences among ethnic subgroups.
A 2004 analysis of MtDNA in the Lithuanian population revealed that Lithuanians are genetically close to the Slavic and Finno-Ugric speaking populations of Northern and Eastern Europe. Y-chromosome SNP haplogroup analysis showed Lithuanians to be genetically closest to Latvians and Estonians.
In 2021, the age structure of the population was as follows:
- 0–14 years, 14.86% (male 214,113/female 203,117)
- 15–64 years: 65.19% (male 896,400/female 934,467)
- 65 years and over: 19.95% (male 195,269/female 365,014).
The median age in 2022 was 44 years (male: 41, female: 47).
Lithuania has a sub-replacement fertility rate: the total fertility rate (TFR) in Lithuania was 1.34 children born per woman in 2021, and the mean age of women at childbirth was 30.3 years. The average age of first childbirth for women was 28.2 years. The human sex ratio is male leaning for the age categories 15–44, with 1.0352 males for every female. As of 2021, 25.6% of births were to unmarried women. The mean age at first marriage in 2021 was 28.3 years for women and 30.5 years for men.
Functional urban areas
Functional urban areas | Population (2023) |
---|---|
Vilnius urban area | 747,864 |
Kaunas urban area | 403,375 |
Panevėžys urban area | 122,860 |
Ethnic groups and languages
Main articles: Lithuanians, Ethnic minorities in Lithuania, and Demographics of Lithuania § LanguagesResidents of Lithuania by ethnicity (2024) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Lithuanians | 82.6% | |||
Poles | 6.3% | |||
Russians | 5.0% | |||
Belarusians | 2.1% | |||
Ukrainians | 1.7% | |||
Others | 2.3% |
Lithuania has the most homogeneous population in the Baltic States. Ethnic Lithuanians make up about five-sixths of the country's population. In 2024, 82.6% of the 2,809,977 Lithuania's residents were ethnic Lithuanians who speak Lithuanian, which is the official language of the country. Several sizeable minorities exist, such as Poles (6.3%), Russians (5.0%), Belarusians (2.1%) and Ukrainians (1.7%).
Poles in Lithuania are the largest minority, concentrated in southeast Lithuania (the Vilnius region), constituting majority in Šalčininkai (76.3%) and Vilnius District Municipality (46.8%). Russians in Lithuania are the second largest minority, concentrated in Visaginas (47.4%), Zarasai District Municipality (17.2%) and Klaipėda (16%). About 2,250 Roma live in Lithuania, mostly in Vilnius, Kaunas and Panevėžys; their organizations are supported by the National Minority and Emigration Department. For centuries, Tatar and Karaite communities have lived in Lithuania. In 2021, there were around 2,150 registered Tatars and 196 Karaites in the country.
The official language is Lithuanian, but in some areas there is a significant presence of minority languages such as Polish, Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian. The greatest presence of minorities and the use of these languages are in Šalčininkai, Visaginas, and Vilnius District. Yiddish is spoken by members of the tiny remaining Jewish community in Lithuania. The state laws guarantee education in minority languages and there are numerous publicly funded schools in the areas populated by minorities, with Polish as the language of instruction being the most widely available.
According to the survey carried out within the framework of the Lithuanian census of 2021, 85.33% of the country's population speak Lithuanian as their native language, 6.8% are native speakers of Russian and 5.1% of Polish. As of 2021, 60.6% of residents speak Russian as a foreign language, 31.1% – English, 10.5% – Lithuanian, 8% – German, 7.9% – Polish, 1.9% – French, 2.6% – various others. Most Lithuanian schools teach English as the first foreign language, but students may also study German, or, in some schools, French or Russian. Around 80% of young people in Lithuania know English.
Urbanization
See also: List of cities in Lithuania and List of cities in the Baltic states by populationThere has been a steady 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. As of 2021, 68.19% of the total population lives in urban areas. Lithuania's functional urban areas include Vilnius (population 708,203), Kaunas (population 391,153), and Panevėžys (population 124,526). The fDI of the Financial Times in their research Cities and Regions of the Future ranked Vilnius fourth in the mid-sized European cities category in the 2018–19 ranking, second in the 2022–23 ranking, second in 2023 ranking while the city claimed 24th spot in the worldwide overall ranking in 2021–22 and Vilnius county was ranked 10th in the small European regions category in 2018–19, fifth in 2022–23, fifth in 2023 rankings.
