Lithuania Facts and Culture

What is Lithuania famous for?

• Family: Many Lithuanians live in apartments and maintain a small cottage in the country, where they can grow fruits and vegetables... More
• Fashion: Western style clothing is worn. Traditional clothing is worn for festivals. The traditional costume for women is a colorful woven... More
• Visiting: Drinking vodka (for men only) is common during most social visits. Guests are expected to be punctual. Table manners are... More
• Recreation: Basketball is the country's most popular sport. On weekends and during vacations, many families spend time at cottages that they... More
• Cultural Attributes: Lithuanians are often reserved and sincere. Lithuanians are proud of their heritage but not of the Soviet period. More
• Diet: Traditional specialties include skilandis (smoked meat), ðaltibarðèai (cold beet soup), cepelinai (potato dumplings with minced meat filling), védarai (potato sausages)... More

What is the capital of Lithuania?

Capital	Vilnius
Government Type	semi-presidential republic
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Total Area	25,212 Square Miles 65,300 Square Kilometers
Location	Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Language	Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
GDP - real growth rate	1.8%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$28,000.00 (USD)

What is the population of Lithuania?

Ethnic Groups	Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Belarusian 1.6%, other 2.1%
Nationality Adjective	Lithuanian
Nationality Noun	Lithuanian(s)
Population	2,731,464
Population Growth Rate	-0.28%
Population in Major Urban Areas	VILNIUS (capital) 546,000
Predominant Language	Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Urban Population	67.1%

What type of government does Lithuania have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Saulius SKVERNELIS (since 13 December 2016) cabinet:... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Lithuania dual citizenship recognized: no residency... More
• National Holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and its concomitant... More
• Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992 amendments: proposed by at least... More
• Independence: 11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of... More

What environmental issues does Lithuania have?

• Overview: Lithuania, covering an area of 26,173 square miles, is the largest of the three Baltic States, slightly larger than West... More
• Climate: Lithuania's climate is moderate. Summer brings average temperatures of 65°F (afternoon highs in the 70s and 80s) and plentiful rain.... More
• Border Countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km More
• Environment - Current Issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases More
• Environment - International Agreements: 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... More
• Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil More

How big is the Lithuania economy?

• Economic Overview: After the country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania faced an initial dislocation that is typical during... More
• Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing,... More
• Currency Name and Code: Euro (EUR) More
• Export Partners: UK 13.4%, Russia 12.1%, Germany 10.4%, Latvia 9.7%, Denmark 5.1%, Sweden 4.2%, France 4.1% More
• Import Partners: Russia 22.2%, Germany 17.8%, Italy 5.1%, Poland 5% More

What current events are happening in Lithuania?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Lithuania?

• Lithuanian birthday traditions include garlands and lifting the chair. A garland is hung around the entire door of the home of the birthday person. The birthday person sits in a decorated chair and family members lift them up to three times.
  
