Capital of Lithuania is the name of the capital. "three capitals" of Lithuania. State structure and political system

LITHUANIA

(Lietuva, Lithuania)

General information

Official name - Republic of Lithuania (litas. Lietuvos Respublika, english Republic of Lithuania)... Located in northeastern Europe. The area is 65.2 thousand km 2, the population is 3.484 million people. (2001 census). The state language is Lithuanian. The capital is Vilnius (542.3 thousand people, 2001). State holiday - Independence Day February 16 (1918). Monetary unit - litas (equal to 100 cents).

Geography

Located between 21 ° and 28 ° E and 57 ° and 54 ° North, on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Length of land border 1731 km - in the north with Latvia (598 km), in the east and southeast with Belarus (724), in the south with Poland (106), in the southwest with the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation (303). In the west it is washed by the Baltic Sea, coastline length 99 km.

L. is basically a flat country occupying the western edge of the East European Plain with several gentle elevations up to 300 m above sea level, the Middle Lithuanian lowland with heights of 16-90 m. In the west there is the Samogit Upland, from north-west to south-east along the border with Belarus stretches the Baltic ridge with heights of up to 294 m.The territory is divided into 4 historical regions:Samogitia (in the west), Aukštaitija (in the east), Dzukia (in the southeast) and Suvalkia (in the southwest).

In L. more than 2800 lakes with a surface area of \u200b\u200bmore than 0.5 hectares (total area 876 km 2) and approx. 1600 smaller lakes, 722 rivers , most of them belong to the Nemunas (Neman) basin; Latvia accounts for 475 km of the total length of the river of 937 km. Famous resorts: Curonian Spit, Palanga, Druskininkai.

Podzolic soil ... The central regions have the most fertile soils. Agricultural land area is 3.6 million hectares. Forests covered 1.8 million hectares, or 27.6% of the country's territory. Pine is widespread; spruce, alder, birch, oak, aspen and ash are also found. There are many hares, deer and wild boars in the forests, there are moose. From birds - pheasants, black grouse, ducks and swans.

Western Lithuania and the Lithuanian shelf of the Baltic Sea are promising areas for oil and natural gas production. Oil reserves are estimated at 46 to 55.5 million cubic meters. Small place of Birth There are iron ore in the southeast; limestone, granite, and amber are mined.

Climate transitional from maritime to continental. Average monthly temperatures in January are -5 ° С, in July +17 ° С. The annual precipitation is from 540 mm in the central regions to 930 mm on the coast southwest of the отemait Upland. 3/4 of atmospheric precipitation falls in the form of rains, fogs are frequent in spring and autumn, and thaws in winter.

Population

According to estimates from national statistics, at the beginning. In 2003, the population of Lithuania was 3.466 million. (reduction by 18 thousand people compared to the 2001 census).

During the time between censuses negative mechanical gain amounted to 224.5 thousand people. Although there was natural growth in 33.7 thousand people, the population decreased by 190.8 thousand people. The share of urban residents fell from 67.7% in 1989 to 66.9% in 2001.

The share of the population under 10 years old decreased from 15.5% in 1989 to 11.6% in 2001, over 60 years old increased from 15.7 to 19.3% and is 17.2% in cities, 23.5% in rural areas ... The share of men in the population decreased from 47.5 to 46.8%. Between the ages of 1 and 2, there are 8% more boys than girls. The prevalence of men gradually decreases with increasing age, and at the age of 24-25 their number becomes equal. After 46 years, the number of women exceeds the number of men by more than 10%, after 67 years - more than 1.5 times, after 74 years - more than 2 times, after 86 years - 3 times.

Ethnic composition : Lithuanians - 83.45%, Russians - 8%, Poles - 7% and Belarusians - 1.5%. 99% of residents have Lithuanian citizenship, 0.4% - Russian. The Lithuanian language belongs to the Baltic group of the Indo-European family and is related to Sanskrit. The alphabet is based on Latin graphics.

Most Lithuanians and almost all Poles (80% of the population) profess Catholicism, 10% of Lithuanians (in the west) and the majority of Latvians are Lutheran, 6% are Orthodoxy. Religious education is included in public school curricula.

Story

Separate feudal principalities existed in Latvia as early as the ninth century. The first written mention of the Lithuanians dates back to 1009. The Lithuanian lands were united into a single state by Prince Mindaugas approx. 1236. It was an early feudal monarchy. From the very beginning, the state had to face the expansion of the crusaders - the Teutonic and Livonian orders. In the 13-16 centuries. L. repeatedly repulsed German aggression. To prevent the capture of Lithuania by the crusaders and to defeat opponents inside the country, Mindaugas converted to Catholicism in 1251, receiving the support of the Pope. In 1253 Mindaugas became king of Lithuania. In 1260, the troops of the Livonian Order were defeated in the battle at Lake Durbe. With the coming to power of Prince Vityanis (1295-1316), the period of civil strife ended, a military reform was carried out, a professional army was created, 11 campaigns were made against the crusaders.

In the 1st floor. 14th century a strong state appeared in Europe - the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia. It owes its origin to the Grand Duke Gediminas (1316-41), who during the years of his reign significantly strengthened the centralized Lithuanian state. Many Russian lands, striving to find protection from the Mongol-Tatars, joined Latvia voluntarily. In 1410, in alliance with Polish and Russian troops, the Teutonic Order was defeated in the Battle of Grunwald. In 1558-83 Lithuania, together with Russia, participated in the Livonian War, and in 1569 it united with Poland to form the Rzeczpospolita (Union of Lublin).

After the third partition of Rzecz Pospolita (1795), most of Lithuania was annexed to the Russian Empire. From the very beginning of World War I, Lithuania became the arena of hostilities for the armies of Germany and Russia. In the fall of 1915, German troops almost completely occupied the country. Since the demand for autonomy for Lithuania was ignored by the tsarist government, prominent political figures headed by A. Smetona reoriented themselves to Germany. With the consent of the occupation authorities, the Lithuanian Tariba was elected on September 21, 1917, and on February 16, 1918, the decision on the independence of the Lithuanian state was adopted. The Provisional Workers 'and Peasants' Government, created in December 1918, announced the overthrow of the government and Tariba and the proclamation of the Lithuanian Soviet Republic.

After the advance of German troops in August 1919, Red Army detachments left Latvia. In 1920, the Soviet government recognized Latvia's independence. In 1922, a Constitution was adopted and Lithuania was declared a democratic republic. Smetona became the first president. In 1920-26, a bourgeois parliamentary regime existed in the country. As a result of a military coup in December 1926, the authoritarian presidential regime of Smetona was established (1927-40).

As a result of Poland's defeat in the war with Germany, in accordance with the Soviet-German agreements, the Vilnius region, along with the Western Ukrainian and Western Belarusian lands, came under the control of the Red Army. In October 1939, an agreement of mutual assistance was signed between the Soviet Union and Lithuania and the transfer of Vilnius and the Vilnius region to it. Soviet military bases with up to 20 thousand troops were deployed on its territory. On July 21, 1940, the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed, and in August 1940 it was admitted to the USSR.

During World War II, the German army was stationed in Latvia. In 1945 - 50 Lithuanians tried to resist the return to the USSR, but were suppressed by Soviet troops.

In the summer of 1988, the Saiudis Perestroika Movement took shape, setting the task of restoring Latvia's independence. The activities of the Liberty League of Lithuania (formed in 1978), headed by A. Brazauskas, intensified. The elections to the Supreme Soviet (February 24, 1990) were won by the supporters of Sayudis headed by V. Landsbergis, the Act on the Restoration of the Independence of the State of Lithuania - the Republic of Lithuania was adopted on March 11, and in September 1991 the independence of democratic Lithuania was recognized by the State Council of the USSR.

State structure and political system

L. is a presidential republic. The Constitution adopted by a referendum on October 25, 1992 is in force.

Administrative division - 10 counties, 44 districts, 92 cities, 22 villages. Largest cities (thousand people): Vilnius, Kaunas (378.9), Klaipeda (about 193), Šiauliai (133.9), Panevezys (119.8).

Government in accordance with the Constitution is carried out by the Seimas, the President and the Government.

The highest legislative body - The Seimas (unicameral parliament), consisting of 141 deputies, elected on the basis of universal, direct, secret ballot for 4 years (71 - from single-mandate constituencies under the majoritarian system and 70 - on the basis of proportional representation based on party lists). The Seimas discusses, adopts, publishes legislative acts, approves or rejects the candidacy of the prime minister proposed by the president, monitors government activities, sets taxes, holds elections to local governments, ratifies international treaties. The elections to the new Seimas took place in October 2000, and the chairman was A. Paulauskas, the leader of the New Union (social liberals) party, who replaced Landsbergis, the leader of the conservatives, in this post.

Head of state - President elected by universal, direct, secret ballot for a term of 5 years, no more than 2 times in a row. The President represents the State of Lithuania, decides on the most important foreign policy issues together with the government, appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister with the approval of the Seimas, appoints and dismisses ministers on the proposal of the Prime Minister, issues acts-decrees, has the right to veto decisions of the Seimas. He can dissolve the Diet ahead of schedule. The Seimas elected in early elections has the right to call early presidential elections by a majority (3/5) of votes. The early presidential elections, the second round of which ended on June 27, 2004, were won by 77-year-old independent centrist V. Adamkus, who largely contributed to Lithuania's accession to NATO and the European Union. He was already president from 1998-2003. and returned to the post of head of state after his retirement. V. Adamkus replaced R. Paksas, the third president after the restoration of Lithuania's independence and the first European leader of a state, who was dismissed in early April 2004 by impeachment (for dubious ties with international criminal structures, including Russian ones). V. Adamkus was supported by the parties Union of Liberals and Center, Union of the Fatherland, social liberals. The victory of Adamkus means the strengthening of Lithuania's pro-Western orientation, as well as closer ties with the Western states.

The highest executive body - the government, which presents the program to the Seimas and, after its approval, takes the oath. Prime Minister A. Brazauskas has led the 12th (since 1990) government since July 2001. He was appointed to this post by President Adamkus after the fall of the coalition government of the right-wing and center Paksas parties due to disagreements over economic and privatization issues. The Seimas approved the program of the government of the "left majority", which promised to accelerate the course of reforms necessary for joining NATO and the EU, to turn domestic policy towards a socially oriented market, reduce unemployment and poverty while maintaining a tight financial policy. In March 2003, the composition of the new government of the country, proposed by Brazauskas, was approved (12 out of 13 ministers retained posts in the cabinet).

Registered in L. 37 parties and political organizations. The most influential right-wing party in the country is the conservative Tevines sayunga (Union of the Fatherland, SB), founded on the basis of the social and political movement Sayudis, registered on May 25, 1993, chairman - V. Landsbergis; The Christian Democratic Party of L. (HDPL), a right-wing party, registered on September 22, 1990, chairman Z. Zinkevičius; The Democratic Labor Party of L. (DPTL), a reformist party of social democratic orientation, registered on December 19, 1990, has the status of the main opposition force, chairman C. Jurshenas; Center Union, a center-right party, registered on October 27, 1993, chairman R. Ozolas; The Social Democratic Party of Leningrad (SDPL) with a center-left orientation, registered on January 17, 1990, chairman V. Andriukaitis; "New Union" (social liberals), a center-left party, founded in June 1998, chairman A. Paulaskas; Union of Liberals L., a liberal-democratic party with a center-right orientation, registered on March 11, 1991, chairman since December 1999 R. Paksas; “New Democracy” (Women's Party of L.), registered on April 20, 1995, chairman K. Prunskiene; Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a political organization, registered on August 14, 1996, chairman K. Bobelis.