Largest cities or towns in Lithuania State Data Agency (2024) | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | County | Pop. | Rank | Name | County | Pop. | ||
Vilnius Kaunas |
1 | Vilnius | Vilnius | 605,270 | 11 | Kėdainiai | Kaunas | 23,359 | Klaipėda Šiauliai |
2 | Kaunas | Kaunas | 304,731 | 12 | Telšiai | Telšiai | 21,920 | ||
3 | Klaipėda | Klaipėda | 160,357 | 13 | Ukmergė | Vilnius | 21,383 | ||
4 | Šiauliai | Šiauliai | 112,581 | 14 | Tauragė | Tauragė | 21,344 | ||
5 | Panevėžys | Panevėžys | 86,202 | 15 | Visaginas | Utena | 19,214 | ||
6 | Alytus | Alytus | 50,996 | 16 | Palanga | Klaipėda | 18,187 | ||
7 | Marijampolė | Marijampolė | 36,567 | 17 | Plungė | Telšiai | 17,105 | ||
8 | Mažeikiai | Telšiai | 33,340 | 18 | Kretinga | Klaipėda | 16,874 | ||
9 | Utena | Utena | 27,175 | 19 | Šilutė | Klaipėda | 15,995 | ||
10 | Jonava | Kaunas | 26,720 | 20 | Radviliškis | Šiauliai | 15,604 |
Health
Main article: Health in LithuaniaLithuania provides free state-funded healthcare to all citizens and registered long-term residents. It co-exists with a significant private healthcare sector. In 2003–2012, the network of hospitals was restructured, as part of wider healthcare service reforms. It started in 2003–2005 with the expansion of ambulatory services and primary care. In 2016, Lithuania ranked 27th in Europe in the Euro health consumer index, a ranking of European healthcare systems based on waiting time, results and other indicators. Lithuania ranked 19th in the 2024 edition of the World Happiness Report.
As of 2023, Lithuanian life expectancy at birth was 76.0 (70.6 years for males and 81.6 for females) and the infant mortality rate was 2.99 per 1,000 births. The annual population growth rate increased by 0.3% in 2007. Lithuania has seen a dramatic rise in suicides in the 1990s. The suicide rate has been constantly decreasing since, but it still remains the highest in the EU and one of the highest in the OECD. The suicide rate as of 2019 is 20.2 per 100,000 people. Suicide in Lithuania has been a subject of research, but the main reasons behind the high rate are thought to be both psychological and economic, including: social transformations and economic recessions, alcoholism, lack of tolerance in the society and bullying.
By 2000, the vast majority of Lithuanian health care institutions were non-profit-making enterprises and a private sector developed, providing mostly outpatient services which are paid for out-of-pocket. The Ministry of Health also runs a few health care facilities and is involved in the running of the two major Lithuanian teaching hospitals. It is responsible for the State Public Health Centre which manages the public health network including ten county public health centres with their local branches. The ten counties run county hospitals and specialised health care facilities.
There is Compulsory Health Insurance for the Lithuanian residents. There are 5 Territorial Health Insurance Funds, covering Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. Contributions for people who are economically active are 9% of income.
Emergency medical services are provided free of charge to all residents. Access to the secondary and tertiary care, such as hospital treatment, is normally via referral by a general practitioner. Lithuania also has one of the lowest health care prices in Europe.
Religion
Main article: Religion in Lithuania See also: Lithuanian mythologyAccording to the 2021 census, 74.2% of residents of Lithuania were Catholics. Catholicism has been the main religion since the official Christianisation of Lithuania in 1387. The Catholic Church was persecuted by the Russian Empire as part of the Russification policies and by the Soviet Union as part of the overall anti-religious campaigns. During the Soviet era, some priests actively led the resistance against the Communist regime, as symbolised by the Hill of Crosses and exemplified by The Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania.
3.7% of the population are Eastern Orthodox, mainly among the Russian minority. The community of Old Believers (0.6% of population) dates back to the 1660s.
