• Population: 3,555,179
• Capital: Vilnius: 555,613
• Area: 65,300 sq km
• Currency: litas
• Language: Lithuanian, Polish, Russian
• Religion: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant

Lithuania is a country of north-central Europe on the Baltic Sea. The country consists of low-lying plains alternating with hilly uplands, watered by rivers that meander westward to the Baltic Sea.

Settled perhaps as early as 1500 B.C., the area was unified in the 13th century and became one of the largest states of medieval Europe. Lithuania merged with Poland in 1569 but was absorbed into Russia by three partitions of Poland (1772, 1793, 1795). The independent country of Lithuania existed from 1918 to 1940, when it became a constituent republic of the USSR. Occupied by Germany from 1941 to 1944, it reverted to Soviet rule after World War II and was known as the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic before achieving independence in 1991.

Manufacturing, including metalworking, woodworking, and textile production, is especially important in the east and south. Agriculture focuses on livestock breeding, especially dairy farming and pigs, and the cultivation of cereals, flax, sugar beets, potatoes, and fodder crops.

Lithuania is a multiparty republic with one legislative house; its head of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister.

Lithuania, with its rich and inviting national parks, serene lakes, spa resorts, and military heritage sites, has been attracting visitors from far and wide. The 99-km long coastline of the country is home to a number of sandy beaches. Add to this, the World Heritage Sites that the country boasts of and you get a wide variety, as far as tourist attractions are concerned. In the following lines, we have provided a number of fun and interesting facts about Lithuania, to help you know the country better.

 Interesting Facts about Lithuania

• Lithuania was the last country in Europe to be converted to Christianity. Before Christianity, the country’s religion was ‘Romuva’.
• Juozapines Hill (294 m) forms the highest point in Lithuania, while the largest and longest river in the country is Nemunas.
• Lithuania had only one king during the royal times, King Mindaugas.
• The mother of Pope John Paul II was of Lithuanian descent.
• Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence from the USSR.