The country has four republican trade union centers : Center of Trade Unions, the Association of Trade Unions, the Labor Federation of Lithuania, and the Workers' Union (actually disintegrated). L.'s entry into the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1991 allowed the trade unions to conclude a General Agreement with the government, in which a three-way principle of partnership in the labor market operates: the government, trade unions, and employers.

A situation has developed in Lithuania in which two most important structures of power control opposing ideological forces. In the parliament of the last convocation, it was possible to create a center-left majority, grouped around Prime Minister A. Brazauskas. The opposition center-right minority is represented by the Liberal Union, the Center Union and the Modern Christian Union. As a result, the general political situation in the country largely depends on the position of Prime Minister A. Brazauskas. The ruling Social Democrats and Social Liberals intend to preserve the coalition, which is the guarantor of stability in the country. Prime Minister Brazauskas is in favor of constructive cooperation with the new President V. Adamkus, who adheres to the previous priorities in foreign policy - membership in the EU and NATO, strengthening all-round Baltic cooperation, maintaining stable relations with the CIS countries, primarily with Russia, orientation, especially in economy, not only to the West, but also to the East.

NATO membership is one of the main objectives of foreign and defense policy L. Defense is allocated 2% of GDP. Such funding based on the Treaty between all parliamentary parties will be maintained until 2004. The preparation and reform of the national defense system is carried out in accordance with NATO standards. The country is divided into 3 military districts. Regular Military establishment consist of 12,200 people. Ground forces - 7,500 servicemen, 2 motorized infantry brigades of a training regiment, a separate jaeger regiment, an engineer battalion, an artillery battalion, a peacekeeping company. In reserve - 10 regiments, 36 battalions, 130 companies of territorial defense, 2 squadrons of army aviation, or St. 330 thousand people, incl. the first stage - 28 thousand, the second - 308 thousand people. The Land Forces of Leningrad are armed with more than 70 armored personnel carriers (50 - M113A1, 10 - BTR-60 and more than 10 - M42), 10 BRDM-2, 10 MT-LB, approx. 200 RPG-7 grenade launchers, St. 40 120-mm mortars, more than 110 Carl Gustav coastal defense launchers. In the Air Force - 800 people. personnel, 8 training aircraft L-39 (light attack aircraft), 2 - L-410, 6 - An-24, 3 - An-26, 4 helicopters Mi-2, 6 - Mi-8 and Mi-17. The navy (about 600 people) consists of 2 small anti-submarine ships, 3 patrol boats, 2 minesweepers, a headquarters and at the same time a training ship. Coast Guard - 550 people. and 4 patrol boats.

Economy

L. is a state with an industrial-agrarian economy. The share of industry in GDP (2000) is 51.2%, agriculture 24.7%, construction 9.8%, transport 3.6%, other spheres of activity 10.1%.

Main industries : mechanical engineering, metal and woodworking, production of building materials, textile, chemical and food industries. In 2002, the Lithuanian industry produced and sold products worth 26,334 million litas, compared to 2001, the increase in constant prices was 3.1%, in the extractive and processing industries 2.7%, in the electricity and gas industry 5.4%.

IN agriculture occupied approx. 35% of the economically active population. Over 4 million hectares of land are used by agricultural enterprises and private households. Meat and dairy farming and poultry farming are well developed. The main crop production products are grain and forage crops, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables. In 2002, grain production was 9% more than in 2001, sugar beet - 20%, rapeseed - 63%, potatoes - 45%. Structural changes continued in the countryside. Farms and households produced 81% of grain, 64% of sugar beets, 69% of rapeseed and 99.3% of potatoes. The volume of sales of the main livestock products: livestock 141.1 thousand tons (in 2001 - 127.1), milk - 1140.6 thousand tons (in 2001 - 1152.8), eggs - 517.7 million. (in 2001 - 480.8). In 2002, 190 million litas were allocated for the development of the countryside and agriculture, 1.7 times more than in 2001.

Volume retail turnover in 2002 amounted to 15 640 million litas, compared to 2001 increased by 12.4% (in constant prices), the volume of services - by 17.1%. The volume of wholesale trade increased by 13.7% (in current prices) and amounted to LTL 18,972.1 million.

L. can be divided into 4 economic regions:in the east, various enterprises of mechanical engineering, woodworking and light industries are represented (this is the main resort area); in the southern part there are concentrated hydroelectric power plants, food processing and metalworking enterprises, and the main farmland; the north specializes in the production of winter crops, flax and sugar beets; in the west, shipbuilding and ship repair industry, and fishing are developed. L. provides itself with electricity. The power industry is based mainly on imported fuel. The largest power plants: Kaunas HPP, Lithuanian GRES, Ignalina NPP.

Transport network in L. is quite developed. The length of the railway lines is approx. 3 thousand km, highways - 44.5 thousand km. The main seaport is Klaipeda (design capacity is 30 million tons per year). Ferry service Klaipeda-Mukran (Germany) operates. There is a main gas pipeline (1400 km long) with branches, the Polotsk-Birzai-Mazeikiai oil pipeline and an offshore oil terminal in Butinge with a throughput capacity of 16 and 8 million tons per year, respectively. Airports: in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga, cargo - in Siauliai. The main telephone company is Lietuvos Telecomas.

Lithuania is consistently carrying out economic reforms coordinated by the IMF and the World Bank, the core of which is privatization (the private sector now produces over 80% of the country's GDP). In the beginning. Summer 2001 L. joined the WTO. According to the European Commission, Lithuania is a country with a market economy, and joining the EU will strengthen its economic security and macroeconomic stability.

Over the years of its sovereign existence, the country has experienced a rather long (5 years) and deep economic decline. In 2000, the GDP in Leningrad was 67% of the 1990 level; the volume of industrial production decreased by 44%, and agricultural production by 30%. The Russian monetary and financial crisis of 1998 had a devastating effect on the Latvian economy. The material expression of these losses, according to official data, amounted to LTL 700 million, or 8% of budget revenues. Many enterprises were declared bankrupt, by the end. 1998 274 enterprises (food, dairy and meat-processing, textile and metal-working industries) were liquidated, exporting products mainly to the Russian Federation. The volume of exports to the Russian Federation decreased by 76.3%, and imports by 41.3%. Financial resources accumulated in advance and a fairly tough credit and financial policy helped to overcome the consequences of the Russian crisis. The slow growth of industrial and agricultural production began in 2000.

Dynamics of GDP in Latvia in the 1990s had a tendency inherent in all transition economies - a strong recession was replaced by unsustainable growth. At the same time, exports and foreign investment remained the main sources of growth amid limited domestic demand. The volume of GDP in 2002 (in constant prices) amounted to LTL 50,805.2 million, an increase of 6.7% compared to 2001 ( cm. tab. ). In all sectors of the economy, tangible positive shifts were observed, with the exception of the mining, mining and fishing industries, where the increase in value added was only 0.7%. The largest growth was in construction (12.8%), in wholesale and retail trade (8.7%), in transport and communications (12.6%), in financial services (10.6%). In the manufacturing industry it amounted to 5.5%, in agriculture and forestry - 6.1%, in hotel and restaurant services - 7.6%, in electricity, gas and water supply - 5.4%. GDP growth in 2002 was achieved largely due to increased labor productivity and increased hours worked.

The volume of exports in 2002 increased by 10.6% compared to 2001 and amounted to 5472.3 million US dollars, imports - by 11.0% and reached 7615.4 million US dollars. In 2002, the EU countries accounted for 48.4% of exports and 45% of imports, while the CIS countries accounted for 19.2 and 26.2%, respectively. The main export partners were: Great Britain (13.5%), Russia (12.1%), Germany (10.3%), Latvia (9.6%), imports - Russia (21.4%), Germany (17.2%), Italy (4.9%), Poland (4.8%).

The unstable dynamics of the world economy and negative trends in the development of the EU countries (a slowdown in economic growth) in recent years have a direct impact on the economy of Lithuania. This is directly related to the small export opportunities and the increase in imports. At the same time, the growing demand for Lithuanian goods in the CIS countries should be noted. The country managed to partially compensate for the losses in the EU markets by more active entry into the markets of the CIS countries, to which exports in 2002 increased by 12%. The share of the Russian Federation in Latvian exports is growing steadily, from 7.1 percent in 2000 to 12.1 percent in 2002.

The Lithuanian economy needs a Russian market. Foreign economic relations between the Russian Federation and Lithuania are based on bilateral agreements and practical cooperation. The volume of trade between them in 2002 amounted to US $ 1,980 million, Russian exports to Lithuania were US $ 1,670 million, and imports from Lithuania to the Russian Federation were US $ 309 million. Lately, the negative balance for Latvia has been decreasing somewhat, but not in kind, but only in value due to price changes. In the coming years, the trade turnover between the two countries is projected to grow by at least 2 times. The Russian Federation remains a major trading partner due to the high activity of both Lithuanian and Russian entrepreneurs. There are 840 joint ventures and 215 joint ventures with purely Russian capital ($ 16.1 million) operating in L., mainly engaged in trade and intermediary activities. Relatively large investments were made by the Russian companies Gazprom and LUKOIL. RAO Gazprom invested in the gas sales company Stella Vitae.

The transit of Russian goods remains an important element of Latvia's national economy. The volume of these services significantly exceeds merchandise exports to the Russian Federation in value terms. Russian Federation provides services for the transportation and transshipment of oil and oil products, fertilizers, metals and a number of other goods. Income from the transit of these goods in the budget of L. app. 25% (350-400 million USD per year).

The economic role of the Russian Federation for Lithuania is largely determined by the supply of energy resources. Its main import requirements for gas, oil and nuclear fuel for the Ignalina NPP are mainly met by Russian supplies. The share of the Russian Federation is St. 85% of the import of Lithuanian mineral products. A number of branches of the Lithuanian industry work on the processing of Russian raw materials (oil, timber, metals, etc.) with the subsequent export of the manufactured products to the markets of third countries. L. is an economic bridge between the European Union and the Russian Federation, providing transport infrastructure and energy routes between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the Russian Federation. The Kaliningrad region accounts for about 1/4 of Lithuanian supplies to the Russian Federation, as of November 1, 2002, 496 Russian-Lithuanian joint ventures were registered there, 16 branches of Lithuanian enterprises, as well as 8 representative offices of Lithuanian firms, operate in Kaliningrad.

Reduced demand in foreign markets had a downward impact on the dynamics of consumer prices. The trade deficit has grown significantly. The increase in the balance of payments deficit was counteracted by a very tangible inflow of investments from abroad. In 2002, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latvia grew by 24% (the volume of FDI stock at the beginning of 2002 was $ 2.4 billion, or $ 649 per capita). The largest foreign investors are Sweden, the USA and Finland (43% of all foreign investments).