Protestants are 0.8%, of which 0.6% are Lutheran and 0.2% are Reformed. The Reformation did not impact Lithuania to a great extent as seen in East Prussia, Estonia, or Latvia. Before World War II, according to Losch (1932), the Lutherans were 3.3% of the total population. They were mainly Germans and Prussian Lithuanians in the Klaipėda Region (Memel territory). This population fled or was expelled after the war, and Protestantism is now mainly represented by ethnic Lithuanians throughout the northern and western parts of the country, as well as in large urban areas. Newly arriving evangelical churches have established missions in Lithuania since 1990.
Hinduism is a minority religion and a fairly recent development in Lithuania. Hinduism is spread in Lithuania by Hindu organizations: ISKCON, Sathya Sai Baba, Brahma Kumaris and Osho Rajneesh. ISKCON (Lithuanian: Krišnos sąmonės judėjimas) is the largest and the oldest movement as the first Krishna followers date to 1979. It has three centres in Lithuania: in Vilnius, Klaipėda and Kaunas. Brahma Kumaris maintains the Centre Brahma Kumaris in Antakalnis, Vilnius.
The historical communities of Lipka Tatars maintain Islam as their religion. Lithuania was historically home to a significant Jewish community and was an important centre of Jewish scholarship and culture from the 18th century until the eve of World War II. Of the approximately 220,000 Jews who lived in Lithuania in June 1941, almost all were killed during the Holocaust. The Lithuanian Jewish community numbered about 4,000 at the end of 2009.
Romuva, the neopagan revival of the ancient religious practices, has gained popularity over the years. Romuva claims to continue living pagan traditions, which survived in folklore and customs. Romuva is a polytheistic pagan faith, which asserts the sanctity of nature and has elements of ancestor worship. According to the 2001 census, there were 1,270 people of Baltic faith in Lithuania. That number jumped to 5,118 in the 2011 census.
Education
Main article: Education in LithuaniaThe Constitution of Lithuania mandates ten-year education ending at age 16 and guarantees a free public higher education for students deemed 'good'. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania proposes national educational policies and goals that are then voted for in the Seimas. 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. 5.4% of GDP or 15.4% of total public expenditure was spent for education in 2016.
According to the World Bank, the literacy rate among Lithuanians aged 15 years and older is 100%. School attendance rates are above the EU average and school leave is less common than in the EU. According to Eurostat Lithuania leads among other countries of the European Union in people with secondary education (93.3%). Based on OECD data, Lithuania is among the top 5 countries in the world in postsecondary (tertiary) education attainment. As of 2016, 54.9% of the population aged 25 to 34, and 30.7% of the population aged 55 to 64 had completed tertiary education. The share of tertiary-educated 25–64-year-olds in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields in Lithuania were above the OECD average (29% and 26% respectively), similarly to business, administration and law (25% and 23% respectively).
Modern Lithuanian education system has multiple structural problems. Insufficient funding, quality issues, and decreasing student population are the most prevalent. Lithuanian teacher salaries are the lowest in the entire EU. Low teacher salaries was the primary reason behind national teacher strikes in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Salaries in the higher education sector are also low. Many Lithuanian professors have a second job to supplement their income. PISA report from 2010 found that Lithuanian results in math, science and reading were below OECD average. PISA report from 2015 reconfirmed these findings. The population ages 6 to 19 has decreased by 36% between 2005 and 2015. As a result, the student-teacher ratio is decreasing and expenditure per student is increasing, but schools, particularly in rural areas, are forced into reorganizations and consolidations. As with other 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.
As of 2008, there were 15 public and 6 private universities as well as 16 public and 11 private colleges in Lithuania (see: List of universities in Lithuania). Vilnius University is one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe and the largest university in Lithuania. Kaunas University of Technology is the largest technical university in the Baltic States and the second largest university in Lithuania. In an attempt to reduce costs and adapt to sharply decreasing number of high-school students, Lithuanian parliament decided to reduce the number of universities in Lithuania. In early 2018, Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences and Aleksandras Stulginskis University were merged into Vytautas Magnus University.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Lithuania See also: List of LithuaniansLithuanian language
Main article: Lithuanian language A priest, lexicographer Konstantinas Sirvydas – cherisher of Lithuanian language in the 17th centuryJonas Jablonskis is the father of standard Lithuanian language.The Lithuanian language (lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages 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 language, closely related to Latvian, although they are not mutually intelligible. It is written in an adapted version of the Roman script. Lithuanian is believed to be the linguistically most conservative living Indo-European tongue, retaining many features of Proto Indo-European. Lithuanian language studies are important for comparative linguistics and for reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European language. Lithuanian was studied by linguists such as Franz Bopp, August Schleicher, Adalbert Bezzenberger, Louis Hjelmslev, Ferdinand de Saussure, Winfred P. Lehmann, Vladimir Toporov and others.
