Lietuvos Respublika

Republic of Lithuania

BY: ANGELICA GRACE BARNACHA VALDEZ

• Lithuania is located in Northern Europe. It is surrounded by Latvia, Belarus, and Poland. The largest of the three Baltic States, it covers an area of 65,200 km2.[26] Thus it is roughly larger, in terms of total area, than the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark or Switzerland.

• Lithuania lies between latitudes 53° and 57° N, and mostly between longitudes 21° and 27° E (part of the Curonian Spit lies west of 21°). It has around 99 kilometres (61.5 mi) of sandy coastline, of which only about 38 kilometres (24 mi) face the open Baltic Sea and which is the shortest among theBaltic Sea countries; the rest of the coast is sheltered by the Curonian sand peninsula. Lithuania's major warm-water port, Klaipėda, lies at the narrow mouth of the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuanian: Kuršių marios), a shallow lagoon extending south to Kaliningrad. The main and largest river, the Nemunas River, and some of its tributaries carry international shipping.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

CAPITAL:VILNIUS CITY

The city is an important cultural and industrial center, accounting for about one-fourth the manufacturing output of Lithuania. The principal products are precision instruments and electrical equipment.

Vilnius became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1323 and, despite destruction by the Teutonic Knights in 1377, developed into a major trading center.

CLIMATE Lithuania's climate, which ranges between maritime and continental, is relatively mild. Average temperatures on the coast are −2.5 °C in January and16 °C (61 °F) in July. In Vilnius the average temperatures are −6 °C (21 °F) in January and 16 °C (61 °F) in July. During the summer, 20 °C (68 °F) is common during the day while 14 °C (57 °F) is common at night; in the past, temperatures have reached as high as 30 °C (86 °F) or 35 °C (95 °F). Some winters can be very cold. −20 °C (−4 °F) occurs almost every winter. Winter extremes are −34 °C (−29 °F) in coastal areas and −43 °C (−45 °F) in the east of Lithuania.

LANGUAGELithuanian (lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union. There are about 2.9 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 200,000 abroad. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely related to Latvian, although they are not mutually intelligible. It is written in a Latin alphabet. The Lithuanian language is believed to be the most conservative living Indo-European language, retaining many features of Proto-Indo-European now lost in other Indo-European languages

CURRENCYThe Lithuanian litas is the currency of Lithuania. It is divided into 100 . The litas was first introduced in 1922 after World War I, when Lithuania declared independence and was reintroduced on June 25, 1993, following a period of currency exchange from the ruble to the litas with the temporary talonas then in place. The name was modeled after the name of the country (similarly to Latvia and its lats). From 1994 to 2002, the litas was pegged to the U.S. dollar at the rate of 4 to 1. Currently the litas is pegged to the euro at the rate of 3.4528 to 1. The euro was expected to replace the litas by January 1, 2010, but due to the current rate of inflation and the economic crisis, this date will be delayed for another four years until 1 January 2014

BRIEF HISTORYThe Lithuanians, with the Latvians, are survivors of the Baltic family of peoples who lived in the region in ancient times. Lithuania emerged as a united nation under Grand Duke Mindaugas in the 13th century. Mindaugas’s successors founded an empire extending as far south as the Black Sea.

As with most of the former Soviet republics, Lithuania experienced difficulty in making the transition from authoritarianism to democracy and from a socialist to a free-market economy. A new constitution was adopted in 1922, however, helping to stabilize the government. With help from the International Monetary Fund and other Western institutions, Lithuania initiated prudent policies to control inflation and privatize the economy.

TYPE /FORM OF GOVERNMENT

 parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of government, and of a multi-party system.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Palanga beach

 one of the most popular tourist destinations. The beach stretches over many kilometers on both sides of the Palanga pier. Since the town is primarily a summer resort destination, the beach is its star attraction and is known to be very crowded because apart from the international tourist influx, there are also several tourists from other parts of Lithuania who head to Palanga for its beach during summers. 

HILL OF CROSSES

The Hill of Crosses is an important site in Lithuania. The pilgrimage site has come to be known internationally and is an acclaimed tourist attraction in the region.The Significance Of The Hill Of CrossesThe Hill of Crosses is a symbol of the spirit and peaceful strength of the Catholic faith of Lithuania and the perseverance of the people to uphold their faith despite severe external aggression and hurdles over time. The Hill of Crosses has come to be a symbol of peace and spirituality and is a landmark in Lithuania.

Palanga Pier

an interesting spot to head to. It is a local tradition to pay a visit to the pier at the time of the sunset. One can experience the beauty of the sun setting into the sea as well as taking in all the fun and activity on the beach during the day.

Gediminas Castle

• The first fortifications were built of wood by Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Gediminas. Later the first brick castle was completed in 1409 by Grand Duke Vytautas. Some remnants of the old castle have been restored, guided by archeological research.

• Gediminas' Tower is an important state and historic symbol of the city of Vilnius and of Lithuania itself. It is depicted on the national currency, the litas, and is mentioned in numerous Lithuanian patriotic poems and folk songs. The Flag of Lithuania was re-hoisted atop the tower on October 7, 1988, during the independence movement

Vilnius Cathedral

• The Cathedral of Vilnius is the main Roman Catholic Cathedral ofLithuania. It is situated in Vilnius Old Town, just off of Cathedral Square. It is the heart of Lithuania's Catholic spiritual life.

• The coronations of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania took place within its confines. Inside its crypts and catacombs, many famous people in Lithuanian and Polish history are buried, among them Vytautas (1430), his wife Anna (1418), his brother Sigismund (Žygimantas) (1440), cousin Švitrigaila (1452), Saint Casimir (1484), Alexander Jagiellon (1506), two wives of Sigismund II Augustus: Elisabeth of Habsburg (1545) and Barbara Radziwiłł (1551), as well as others, are interred.

