Lithuania
Lithuania, officially known as the Republic of Lithuania, is a country located in the Baltic region of Europe. It is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the southwest. Lithuania has a rich cultural heritage, a diverse history, and stunning natural landscapes, making it an intriguing destination for travelers and historians alike.
Geography:
- Lithuania covers an area of approximately 65,300 square kilometers (25,200 square miles), making it one of the larger countries in the Baltic region.
- The landscape of Lithuania is characterized by plains, forests, and numerous lakes.
- The Baltic Sea coastline stretches for about 99 kilometers (61 miles) in the west of the country.
History:
- Lithuania has a long and complex history. It was once the largest country in Europe, encompassing present-day Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia.
- The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a powerful state in the medieval period, and it eventually formed a union with Poland in 1569, known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
- Lithuania declared independence from Russia in 1918, but it was subsequently occupied by the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and again the Soviet Union during World War II.
- The country regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, becoming the first Soviet republic to break away.