Lithuania is a small country, belonging to the Baltic States region, situated in the geographical centre of Europe, along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Rich in smart forests, carved by rivers and spread with minor hills and lakes. The state rules by the Seimas, the Government and the President, has a population of 3.48 million. The capital of Lithuania – Vilnius. A modern city, famous for it‘s nice old town.

In 1989, the Institut Geographique National (French National Geographic Institute, based in Paris) determined, that the geographic centre of Europe is located in the territory of Lithuania. This fact listed is the Guinness Book of World Records. The centre of Europe is deteremined to be at 54 ˚ 54‘ N 25˚ 19‘ E. This point is 26 kilometres North of Vilnius, near the Vilnius – Molėtai highway. There is a column of white granite surmounted by a crown of stars, erected at the location ( sculptor Gediminas Jokūbonis).

Lithuanian currency and monetary unit is Litas. Litas is pegged to the euro at the rate of 3.45 litas = 1 euro. One litas is divided into 100 cents.

Throughout the entire historical period of it’s statehood, Lithuania has had four capital cities or towns: ancient capital Kernavė, momentary capital Trakai, temporary capital Kaunas ( in 1920 – 1939, when Vilnius was captured by Poles) and Vilnius, the longest – lived and present capital of Lithuania with near 500 thousand population.

The territory of Lithuania is divided into five ethnographical areas, or regions: Aukštaitija ( literally Highlands) Žemaitija (Samogitia, literally Lowlands), Dzūkija or Dainava Sūduva ( Sudovia) or Suvalkija and Lithuania Minor.

Some important dates to Lithuania:
1939 – signing of the Molotov – Ribbentrop Pact.
1940 June – Lithuanian is occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union. The start of first deportations to Siberia.
1941 – 1944 – World War II. Lithuania is occupied by germans.
1944 – Allies defeat Germany and Lithuania is reoccupied by the Soviet Union, Mass deportation campaings start to exile Lithuanians to Russia.
1988 – The Lithuanian reform movement and political force Sajūdis is founded to seek for Lithuania‘s independence.
1990 March 11th – Lithuania proclaims the restitution of Lithuanian independence, becoming the first of the Soviet republics to declare it‘s detachment from the Soviet Union.
1991 August – Russia finally recognizes the independence of Lithuania and withdraws its troops.
2004 – Lithuania becomes a NATO member and joins EU.