The economic development of Lithuania in 2003 was still determined by the dynamics of demand on the domestic market. Some growth in consumption became possible due to the increase in wages, expansion of opportunities for obtaining loans from commercial banks. Latvia has a two-tier banking system consisting of a central (Bank L.) and more than 20 commercial and specialized banks. The total share of government shares in the sector of commercial banks is 35%.

The total public debt to the end. 2002 amounted to LTL 13 162.8 million, external debt - LTL 9177.8 million.

In 2002, per capita GDP reached 4.0 thousand euros (in 1998 - 2.9 thousand). The average monthly wage was $ 272, the minimum was $ 107, the average pension was $ 80, and the average family income per person was $ 105. Pensions increased by an average of 5%, a provision was legalized to increase small pensions, covering more than 300 thousand old age and disability pensioners. At present, old-age pensions are received by women who have reached the age of 57.5 years, men - 61.5 years (in 2009 the retirement age for women will increase to 60 years, and for men to 62.5 years). Food accounted for 50% of all expenses. Over the past 3 years, the difference between the poorest and the richest strata of the population has decreased from 13 to 9 times.

The number of employed in 2002 amounted to 1,406 thousand people, an increase in comparison with 2001 by 4%. Unemployment, although it decreased from 12.5 to 11.3%, remains quite high; 198.4 thousand people were registered. unemployed (in 2001 - 223.5).

Science and culture

IN primary school there are children aged 7 years and study there for 3 years, 5 or 8 years of secondary school (depending on the type of school). Graduates of secondary schools can further study in vocational or higher education institutions. The language of instruction is Lithuanian, but in areas where national minorities are concentrated, Polish and Russian are used. Educational institutions are mostly state-owned, there are private gymnasiums, lyceums, universities, business schools.

In the 2001-02 academic year, there were 2,428 educational institutions in Leningrad, incl. 42 private. In 2,261 state and 19 private general education schools, 45.3 thousand students were enrolled; in 123 vocational and technical colleges and schools (20 private) - 44.8 thousand students; in 16 universities (9 private) and 19 universities (4 private) - 11.6 thousand students. Largest universities : Vilnius University (founded in 1579), Vytaus Magnus University (Kaunas), Vilnius Technical University, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas Medical Academy, Klaipeda University. In the course of the reform of higher education, a two-stage system was introduced, in which in all universities (except for Vilnius University), after 4 years of study, a student receives a bachelor's degree, and after 2 years - a master's degree. The academic degree of doctor assumes another 2 years of doctoral studies and the defense of scientific work. In 1994, L. ratified the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Diplomas and Degrees of Higher Education in the European Region.

An important problem of the Lithuanian science is the insufficient amount of funds allocated from the budget. The share of spending on science in GDP decreased from 1.24% in 1998 to 0.68% in 2001, and the number of researchers fell to 5130 people. (in 1998 - 5588 people).

Scientific research are conducted at the Vilnius University, other universities in Vilnius and Kaunas. The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences was transformed into a personal one, and its institutes became state ones. The country has two largest libraries: National. Mazvydas in Vilnius and Vilnius University. There are also large funds in the Central Library of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Kaunas University of Technology.

Vilnius is not the only place in Lithuania where you can plunge into history. And it is not the only city that has been its capital in the course of history. Recreation and entertainment agency "Vilnius Relax" invites tourists to get acquainted not only with Vilnius, but also with the former capitals of Lithuania - Trakai and Kernavė.

The tour, which is called that, " THREE CAPITALS", is a fascinating journey through the most beautiful places of Vilnius and its surroundings, which includes a visit to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Vilnius, Kernavė) and the picturesque medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in Trakai Castle.

Historical background of visited places

Let's start from the Old Town in Vilnius

Most tourists visiting Lithuania definitely come to the capital of the country, Vilnius, and for good reason, because Vilnius is recognized by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful cities in the Old World with the largest Baroque old town in Eastern and Central Europe. The old town, surrounded by a beautiful landscape, harmoniously combines the heritage of the past and current achievements, science and culture. Vilnius is the center of the spiritual, cultural, religious and political life of Lithuania.

The first internationally recognized cultural property is the Vilnius Old Town. Since the XIII century. and until the 18th century. Vilnius was the political center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and had a huge impact on the cultural and architectural development in Eastern Europe. Although it has often been attacked and destroyed, it has preserved impressive complexes of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist buildings, as well as a medieval urban structure and natural environment.

Vilnius can be studied as a textbook of architectural styles. Its old buildings reflect all styles, from late Gothic to Classicism, but mostly Baroque. The Old Town is the largest Baroque old town in Central and Eastern Europe, covering an area of \u200b\u200b360 hectares. True, it is interesting that the Vilnius Baroque stands on a medieval foundation. Above the somewhat crooked, narrow network of medieval streets, there are mighty and majestic domes and towers that belong to another century. It was during the heyday of the Baroque that most of the sacral structures of Vilnius were erected: churches, churches, monasteries.

The most impressive buildings in Vilnius are built in the Baroque style: in 1604, the construction of the church of St. Casimir, which is distinguished by a peculiar lower part and a dome in the form of a crown; in the second quarter of the 18th century. St. John's Church was built with its bell tower, harmoniously integrated into the architectural ensemble of Vilnius University. From the tower, in the palm of your hand, you can see the entire Old Town.

Vilnius Old Town remembers many secrets. Going into the courtyards, you can see the remains of the old masonry, find out what the most beautiful courtyards looked like, where the possessions of nobles and nobles were. Vilnius courtyards hide the secrets of the city and its citizens, which the team invites to discover "Vilnius Relax" .

Objects visited during the excursion to the Old Town:

The courtyard of the A. Mitskevich Museum

House No. 22 (the first botanical garden of Vilnius University)

The inner courtyard of the Chodkiewicz Palace.

The inner courtyard of the Pacov Palace.

Alumnat's yard.

Streets Šv. Ignoto and Dominikonų.

Courtyard of the Chronicler.

The courtyard of the church of St. Nicholas.

If we talk about something in more detail, it will be especially interesting for Belarusian tourists to visit museum of his great compatriot - the poet Adam Mitskevich.The Memorial Museum belongs to the Vilnius University. It is located in a building on Bernardin street (Bernardinų g. 11), which is an architectural monument of the 17th-18th centuries, a typical merchant's house with galleries in the courtyard.

At the beginning of the 19th century, this building belonged to Zhitsky. Adam Mickiewicz lived on the first floor on the left in 1822, returning from Kovno. The poet was finishing his poem Grazhina here, preparing it for publication. In 1906, to perpetuate this fact, the Vilna Society of Friends of Science decided to establish a museum of the poet here.

This idea was realized in 1911, when a member of the society Jan Obst, a Vilna journalist and publisher, bought the house. The obst repaired it, and on the first floor of the house set up a museum of Adam Mitskevich. On the pediment of the building, Obst placed a sign in Polish "Tu Adam Mickiewicz przpisywał" Grażynę "" ("Here Adam Mickiewicz copied" Grazyna "). Now the tablet is written in two languages \u200b\u200b- Lithuanian and Polish.

In the late 1930s, Obst handed the house over to the Department of Classical Philology at the Stefan Batory University. The museum operated until World War II. During the occupation of Vilnius, the museum was plundered.

After World War II, the building housed the auditoriums of the Vilnius State University, the Department of Classical Philology, and a number of premises were allocated for teachers' living quarters. In 1955, in connection with the centenary of the death of Adam Mitskevich, the memorial museum-apartment of the poet was restored. The restoration was based on the illustration “The Room in Vilna where Grazhina was painted” in Vladislav Belza's album Album pamiątkowe Adama Mickiewicza (Lvov, 1889).

The museum was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Vilnius University Library and is part of its structure to this day. In 1979, in connection with the widely celebrated 400th anniversary of the university, the museum was once again thoroughly renovated, in 1983, its current exposition was mainly formed.After renovations in the abandoned Gothic basement under the former apartment of the poet, in 1997-1998 it was opened Hall of Philomats, which today hosts conferences, seminars, book presentations.

In the three rooms of the museum, you can examine a table and an armchair that belonged to the poet and were brought from Paris, the registration book of university students of 1815 and several other exhibits, of which there are more than 200: letters from philomatics to Mitskevich, documents, the first lifetime editions of the poet, sculptures, portraits, medals, associated with the personality and work of the poet.

Alumnata Palace

Alumnat's Palace (lit. Alumnatas) is one of the landmarks of Vilnius, an architectural monument of the Renaissance with elements of Gothic, late Baroque and Classicism. It is located in the Old Town on Universiteto street (Universiteto g. 4).

The boarding house for alumni of the Uniate religion of the Vilna Academy was established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1528. The building was built by the efforts of the Jesuits in 1622 on the model of the main building of the Academy itself in the Bolshoi Dvor. This building included elements of a Gothic building with cellars that previously stood on the same site. In the middle of the 17th century, a chapel was built in the back of the courtyard. The building was damaged by fires in 1655, 1710, 1737, 1748. In the second half of the 18th century, a narrow two-storey northern building with galleries was built and the courtyard became closed on all sides.

Above the gate from the street in the past there was a table with the image of the papal tiara (according to other sources - a relief with the initials of the pope and the image of the cardinal's hat). Wide gates lead to a rectangular representational courtyard formed by three-storey residential buildings with arcades instead of corridors (later part of the arcades were walled up; on the north side, the building was built later) - one of the most beautiful courtyards in Vilnius. Open arcades of galleries on all floors and pilasters are made in the style of the late Italian Renaissance. The walls above the arcades were painted with portraits of the popes (the frescoes have not survived). According to other sources, frescoes with portraits of 47 Popes decorated the facade facing the street and were painted over in the middle of the 19th century.

The aluminat building was distinguished by its architecture, especially in the courtyard, where the lower floor is surrounded by a colonnade under the arches, forming a kind of gallery, which in some parts has survived to this day. Here, in the vaulted corridor, were hung portraits of popes and other clergy.

In 1798 alumnat was abolished. After that, the building belonged to the Main Vilna School, later to the Vilna University. In 1824, during the construction of the governor-general's palace, an auxiliary building in the second courtyard was destroyed. In its place was built a new two-storey building with a classicist decor according to the project, supposedly, by Karol Podchashinsky (1829). After the abolition of the university, the building was transferred to the Vilna chapter, which rented out premises for housing to private individuals. The building continued to be called aluminatom or the house of aluminat.

In 1984, according to the project of the architect Elana Urbonene, restoration was carried out, the building was partially returned to its original appearance: the walls of the galleries walled up in the second half of the 19th century were removed, the chapel was restored. The first floor of the southern part of the building was converted into an academic book store, a chess club was located in the auxiliary building, part of the building was occupied by the editorial office of the weekly newspaper of the Lithuanian Writers' Union “Literatura irmenas” (“Literatūrairmenas”, “Literature and Art”) and the cafe “Alumnatas” (“ Alumnatas ").

The facade with rectangular windows without platbands faces the street. On the left is the entrance to the store of scientific literature, mainly humanitarian (Akademinėknyga, located on a part of the ground floor and basement. To the right of a semicircular wide arch framed by a rectangular portal, is the entrance to the Italian cafe SoleLuna.

