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About Lithuania

About Lithuania

Co-creating impactful solutions, tackling global challenges, thinking, acting and dreaming beyond our borders.

Globally minded and welcoming, Lithuania is a place where great ideas come to life. It’s a stage where a cooperative spirit meets skilful improvisation to create globally recognised innovations in business, science, culture, governance, and beyond. In the realms of business and science, we edit genes, disrupt the payment infrastructure, and build laser technology that helps move progress forward. In culture, we have helped to revolutionise filmmaking, and make huge Hollywood projects happen. Meanwhile, we are building bridges between the public sector and startups that yield great and unexpected results. When it comes to international relations, we see it as our mission to defend freedom and democracy in our part of the world and beyond. We are proud of the part we play in the Eastern Partnership initiative and NATO’s deterrence strategy. And the thread that runs through all of this? A desire to co-create – to share, inspire and empower.

In Lithuania, a spirit for invention, blended with smart governance and an open-minded culture create the right conditions for co-creating impactful solutions that reach beyond its borders and into the lives of people all around the world.

‘We open our land, our dominions, and our kingdom to every person of goodwill.’ These words of Lithuania’s Grand Duke Gediminas are as true today as they were when they were written in 1323. Intended as an invitation to knights, merchants and artisans, this spirit of welcomeness is what lies at the heart of Lithuania’s capacity for co-creation. And this is nowhere more obvious than in the diverse group of institutions who now call Lithuania home: there’s a Belarusian university in exile, a host of post-Brexit Fintechs, 1000 startups (and counting), and, of course, a wide range of international players – from German automotive giants to US Biotech.

We are waiting for you to visit us – it will be a pleasure for us to know you!

Quick facts

Capital: Vilnius
Official language: Lithuanian
Area: 65.300 km2
Population: 2.979.000
National currency: the euro (from 1 January 2015)
Geographical situation: Lithuania is a state in Northern Europe
Neighboring countries: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Russia
Independence:
  • Announced on 16 February 1918
  • Restored on 11 March 1990
Form  of Government: Parliamentary democracy
Head of State:
  • President
  • Government of the Republic of Lithuania
  • Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
International membership:
  • NATO member since 29 March, 2004
  • Member of European Union since 1 May, 2004
Largest cities (number of inhabitants):
  • Vilnius (538 700)
  • Kaunas (307 500)
  • Klaipėda (158 900)
  • Šiauliai (106 800)
  • Panevėžys (97 600)
Administrative division:
  • The territory of Lithuania is divided into 10 counties.
  • Counties are subdivided into 60 municipalities.
  • Municipalities consist of 546 elderships
Ethnic composition (%):
  • Lithuanians: 84.2
  • Poles: 6.6
  • Russians: 5.8
  • Belorussians: 1.2
  • Other: 2.2

The total number of nationalities living in Lithuania is 154.

Religion: Most Lithuanians belong to Roman Catholic Church. There are also Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran, Reformed Church, Eastern Orthodox, Judaism, Islam and other religions.

Life expectancy:

  • Average life expectancy in Lithuania is 73.7 year
  • Average female life expectancy  is 79.1 year
  • Average male life expectancy  is 68.1 year
Landscape: Lithuania is a flat land with plains covering approximately 75% of the country
Climate: Ranges between maritime and continental. The average temperatures are +19°C in July and -3°C in January.
Public holidays:
  • The New Year (1 January)
  • The Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania (16 February)
  • The Day of the Restoration of Independence of Lithuania (11 March)
  • Easter (the first Sunday and Monday after the first full moon after the spring equinox)
  • International Labour Day (1 May)
  • Rasos and Joninės Day (Midsummer Day - 24 June)
  • The Day of the Coronation of King Mindaugas (6 July)
  • Žolinė (Feast of the Assumption – 15 August)
  • All Saints Day (1 November)
  • Christmas Eve (24 December)
  • Holy Christmas (25–26 December)
More about Lithuania: The Official Gateway of Lithuania