• A popular Lithuanian saying is "Negirk dienos be vakaro," which means "Don't praise the day before evening."
• Amber, "Lithuania's gold," washes up on the Curonian Spit. Amber is formed from the resin of ancient trees that lived 40 to 55 million years ago. Over time, the resin hardens into golden or red translucent deposits, some of which contain insects that were trapped in the resin when it hardened. Amber is used to make jewellery.
• An interesting Lithuanian folk-art tradition is the carving of large wooden crosses, ornamented with suns, floral motifs or figures of saints, on tall poles that are placed at crossroads, in cemeteries, in village squares or at the sites of historic events.
• As soon as independence was proclaimed in 1918, women and men had equal voting and legal rights. The chair of the first Lithuanian parliament in 1920 was a woman and women have played an active role in parliament and local governments.
• Before the Second World War, Vilnius had a large Jewish population and was known as "the Jerusalem of Lithuania." The Jews accounted for more than one-third of the city's population. The city was a center of Jewish culture and had 96 synagogues. All but one were razed by the German and Russian armies during the war. Today, about 0.3% of the population is Jewish.
• Bread, a staple of Lithuanian food, is traditionally placed in the center of the table, in front of the father. The ancient tradition of putting bread on the table before other dishes is still observed today. A piece of bread is also traditionally placed in the foundation when building a new house. Bread, salt and wine are presented to newlywed couples to symbolize the sweetness and saltiness of life.
• "He who eats well, works well" is a well-known, traditional Lithuanian saying. In the past, farm workers were observed while they ate and the ones who ate quickly were thought to be fast workers.
• In the 16th century, mineral springs were discovered at Druskininkai on the Nemunas River and the town became a health resort. People still travel to these springs to seek treatment for ailments related to the digestive, circulatory and nervous systems.
• In the past, Lithuanians held a wake when someone died. For the entire night before the burial of the body, hymns and laments were sung for the soul of the deceased.
• Jascha Haifetz, the eminent violinist, was born in the Jewish community of Vilnius in 1901. He grew up in Lithuania, but moved to the United States when he was in his teens.
• Lithuanian forests play an important part in regional folk tales. During times of war, the forests were a safe haven for those in danger. The oak tree was worshiped during pre-Christian times and today represents longevity and strength. Lithuanians often plant oak trees to mark important occasions.
• Lithuanian surnames reflect gender and marital status. For example, if the father of a family is Jonas Kuprevièius, his wife's last name would be Kuprevièiené, and his unmarried daughter's last name would be Kuprevièiûité.
• On the first day of school in September, children from the younger grades traditionally bring bouquets of flowers to their teachers.
• Saint Casimir Day, the celebration of Lithuania's patron saint, takes place on March 4. Casimir was born in 1458 in Cracow, the second son of the King of Poland and Lithuania. He led a holy life and died at the age of 26. He was buried in Vilnius, and miracles were reported to have taken place at his tomb.
• The Church of St. Teresa is a pilgrimage site in Vilnius. The Church's Gates of Dawn chapel contains an image of the Madonna of Mercy that is said to have miraculous powers. Pilgrims climb the steps to the church on their knees.
• The current Lithuanian president, Valdas Adamkus, elected in 1998, emigrated from Lithuania to the United States in 1944. He spent most of his adult life working in Chicago for the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States before returning to Lithuania.
• The Jesuits established Vilnius University in Lithuania in 1579. The university, which promoted Lithuanian literature and culture, was closed during the Czarist regime in the 19th century and reopened in 1919.
• There are more than one million Lithuanians living in the United States, Canada, South America, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and Australia. More than 150,000 Lithuanians live in Russia and other Eastern European countries.
• Vida Venckiene, a cross-country skier, won the first gold medal of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, skiing under the Soviet flag. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Romas Ubartas took home a gold for discus. At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Daina Gudzinervièiþte won a gold medal for trap shooting and Virgilijus Alekna won gold for discus throwing.
• Women in Lithuania achieved full political rights much earlier than women in Canada. As soon as independence was proclaimed in 1918, women and men had equal voting and legal rights. The chair of the first Lithuanian parliament in 1920 was a woman and women have played an active role in parliament and local governments.
• When a child loses a tooth they often keep their tooth as a keepsake.

What makes Lithuania a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Lithuania is a stable democracy. Tourist facilities in Vilnius, the capital, and to a lesser extent in Kaunas and Klaipeda, are similar to those available in other European cities. In other parts of the country, however, some of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries may not be available.

Crime

Although Lithuania is relatively safe, both violent and non-violent crimes affecting tourists have occured throughout the country. You should maintain the same awareness and practice good personal security that you would in any U.S. metropolitan area. Large amounts of cash and expensive jewelry should be secured in a hotel safe or left at home. Common crimes against foreigners include pick-pocketing and thefts, so personal belongings should be well protected at all times. Thefts from cars and car thefts occur regularly. Valuables should not be left in plain sight in parked vehicles, as there have been increasing reports of car windows being smashed and items stolen. You should avoid walking alone at night or utilize a taxi service arranged by telephone. Isolated ATMs should be avoided after dark. Like in the United States., public inebriation should be avoided as criminals have been known to take advantage of drunken pedestrians. U.S. citizens have reported being robbed and/or scammed while intoxicated.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, you may be breaking local law too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Lithuania, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in Lithuania, but still illegal in the United States; for instance, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Lithuania, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not.