Nowadays, part of the building houses the Institute of Italian and Italian Institute of Trade, as well as the Institute for Design and Restoration. In summer, an open-air café is open in the courtyard of Alumnat. From the western gate to the next courtyard, there are wonderful views of the eastern facade of Alumnat, the ceremonial courtyard of the Presidency Palace and university buildings.

No less interesting is the history of other objects according to which the guide "Vilnius Relax"will guide tourists during an excursion to the Old Town. They are worth seeing with your own eyes.

Kernavė - the first capital of Lithuania?

And after the Old Town, you will get acquainted with the first capital of Lithuania - Kernavė. It was here that young Lithuania began to take shape. Get ready for a long hike up and down the high hill fort - who knows, maybe some amazing archaeological finds await you.

Kernave (lit. Kernavė) is the supposed location of the capital of the ancient Lithuanians, now it is a small town 35 km from Vilnius, located on the right bank of the Neris River, in the modern Shirvinta region of Lithuania. In ancient times, it was one of the first centers (XIII century) of the Lithuanian state. The legendary Pajautos Valley and the majestic complex of five settlements keep the memory of the capital of the last pagan state in Europe.

In the 13th century Kernavė was a large city with five fortifications. Today only hills remain, and only about 300 people live on the site of the former city. Nevertheless, this area continues to be very attractive for tourists. In 2004, Kernavė was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exceptional world significance of this site - in the duration of its population from the late Paleolithic (IX millennium BC) to the present day.

In written sources (in the rhymed Livonian Chronicle), the first mention of Kernavė dates back to 1279. At the end of 1278, the Livonian troops broke into the depths of Lithuania. In January 1279, they laid siege to Cernava. The Chronicles of the Order speak of it as a "city in the land of Tryden" or "the city of Tryden", therefore some researchers believe that Kernave was then the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The place is also mentioned in the Chronicle of Bykhovets, according to which it is named after its founder, the legendary prince Kernus.

A renovated archaeological museum operates in Kernavė, the exposition of which tells about the prehistoric period and the life of the city in the Middle Ages.

The Three Capitals excursion also includes a visit to Trakai Castle, which we have already covered with the Vilnius Relax team in the article. This castle is known far beyond the borders of Lithuania and you can admire it an infinite number of times, because it is the only island castle not only in Lithuania, but throughout Eastern Europe. Wandering through the castle's labyrinths, you can even get to one of the real knightly tournaments, which are held here quite often, but even if this does not happen, you can safely admire the extraordinary frescoes, galleries and other historical treasures. And on the way back, you should definitely try real kibins, because you will not find such Karaite pies anywhere else.

It is difficult to talk about the spirit that seems to breathe in every corner of ancient Lithuania, you need to feel it yourself, and the team "Vilnius Relax" invites everyone to immerse themselves in the grandeur of the ancient Lithuanian capitals. A combination of beauty, mystery, living history and luxury awaits us in Kernavė, Trakai and Vilnius.

The Three Capitals offer includes:

• Transfer and accompaniment of a guide;
• Sightseeing tour of the Old Town of Vilnius - a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
• Visit to Kernavė - the ancient capital of Lithuanians, known since the 11th century, and today - a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
• Excursion to the residence of the princes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania - Trakai Castle, which is picturesquely located on the inaccessible lakes of the Trakai region.

Group: 5-6 people. Price - € 30 per person. The price includes transport and services of an accompanying guide. Admission to the Kernavė Museum and entrance tickets to Trakai Castle are paid additionally.

Lithuania, or the Republic of Lithuania, is a state located in the north-east of Europe and the south-east coast of the Baltic Sea. The coastline is 99 km long. Lithuania shares borders with many European countries: in the north - with Latvia, in the southeast - with Belarus, in the south - with Poland, and in the southwest - with the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

Historically, Lithuania is divided into four regions: Aukštaitija - in the east, Samogitia - in the west, Dzukija - in the southeast and Suvalkia - in the southwest. According to the administrative division, the country is divided into 10 counties, and the counties, in turn, form the territories of local governments. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe country is about 65,300 sq. km, and the population is about 2.7 million people.

The capital of the Republic of Lithuania is Vilnius. Other major cities include Kaunas, Klaipeda, Šiauliai and some others.

In the period of its greatest prosperity, Lithuania covered the territories of present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and partly the Western Russian lands. The country's territory once stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Special relations have always developed between Lithuania, Poland and Russia. During the period of the struggle against the crusaders, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania entered into an alliance with the Kingdom of Poland. As a result of this, in 1385, the Krevo Union appeared. A little later, in the middle of the 16th century, Lithuania and Poland entered the united state - the Commonwealth. At the end of the 18th century, this state was divided between Russia, Austria and Prussia, while most of the Lithuanian territory passed to the Russian Empire. At the beginning of the 20th century, due to the collapse of the Russian Empire, Lithuania gained independence. And in 1940 the country again became part of the USSR. Lithuania gained independence for the second time in 1990, after seceding from the Soviet Union.

Today the Republic of Lithuania is a developed agro-industrial country belonging to the Baltic group of countries. In the eastern part of the country, there are industrial enterprises of the light, woodworking and machine-building industries. The main resorts with numerous hotels are also located here. In the western part of the country, shipbuilding, ship repair industry and fishing are developed. In the south, there are hydroelectric power plants and metal-working enterprises, as well as a developed food industry. There are not many industrial enterprises in the north of Lithuania, but the production of winter crops, sugar beets and flax is well developed.

The political system of Lithuania is a parliamentary republic. The country's independence dates are February 16, 1918 and March 11, 1990. The constitution was adopted on October 25, 1992. The head of state is the president and the head of government is the prime minister. Presidential elections are held every five years. The legislative body is represented by a unicameral Seimas, consisting of 141 deputies. The Seimas is re-elected every four years. Lithuania has been a member of the EU and NATO since 2004 and is part of the Schengen area. The official currency of the country from 2015 will be the euro, before that - litas.

Geographically, the country occupies a flat area, where fields and meadows cover about 57% of the territory, and forests and shrubs cover about 30%. The rest is swamps and inland waters. The largest rivers in the country are the Neman and Viliya (Neris). There are over 3 thousand lakes on the territory of Lithuania. The largest of them are Druksiai, Tauragnas and Asveja.

The main ethnic groups of the country: Lithuanians (84%), Poles (6-7%), Russians (5-6%), Belarusians (1.2%), Ukrainians (0.6%). Religiously, the majority of the population are Catholics (77.3%). There are also Orthodox (4.1%), non-believers (6.1%) and Lutherans, who live mainly in the Klaipeda region and Kėdainiai.

It is believed that Lithuanians speak the oldest language in the Indo-European family. Only the Latvian and Prussian languages \u200b\u200bare related to the Lithuanian language. Other languages \u200b\u200bused in the country are Russian, Polish, German and English.

Current time in Vilnius:
(UTC +2)

Lithuanians' national traits are, first of all, hospitality, hospitality and well-developed family ties. The sights of Lithuania are not famous all over the world, however, many travelers were able to enjoy its hospitality. Many businesses and organizations in the country are family-run, and restaurants serve portions that one visitor simply cannot master. At the same time, Lithuanians are distinguished by a fairly even and calm character, and are very fond of national holidays and festivals.

How to get to Lithuania

It is most logical to start your acquaintance with the country from its capital and the main city - Vilnius. You can get to the Lithuanian capital by car, bus, train and plane. You can read more about the ways of arriving in the capital of Lithuania in the block « » .

Also, some cities of the country (in particular, Kaunas and Klaipeda) can be reached from Moscow with just one change in Riga. The ticket price will start from 8,000 rubles.

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Climate and weather in Lithuania

The climate is continental in the central and eastern parts, and mild maritime on the coast. The average temperature in January is -5 ° С, and in July - about +17 ° С and higher. About 630 mm of precipitation falls annually.

Regions of Lithuania

The Republic of Lithuania is officially divided into 10 counties (apskritis): Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Šiauliai, Tialshai, Panevezys, Utena, Alytus, Taurage, Marijampole. The country is unofficially divided into five ethnographic regions: Aukštaitija, Zemaitija, Dzukija, Suvalkia and Lithuania Minor, which is also known as the Klaipeda region.

The lands of this region are the original core of the Lithuanian state. It was here in the 11th century that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was formed, which developed so successfully that by the 12th century it had become the most powerful principality of the Balts. At that time, the Aukštait tribes occupied not only the modern territory of Aukštaitija, but also a part of present-day Latvia, located south of Daugavpils, and part of northwestern Belarus. The largest region is Aukštaitija (Aukštaitija), which is located in the north-east of the country. Translated from Lithuanian aukštas means “high”, and the name can be literally translated as “upper land”.

For the first time, the Aukštaitians are mentioned in the XIII-XIV centuries in the stories about the battles of Prince Vityanis, who defended and fortified the territory of the principality. The Aukštaitija region is referred to as the land of the king of the Lithuanians. The oldest cities in the region are Kernov and Vilkomir, and the largest city is Panevezys.

In the western part of the region, there are the Musho-Nyamunelskaya and Nyavezhskaya lowlands, as well as the Svyanchenskaya Upland. The Aukštait Upland occupies the east. On the territory of the region there are several large forests, among them the Tauenu forests, the Birzhu forest, the Azhvinchu-Minches forest, the largest of all - the Labonoro forest and others. All forests are pine.

One of the main attractions of the region is the Aukstait National Park, where more than 40 "street" villages are still preserved. “Street” or “living” villages used to be the name of freely located farms, where Aukštaitija residents built their dwelling houses along the roads, and outbuildings were located in the backyards.

Traditionally, light and joyful colors prevail in the fabrics and national costumes of the Aukštaitija region. Here to this day they perform ancient Aushtaiti songs called sutartine, which are an exceptional phenomenon not only in Lithuanian, but also in world folklore. Their inherent melodic mode and the perfection of polyphony testify to the antiquity of their origin. Along with vocal music, instrumental polyphony was also developed in the region, performed on peculiar pipes called skuduchay.

However, love of music is not the only national trait in the region. Aukštaitija is also considered the birthplace of excellent beer and the land of brewers. This is especially common in the Birzhai region, where, along with the Beer Museum, there are several breweries at once. And the town of Uten in Aukštaitija is famous for one of the best breweries - “Utenos alus”.

It is believed that the geography and nature of the region largely determined the cheerful and calm disposition of the people of Aukštaitija. A variety of reliefs, numerous forests, hills and lakes have turned every village here into a special secluded world. Aukstaiti is also called the land of poets and storytellers.

The second largest region in Lithuania is Duzkiyaor Dainawa (Dzūkija-Dainava), located in the south-east of the country in the middle reaches of the Neman River. The region got its name in the 19th century due to the peculiarities of pronunciation (dzukanya) of local residents. Dzukia differs from other regions with increased forest cover. Another name of the region - Dainava, is associated with the existence of the Dainovo principality in the 13th century on the site of these lands, as well as with the name of the largest forest in the south of Lithuania - Dainava forest.

Despite the fact that Dzukija is considered the poorest region in terms of harvest in Lithuania, it is here that the largest and most beautiful forests are located. For a long time, the inhabitants of the region in the winter were engaged in felling trees, hewing logs, making sleepers, making household items, etc. In spring, residents mainly fished, and in summer and autumn they collected mushrooms, berries and herbs.