There are two main dialects of the Lithuanian language: Aukštaitian dialect and Samogitian dialect. Aukštaitian dialect is mainly used in the central, southern and eastern parts of Lithuania while Samogitian dialect is used in the western part of the country. The Samogitian dialect also has many completely different words and is even considered a separate language by some linguists. Nowadays, the distinguishing feature between the two main Lithuanian dialects is the unequal pronunciation of accented and unaccented two-vowels uo and ie.
The groundwork for written Lithuanian was laid in 16th and 17th centuries by Lithuanian noblemen and scholars, who promoted Lithuanian language, created dictionaries and published books – Mikalojus Daukša, Stanislovas Rapolionis, Abraomas Kulvietis, Jonas Bretkūnas, Martynas Mažvydas, Konstantinas Sirvydas, Simonas Vaišnoras-Varniškis. The first grammar book of the Lithuanian language Grammatica Litvanica was published in Latin in 1653 by Danielius Kleinas.
Jonas Jablonskis' works and activities are especially important for the Lithuanian literature moving from the use of dialects to a standard Lithuanian language. The linguistic material which he collected was published in the 20 volumes of Academic Dictionary of Lithuanian and is still being used in research and in editing of texts and books. He also introduced the letter ū into Lithuanian writing.
Literature
Main article: Lithuanian literatureThere 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 are the prime example of the literature of this kind. The Letters of Gediminas are another crucial heritage of the Lithuanian Latin writings.
One of the first Lithuanian authors who wrote in Latin was Nicolaus Hussovianus (around 1480 – after 1533). His poem Carmen de statura, feritate ac venatione bisontis (A Song about the Appearance, Savagery and Hunting of the Bison), published in 1523, describes the Lithuanian landscape, way of life and customs, touches on some actual political problems, and reflects the clash of paganism and Christianity. A person under the pseudonym Michalo Lituanus [lt] (around 1490 – 1560) wrote a treatise De moribus tartarorum, lituanorum et moscorum (On the Customs of Tatars, Lithuanians and Muscovites) in the middle of the 16th century, but it was not published until 1615. An extraordinary figure in the cultural life of Lithuania in the 16th century was the lawyer and poet of Spanish origin Petrus Roysius Maurus Alcagnicensis (around 1505 – 1571). The publicist, lawyer, and mayor of Vilnius, Augustinus Rotundus (around 1520–1582) wrote a no longer existent history of Lithuania in Latin around the year 1560. loannes Radvanus, a humanist poet of the second half of the 16th century, wrote an epic poem imitating the Aeneid of Vergil. His Radivilias, intended to become the Lithuanian national epic, was published in Vilnius in 1588.
17th century Lithuanian scholars also wrote in Latin – Kazimieras Kojelavičius-Vijūkas [lt], Žygimantas Liauksminas are known for their Latin writings in theology, rhetorics and music. Albertas Kojalavičius-Vijūkas wrote first printed Lithuanian history Historia Lithuania.
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 Katekizmo prasti žodžiai (The Simple Words of Catechism), which marks the beginning of literature, printed in Lithuanian. 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. Donelaitis' poem Metai (The Seasons) is a landmark of the Lithuanian fiction literature, written in hexameter.
With a mix of Classicism, Sentimentalism and Romanticism, the Lithuanian literature of the first half of the 19th century is represented by Maironis, Antanas Baranauskas, Simonas Daukantas, Oscar Milosz, and Simonas Stanevičius. During the Tsarist annexation of Lithuania in the 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.
20th-century Lithuanian literature is represented by Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas, Antanas Vienuolis, Bernardas Brazdžionis, Antanas Škėma, Balys Sruoga, Vytautas Mačernis and Justinas Marcinkevičius.
In 21st century debuted Kristina Sabaliauskaitė, Renata Šerelytė, Valdas Papievis, Laura Sintija Černiauskaitė, Rūta Šepetys.
