Fast Facts

Area:
65.200 km2
Population: 3.4 million (Vilnius 554.000, Kaunas 377.000)
Language: Lithuanian (English and Russian widely spoken)
Major religion: Roman Catholics

Lithuania has:
816 rivers longer than 10 km
2,834 lakes larger than 0.5 ha

Highest point:
Juozapine Hill (293,6 m)

The largest river:
Nemunas (937 km, 475 km in the territory of Lithuania)

The largest lake:
Druksiai (42,26 km2)

Lithuania is the largest and southernmost of the Baltic States. Lithuania is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south and Poland and Russian Federation to the south and southwest. Forest spread through almost 30 percent of the country, and rivers, streams and more than 3000 lakes shape the land.

Five national and 30 regional parks preserve this paradise for boating, fishing, hunting, bird watching or horseback riding. The largest river, Nemunas, flows into the Curonian Lagoon separated from the Baltic Sea by the Curonian Spit. This 98 km long bank of sand, dunes and pine trees stretches from Kalingrad in the south to the seaport of Klaipeda in the north. The Curonian Spit, recognized by UNESCO as a part of the world heritage, is one of the most unspoiled natural spots in the whole Baltic Region.

It is also known as the amber coast, for the precious amber that was washed onto this shore for many centuries. Are you looking for white, sandy beaches, impressing dunes, crystal clear water, fresh air and romantic fishery villages? If yes, this is the place for you.

Vilnius

Very pleasant and very beautiful, that's what comes to ones mind when talking about Vilnius. The city displays a variety of both architectural expression and willpower. This is perhaps due to the interesting history that rests in this attractive town, which not always has been the capital of Lithuania. However, for over five centuries, until he 18th century, Vilnius had been political and cultural centre of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Old Town is Vilnius was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 just because the town "has preserved an impressive complex of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings as well as its medieval layout and natural setting". When visiting Vilnius it is very easy to understand why Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture 2009?

The capital, Vilnius, is one of the most beautiful towns in Eastern Europe, situated where the Neris and Vilnele rivers meet and surrounded by picturesque wooded hills. Founded in 1323, its unique character and architecture reflects its history at crossroads of the Roman, Byzantine and Eurasian worlds.
Vilnius, like all Lithuanian cities, has a wide selection of restaurants. Lithuanian beer is widely considered to be some of the best in the world. Drink it with tasty local breads and cheeses or national dishes like "zeppelins", balloon-shaped potato cakes filled with meat, or potato sausages and pancakes.