Europe :: Lithuania
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Lithuania
Location of Lithuania
 
Map of Lithuania
Introduction ::Lithuania
Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795 when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography ::Lithuania
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
56 00 N, 24 00 E
total: 65,300 sq km
country comparison to the world: 123
land: 62,680 sq km
water: 2,620 sq km
slightly larger than West Virginia
total: 1,574 km
border countries: Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
90 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Aukstojas 294 m
peat, arable land, amber
arable land: 44.81%
permanent crops: 0.9%
other: 54.29% (2005)
13.4 sq km (2003)
24.5 cu km (2005)
total: 3.33 cu km/yr (78%/15%/7%)
per capita: 971 cu m/yr (2003)
NA
contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
People and Society ::Lithuania
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective: Lithuanian
Lithuanian 84%, Polish 6.1%, Russian 4.9%, Belarusian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.9% (2009)
Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)
Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)
3,525,761 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
0-14 years: 13.7% (male 247,372/ female 234,337)
15-64 years: 69.7% (male 1,209,122/ female 1,249,720)
65 years and over: 16.6% (male 202,479/ female 382,731) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
total: 40.5 years
male: 37.8 years
female: 43 years (2012 est.)
-0.278% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
9.34 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
11.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
-0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
urban population: 67% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
VILNIUS (capital) 546,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female
total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 161
total: 6.18 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 170
male: 7.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
total population: 75.55 years
country comparison to the world: 87
male: 70.72 years
female: 80.66 years (2012 est.)
1.27 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
7.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 59
3.664 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
6.84 beds/1,000 population (2008)
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
1,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
19.7% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 22
4.7% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 74
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.7% (2010 est.)
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2008)
total: 29.4%
country comparison to the world: 16
male: 35.2%
female: 21.7% (2009)
Government ::Lithuania
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
parliamentary democracy
name: Vilnius
geographic coordinates: 54 41 N, 25 19 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus
11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)
Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
adopted 25 October 1992; last amended 25 April 2006
civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS (since 22 November 2012)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister and approval of the Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014); prime minister appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
election results: Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE elected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 69.1%, Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS 11.8%, Valentinas MAZURONIS 6.2%, others 12.9%; Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS approved by Parliament 90-40
unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members elected in single-member districts, 70 elected by proportional representation; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 14 and 28 October 2012 (next to be held in October 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party (proportional vote) - DP 19.8%, LSDP 18.4%, TS-LKD 15.1%, LS 8.6%, DK 8%, TT 7.3%, LLRA 5.8%, LVZS 3.9%, other parties 13.1%; seats by party - LSDP 38, TS-LKD 33, DP 29, TT 11, LS 10, LLRA 8, DK 7, LVZS 1, independent 3, vacant 1
Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for all courts appointed by the president, with Seimas approval required for judges on the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court
Christian Party or KP [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]; Civil Democracy Party or PDP [Algimantas MATULEVICIUS]; Democratic Labor and Unity Party or DDVP [Kristina BRAZAUSKIENE]; Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI]; Emigrants Party or EP [Juozas MURAUSKAS]; Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]; Labor Party or DP [Viktor USPASKICH]; Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Algis CAPLIKAS]; Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]; Lithuanian People's Party or LLP [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE]; Lithuanian People's Party or LZP [Joana SIMANAUSKIENE]; Lithuanian Russian Union or LRS [Sergejus DMITRIJEVAS]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS]; Nationalist Union or TS [Gintaras SONGAILA]; Order and Justice Party or TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]; Peasant and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]; Republican Party or RP [Valdemaras VALKIUNAS]; Russian Alliance or RA [Tamara LOCHANKINA]; Socialist People's Front or SLF [Algirdas PALECKIS]; Way of Courage or DK [Jonas VARKALA]; YES-Homeland Revival and Perspective or YES Union or TAIP Union or TAIP [Arturas ZUOKAS]; Young Lithuania Party or PJL [Stanislovas BUSKEVICIUS]
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Zygimantas PAVILIONIS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860
FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Anne HALL
embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106
mailing address: American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106
telephone: [370] (5) 266-5500
FAX: [370] (5) 266-5510
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland
mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser)
name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; the anthem was written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; it was banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Economy ::Lithuania
Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a significant share of total trade. Foreign investment and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. Lithuania's economy grew on average 8% per year for the four years prior to 2008 driven by exports and domestic demand. However, GDP plunged nearly 15% in 2009 - the three former Soviet Baltic republics were among the hardest hit by the 2008-09 financial crisis. The government's efforts to attract foreign investment, develop export markets, and to pursue broad economic reforms has been key to Lithuania's quick recovery from a deep recession making Lithuania one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. However, unemployment - at 15.8% in 2012 - remains stubbornly high.
