Lithuania is a country in Northeastern Europe, the largest and southernmost of the three Baltic states. Its area is 65300 km2, with a 90 km coastline on the Baltic Sea. The population is about 2800000. The capital is Vilnius. The official language is Lithuanian; Russian and Polish are widely spoken, and English is common in business and tourism. Alcohol sales begin at age 18, and some municipalities restrict nighttime sales. Narcotics are illegal, classified according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs. Gambling is state-licensed, with casinos and lotteries operating legally.

History
The ancestors of modern Lithuanians were the Baltic tribes of the Yotvingians, Curonians and Samogitians, inhabiting the territory from the 1st century AD. In the 9th–10th centuries these tribes came under the cultural influence of Slavic principalities but retained linguistic and cultural independence. From the 12th century, conflicts with the Livonian and Teutonic Orders on the coast led to fortification of Baltic settlements. The Battle of Saule in 1236 halted the Order’s advance, creating the conditions for the unification of Baltic tribes.
Mindaugas became the first and only crowned King of Lithuania when he converted to Christianity and was crowned by the Pope in 1253. His assassination in 1263 halted the Christianization process and Lithuania returned to pagan worship. In the 14th century under Gediminas and Algirdas the Grand Duchy expanded to include much of modern Belarus and Ukraine. Grand Duke Jogaila married Polish Queen Jadwiga in 1386, converted to Catholicism, and became King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland, initiating a dynastic union.
The Union of Lublin in 1569 created the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the largest European state of its era. Lithuanian nobility retained significant autonomy with separate laws, army and coinage. The 17th century saw wars—Cossack uprisings, the Swedish Deluge and sieges of Smolensk—that weakened the Commonwealth and reduced Lithuania’s influence.
The three partitions of Poland in 1772, 1793 and 1795 ended the Commonwealth. Lithuania was annexed by the Russian Empire. The 19th century saw uprisings in 1831 and 1863 crushed by Tsarist forces, and policies of Russification that sparked a cultural revival among Lithuanians preserving their language and traditions.
After World War I Lithuania declared independence on February 16, 1918. The interwar republic carried out land reform, industrialization and built state institutions. In 1920 a peace treaty with Soviet Russia established its eastern border. A 1926 coup brought Jonas Černius’s authoritarian regime, lasting until 1940.
In June 1940 the USSR occupied and annexed Lithuania under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. From 1941 to 1944 Nazi Germany occupied the country, committing mass atrocities against Jews and Poles. Post-war Soviet rule deported thousands to Siberia, while guerrilla fighters, the Forest Brothers, resisted from the forests.
In 1988 the Sąjūdis movement achieved democratic reforms and press freedom. On March 11, 1990 Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence, confirmed September 6, 1991. The 1990s saw privatization, economic reform and preparations for EU and NATO membership. Lithuania joined both EU and NATO in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2015. The economy has since enjoyed steady growth, a thriving IT sector and foreign investment inflows.

Industry
Key sectors include food processing (dairy, meat, grain products), pulp and paper, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, woodworking and shipbuilding in Klaipėda. IT, biotechnology and outsourcing services are rapidly expanding.

Religion and Ethnicity
About 77 % of the population is Roman Catholic, 4 % Eastern Orthodox, 1 % Protestant, 0.6 % Jewish, and the rest are unaffiliated or belong to smaller faiths. Ethnic composition: Lithuanians 84 %, Poles 6.6 %, Russians 5.8 %, Belarusians 1.2 %, others 2.4 %. Catholic holidays feature local fairs, Orthodox Easter follows the Julian calendar.

Wars and Conflicts
From the 12th to 14th centuries conflicts with the Teutonic and Livonian Orders were constant. As part of the Commonwealth, Lithuanians fought in Russo-Polish and Swedish wars of the 17th century. In the 19th century national uprisings of 1831 and 1863 were suppressed. The 20th century saw World War I combat, the 1920 Soviet–Lithuanian border conflicts, and underground resistance under Soviet rule.

Standard of Living
The Human Development Index is 0.882, placing Lithuania among very high-development countries. Transparency International ranks it around 35th out of 180, indicating relatively low corruption within the EU.

Healthcare
A public health system provides free care for citizens; visitors should have travel insurance. Private clinics in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda meet Western European standards. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended, and tick-borne encephalitis vaccination for rural travel. Tap water is potable, though many choose bottled water.

Holidays
Joninės (St. John’s Night) — June 23–24 bonfires, songs, traditional games. Independence Restoration Day — February 16, official ceremonies. King Mindaugas Coronation Day — July 6 cultural events. All Saints’ Day — November 1–2 remembrance rituals at cemeteries.

Traditions
Midsummer rituals emphasize fire and water. Guests receive bread and salt as hospitality symbols. In churches cover shoulders and knees; remove headwear indoors.

Interesting Facts
Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO site. Trakai Castle stands on an island in Lake Galvė. Scenes of “Game of Thrones” season 6 episode 10 were filmed here. Klaipėda hosts international regattas and a clown festival. In 2019 Lithuanians set a world record for mass performance of the song “Pakelkim Tautai Galvas.”

Money
Currency is the euro (EUR). Credit cards are accepted everywhere. ATMs in every town charge low fees. Exchange is equally favorable across EU banks. Tips of 5–10 % in restaurants and rounding up fare for taxis are customary.

Household Details
Electricity 230 V, 50 Hz; sockets type F. Mobile coverage is nationwide via Telia, Bitė, Tele2. 4G/LTE and growing 5G availability.

Clothing
Smart casual is common in cities. Tourists should avoid shorts and bare shoulders in churches and museums. Swimwear is fine at the beach but not in town. Carry a jacket for cooler weather.

Tourism
Lithuania offers cultural tours of Vilnius, Trakai and Kaunas; ecotourism in the Curonian Spit and national parks (Aukštaitija, Dzūkija); cycling routes along the Via Baltica; Baltic cruises from Klaipėda; spa and wellness in Juodkrantė; winter sports in hilly regions.

Types of Tourism
Historical excursions to castles and old towns. Baltic beach tourism. Cycling and hiking. Spa and wellness retreats. Cultural festival and culinary tours. Bird-watching and ecotourism.

List of Tourist Attractions
Vilnius Old Town — Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque ensemble (UNESCO)
Trakai Island Castle — 14th-century fortress
Kaunas Castle — 13th-century stronghold
Curonian Spit — dunes and forests (UNESCO, shared with Russia)
Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve — wetlands and bird habitats
Kernavė Archaeological Site — medieval hill forts (UNESCO)

List of Non-Tourist Attractions
Druskininkai suburbs — Soviet-era residential districts
Abandoned Cold War fortifications near the Russian border
Disused Kalvarija quarries
Rural farmers’ markets in Vilnius County
Fishing hamlets along the Curonian Lagoon

Local Cuisine
Šaltibarščiai — cold beetroot soup. Cepelinai — potato dumplings with meat. Kibinai — baked pastry filled with mutton or vegetables. Kissel — berry drink. Mead and cranberry mors. Meals: breakfast 7–9 AM, lunch 12–2 PM, dinner 6–8 PM. Street food is safe; bottled water recommended.

Why Visit
Lithuania blends European architecture, scenic nature, warm hospitality and moderate prices. Year-round cultural events and rich culinary traditions allure visitors in every season.

Safety for Tourists
Crime rates are low; political stability is strong. Terrorism threat minimal. Urban wildlife consists of foxes and raccoon dogs; keep distance. CCTV is widespread in cities. Tick season May–July, use repellents. Public hygiene is high; foreigners are welcomed.

Service Level
Four- and five-star hotels meet European standards; staff generally speak English. Guesthouses offer informal, homely service.

Entry Rules
EU and Schengen citizens visa-free. Nationals of 60+ countries visa-exempt for 90 days. Passport valid at least three months beyond departure. Weapons, drugs and perishable goods require permits or are prohibited.

Transport
Extensive rail and bus networks. Tickets available online or at stations. City taxis and car-sharing are common. Vilnius operates electric buses and a light-rail tram.

Car
International driving permit accepted. Right-hand traffic. Bribery of police is rare. No toll roads except Vilnius tunnel under the Neris. Zero blood alcohol limit. Speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h regional roads, 110 km/h motorways. Speed cameras on main highways. Compact cars and SUVs recommended for rural routes. Fines start at €30.

Noise Regulations
Quiet hours from 22:00 to 06:00 in residential zones. Silence required in medical and educational areas all day.

Daily Budget
Budget travel: 50–70 EUR (55–75 USD). Comfortable travel: 100–150 EUR (110–165 USD).

What Not to Do
Avoid night noise, smoking in public without permission, littering in parks and forests. Traffic violations incur strict fines.

Climate
Temperate continental climate with mild winters and warm summers. Average temperatures: January −5 °C, July 17 °C. Best visiting months: May–September.

Travel Tips
Vaccinate against hepatitis A. Carry tick repellent in forests. Purchase travel insurance covering outdoor activities. Download offline maps and keep some cash for small purchases.