Architecture
See also: Lithuanian designSeveral famous Lithuania-related architects are notable for their achievements in the field of architecture. Johann Christoph Glaubitz, Marcin Knackfus, Laurynas Gucevičius and Karol Podczaszyński were instrumental in introducing Baroque and neoclassical architectural movements to the Lithuanian architecture during the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. Vilnius is considered as a capital of the Eastern Europe Baroque. Vilnius Old Town that is full of astonishing Baroque churches and other buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lithuania is also known for numerous castles. About twenty castles exist in Lithuania. Some castles had to be rebuilt or survive partially. Many Lithuanian nobles' historic palaces and manor houses have remained till the nowadays and were reconstructed. Lithuanian village life has existed since the days of Vytautas the Great. Zervynos and Kapiniškiai are two of many ethnographic villages in Lithuania. Rumšiškės is an open space museum where old ethnographic architecture is preserved.
During the interwar period, Art Deco, Lithuanian National Romanticism architectural style buildings were constructed in the Lithuania's temporary capital Kaunas. Its architecture is regarded as one of the finest examples of the European Art Deco and has received the European Heritage Label.
Arts and museums
Main article: List of museums in LithuaniaThe Lithuanian Art Museum was founded in 1933 and is the largest museum of art conservation and display in Lithuania. Among other important museums are the Palanga Amber Museum, where amber pieces comprise a major part of the collection, National Gallery of Art, presenting collection of Lithuanian art of the 20th and 21st century, National Museum of Lithuania presenting Lithuanian archaeology, history and ethnic culture. In 2018 two private museums were opened – MO Museum devoted to modern and contemporary Lithuanian art and Tartle, exhibiting a collection of Lithuanian art heritage and artefacts.
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. Franciszek Smuglewicz, Jan Rustem, Józef Oleszkiewicz and Kanuty Rusiecki are the most prominent Lithuanian painters of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Theatre
Lithuania has theatres in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and Panevėžys. These include Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, Keistuolių teatras (Theatre of Freaks) in Vilnius, Kaunas State Drama Theatre, Theatre of Oskaras Koršunovas, Klaipėda Drama Theatre, Theatre of Gytis Ivanauskas, Miltinis Drama Theatre in Panevėžys, The Doll's Theatre, Old Theatre of Vilnius. Theatre festivals include Sirenos (Sirens), TheATRIUM, Nerk į teatrą (Dive into the Theatre).
Lithuanian theatre directors include Eimuntas Nekrošius, Jonas Vaitkus, Cezaris Graužinis, Gintaras Varnas, Dalia Ibelhauptaitė and Artūras Areima. Actors include Dainius Gavenonis, Rolandas Kazlas, Saulius Balandis and Gabija Jaraminaitė.
Theatre director Oskaras Koršunovas was awarded the Swedish Commander Grand Cross – the Order of the Polar Star.
Cinema
Main article: Cinema of LithuaniaOn 28 July 1896, Thomas Edison live photography session was held in the Concerts Hall of the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University. After a year, similar American movies were available with the addition of special phonograph records that also provided sound. In 1909, Lithuanian cinema pioneers Antanas Račiūnas and Ladislas Starevich released their first movies. Soon the Račiūnas' recordings of Lithuania's views became very popular among the Lithuanian Americans abroad. In 1925, Pranas Valuskis filmed movie Naktis Lietuvoje (Night in Lithuania) about Lithuanian book smugglers that left the first bright Lithuanian footprint in Hollywood. The most significant and mature Lithuanian American movie of the time Aukso žąsis (Golden goose) was created in 1965 by Birutė Pūkelevičiūtė [lt] that featured motifs from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. In 1940, Romuva Cinema was opened in Kaunas and currently is the oldest still operational cinema in Lithuania. After the occupation of the state, movies mostly were used for the Soviet propaganda purposes, nevertheless Almantas Grikevičius, Gytis Lukšas, Henrikas Šablevičius, Arūnas Žebriūnas, Raimondas Vabalas were able to overcome the obstacles and create valuable films. After the restoration of the independence, Šarūnas Bartas, Audrius Stonys, Arūnas Matelis, Audrius Juzėnas, Algimantas Puipa, Janina Lapinskaitė [lt], Dijana and her husband Kornelijus Matuzevičius received success in international movie festivals.
In 2018, 4,265,414 cinema tickets were sold in Lithuania with the average price of €5.26.