$64.32 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$62.61 billion (2011 est.)
$59.13 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$41.22 billion (2012 est.)
2.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
5.9% (2011 est.)
1.4% (2010 est.)
$20,100 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$19,400 (2011 est.)
$18,000 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
agriculture: 3.3%
industry: 28.4%
services: 68.4% (2012 est.)
1.587 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
agriculture: 14%
industry: 29.1%
services: 56.9% (2005)
15.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
15.4% (2011 est.)
4% (2008)
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 29.1% (2008)
35.5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 84
34 (1999)
17.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
revenues: $13.08 billion
expenditures: $14.84 billion (2012 est.)
31.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
-4.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
36.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
36.8% of GDP (2011 est.)
note: official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions
3.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
4.1% (2011 est.)
3% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
2.06% (31 December 2009 est.)
5.8% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
5.78% (31 December 2011 est.)
$12.24 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$11.72 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$19.32 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$18.74 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$22.49 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$22.84 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$4.075 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 80
$5.661 billion (31 December 2010)
$4.477 billion (31 December 2009)
grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
7.5% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
-$1.053 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
-$670 million (2011 est.)
$29.01 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$28.06 billion (2011 est.)
mineral products 22%, machinery and equipment 10%, chemicals 9%, textiles 7%, foodstuffs 7%, plastics 7%
Russia 15.6%, Latvia 9.7%, Germany 8.9%, Poland 6.7%, Estonia 6.3%, Netherlands 5.8%, Belarus 4.8% (2011)
$31.41 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$30.17 billion (2011 est.)
mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals
Russia 32.1%, Germany 9.6%, Poland 9%, Latvia 6.5%, Netherlands 4.8% (2011)
$8.821 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$8.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$31.37 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$31.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$15.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$14.85 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$2.612 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$2.312 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
litai (LTL) per US dollar -
2.711 (2012 est.)
2.481 (2011 est.)
2.6063 (2010 est.)
2.4787 (2009)
2.3251 (2008)
calendar year
Energy ::Lithuania
4.8 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
9.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
2.184 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
8.17 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
3.82 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
53.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
25.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
2.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
2.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
2,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
2,260 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
168,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
12 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
202,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
70,390 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
149,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
15,670 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
3.1 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
3.1 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
15.98 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Communications ::Lithuania
723,000 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 88
5.004 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 103
general assessment: adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access
domestic: rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 140 per 100 persons
international: country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland
public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately-owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately-owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly-owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately-owned commercial broadcasters, many with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country (2007)
.lt
1.205 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 43
1.964 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 75
Transportation ::Lithuania
81 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 70
total: 26
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 13 (2012)
total: 55
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 52 (2012)
gas 1,695 km; refined products 114 km (2010)
total: 1,767 km
country comparison to the world: 76
broad gauge: 1,745 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)
standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge (2011)
total: 82,131 km
country comparison to the world: 56
paved: 72,048 km (includes 309 km of expressways)
unpaved: 10,083 km (2010)
441 km (navigable year round) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 87
total: 38
country comparison to the world: 77
by type: cargo 20, container 1, passenger/cargo 6, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 8 (Denmark 8)
registered in other countries: 22 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Belize 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Norway 1, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, unknown 3) (2010)
Klaipeda
oil terminals: Butinge oil terminal
Military ::Lithuania
Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Ground Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), National Defense Volunteer Forces (Krasto Apsaugos Savanoriu Pajegos) (2011)
18 years of age for volunteers; 12-month conscript service obligation suspended in 2008, all enlisted conscripts ending service by July 2009 (2009)
males age 16-49: 890,074
females age 16-49: 875,780 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 669,111
females age 16-49: 724,803 (2010 est.)
male: 20,425
female: 19,527 (2010 est.)
0.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Transnational Issues ::Lithuania
Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation
transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation