LITHUANIA

1. Republic of
Lithuania
Lietuvos Respublika
BY: ANGELICA GRACE BARNACHA
VALDEZ

2. GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATION
• Lithuania is located in Northern Europe. It is surrounded by
Latvia, Belarus, and Poland. The largest of the three Baltic States, it covers
an area of 65,200 km2.[26] Thus it is roughly larger, in terms of total
area, than the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark or Switzerland.
• Lithuania lies between latitudes 53 and 57 N, and mostly between
longitudes 21 and 27 E (part of the Curonian Spit lies west of 21 ). It has
around 99 kilometres (61.5 mi) of sandy coastline, of which only about 38
kilometres (24 mi) face the open Baltic Sea and which is the shortest
among theBaltic Sea countries; the rest of the coast is sheltered by
the Curonian sand peninsula. Lithuania's major warm-water
port, Klaipėda, lies at the narrow mouth of the Curonian
Lagoon (Lithuanian: Kuršių marios), a shallow lagoon extending south
to Kaliningrad. The main and largest river, the Nemunas River, and some
of its tributaries carry international shipping.

3. CAPITAL:
VILNIUS CITY
The city is an important cultural and industrial center,
accounting for about one-fourth the manufacturing
output of Lithuania. The principal products are
precision instruments and electrical equipment.
Vilnius became the capital of the Grand Duchy of
Lithuania in 1323 and, despite destruction by the
Teutonic Knights in 1377, developed into a major
trading center.

4. CLIMATE
Lithuania's climate, which ranges between maritime and
continental, is relatively mild. Average temperatures on the
coast are −2.5 C in January and16 C (61 F) in July. In
Vilnius the average temperatures are −6 C (21 F) in January
and 16 C (61 F) in July. During the summer, 20
C (68 F) is common during the day while 14 C (57 F) is
common at night; in the past, temperatures have reached as
high as 30 C (86 F) or 35 C (95 F). Some winters can be
very cold. −20 C (−4 F) occurs almost every winter. Winter
extremes are −34 C (−29 F) in coastal areas and −43
C (−45 F) in the east of Lithuania.

5. LANGUAGE
Lithuanian (lietuvių kalba) is the official state language
of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official
languages of the European Union. There are about 2.9
million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about
200,000 abroad. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely
related to Latvian, although they are not mutually
intelligible. It is written in a Latin alphabet. The Lithuanian
language is believed to be the most conservative living Indo-
European language, retaining many features of Proto-Indo-
European now lost in other Indo-European languages

6. CURRENCY
The Lithuanian litas is the currency of Lithuania. It is divided into
100 . The litas was first introduced in 1922 after World War
I, when Lithuania declared independence and was reintroduced
on June 25, 1993, following a period of currency exchange from
the ruble to the litas with the temporary talonas then in place. The
name was modeled after the name of the country (similarly
to Latvia and its lats). From 1994 to 2002, the litas was pegged to
the U.S. dollar at the rate of 4 to 1. Currently the litas is pegged to
the euro at the rate of 3.4528 to 1. The euro was expected to
replace the litas by January 1, 2010, but due to the current rate of
inflation and the economic crisis, this date will be delayed for
another four years until 1 January 2014

7. BRIEF HISTORY
The Lithuanians, with the Latvians, are survivors of the Baltic
family of peoples who lived in the region in ancient times.
Lithuania emerged as a united nation under Grand Duke
Mindaugas in the 13th century. Mindaugas’s successors founded an
empire extending as far south as the Black Sea.
As with most of the former Soviet republics, Lithuania experienced
difficulty in making the transition from authoritarianism to
democracy and from a socialist to a free-market economy. A new
constitution was adopted in 1922, however, helping to stabilize the
government. With help from the International Monetary Fund and
other Western institutions, Lithuania initiated prudent policies to
control inflation and privatize the economy.

8. TYPE /FORM OF
GOVERNMENT
parliamentary representative
democratic republic, whereby
the Prime Minister of
Lithuania is the head of
government, and of a multi-
party system.

9. TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS

10. Palanga beach
one of the most popular tourist
destinations. The beach stretches
over many kilometers on both
sides of the Palanga pier. Since the
town is primarily a summer resort
destination, the beach is its star
attraction and is known to be very
crowded because apart from the
international tourist influx, there
are also several tourists from other
parts of Lithuania who head to
Palanga for its beach during
summers.