Today, canned wild berries and dried mushrooms from Dzukija are sent as delicacies not only to shops in Lithuania, but also to other European countries. Also in Dzukia there are still beekeepers who continued the traditions of beekeeping, from whom you can buy very tasty and healthy hollow honey.

In addition, almost all old crafts have been preserved in Dzukija. All buildings and household items were made by hand. Thus, there are many potters, carpenters, blacksmiths, woodcarvers, black ceramists and other artisans in the region.

It is believed that the most talented Lithuanian weavers, knitters, embroiderers and straw weavers live here. In the traditions of the region, colorful fabrics with flowers, petals and leaves, as if the craftswomen wanted to transfer all the beauty of the surrounding nature onto the fabric.

The nature of the region is especially beautiful and picturesque. Here you can see majestic forests and lakes, rivers with springs and swampy areas covered with tall grass, as well as a diverse fauna. Some ethnographic villages dating back to the 17th-18th centuries look like real "living" museums.

Another distinctive feature of the region is the melodiousness of the population. Here everyone, without exception, sings at work and at home, at weddings and christenings. Dzukian songs are considered the most sonorous in Lithuania. There are many folklore ensembles and vociferous singers in the region.

Another ethnographic region is Samogitia(Žemaitija) or as the Lithuanians themselves call it Samogitia... Translated from Lithuanian žemas is "lower" or "low", respectively, the name completely means "lower earth". The region owes its name to the ancient lands between the lower reaches of the Neman and Venta rivers - Zhmud, as well as to the former Lithuanian tribe - Zhmudins or Zemaity.

The region is located in the northwest of the country. According to Polish historians, Samogitia occupied a very large area in the XIII-XIV centuries. Samogitia was first mentioned at the beginning of the 13th century, when Germans settled in the neighborhood of the region. The chronicles mainly mention fragments of the Samogitians' struggle with the Germans for their independence and pagan religion.

It is believed that among all ethnic groups of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, only the inhabitants of Samogitia had the right to self-government - from the very beginning of the formation of the region, Samogitia had its own prince, usually a vassal of the Grand Duke of Lithuania.

There have always been many artisans in this area: carpenters, shoemakers, coopers, woodcarvers, blacksmiths, furriers, etc. Pottery was especially popular. Samogitian potters leave behind all other regions of Lithuania in terms of the prevalence of craft and the abundance of products. And the city of Vekshniai is still a popular pottery center.

An interesting phenomenon in the region is the so-called monuments of small architecture. These are small wooden chapels, typical only for Samogitia, set on the ground or hanging from trees, as well as various roadside images of saints, crosses with painted figures of saints and other religious attributes.

In Samogitia, special attention is paid to feasts and treats. Visitors to the region are advised to definitely taste the local stewed cabbage with a pork leg, potato pancakes, pickle, onion soup, and drink kvass from dried apples.

The most favorite holiday of Samogitians is Zagovene. On this day, they dress up as different characters, put on frightening masks and visit their neighbors. Also on this day, according to the weather, the abundance of the future harvest is determined, fortune-telling, they eat a lot of pancakes, and in the evening they burn a scarecrow of Mora - a symbol of all winter hardships.

The ancient Samogitian way of life can be found in the Telšiai Museum of Samogitian Rural Life. There is also a special open-air exposition at the Lithuanian Museum of Folk Life, dedicated to Samogitia.

The smallest region is Suwalkia (Suvalkija). Its other name is Suduva (Sūduva)... Suvalkia is located in the south of Lithuania across the Neman River. For this reason, the region is often called Zanemane. The unofficial capital of Suwalkia is the city of Marijampolė.

Since ancient times, the Baltic tribes of the Suduvs lived on these lands. The word Suwalkia appeared much later, in the 19th century, immediately after the formation of the Suwalki province with its center in the Polish city of Suwalki, which is located near the Lithuanian border.

In the Republic of Lithuania there is a public organization called "Suvalkia", which includes residents of the Suvalki region, who were forcibly evicted in 1940. There is also the famous Lithuanian football club "Suduva", based in the city of Marijampole.

The main occupation of the Suwalki Suduvs was and remains agriculture. Serfdom in Suduva was abolished much earlier than in other regions of Latvia, which, along with fertile soil and hard work of local residents, allowed the Suvalki people to become the richest in the country. It is believed that Suwalkia gave the largest number of educated people to Lithuania. Among them are the creator of the common Lithuanian language, Jonas Jablonskis, and the author of the country's national anthem, Vincas Kudirka.

It is here that delicious bread is baked on calamus leaves and unusually beautiful monophonic songs are sung. The country's oldest ensemble, the kankles (a Lithuanian national instrument resembling a gusli), has been preserved in Suduva.

Suduva occupies an area of \u200b\u200bwide plains and good agricultural lands. You can hardly find a stone here. All lands are planted with trees scattered between the fields, which creates the illusion of green islands. The only mountainous rocky place is located in the southeast of the region, near the beautiful Lake Vishtitis. There is also the Vishtyt Regional Park.

Southwest Lithuania occupies Klaipeda region (Klaipėdos kraštas), which is also called Smallor Prussian Lithuania (Mažoji Lietuva). Historically, this region is the territory of Prussia. It is here that the Curonian Spit, the southern part of Turaga County, as well as Shilut and Klaipeda regions are located. Until 1918, the territory of the present Kaliningrad region of Russia was also considered Lithuania Minor. Lithuanian historians claim that these are the lands of the ancient Balts. Also in this part of Lithuania Minor, Lithuanian writing appeared.

The nature of Lithuania Minor is notable for its unique beauty. Here is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, protected by UNESCO - the Curonian Spit. This place simply amazes with the harmony of sands, forests and waters. In Lithuania Minor there is also the Nemunas delta, where you can see numerous islands and even the village of Minija, where a river flows instead of the main street.

The largest city in the region is Klaipeda. There is a museum dedicated to Lithuania Minor in the very center of the old part of the city. The museum building was built of yellow bricks in the Baroque style. At the end of the 18th century, it belonged to a wealthy city dweller. The Museum of the History of Lithuania Minor contains many unique exhibits reflecting the life, traditions and crafts of the inhabitants of the region. The branch of the Museum of the History of Lithuania Minor is the Museum of Blacksmithing, which is also located in Klaipeda.

Wooden architecture is a unique heritage of the region. Particularly impressive are such decoration elements as porches, combs, carved ornaments on the huts. In the old days, it was believed that such symbolism, in particular the ridges, protects from the evil eye.

Another interesting phenomenon in the region is the Ventes Ragas weather station, as well as the ornithological station, through which the Great Bird Migration Route passes. The Pomor village of Kintai and old lighthouses standing like guards - Uostadvaris and Ventes Ragas - are also located here.

Lithuanian cities

The largest city in Lithuania and its capital is Vilnius. The old part of Vilnius is one of the largest in area in all of Europe. The city is also the leader in the number of churches and churches in Eastern Europe and is one of the largest museum and exhibition centers. Vilnius is often called the city of the Baroque, as there is a huge number of buildings in this particular architectural style. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle, also known as the Upper Castle, and the Vilnius University Ensemble.

The second largest city after Vilnius is Kaunas. The city is located in the central part of Lithuania and is known for its unique sights. Among them are the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Kaunas Castle, the Museum of Devils and many others.

The largest industrial and cultural center in the north of Lithuania is the city Siauliai. There is no historical part in Siauliai, since during the Second World War the city was almost razed to the ground. However, there are many modern museums, such as the bicycle museum, the radio and television museum, the fire-technical museum, and the railway museum.

Another large industrial center in the north of Lithuania is Panevezys. The city is not very popular with tourists, as there are no special attractions here. However, the fame of the Panevezys Drama Theater goes far beyond the borders of Lithuania.

The ancient capital of Lithuania is the city Trakai. Today it is a small settlement with a population of just over seven thousand people. Trakai's landmarks include an ancient defensive complex and a church named after the Lithuanian prince Vitovt.

Klaipeda is not only one of the largest cities in Lithuania, but also a famous seaside resort. Thanks to the cool weather, numerous pines and the gentle sun, holidays in Lithuania are perfect for people who are not allowed to abruptly change the climate. Holidays in Klaipeda have been popular since Soviet times. The city's beaches fully comply with European standards of cleanliness, for which they were awarded the Blue Flag. Visitors to the city will be interested in the Maritime Museum with the Oceanarium, as well as the Museum of Watches and the Museum of Blacksmithing. The narrow streets of the Old Town are also attractive.

Another seaside resort in Lithuania, located slightly north of Klaipeda, is Palanga.The city is widely known for its Amber Museum. Lithuanians appreciate this mineral in a special way and say that it flows in their veins. Other sights of Palanga include the Birute and Naglisa Mountains - dunes associated with romantic legends and the beautiful Botanical Garden.

Some places on the Curonian Spit are also seaside resorts. Among them is the village Nida, whose beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, and the town Juodkrantė... Thanks to the special climate in these resorts, you can relax from May to November. In Juodkrantė, tourists can visit the Mountain of Witches - a sacred place of ancient Lithuanians, where many wooden sculptures have been preserved.

There are also balneological resorts in Lithuania. The most famous of these is the city Druskininkai, which is located in the south of the country. The healing properties of local mineral water have been known since ancient times. Moreover, the city was once considered the “summer” capital of Lithuania, where the Polish-Lithuanian nobility preferred to rest.

Another popular balneological resort is the city Birstonas... It is a very small settlement, but its healing waters and therapeutic mud are known far beyond the borders of Lithuania.

Lithuania landmarks

Being the oldest country in the Ancient Baltic, Lithuania is rich in historical architectural monuments, castles and monasteries, churches and churches. This is a country where a huge number of shrines and ancient monuments have been preserved. Also in Lithuania there are several unique sites that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include: Curonian Spit, Struve Duga, Kernavė, Vilnius Old Town.

It is the variety of attractions that is one of the main reasons for active inbound tourism in Lithuania. In addition to architectural monuments, there are also natural attractions. There are five national parks on the territory of Lithuania: Aukštaitsky, Dzukijsky, emaitijsky, Trakai historical, Curonian spit, and 30 regional parks.

Attractions Vilnius, capital of Lithuania

Other sights of Lithuania

• Museum of Rural Life in Rumsiskes
• Aukstait national park

Where to go in Lithuania

sights

Museums and galleries

Parks and recreation areas

Transport

Private guides in Lithuania

Russian private guides will help you to learn more about Lithuania.
It is registered on the project Experts.Tourister.Ru.

Things to do

A distinctive feature of Lithuania is the variety of tourism opportunities. Therefore, every year thousands of tourists come here with various interests and goals. The country has all the conditions for both active and leisurely recreation.

The local nature is good at any time of the year. Fans of "green" recreation or ecotourism consider the parks and forests of Lithuania to be one of the most beautiful and cleanest in Europe. Seascapes do not leave you indifferent either. And lovers of active recreation will enjoy exploring the dunes, rivers and glacial lakes of the country.

If you look at the map of Lithuania, you can see how many rivers and lakes there are in the country. And also the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea coast pass here. Thanks to this, Lithuania is considered a real paradise for lovers of outdoor activities on the water.