If you break Lithuanian laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Lithuania are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. For more information about arrest procedures in Lithuania please visit the Embassy’s website. While most authorities will automatically notify the U.S. Embassy if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested, this might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the Embassy as soon as you are arrested or detained.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical care in Lithuania has improved, but medical facilities do not always meet Western standards. There are a few private clinics with medical supplies and services that nearly equal Western European or U.S. standards. Most medical supplies are now widely available, including disposable needles, anesthetics, antibiotics, and other pharmaceuticals; however, hospitals and clinics still suffer from a lack of equipment and resources. Lithuania has highly trained medical professionals, some of whom speak English, but their availability is decreasing as they leave for employment opportunities abroad. Depending on a patient’s condition, an appointment with a specialist may not be available for several weeks. Western-quality dental care can be obtained in major cities. Elderly travelers who require medical care may face difficulties. Most pharmaceuticals sold in Lithuania are from Europe; travelers will not necessarily find the same brands that they use in the United States. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, particularly if immigration status in Lithuania is unclear.

Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are widespread throughout the country. Those intending to visit parks or forested areas in Lithuania are urged to speak with their health care practitioners about immunization. Rabies is also increasingly prevalent in rural areas.

Safety and Security

There have been no incidents of terrorism directed toward U.S. interests in Lithuania. Incidents of anti-Americanism are rare.

Lithuania is not experiencing any civil unrest at this time. However, marches and protests do occur, especially in larger cities. Although such events have generally been peaceful in nature, U.S. citizens are reminded that even gatherings intended to be peaceful can become confrontational. Therefore, we urge you to avoid the areas of demonstrations, if possible, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any event. You should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

From time to time, especially late at night near bars and night clubs, foreigners have been subject to violent crimes, such as muggings, or have become involved in altercations with inebriated individuals. Racially motivated verbal, and sometimes physical harassment of foreigners and ethnic minorities in major cities have occurred.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Lithuania, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

You may drive in Lithuania with a U.S. driver’s license for up to 90 days. U.S. citizens who reside in Lithuania for 185 days or more in one calendar year and who wish to continue driving in Lithuania must acquire a Lithuanian driver's license. An applicant for a driver’s license must take both the written and driving exams. The foreign license must be given to the Lithuanian Road Police to be processed by the Consular Department of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For more information, please visit the Embassy’s website. Roads in Lithuania range from well-maintained two- to four-lane highways connecting major cities, to small dirt roads traversing the countryside. Violation of traffic rules is common. It is not unusual to be overtaken by other automobiles traveling at high speed, even in crowded urban areas. Driving at night-- especially in the countryside--can be particularly hazardous. In summer, older seasonal vehicles and inexperienced drivers can be extra hazards. Drive with caution at all times. Driving whileintoxicated is considered a very serious offense and carries heavy penalties. Be aware that such laws are significantly stricter than in many states in the United States. The speed limit is 50 km/hr in town and 90 km/hr out of town unless otherwise indicated. The phone number for roadside assistance is 8-800-01414 from a regular phone and 1414 from a GSM mobile phone. If you are involved in a traffic accident, be aware that moving the car before the police arrive can result in your being charged with hit and run.

Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers. Children under the age of 3 must be seated in the back seat in a child seat appropriate for their age and size. Children under the age of 12 and under 150 cm (approximately 59 inches) may not be seated in the front seat.

During the winter, most major roads are cleared of snow. Winter or all-season tires are required from November 10th through April 1st. Studded tires are not allowed from April 10th through October 31st. Drivers must have at least their low-beam lights on at all times while driving.

Public transportation is generally safe, but you should maintain personal security awareness while on public transportation.