11. HILL OF CROSSES
The Hill of Crosses is an important
site in Lithuania. The pilgrimage
site has come to be known
internationally and is an acclaimed
tourist attraction in the region.
The Significance Of The Hill Of
Crosses
The Hill of Crosses is a symbol of
the spirit and peaceful strength of
the Catholic faith of Lithuania and
the perseverance of the people to
uphold their faith despite severe
external aggression and hurdles
over time. The Hill of Crosses has
come to be a symbol of peace and
spirituality and is a landmark in
Lithuania.

12. Palanga Pier
an interesting spot
to head to. It is a
local tradition to
pay a visit to the
pier at the time of
the sunset. One can
experience the
beauty of the sun
setting into the sea
as well as taking in
all the fun and
activity on the
beach during the
day.

13. Gediminas Castle

14. • The first fortifications were built of wood by Duke of
the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Gediminas. Later the first
brick castle was completed in 1409 by Grand
Duke Vytautas. Some remnants of the old castle have
been restored, guided by archeological research.
• Gediminas' Tower is an important state and historic
symbol of the city of Vilnius and of Lithuania itself. It is
depicted on the national currency, the litas, and is
mentioned in numerous Lithuanian patriotic poems and
folk songs. The Flag of Lithuania was re-hoisted atop the
tower on October 7, 1988, during the independence
movement

15. Vilnius Cathedral

16. • The Cathedral of Vilnius is the main Roman
Catholic Cathedral ofLithuania. It is situated in Vilnius Old Town, just off
of Cathedral Square. It is the heart of Lithuania's Catholic spiritual life.
• The coronations of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania took place within its
confines. Inside its crypts and catacombs, many famous people in
Lithuanian and Polish history are buried, among them Vytautas (1430), his
wife Anna (1418), his brother Sigismund (Žygimantas) (1440),
cousin Švitrigaila (1452), Saint Casimir (1484), Alexander
Jagiellon (1506), two wives of Sigismund II Augustus: Elisabeth of
Habsburg (1545) and Barbara Radziwiłł (1551), as well as others, are
interred.
• During the Soviet regime initially cathedral was converted into a
warehouse. Masses were celebrated again since 1985, although officially
still the cathedral was called "The gallery of images". In 1989 the cathedral
was restored.

17. FAMOUS PEOPLE

18. Violeta Urmana
• Violeta
Urmana, born Violeta
Urmanavičiūtė is a
famous Lithuanian
operatic soprano who
began her career as
a mezzo-soprano but has
transitioned successfully
into soprano roles.

19. Rolandas Kazlas
• Rolandas Kazlas is a
Lithuanian actor and theater
director. In 1991, Kazlas
graduated from the
Lithuanian Academy of
Music and Theatre with a
degree in acting. He
became a Valstybinio
Jaunimo Teatro actor in
1993.

20. Jurga Ivanauskaitė
• Jurga Ivanauskaitė (14 November
1961 – 17 February 2007) was
a Lithuanian writer.
• She was born in Vilnius, Lithuanian
SSR, Soviet Union. Studying at
the Vilnius Art Academy, her first
book was The Year of the Lilies of
the Valley, published in 1985. She
subsequently published six novels, a
children's book and a book of essays.
Her works have been translated into
several languages, including English,
Latvian, Polish, Russian, German,
and Swedish.

21. Bronislovas Lubys
• Bronislovas Lubys (8
October 1938 – 23 October
2011) was
a Lithuanian entrepreneur,
former Prime Minister of
Lithuania, signatory of the Act
of the Re-Establishment of the
State of Lithuania, and
businessman.

22. Mindaugas
• Mindaugas (ca. 1203 – fall
1263) was the first
known Grand Duke of
Lithuania and the only King of
Lithuania. Little is known of
his origins, early life, or rise to
power; he is mentioned in a
1219 treaty as an elder
duke, and in 1236 as the
leader of all the Lithuanians.

23. RELIGION
Before the Communists seized Lithuania, four
out of every five Lithuanians belonged to the
Roman Catholic Church. About one in twelve
was of the Jewish faith, and the rest of the
population was divided about equally between
the Lutheran and Greek Orthodox churches.
Lithuania was officially converted to the Roman
Catholic faith in 1386.

