Lithuania

The largest of the three Baltic States, showcase picturesque hills and lakes. Most of the Baltic shoreline is separated from the open sea by a long narrow strip of sand dunes called the Curonian Spit; the body of water behind the spit is the Curonian Lagoon. Klaipeda, Lithuania's only commercial port is situated where the lagoon meets the open sea.

Understand the Geography

Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in northern Europe. The largest of the three Baltic States situated along the Baltic Sea, it shares borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the southeast, and Poland to the south, and the Russian exclave of the Kaliningrad Oblast to the southwest.

Lithuania is situated in northern Europe and is the largest and most populous of the Baltic States. It has around 99 kilometres (61.5 mi) of sandy coastline, of which only about 38 kilometres (24 mi) face the open Baltic Sea; the Curonian sand peninsula shelters the rest of the coast. Lithuania's major warm-water port, Klaipeda, lies at the narrow mouth of the Curonian Lagoon, a shallow lagoon extending south to Kaliningrad. The main river, the Neman River, and some of its tributaries carry international shipping vessels.

Glaciers have smoothed the Lithuanian landscape. The highest areas are the moraines in the western uplands and eastern highlands, none of which are taller than 300 metres (1,000 ft) above sea level, with the maximum elevation being Aukstojas Hill at 294 metres (964 feet). The terrain features numerous lakes, Lake Vistytis for example, and wetlands; a mixed forest zone covers 30% of the country.

Cities in Lithuania

• Vilnius - Capital
• Kaunas
• Klaipeda
• Siauliai
• Panevezys
• Trakai
• Neringa
• Palanga
• Kretinga
• Kedainai
• Druskininkai

Climate Conditions

The climate lies between maritime and continental, with wet, moderate winters and summers. According to some geographers, Lithuania's capitol, Vilnius, lies a few kilometres south of the geographical centre of Europe.

Don’t Forget Your Manners

Try to remember Lithuanians are not Russians, they are a different nationality, they are not even Slavic. Thinking that Lithuanians are Russians or speak in Russian insults Lithuanians, because Lithuania was under Russian occupation for many years. Try to remember, the Lithuanian capital is Vilnius, not Riga (capital of neighbouring Latvia). This mistake is not as insulting, because Lithuanians and Latvians have always had good relations, but foreigners often make this mistake, and this is annoying.