Music
Main article: Music of Lithuania See also: Lithuanian folk music Lithuanians dancing at Skamba skamba kankliai festival and singing at Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival in Vingis ParkLithuanian folk music belongs to Baltic music branch which is connected with neolithic corded ware culture. Two instrument cultures meet in the areas inhabited by Lithuanians: stringed (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 (Multipart Songs), Wedding Songs, War-Historical Time Songs, Calendar Cycle and Ritual Songs and Work Songs.
Italian artists organized the first opera in Lithuania on 4 September 1636 at the Palace of the Grand Dukes by the order of Władysław IV Vasa. Currently, operas are staged at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and also by independent troupe Vilnius City Opera.
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis was a Lithuanian painter and composer. During his short life he created about 200 pieces of music. His works have influenced modern Lithuanian culture. His symphonic poems In the Forest (Miške) and The Sea (Jūra) were performed only posthumously. Čiurlionis contributed to symbolism and art nouveau and was representative of the fin de siècle epoch. He has been considered one of the pioneers of abstract art in Europe.
In Lithuania, choral music is 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 Dainų šventė (Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival). 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 and Estonian versions was inscribed as UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Gatvės muzikos diena (Street Music Day) gathers musicians of various genres annually.
Modern classical composers emerged in seventies – Bronius Kutavičius, Feliksas Bajoras [lt], Osvaldas Balakauskas, Onutė Narbutaitė, Vidmantas Bartulis and others. Most of those composers explored archaic Lithuanian music and its harmonic combination with modern minimalism and neoromanticism.
Jazz scene was active even during the years of Soviet occupation. In 1970–71 the Ganelin/Tarasov/Chekasin trio established the Vilnius Jazz School. Most known annual events are Vilnius Jazz Festival, Kaunas Jazz, Birštonas Jazz. Music Information Centre Lithuania (MICL) collects, promotes and shares information on Lithuanian musical culture.
Rock and protest music
Main article: Rock music in LithuaniaAfter the Soviet reoccupation of Lithuania in 1944, the Soviet's censorship continued firmly controlling all artistic expressions in Lithuania, and any violations by criticizing the regime would immediately result in punishments. The first local rock bands started to emerge around 1965 and included Kertukai, Aitvarai and Nuogi ant slenksčio in Kaunas, and Kęstutis Antanėlis, Vienuoliai, and Gėlių Vaikai in Vilnius, among others. Unable to express their opinions directly, the Lithuanian artists began organizing patriotic Roko Maršai and were using metaphors in their songs' lyrics, which were easily identified for their true meanings by the locals. Postmodernist rock band Antis and its vocalist Algirdas Kaušpėdas were one of the most active performers who mocked the Soviet regime by using metaphors. For example, in the song Zombiai (Zombies), the band indirectly sang about the Red Army soldiers who occupied the state and its military base in Ukmergė. Vytautas Kernagis' song Kolorado vabalai (Colorado beetles) was also a favourite due to its lyrics in which true meaning of the Colorado beetles was intended to be the Soviets decorated with the Ribbons of Saint George.
In the early independence years, rock band Foje was particularly popular and gathered tens of thousands of spectators to the concerts. After disbanding in 1997, Foje vocalist Andrius Mamontovas remained one of the most prominent Lithuanian performers and an active participant in various charity events. Marijonas Mikutavičius is famous for creating unofficial Lithuania sport anthem Trys milijonai (Three million) and official anthem of the EuroBasket 2011 Nebetyli sirgaliai (English version was named Celebrate Basketball).
Cuisine
Main article: Lithuanian cuisineLithuanian 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 specialties. Fish dishes are very popular in the coastal region. 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.
Dairy products are an important part of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. These include white cottage cheese (varškės sūris), curd (varškė), soured milk (rūgpienis), sour cream (grietinė), butter (sviestas), and sour cream butter kastinis. Traditional meat products are usually seasoned, matured and smoked – smoked sausages (dešros), lard (lašiniai), skilandis, smoked ham (kumpis). Soups (sriubos) – boletus soup (baravykų sriuba), cabbage soup (kopūstų sriuba), beer soup (alaus sriuba), milk soup (pieniška sriuba), cold-beet soup (šaltibarščiai) and various kinds of porridges (košės) are part of tradition and daily diet. Freshwater fish, herring, wild berries and mushrooms, honey are highly popular diet to this day.