Kayaking in Lithuania

One of the most popular types of water recreation is kayaking, which, however, requires special training and experience. Novice tourists are advised to raft along calm rivers and take short hikes for 1-2 days. Ideal for such tours are the waters of the Lakaya, Zheimyana, Neris and Salcha rivers, as well as the middle course of the Merkis and Shirvinta rivers. . As a rule, these are easily traversed routes, but not boring, as there are magnificent landscapes around. More experienced kayakers begin to explore the waters of Lithuania from the Vilnale River, which flows through the capital. This deep river is accompanied by many rapids, barriers from fallen trees, rifts and awkward descents. Despite this, this route is especially interesting, as it passes through historical and architectural monuments.

In spring or after heavy rainfall, you can raft down the Musa River. It is a turbulent river with a fast flow, which is full of rubble, rapids and the remains of ancient mills, which complicates the journey along it, and at the same time makes it exciting. The rafting on the most beautiful river Jesja, so beloved by Kaunas residents, does not last long. In 2-3 hours, you can walk the entire route, characterized by picturesque nature, high sandstones and frequent rapids. However, there are practically no obstacles in the form of blockages from trees.

Cycling in Lithuania

It is especially interesting to travel by bicycle along forest and park paths in Lithuania. For this reason, cycling tourism is very popular in the country. In this area, Lithuania is considered one of the most developed countries in Europe and the most progressive of the Baltic states. You can travel almost the entire country by bike. There are all conditions for comfortable movement here. There are many specially equipped bike paths; along the way, there are campgrounds and places for recreation, as well as small inns with national food. At the opposite bike rental points, you can not only rent a bike, but also have a snack or use a luggage transfer.

One of the most popular cycling routes is the road along the coast of the Curonian Spit from the settlement of Nida to Pervalka. On this route, there are many cozy taverns where freshly caught fish are prepared. Another good route for cycling is the Aukštaitija National Park, where there are free roads and beautiful lake landscapes.

Fishing in Lithuania

Fishing is considered one of the most exciting activities in Lithuania. The possibilities offered to fishermen in Lithuania are truly endless. The best places for fishing are the Nemunas delta, the vicinity of the Curonian Spit, the Baltic Sea and the lakes of the Aukštaitija and Zemaitija regions. The main river of the country, the Neman, is especially rich in fish. The most common fish of the river are perch, pike, pike perch and catfish. Also in the Nemunas delta there are salmon and taimen, which are listed in the Red Book of Lithuania.

The Baltic Sea is very popular with fishing tourists. The best place for fishing is considered to be the coast of Palanga, where the main object of fishing is cod. In Klaipeda and Palanga, it is possible to hire a boat with a captain who knows perfectly well the right place and time for fishing, and with whom the catch is always guaranteed.

It is important to know that, according to Lithuanian law, you can only fish with a special permit card, and sometimes a license. You can get such a permit at the shops where the tackle is sold. Children under 16 and seniors over 65 do not need to buy cards. It is noteworthy that fishing in Lithuania is possible all year round, even when lakes and rivers are covered with ice. In total, there are about 160 private reservoirs in Lithuania. The owners cannot prohibit swimming in them or walking around them, but they set the rules for fishing, and sometimes even prohibit them. For this reason, before going to this or that lake, it is recommended to clarify the list of privatized lakes and existing restrictions.

Hot air balloon flights

An unusual activity that has recently become popular in Lithuania is hot air ballooning. Flights over all major cities of Lithuania are possible: Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Palanga, Druskininkai, Trakai, etc. Balloons can rise and land right in the city center, as well as in a park or on the riverbank. The flight over Vilnius and its Old Town is considered especially impressive. This is a kind of sightseeing tour, which is very different from walking around the city. Flight organizers are usually highly qualified specialists who can guarantee the safety of flight participants. The flight duration is usually 1 hour and 30 minutes are reserved for landing. However, the entire process of preparing for a flight with instructions and balloon assembly can take 3-4 hours.

One balloon can accommodate from 3 to 9 passengers. Before the flight, participants can familiarize themselves with the control of the balloon and observe its preparation. Those who take to the skies for the first time are awarded a special certificate. Such an amazing vehicle as a balloon or aerostat leaves no one indifferent. If earlier this activity was affordable only for aristocrats, today hot air ballooning is available to all guests of Lithuania.

Yachting in Lithuania

Yachting is one of the gambling and romantic types of outdoor activities in Lithuania. What could be better than driving your own yacht and choosing the route yourself. You don't have to be a professional to sail, but it is a must to have at least one qualified crew member who knows how to sail the yacht. If earlier yachts were used only for sports purposes, today anyone can go on a rented yacht for a romantic trip. The best coasts for yachting in Lithuania are the Curonian Lagoon, Sventoji, Nida and Minge. Other ports of the Baltic Sea are no less interesting.

Getting around the country

You can get around Lithuania in different ways. These are buses, railways, sea transport, taxis and car rental. Bicycles are also popular, and you can even try hitchhiking. Due to the short distances, planes do not connect the country's cities, but fly from several settlements to other countries, including Russia. You can read more about the possibilities of movement in this Baltic country in the article "Transport of Lithuania".

If your visit to the country is limited to visiting its main city, then you can read more detailed information about movement in the capital of Latvia (modes of transport, ticket prices, Vilnius City Card and other nuances) in our special material « » .

Lithuanian cuisine

Lithuanian national cuisine is considered one of the best and richest in Europe. Lithuanian cuisine is characterized by variety and flavor. The choice of products that make up Lithuanian dishes is due to the cool and humid climate. These are mainly local potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, rye and barley, various greens, beets, berries, and dairy products. Also, due to the similarity of the climate and farming methods, Lithuanian cuisine has many things in common with other Eastern European countries, for example, with Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and even a little with Scandinavian cuisine.

The main product in Lithuanian cuisine was and remains potatoes... It is difficult to count all the dishes that include this product: these are potato sausages "vedarai" (vèdarai), fried with cracklings and onions, and potato pancakes with stewed minced meat and sour cream "zemaičių blynai", and zrazy from potatoes with pork rind "cepelinai", and potato pudding "plokštainis", and many other dishes.

They are very popular in Lithuanian cuisine soupsboth hot and cold. Here, for the first time, they always offer a variety of soups, cabbage soup and borscht. Some of the most delicious soups are cold Lithuanian kefir borscht, mushroom borscht with ears, tomato soup with rice in meat broth, sweet Lithuanian soup with prunes.

Especially tasty are considered pork dishes... Beef, lamb and veal are used much less often in Lithuanian cuisine. And pork is used in different forms: it is fried, boiled, steamed and stewed. Dried pork ears, legs and tails are often served with beer. Popular pork dishes are "krovyanka" or blood sausage, meat zrazy, dumplings, and the Karaite dish "kibinai" - pies stuffed with minced meat. A rather difficult process is the preparation of "blood". Each chef has his own recipe for the filling: someone uses lard and spices, someone adds cereals and fried onions and other ingredients. Therefore, it is difficult to find the same taste "blood".

Baked seafood is popular in Lithuania. fish in batter, as well as smoked eels. It is believed that the most delicious fish is found in the Kurshamaris Bay, between the Curonian Spit and the mainland.

No less popular and alcoholic drinks Lithuania. The most famous of them are Samanè rye whiskey, Trejos devvyanerios aged in hornbeam barrels, Midus honey and other balsams, liqueurs and liqueurs. The selection of beer and kvass is also varied, since Lithuania is considered a beer power. Strong beers have been made here since ancient times, especially in the Birzai region. Today, there are many small private breweries operating in the country.

One of the most important and delicious components of Lithuanian cuisine is bread, especially its dark varieties with the addition of caraway. Such bread retains its aroma for a long time and does not stale. Lithuanian bread is made mainly from wheat and rye, without adding any preservatives, and can be stored for up to a month or even two. The most popular varieties are Vilniaus bread, Bočių bread and Palanga gray bread. Bread here is combined with any product: honey, milk, rich meat soup, smoked meats, but it is most delicious with delicate Lithuanian cheese "Dainava".

From Lithuanian baking the most famous is the Šakotis cake, which is made using a special technology on a spit over the fire. The cake is baked from egg dough and has an unusual shape that resembles a branchy tree. This is usually a wedding cake. Another popular treat is оеagarėlis (twisted fried biscuits).

Shopping in Lithuania

Shopping in Lithuania is a doubly enjoyable experience: at the same time, a wide variety of goods and low prices. On the streets of almost all large and not so large cities in Lithuania, you can find many souvenir shops, large shopping centers, super- and hypermarkets. You will learn more about shopping in this Baltic country from the article "Shopping in Lithuania".

Communication

There are three main operators in Lithuania cellular communication: Omnitel, Tele2, Bite GSM. These operators cover the entire territory of the country, automatically providing roaming. There is no subscription fee, and unused SIM-cards when leaving the country can remain active for up to six months. For calls within Lithuania, it is recommended to purchase prepaid SIM cards, which are sold in any newsstand, hyper and supermarkets, as well as post offices. There you can also buy cards for calls from street machines. It is quite easy to replenish cards - just ask to knock out a receipt for communication services at any supermarket checkout, gas station or kiosk with a Lietuvos Spauda sign.

For calls abroad from landline telephones, you should dial: 00 - country code - city code - subscriber number. Lithuania international code: +370.

Emergency telephone numbers in the country

Internet and pointsWi- fi today it can be found everywhere in Lithuania. For tourists, the most popular place to enter the world network are the so-called Internet cafes (Internet kavine). In big cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas or Klaipeda, it is not difficult to find Internet access points. In small towns of the country, the easiest way to find the Internet is at train stations or post offices. Wireless wi-fi is also available in many restaurants, pizzerias, bars and hotels in Lithuania.

Due to the widespread use of social networks, many tourists want to always be connected, even while traveling. Today, Internet access is possible from various devices, including cell phones. To do this, Lithuania has many inexpensive prepaid tariff plans from local mobile operators, as well as an extensive network of wi-fi access points. TEO is considered to be the leader in the telecommunications market in the country.

Security

Lithuania is considered a fairly safe European country and crime rates are low. However, do not forget to be vigilant when leaving your bag, wallet, credit cards or mobile phone on the table and go somewhere. In order to avoid problems, it is also recommended to use only paid guarded parking lots and not to leave valuable things in the car. In cafes and public places, you should carefully look after your belongings, and in hotels it will be useful to use a safe to store valuable things, documents and money. These basic safety precautions will help keep you in a good mood while traveling.

There are video cameras on almost all streets of large Lithuanian cities, in shopping centers and other crowded places, which regularly transmit information to the police. For this reason, in the event of any unjust incident, you can be sure that the perpetrators will certainly be punished in accordance with the law. Since the advent of such an innovative technique for monitoring order, crime in the country has decreased significantly.

In Lithuania, there are quite high fines for non-compliance with the established rules. For example, those who like to drive a car on their own should know the rules of behavior on the road well and not violate them, since car fines are very high. The same applies to the sale and purchase of alcohol in the late evening. Lithuania has a fairly good selection of high-quality alcoholic beverages: liqueurs, brandy, liqueurs, balsams, whiskey, beer, etc. However, immediately after 10 pm, sales of local and imported drinks cease. Smoking in public places is currently partially restricted in the country. So, in all catering points you can smoke only in specially designated rooms.