24. CULTURE AND CUSTOMS

25. •FOOD RESTRICTIONS/
DELICACIES

26. Barščiai
• hot borscht (beet soup); it
is served uncreamed or
blended with sour
cream or buttermilk;
sometimes chopped
Boletus mushrooms are
added.

28. Bulvinių kukulių sriuba
• minced potatoes formed
into small balls, and
boiled in milk. These are
usually made from the
same potato mixture
used in cepelinai.

30. Įdaryti kiaušiniai
•Hard-boiled eggs
are split, stuffed and
garnished; similar
to deviled eggs.

32. Piršteliai prie alaus
•- These "little
fingers" are
thin, rolled-up puff
pastries served with
beer.

33. Aspics (šaltiena or košeliena)
• many savory foodstuffs
are presented in gelatin
molds, especially
herring; horseradish is
often served as
a condiment.

34. Bigos
•- a long-simmered
hunter's
stew, featuring the
catch of the
day, sausages, and

36. Kotletai
•soft minced meat
patties, often served
with potatoes and a
sauce.

38. Kūčiukai or šližikai
• very small rolls are
baked and served
with poppyseed milk; this
is a
traditional Kūčios'(Christ
mas Eve) dish.

40. Žagarėliai
• (also known as krustai or
chrustai) - Twisted, thin deep-
fried pastries dusted with
powdered sugar; similar to
Polish faworkis or
Mexicanbuñuelo.

42. •FLAG CARRIER

43. •FESTIVALS
Saint Casimir's Day
is celebrated on March 4, the anniversary of
the death of Saint Casimir, the patron saint
of Lithuania and Poland. The Kaziuko mugė, a
folk arts and craft fair, is traditionally held on
the Sunday nearest to March 4.
St. Casimir is the patron saint of many Roman
Catholic Churches in the United States which
were established by Polish or Lithuanian
immigrants. He is the principal patron saint of
Lithuania. Casimir was a royal prince of the
ruling Jagiellon dynasty of Poland and
Lithuania, while St. Stanislaus of Krakow is
usually cited as Poland's principal patron saint.

44. • Kaziuko mugė is a large annual folk arts and crafts fair dating to the
beginning of the 17th century. It was originally held at the two
main markets in Vilnius, Lithuania, as well as in the city streets.
• The fair is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to St. Casimir's
Day, March 4, the day Saint Casimir died. In Lithuanian, Kaziukio
mugė means "Little Casimir's" Fair (Kaziukas is a diminutive of Casimir).
Today, Kaziuko fair also features music and dance; it attracts tens of
thousands of visitors and many craftsmen from all over the country as well
as from neighbouring states such as Latvia, Russia, and Poland.
FEATURES
The arts and crafts at the fair include hand-made goods from local
craftsmen, such as apparel, knitted clothes, footwear, toys, utensils, metal
crafts, souvenirs, and paintings. Foodstuffs like rye bread, bagels, honey
cookies, meat and dairy products, natural honey, beer, and gira are sold as
well.

45. • Užgavėnės is a Lithuanian festival that takes place during the
seventh week before Easter (Ash Wednesday). Its name
in English means "the time before Lent". The celebration
corresponds to Roman Catholic holiday traditions in other parts
of the world, such as Mardi Gras, Shrove
Tuesday, andCarnaval.

46. •TRIVIA
•Arvydas Sabonis was the first Lithuanian to be
inducted into the prestigious Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame on August 2011.
•Simona Krupeckaitė is currently the country's most
famous professional track cyclist. She holds two
world records in 500m time trial and flying 200m
time trial.
•The other famous Lithuanian sportsman abroad is
one of the world's foremost strongmen Žydrūnas
Savickas. He is currently nominated as theStrongest
Man in the World.

47. INTERNET:
REFERENCES
http://www.mapsofworld.com/lithuania/society-and-culture/saint-casimirs-day.html
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/2012/06/17/10-most-appealing-tourist-attractions-in-
lithuania/
http://www.baltictravelcompany.com/
http://www.hoteltravel.com/lithuania/guides/festivals.htm
book:
The world book encyclopedia Vol.12 (R 030 W89 1972) copyright
1972, USA by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation
The world guide 2003/2004 R910.3 W893 2003 copyright 2003 by
Instituto del Tercer Mundo
Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge Vol.11-12 copyright MCMXCV
by Grolier Incorporated