One of the oldest and most fundamental Lithuanian food products was and is rye bread. Rye bread is eaten every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bread played an important role in family rituals and agrarian ceremonies.
Lithuanians and other nations that once formed part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania share many dishes and beverages. 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 – the kibinai are popular in Lithuania. Lithuanian noblemen usually hired French chefs, so French cuisine influence came to Lithuania in this way.
Balts were using mead (midus) for thousands of years. Beer (alus) is the most common alcoholic beverage. Lithuania has a long farmhouse beer tradition, first mentioned in 11th century chronicles. Beer was brewed for ancient Baltic festivities and rituals. Farmhouse brewing survived to a greater extent in Lithuania than anywhere else, and through accidents of history the Lithuanians then developed a commercial brewing culture from their unique farmhouse traditions. Lithuania is top 5 by consumption of beer per capita in Europe in 2015, counting 75 active breweries, 32 of them are microbreweries. The microbrewery scene in Lithuania has grown, with a number of bars focusing on these beers opening in Vilnius and other parts of the country.
Eight Lithuanian restaurants are listed in the White Guide Baltic Top 30. The local „30 geriausių restoranų” guide lists top domestic places, and Lithuanian restaurants will appear in the Michelin Guide on 13 June 2024.
Media
Main article: Mass media in LithuaniaThe Constitution of Lithuania provides for freedom of speech and press, and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote these freedoms. However, the constitutional definition of freedom of expression does not protect certain acts, such as incitement to national, racial, religious, or social hatred, violence and discrimination, or slander, and disinformation. It is a crime to deny or "grossly trivialize" Soviet or Nazi German crimes against Lithuania or its citizens, or to deny genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes.
In 2021, the best-selling daily national newspapers in Lithuania were Lietuvos rytas (5.4% of all weekly readers), Vakaro žinios [lt] (3.2%), Kauno diena (2.9%). Best-selling weekly newspapers were Savaitė [lt] (16.5%), Žmonės [lt] (8.4%), Prie kavos (4.1%), Savaitgalis (3.9%) and Verslo žinios (3.2%).
In 2021, the most popular national television channels in Lithuania were TV3 (34.6% of the daily audience), LNK (32.3%), Lithuanian National Radio and Television (31.6%), BTV (17.3%), Lietuvos rytas TV (16.2%), TV6 (15.3%).
The most popular radio stations in Lithuania were M-1 (14.5% of daily listeners), Lietus (12.7%), Radiocentras (9.1%) and LRT Radijas (8.5%).
Public holidays and festivals
Main article: Public holidays in LithuaniaAs a result of a thousand-years history, Lithuania has two National days. The first one is the Statehood Day on 6 July, marking the establishment of the medieval Kingdom of Lithuania by Mindaugas in 1253. The creation of modern Lithuanian state is commemorated on 16 February as a Lithuanian State Reestablishment Day on which declaration of independence from Russia and Germany was declared in 1918. Joninės (previously known as Rasos) is a public holiday with paganic roots that celebrates a solstice. As of 2018, there are 13 public holidays (which come with a day off).
Kaziuko mugė is an annual fair held since the beginning of the 17th century that commemorates the anniversary of Saint Casimir's death and gathers thousands of visitors and many craftsmen. Other notable festivals are Vilnius International Film Festival, Kauno Miesto Diena, Klaipėda Sea Festival, Mados infekcija, Vilnius Book Fair, Vilnius Marathon, Devilstone Open Air, Apuolė 854 [lt], Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Festival.
