Lithuania

Lithuania is one of the states in the East ringing the Baltic Sea. Lithuania is the Centre of Europe (18 km from Vilnius). To the north it borders on the Republic of Latvia (the lenght of the border 610 km) to the east and south it borders on Belorussia (724 km), to the southwest – on Poland (110 km) and on districal of Kaliningrad (303 km). The Territory of Lithuanian is 65200 square km. In 1992 the population was 3.76 million. Capital of Lithuania is Vilnius . Administratively, Lithuania is divided into 44 regions, and 52 districts;there are 92 cities (among them 11 under the republic’s jurisdiction) and 22 urban-type settlements. Reform of administrative-territorial division is in progress.

The length of sea coastline is 99km. The coast is covered by sand beaches and coastal dunes. At the south coast is the Courland lagoon. The Courland Spit separates it from the Baltic Sea.

History

Lithuania is a small plot of land at the Baltic Sea. The whole west fringe of the country (appr. 100 km) is occupied by the amber coastline with marvelous beaches of white sand. Clean waters of Sesupe, Dubysa, Nevezis and Nemunas flow. Sometimes Lithuania is called the Nemunas land due to the great love Lithuanians have to the river Nemunas.

Cultural life

Lithuania’s cultural life is lively. Now Lithuania has 13 professional theatres, some state orchestras. chamber groups and some large art collections. Some of the latter are well-known to foreign experts. The Lithuanian Theatre of Youth is especially popular not only in Lithuania but abroad as well. The Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra under the head of prof. Sondeckis is well-known internationally. These groups spend much time on tours outside of their country.

Lithuania has 53 museums. The most valuable collection of works of art is in the Mykolas Zilinskas galery in Kaunas. it is as wonderful as Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911) galery with his works. Lithuania is very proud of this artist’s contribution not only in the field of art but music as well.