Overview
Lithuania, officially known as the Republic of Lithuania, is a country situated in the Baltic region of Europe. As one of the three Baltic states, it occupies a position along the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The country covers an area of approximately 65,300 square kilometers (25,200 square miles) and is home to a population of about 2.9 million people.
Geography and Borders
Lithuania shares its borders with several neighboring territories, giving it a distinctive geopolitical position in Northern Europe. To the north lies Latvia, while Belarus borders the country to the east and south. Poland lies to the south, and the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast borders Lithuania to the southwest. In addition to these land borders, Lithuania maintains a maritime border with Sweden across the Baltic Sea to the west.
Major Cities
The capital and largest city of Lithuania is Vilnius, which serves as the country's political, cultural, and economic center. Beyond the capital, several other cities play significant roles in national life, including:
- Kaunas
- Klaipėda
- Šiauliai
- Panevėžys
People and Language
The titular nation of the country is formed by the Lithuanians, who belong to the ethnolinguistic group known as the Balts. The Lithuanian language, which is spoken by the majority of the population, reflects this deep-rooted Baltic heritage and connects modern Lithuania to the broader history of the Baltic peoples in the region.