Public holidays in Lithuania | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date | English name | Local name | Remarks |
1 January | New Year's Day | Naujųjų metų diena | |
16 February | Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania (1918) | Lietuvos valstybės atkūrimo diena | |
11 March | Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania (1990) | Lietuvos nepriklausomybės atkūrimo diena | |
Moveable Sunday | Easter Sunday | Šv. Velykos | Commemorates resurrection of Jesus. The first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or soonest after 21 March. |
The day after Easter Sunday | Easter Monday | Antroji šv. Velykų diena | |
1 May | International Workers' Day | Tarptautinė darbo diena | |
First Sunday in May | Mother's Day | Motinos diena | |
First Sunday in June | Father's Day | Tėvo diena | |
24 June | St. John's Day / Day of Dew | Joninės / Rasos | Celebrated according to mostly pagan traditions (Midsummer Day, Saint Jonas Day). |
6 July | Statehood Day | Valstybės (Lietuvos karaliaus Mindaugo karūnavimo) ir Tautiškos giesmės diena | Celebrates the 1253 coronation of Mindaugas, the first King of Lithuania, and the national anthem of Lithuania. |
15 August | Assumption Day | Žolinė (Švč. Mergelės Marijos ėmimo į dangų diena) | Also marked according to pagan traditions, celebrating the goddess Žemyna and noting the mid-August as the middle between summer and autumn. |
1 November | All Saints' Day | Visų šventųjų diena | Halloween is increasingly popular and is also informally celebrated on the eve (31 October). |
2 November | All Souls' Day | Mirusiųjų atminimo (Vėlinių) diena | |
24 December | Christmas Eve | Šv. Kūčios | |
25 and 26 December | Christmas Day | Šv. Kalėdos | Commemorates birth of Jesus. |
Sports
Main article: Sport in LithuaniaBasketball is the most popular and national sport of Lithuania. The Lithuania national basketball team has won the EuroBasket on three occasions (1937, 1939 and 2003), as well a total of 8 other medals in the Eurobasket, the World Championships and the Olympic Games. 76% of the country's population watched the men's national team games live in 2014. Lithuania hosted the Eurobasket in 1939 and 2011. The historic Lithuanian basketball team BC Žalgiris, from Kaunas, won the European basketball league Euroleague in 1999. Lithuania has produced a number of NBA players, including Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Arvydas Sabonis and Šarūnas Marčiulionis, and current NBA players Jonas Valančiūnas, Domantas Sabonis.
Lithuania has won a total of 26 medals at the Olympic Games, including 6 gold medals in athletics, modern pentathlon, shooting, and swimming. Other Lithuanians won Olympic medals representing Soviet Union. Discus thrower Virgilijus Alekna is the most successful Olympic athlete of independent Lithuania, having won gold medals in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens games, as well as a bronze in 2008 Summer Olympics and numerous World Championship medals. More recently, a gold medal was won by 15-year-old swimmer Rūta Meilutytė at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and sparked a rise in popularity for the sport in Lithuania.
Lithuania hosted the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, the first time Lithuania had hosted a FIFA tournament.
Few Lithuanian athletes have found success in winter sports, although facilities are provided by several ice rinks and skiing slopes, including Snow Arena, the first indoor ski slope in the Baltics. In 2018 Lithuania men's national ice hockey team won gold medals at the 2018 IIHF World Championship Division I.
See also
Notes
- Lithuania uses ISO 8601 standard for date and time.
- /ˌlɪθjuˈeɪniə/ LITH-ew-AY-nee-ə; Lithuanian: Lietuva [lʲiətʊˈvɐ]
- Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika [lʲiətʊˈvoːs rʲɛsˈpʊblʲɪkɐ]
- ^ Various sources classify Lithuania differently for statistical and other purposes. For example, United Nations, and Eurovoc (which additionally classifies Lithuania as central and eastern European country), among others, classify it as northern Europe. The European Commission, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Columbia Encyclopedia place Lithuania in central Europe. The CIA World Factbook classifies it as eastern Europe, and Encyclopædia Britannica locates it in northeastern Europe. Usage varies greatly, and controversially, in press sources.
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External links
- Government
- The Lithuanian President Archived 15 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Official site of the President of the Republic of Lithuania
- The Lithuanian Parliament Archived 31 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine – Official site of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania
- The Lithuanian Government Archived 6 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine – Official site of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania
- Statistics Lithuania Archived 5 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine – Official site of Department of Statistics to the Government of Lithuania
- Lithuania – Real is Beautiful Archived 1 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine – The Official Travel Guide by the Lithuanian National Tourism Development Agency
- General information
- The Baltic States and geopolitics Archived 25 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine
- Lithuania Archived 2 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine – Lithuanian internet gates
- Lithuania Archived 22 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- Lithuania. CIA Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments Archived 16 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- Lithuania from UCB Libraries GovPubs
- Lithuania Archived 4 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine from the BBC News
- Wikimedia Atlas of Lithuania
- Other
- Key Development Forecasts for Lithuania Archived 17 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine from International Futures
- Heraldry Archived 18 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine of Lithuania
- Geographic data related to Lithuania at OpenStreetMap
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