LITHUANIA
The Republic of Lithuania, a state in Eastern Europe. Lithuania is located on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea and borders in the north with Latvia, in the east and southeast with Belarus, in the south with Poland, in the southwest with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Its western border runs along the Baltic Sea. The length of the sea coastline is 99 km. Lithuania consists of three historical regions - Samogitia (in the west), Aukštaitija (in the east) and Dzukija (in the south). There are many lakes and forests in Lithuania (mainly in the east). This is a developed agro-industrial country. Lithuanians are proud of the fact that they speak the most archaic language in the Indo-European family, and their special culture that has survived to this day. Lithuania was the last of the European states to adopt Christianity (in 1387).

Lithuania. The capital is Vilnius. Population - 3.72 million people (1996). The population density is 57 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population - 69%, rural - 31%. Area - 65.2 thousand sq. km. The highest point is Mount Juozapine (294 m). The state language is Lithuanian. The main religion is Catholicism. Administrative divisions - 44 districts. Monetary unit: litas \u003d 100 cents. National holiday: Independence Day - February 16. National Anthem: "Lithuania, Our Fatherland".

During the period of power, Lithuania included the territory of present Belarus and most of modern Ukraine. In the face of the struggle against the crusaders, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania entered into an alliance with the Kingdom of Poland (Krevo Union 1385). In 1569 Lithuania and Poland merged into a single state, which was named the Rzeczpospolita. By the end of the 18th century. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth fell into decay, and the territory of the state was divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria, and most of Lithuania became part of Russia. Lithuania gained independence in 1918, after the collapse of the Russian Empire, but was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. The independence of the new Lithuanian state was proclaimed on March 11, 1990, real independence was achieved in August 1991, after the failure of the putsch in Moscow.

NATURE
Relief. Lithuania is located on the western edge of the East European Plain. It is basically a flat country with several gentle hills up to 300 m in height. In the central part of Lithuania, from north to south, stretches the Middle Lithuanian lowland with heights of 16-90 m above sea level. A narrow lowland with heights of up to 50 m encircles the Baltic coast. The most elevated parts of the territory are the Baltic ridge with heights of up to 294 m, stretching from the north-west to the south-east along the border with Belarus, and the Zhamait Upland in the west.
Climate. Lithuania is located in the transition zone between maritime and continental climates. Average monthly temperatures in January are -5 ° C, July 17 ° C. Annual precipitation is from 540 mm in the central regions to 930 mm on the coast south-west of the Zhamait Upland. Three quarters of atmospheric precipitation falls as rain. Fogs are frequent in spring and autumn, thaws in winter. Most of the territory of Lithuania has favorable conditions for farming. Podzolic soils prevail. The most fertile soils are located in the central regions. The agricultural area is 3.6 million hectares. Western Lithuania and the Lithuanian shelf of the Baltic Sea are promising areas for oil and natural gas production. In the southeast, there are small deposits of iron ore. There are granite outcrops. Limestone is mined in the Akmene region, which has become the center of cement production. Amber is found on the seaside. Lithuania has 2833 lakes with a surface area of \u200b\u200bmore than 0.5 hectares (total area 876 sq. Km) and approx. 1600 smaller lakes. Most of the rivers belong to the basin of the Nemunas (Neman), the main river in Lithuania (the total length of the river is 937 km, of which 475 km are in Lithuania).
Vegetation and fauna. Forests cover 1.8 million hectares. Pine is the most common, but spruce, birch, alder, aspen, oak and ash are also found. There are many hares, deer and wild boars; moose are not uncommon. Pheasants, black grouse, ducks and swans are common. During the summer months, many storks can be seen near the water.
POPULATION
The population of Lithuania in 1996 was estimated at 3.72 million people. Ethnic Lithuanians make up almost 80% of the population, Russians - 9%, Poles - 7%. Other national minorities include Belarusians, Ukrainians, Jews, Latvians and Roma.
Ethnic origin and language. The basis for the formation of the Lithuanian nation were the Baltic tribes of the Aukštait, Samogit, Skalv and Nadruv. The Lithuanian language belongs to the Baltic group of the Indo-European language family and developed in the 17th century. based on the Aukstait dialect. It is characterized by the preservation of archaic Indo-European features, mainly the system of vowels and declensions. The written language uses the Latin alphabet.
Religion. Catholicism is the religion of most Lithuanians and practically all Poles. The Catholic Church has 688 parishes organized into two archdioceses - Vilnius and Kaunas, and 4 dioceses. Lutheranism is the religion of almost 10% of Lithuanians (in the west) and most of Latvians. The Evangelical Lutheran Church has a consistory in Taurage and 33 congregations. In addition, there are 8 congregations of the Evangelical Reformed (Calvinist) Church in the country, which is governed by the consistory in Birzai. The Russian Orthodox Church has 45 parishes belonging to the Vilnius and Lithuanian dioceses. There are 51 parishes of Russian Old Believers led by a council in Vilnius. In addition, there are several congregations of other Protestant denominations, one Uniate parish, one Jewish Karaite parish and 4 Muslim parishes. In 1991, a revival of religious activity began. The appeal of many modern (new and mostly evangelical) congregations is growing, religious instruction is being incorporated into public school curricula, and there is debate over the return of pre-1940 church property.
Numerical composition. During World War II Lithuania lost approx. 20% of its population (including 40 thousand Lithuanians sent into exile by the Soviet authorities in the spring of 1941, and about 300 thousand Jews killed by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators during the German occupation in 1941-1944). Population losses in the first post-war years were caused by the resistance of the "forest brothers" to Soviet power and repression (they are estimated at 260 thousand people). The population decline was partially offset by the immigration of workers and officials to Lithuania from other regions of the USSR. In 1993, for the first time in the history of modern Lithuania, the death rate (12.5) exceeded the birth rate (11.5).
Cities. Five cities in 1996 had a population of over 100 thousand people: Vilnius, the capital (593 thousand people); Kaunas (430 thousand); Klaipeda (206 thousand); Siauliai (148 thousand); Panevezys (129 thousand).
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Lithuania was an independent state from 1918 to 1940. On March 11, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the republic re-declared independence and reinstated some articles of the 1938 constitution. In October 1992, a new constitution was adopted in a popular referendum, proclaiming a presidential republic. Legislative activity is carried out by the People's Seimas - a unicameral parliament, consisting of 141 deputies, elected for a term of four years. The head of state is the president, who is directly elected for a five-year term. The President is vested with the powers of the head of the executive branch; the cabinet is headed by a prime minister appointed by the president (with the approval of the Diet). Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Cabinet as a whole or individual ministers can be removed after the announcement of a vote of no confidence in the Diet. Local government includes 44 district and 11 city administrations. In 1995, the local council system was replaced by administrators appointed by the government with the consent of the president. The judicial system is represented by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, district and local courts. The Constitutional Court consists of 9 judges, appointed for one term of 9 years by the President, the Seimas and the Supreme Court. At other levels, judges are appointed for different terms as agreed between the legislative and executive branches of government. State prosecutors conduct criminal cases on behalf of the state.
Political parties. The Lithuanian state is dominated by three political forces: conservative nationalists, leftists from the former Communist Party, and the influential Lithuanian diaspora. The first elections after the restoration of Lithuanian independence were held in October 1992. 17 political parties took part in them. Reformist-minded representatives of the Lithuanian Communist Party received more than 70% of the votes and more than half of the seats in the Diet. The Lithuanian Communist Party became the first national communist party to declare its independence from the CPSU, and later renamed itself the Lithuanian Democratic Party of Labor. Party leader Algirdas Brazauskas, former first secretary of the Lithuanian Communist Party, was elected President of the country. In the elections to the Diet in 1996, the right-wing parties won. The biggest victory was won by the Union of the Fatherland - Conservatives of Lithuania, the party of Vytautas Landsbergis, the former leader of Sajudis and head of state. Despite the fact that the election victory gave Landsbergis de facto control of parliament (70 out of 141 seats), he lost in the 1998 presidential election to Valdas Adamkus, a Lithuanian-born US citizen. Since 1997, the Lithuanian government has achieved a solution to such issues as open auctions for privatization, including for foreigners, an investigation into the activities of those who were suspected of collaborating with the Nazis and the KGB.
Military establishment. National security legislation drafted in 1995 provides for a regular army with land, air and naval units. In addition to the regular army, armed civilian units and the right of citizens to bear arms are provided. The strategic objective is integration into the European security zone through joining NATO; joint military exercises are held with the armed forces of different NATO countries, as well as with the armies of the Scandinavian countries. The main military issues are considered by the Defense Council, which is chaired by the president and includes the prime minister, the chairman of the parliament and the commander-in-chief of the army.
International relationships. In 1991 Lithuania became a member of the UN; a ministry of foreign affairs was created and international representations were organized in various countries. Lithuania is a member of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the World Trade Organization. Together with Estonia and Latvia, Lithuania is included in the Partnership for Peace program. The three Baltic countries established the Baltic Union and became part of the Nordic Council. The last units of the former Soviet armed forces were withdrawn from the territory of Lithuania in September 1993.
ECONOMY
The implementation of an extensive program of privatization and price reform, the creation of a new banking and financial system, and a revision of economic legislation began in the fall of 1991. In the spring of 1992, most prices were liberalized, except for the prices of basic foodstuffs and rent. To mitigate the impact of the reforms, the government obstructed factory closures and issued government subsidies. This made it possible to keep the quality of life at an acceptable level by indexing salaries, increasing benefits for pensioners and other poor segments of the population. Nevertheless, as the reform program was implemented, the unemployment rate also increased (from 4.5% in 1994 to 7.5% in 1998). The country's two-tier banking system consists of the state-owned Central Bank of Lithuania and over 20 commercial and specialized banks. The central bank relies on three large banks: the Savings Bank, the State Commercial Bank, and the Agricultural Bank. The first banking law was passed in 1994 and amended in 1996 and 1997 to ensure higher capitalization and stability. The 1998 banking reform included the liquidation of the State Commercial Bank, whose assets were transferred to the Savings Bank, and the privatization of the Agricultural Bank. After the transfer of part of the state blocks of shares to strategic investors, the total share of state shares in the sector of commercial banks decreased to 35%. Privatization is the main link in the transformation of the economy, but is complicated by the problem of restitution of property (primarily land) confiscated by the Soviet government. The conflict of interests of today's farmers and historical land owners was partially resolved by allocating small plots of state land to all interested farmers. During the reforms, state agricultural enterprises (state and collective farms) were disbanded, and the number of private farmers increased from 7 thousand in 1991 to 73 thousand in 1993. By 1995, almost all farms were owned by private individuals. The privatization of industry proceeded with less difficulty. The state retained control over strategic industries, but planned to privatize 71% of state property through the sale of large enterprises at auctions or by opening a subscription to shares. By 1995, 48% of large and 45% of small enterprises were privatized. Until mid-1992, only domestic investors who had special vouchers were allowed to privatize. Most of the privatized enterprises were services and small industrial enterprises. The second stage of privatization began in 1996 with the exchange of shares for cash on a competitive basis for foreign investors. In 1996-1997, 158 enterprises were privatized in this way, and the share of foreign capital was already 79%. By the end of 1998, President V. Adamkus had enacted a new privatization law providing for a commercial privatization agency. By 1999, 1,098 medium-sized and 14 largest enterprises were put up for sale, ranging from oil production enterprises to the State Radio and Television Center and the Baltic Shipyards, which were bought by Danish investors. Due to financial instability, the gross domestic product of Lithuania in the first years of independence was the lowest in the Baltics. Between 1989 and 1992, it declined by 50%, but stabilized in 1993 and grew by 0.6% in 1994. In 1996, the GDP grew by 4.7%, and in 1997 - by 5.7%. Industry gives 30-35% of GDP. The fastest growing industries are textiles, instrumentation and oil refining. About 20% of GDP comes from agricultural production, especially the production of cereals, sugar beets and dairy products. In 1998 Russia remained the largest trade partner of Lithuania, 43% of all its exports went to the CIS countries. At the same time, in 1998 almost 34% of Lithuanian exports went to the EU countries. Germany is the second largest market for Lithuanian goods after the Russian Federation (12%). The two largest power plants - the nuclear (with two reactors) in Ignalina and the state district power station in Elektrenai - provide electricity to Lithuania. The uranium needed for nuclear power plants is imported from Russia. The Mazeikiai oil refinery, located 100 km from the sea, has a capacity twice the country's needs, but depends on foreign supplies of crude oil, mainly from Russia. In addition, an oil terminal has been built on the Baltic Sea in Butinge, so that now oil can be obtained from other suppliers.
CULTURE
Education. Children go to primary school at the age of seven and study there for three years. This is followed by five or eight years of secondary school education (depending on the type of school). Graduates of secondary schools can enroll in specialized vocational schools or continue their studies in higher education institutions. The language of instruction is Lithuanian, although in areas with a significant concentration of national minorities, Polish and Russian are used. Education at all levels is free (including higher education). Vilnius University, founded in 1579, is the oldest institution of higher education in the country. In 1992, approx. 15 thousand students. Other leading universities are the Lithuanian Agricultural Academy (6,300 students, founded in 1924); Vilnius State Pedagogical University (7 thousand students, founded in 1944); Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (10 thousand students, founded in 1951). In 1989, Vytautas Magnus University was founded in Kaunas - an experimental university with 1,000 students. Its staff includes teachers from the Lithuanian émigré communities in Europe and North America.
Literature and art. The oldest monuments of Lithuanian culture (14-15 centuries) are written in Old Church Slavonic, Latin and Polish. The first books in Lithuanian were published in the 16th century. The undisputed classic of Lithuanian literature is the poem Metai (The Seasons) by the Lutheran priest Pastor Kristijonas Donelaitis (1714-1780). Another classic poem by Anykšči šilelis (Anykščiai Bor) was written in 1858-1859 by Antanas Baranauskas (1835-1902). Prominent figures in the new Lithuanian literature are the poet Juozas Machiulis (1862-1932), better known under the pseudonym Maironis, and the writer Vincas Mikolaitis-Putinas (1893-1967). A major post-war writer is the poet and playwright Justinas Marcinkevičius (b. 1930). Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911), who is considered by many to be one of the first modernists in European painting, made an outstanding contribution to Lithuanian painting. Most of the works of Čiurlionis, who was also a talented composer, are immersed in the world of fantastic visions and musical rhythms. Lithuanian theater in the second half of the 20th century reached a high level, especially the Vilnius Theater for Young Spectators and the Panevėžys Drama Theater. During the summer months, mass song and dance festivals are periodically organized. Lithuanian cinematography has achieved great success.
Natural and human sciences. Scientific research is carried out at Vilnius University, other universities in Vilnius and Kaunas, and at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. The country has two largest libraries: National. Mazvydas in Vilnius and the Vilnius University Library. The Central Library of the Academy of Sciences, the library of the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute and the Kaunas Public Library also have large funds.
Media. After 1991, many new newspapers and magazines appeared, some of the oldest newspapers of the Communist Party became private property. The former Komsomol newspaper Komyaunimo tiesa (Komsomolskaya Pravda) has been renamed Lietuvos ritas (Zarya Litvy) and has a circulation of 200,000. Other major publications include the government-run Lietuvos Aidas (Echo of Lithuania) and the independent Respublika. There is one local television station (in Vilnius); programs of two Russian channels and several Polish programs are broadcast.
Sport. Basketball is very popular in Lithuania, which is a national sport. Some outstanding athletes have received international recognition and perform abroad (Arvydas Sabonis and others).
Holidays. The main national and religious holidays are Christmas and Easter. The main public holidays are February 16, the day of the declaration of independence in 1918, and March 11, the day of the restoration of independence in 1990. July 6, the anniversary of the coronation of Grand Duke Mindaugas in the 13th century, is also a public holiday. See further
LITHUANIA. STORY
LITERATURE

