Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe. Description, climate, features

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Lithuania is a country located on the continent of Eurasia, in the northern part of Europe. It is one of the three B altic states and borders on the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation, Latvia, Poland and Belarus. In the west it is washed by the B altic Sea. The capital of the state is Vilnius.

Short description

Lithuania is the largest country among the B altic states. Its area is more than 65 thousand square meters. km. In terms of territory, it ranks 123rd in the world. There are three main cities: Vilnius (the capital), Kaunas (the temporary capital and the second most important city in the state) and Klaipeda (the largest port).

In administrative-territorial terms, the country is divided into 10 counties with local self-government. Railways of the USSR format (gauge - 1,520 mm) are laid here, there are 4 airports and a seaport. Public transport runs in cities, including trolleybuses.

According to the state structure, Lithuania (Lithuania) is a country that is officially called LithuanianThe republic is also parliamentary in form of government. The head of this state is the president, elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years. Parliament - Sejm, consists of 141 officials. Lithuania is a member of the UN, the European Union, NATO, besides it is included in the Schengen zone. Since 2015, the national currency of the country has become the euro.

Historical information

The current territory of Lithuania was inhabited as early as the 10th century BC. e. Since ancient times, people who lived on these lands were engaged in cattle breeding, fishing and agriculture. During the Neolithic period, Indo-European tribes, the B alts, came to these places.

As a state, Lithuania was born already in the XIII century. The formation of statehood took place during the existence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Cities and population began to grow, significantly expanding the territory of the principality.

In the middle of the 16th century, Lithuania, united with Poland, forms the largest state in Eastern Europe - the Commonwe alth. After the First World War, Lithuania was an independent kingdom for several years, and before the start of the Second World War, it became part of the USSR, in which it remained until its collapse.

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania

From the former republics of the USSR, Lithuania was one of the first to reach the European level. The country, whose capital since 1939 is Vilnius, is characterized by low inflation - only 1.2%. And the standard of living of its population can be called high.

By the way, you can immediately notice this when visiting Vilnius. It is the largest city in Lithuania and the second largestB altic, yielding to Riga. It is located in the southeastern part of the state. Previously called Vilna, Vilna, and until 1939 belonged to Poland. It currently occupies an area of more than 40 sq. km. It is the main economic, cultural, transport and financial center of the state. The main industry is tourism. More than 50 thousand enterprises, 7 commercial banks and 10 foreign branches operate in the city.

Relief features

The relief of Lithuania is flat, with noticeable traces of ancient icing. Almost 60% of the territory falls on fields and meadows, 30% of the land is covered with forests. In the southeastern region of the state, there is the highest point - Aukštojas hill (294 m). There are many rivers and swamps on the territory of the state.

Lithuania (Lithuania) is a country with almost 3,000 lakes, the largest of which is Drysvyaty. This reservoir, with an area of 45 sq. km, located in the south-east of the country, on the territory of the Zarasai region. The largest river is the Neman, which in its lower reaches serves as a conditional border between Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region.

As for natural resources, there are practically none on the territory of the state. There are only large deposits of building materials - limestone, clay and gypsum. There are also underground springs of mineral waters. In the 50s. oil fields were explored, but to this day they are only in development.

Climate

The climate in Lithuania is temperate continental, in the seaside region it is maritime. Average temperatures in January are from -1 to -3°С, in July - from +17 to+19°С. There are no sharp fluctuations in this area. The average annual rainfall is from 500 to 700 mm. Very often, at any time of the year, drizzling rain is inherent in Lithuania. Such days are accompanied by fog.

Air masses from the Atlantic and the B altic Sea have a great influence on climate formation. Full warm summer lasts two months - July and August. This period is favorable for rest and recovery with the help of sea air.

Population

Lithuania is a country with about 3 million people, 550 thousand of them in the capital. By national composition, 85% are Lithuanians, 6.5% are Poles, 6% are Russians, as well as Belarusians, Ukrainians, Jews, etc. By religion, about 70% of the country's inhabitants are Catholics, only 5% are Orthodox, the rest believe themselves as atheists.

The official language of the country is Lithuanian. It is native to the vast majority of residents, but many citizens understand and speak Russian well.

Culture

Lithuanians are very proud of their culture, traditions and identity. They managed to maintain a strong connection with the past, and this is visible in the sights of the country. The history of the state dates back several centuries, during which time a large number of churches, temples, castles, monasteries and other architectural monuments were erected in Lithuania.

The most popular tourist sites are: St. Anne's Church, Gediminas' Tower, Kaunas Castle, Artillery Bastion. Fromnatural attractions can be distinguished: Aukstaitija National Park, Curonian Spit, Kaunas Botanical Garden.

This is how unique Lithuania (Lithuania) is. Where else can you find such ancient structures, if not in this B altic state?