• During the Soviet regime initially cathedral was converted into a warehouse. Masses were celebrated again since 1985, although officially still the cathedral was called "The gallery of images". In 1989 the cathedral was restored.

FAMOUS PEOPLE

Violeta Urmana

• Violeta Urmana, born Violeta Urmanavičiūtė is a famous Lithuanian operatic soprano who began her career as a mezzo-soprano but has transitioned successfully into soprano roles.

Rolandas Kazlas• Rolandas Kazlas is a

Lithuanian actor and theater director. In 1991, Kazlas graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre with a degree in acting. He became a Valstybinio Jaunimo Teatro actor in 1993.

Jurga Ivanauskaitė

• Jurga Ivanauskaitė (14 November 1961 – 17 February 2007) was a Lithuanian writer.

• She was born in Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union. Studying at the Vilnius Art Academy, her first book was The Year of the Lilies of the Valley, published in 1985. She subsequently published six novels, a children's book and a book of essays. Her works have been translated into several languages, including English, Latvian, Polish, Russian, German, and Swedish.

Bronislovas Lubys• Bronislovas Lubys (8

October 1938 – 23 October 2011) was a Lithuanian entrepreneur, former Prime Minister of Lithuania, signatory of the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, and businessman.

Mindaugas• Mindaugas (ca. 1203 – fall

1263) was the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or rise to power; he is mentioned in a 1219 treaty as an elder duke, and in 1236 as the leader of all the Lithuanians.

RELIGIONBefore the Communists seized Lithuania, four out of every five Lithuanians belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. About one in twelve was of the Jewish faith, and the rest of the population was divided about equally between the Lutheran and Greek Orthodox churches. Lithuania was officially converted to the Roman Catholic faith in 1386.

CULTURE AND CUSTOMS

•FOOD RESTRICTIONS/ DELICACIES

Barščiai

•hot borscht (beet soup); it is served uncreamed or blended with sour cream or buttermilk; sometimes chopped Boletus mushrooms are added.

Bulvinių kukulių sriuba

•minced potatoes formed into small balls, and boiled in milk. These are usually made from the same potato mixture used in cepelinai.

Įdaryti kiaušiniai

•Hard-boiled eggs are split, stuffed and garnished; similar to deviled eggs.

Piršteliai prie alaus

•- These "little fingers" are thin, rolled-up puff pastries served with beer.

Aspics (šaltiena or košeliena)

•many savory foodstuffs are presented in gelatin molds, especially herring; horseradish is often served as a condiment.

Bigos

•- a long-simmered hunter's stew, featuring the catch of the day, sausages, and vegetables.

Kotletai

•soft minced meat patties, often served with potatoes and a sauce.

Kūčiukai or šližikai

•very small rolls are baked and served with poppyseed milk; this is a traditional Kūčios'(Christmas Eve) dish.

Žagarėliai

• (also known as krustai or chrustai) - Twisted, thin deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar; similar to Polish faworkis or Mexicanbuñuelo.

•FLAG CARRIER

•FESTIVALSSaint Casimir's Day 

is celebrated on March 4, the anniversary of the death of Saint Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania and Poland. The Kaziuko mugė, a folk arts and craft fair, is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to March 4.

St. Casimir is the patron saint of many Roman Catholic Churches in the United States which were established by Polish or Lithuanian immigrants. He is the principal patron saint of Lithuania. Casimir was a royal prince of the ruling Jagiellon dynasty of Poland and Lithuania, while St. Stanislaus of Krakow is usually cited as Poland's principal patron saint.

• Kaziuko mugė is a large annual folk arts and crafts fair dating to the beginning of the 17th century. It was originally held at the two main markets in Vilnius, Lithuania, as well as in the city streets.

• The fair is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to St. Casimir's Day, March 4, the day Saint Casimir died. In Lithuanian, Kaziukio mugė means "Little Casimir's" Fair (Kaziukas is a diminutive of Casimir). Today, Kaziuko fair also features music and dance; it attracts tens of thousands of visitors and many craftsmen from all over the country as well as from neighbouring states such as Latvia, Russia, and Poland.

FEATURES

The arts and crafts at the fair include hand-made goods from local craftsmen, such as apparel, knitted clothes, footwear, toys, utensils, metal crafts, souvenirs, and paintings. Foodstuffs like rye bread, bagels, honey cookies, meat and dairy products, natural honey, beer, and gira are sold as well.

• Užgavėnės is a Lithuanian festival that takes place during the seventh week before Easter (Ash Wednesday). Its name in English means "the time before Lent". The celebration corresponds to Roman Catholic holiday traditions in other parts of the world, such as Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, andCarnaval.

•TRIVIA•Arvydas Sabonis was the first Lithuanian to be inducted into the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 2011.•Simona Krupeckaitė is currently the country's most famous professional track cyclist. She holds two world records in 500m time trial and flying 200m time trial.•The other famous Lithuanian sportsman abroad is one of the world's foremost strongmen Žydrūnas Savickas. He is currently nominated as theStrongest Man in the World.

REFERENCESINTERNET:

http://www.mapsofworld.com/lithuania/society-and-culture/saint-casimirs-day.html

http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/2012/06/17/10-most-appealing-tourist-attractions-in-lithuania/

http://www.baltictravelcompany.com/

http://www.hoteltravel.com/lithuania/guides/festivals.htm

book:

The world book encyclopedia Vol.12 (R 030 W89 1972) copyright 1972, USA by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation

The world guide 2003/2004 R910.3 W893 2003 copyright 2003 by Instituto del Tercer Mundo

Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge Vol.11-12 copyright MCMXCV by Grolier Incorporated