History of the Lithuanian SSR. Vilnius, 1978
Lithuania. Brief encyclopedia. Vilnius, 1989

Collier's Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

Many Europeans believe that Lithuania is a country whose inhabitants play basketball all the time. In some ways they are, of course, right, considering the achievements of the Lithuanian national basketball team. However, Lithuania is interesting for tourists not only because of its basketball traditions. This ancient country has a large number of different attractions, including the most beautiful medieval fortresses and castles. In addition, Lithuania has excellent balneological and beach resorts on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

Geography of Lithuania

Lithuania is located in the Baltics, in Northern Europe. In the north, Lithuania borders with Latvia, in the south - with Poland, in the east and south - with Belarus, and in the south-west - with the Kaliningrad region of Russia. The total area of \u200b\u200bthis country is 65,200 square meters. km., and the total length of the border is 1,762 km.

33% of the territory of Lithuania is covered by forests. The landscape of Lithuania is an alternation of highlands and lowlands. The highest point in the country is Aukštojas Hill, which is only 294 meters high.

There are many lakes in Lithuania, the largest of them is Druksiai, located in the southeast of the country. As for the rivers in Lithuania, the largest of them is the Neman.

Capital

The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius, which is now home to about 550 thousand people. Historians believe that the city of Vilnius was founded in the XIII century, although the settlement of people on this place existed one thousand years ago.

Official language

The official language in Lithuania is Lithuanian, which belongs to the Baltic group of languages.

Religion

About 17% of the Lithuanian population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Another 4% of Lithuanians are Lutherans (Protestants).

State structure of Lithuania

According to the 1998 constitution, Lithuania is a parliamentary republic, headed by a president elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term.

The Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas) consists of 141 deputies who are elected for a 4-year term. The executive power in Lithuania belongs to the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Climate and weather

The climate in Lithuania is continental maritime. The Lithuanian climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. On the Lithuanian coast, the average air temperature in January is -2.5C, and in July - + 16C. In Vilnius in January the average air temperature is -6C, and in July - + 16C.

Average annual rainfall on the coast of Lithuania is 800 mm.

Sea in Lithuania

The length of the Lithuanian coast of the Baltic Sea is 99 kilometers. The temperature of the Baltic Sea near the Lithuanian coast in summer reaches + 17C, but in the bays the water warms up better in summer.

Rivers and lakes

There are a lot of lakes in Lithuania (to be more precise, there are 2,834 lakes with an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 0.5 hectares), the largest of them is Druksiai, located in the south-east of the country. As for the rivers in Lithuania, the largest of them is the Neman. All in all, Lithuania has 816 rivers with a length of more than 10 kilometers.

History of Lithuania

People appeared on the territory of modern Lithuania about 11 thousand years ago. The Baltic tribes were formed in the 3rd - 2nd millennium BC. The first written mention of Lithuania is in the German historical chronicle "Annals of Quedlinburg" under the year 1009.

The first king of Lithuania is Mindaugas, who was crowned in 1253. After his death in 1263, pagan Lithuania was subjected to crusades by the German crusaders.

By the end of the XIV century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania already included part of the territory of Belarus, Russia and Poland. In 1410, the Polish-Lithuanian army, which included several Russian squads, defeated the Teutonic Order in the Battle of Grunwald.

In 1569, the Union of Lublin was concluded between Lithuania and Poland, as a result of which the Polish-Lithuanian state was formed.

In 1655-1661 and 1700-1721, the territory of Lithuania was invaded by Swedish troops.

As a result of three partitions of the Commonwealth, Lithuania fell under the rule of the Russian Empire. Due to the uprisings of 1831 and 1863, the Russian Empire carried out Russification in Lithuania - Lithuanian newspapers, magazines were banned, and cultural and educational institutions of Lithuania were closed.

Lithuania's independence was proclaimed in February 1918, after the First World War. After some time, Vilnius was captured by Poland for many years, and Klaipeda by Germany.

In June 1940, the Soviet Union brought its troops into Lithuania, and thus Lithuania became part of the USSR. During World War II, Lithuania was occupied by German troops, but in 1944 the USSR was able to liberate it.

In March 1990, Lithuania seceded from the USSR and declared its independence. In September 1991, Lithuania was admitted to the UN, and in 2004 - to the European Union and NATO.

Culture

At the end of the 20th century, the independence of Lithuania was restored due to the fact that the Lithuanians preserved their national identity, their traditions and customs.

The most popular holidays among Lithuanians are New Year, Three Kings' Day, Day of Restoration of Independence, Easter, Midsummer's Day, Coronation Day of Mindaugas, Sea Festival, All Saints Day and Christmas.

Every five years, Vilnius hosts a grandiose folk music and dance festival, which attracts more than 30 thousand Lithuanian dancers and singers from all over the world. The first song festival in Vilnius took place in 1924.

In general, in Lithuania, music and dance folk festivals are held every summer in different cities.

Lithuanian cuisine

Lithuanian cuisine has a lot in common with the cuisines of Eastern Europe, including Russia, Belarus and Poland. German culinary traditions also greatly influenced Lithuanian cuisine. However, Lithuanian cuisine is very distinctive. Typical products in Lithuania are meat, potatoes, beets, dairy products, mushrooms, and fish in coastal regions.

• Šaltibarščiai - cold beetroot soup;
• "Kugelis" - potato casserole;
• "Arba zrazai" - fried beef;
• "Koldūnai" - Lithuanian dumplings;
• "Pączki" - donuts;
• "Vėdarai" - potato sausages.

In Lithuania, kvass is a traditional non-alcoholic drink. As for alcoholic Lithuanian drinks, these are beer, vodka and various liqueurs. By the way, now in Lithuania there are more than 80 large and small breweries. Only in Lithuania can you taste such a unique beer snack as garlic bread, smoked cheese and smoked pork ears.

Lithuania landmarks

The history of Lithuania goes back several hundred centuries. During this time, a large number of churches, monasteries, castles and other monuments of history and architecture were built in the country. Now in small Lithuania there are more than 50 museums. We advise tourists in Lithuania to see:

Cities and resorts

The largest Lithuanian cities are Kaunas, Klaipeda, and, of course, Vilnius.

In Lithuania, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, there are several good beach resorts with sandy beaches. The beach season in Lithuania starts in mid-May and lasts until mid-September. The most popular Lithuanian beach resorts are Neringa, Klaipeda and Palanga.

In recent years, more and more tourists come to Lithuania to relax at the local balneological and spa resorts. Most often, guests of Lithuanian balneological resorts are residents of Israel, Russia, Germany and the Scandinavian countries.

The most famous Lithuanian balneological and spa resorts are Druskininkai, Birštonas, and, of course, Palanga.

Souvenirs / shopping