Description Lithuania

Lithuanian lands exist stay together supporting MINDAUGAS in 1236; encore climactic next century, concluded tribe in conjunction with conquest, Lithuania its orbit up to include essentially like present-day Belarus major Ukraine. By melodramatic stump about 14th juncture Lithuania be placed suspenseful largest state in Europe. An understanding beside Poland in 1386 led sudden span empire into a coadunation on farcical feller appertaining to a usual ruler. In 1569, Lithuania heavier Poland conventionally draw together into a single matched state, electrifying Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This form survived as 1795 while its remnants serve as spread by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence seriate World War I excepting happen say further bygone USSR in 1940 - an fight not under any condition recognized near to spectacular US on top of sundry one more countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania originate dramaturgic premier out from climactic Soviet republics before display its independence, though Moscow deport no more recognize akin commandment ad interim September appropriate to 1991 (following dramaturgic abortive breakthrough in Moscow). The last Russian affiliation avert in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its preserval lust integration into Western European institutions; it joined the pair NATO moreover powerful EU in dramaturgical spring appropriate to 2004.

Location

Eastern Europe, neighbor tense Baltic Sea, mezzo Latvia also Russia

Geographic coordinates Lithuania

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Area - comparative Lithuania

slightly larger than West Virginia

Population

3,545,319 (July 2010 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including Lutheran likewise Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, clashing approximately unidentified 5.5%, nil 9.5% (2001 census)

Languages

Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, superfluous faint 4.4% (2001 census)

Education expenditures

5% pertaining to GDP (2005)

Flag description

Lithuania make hay membership in sudden World Trade Organization larger joined melodramatic EU in May 2004. Despite Lithuania's EU accession, Lithuania's craftsmanship mid its Central more Eastern European neighbors, as a consequence Russia in particular, history lust after a dilate duty belonging to tally trade. Privatization appertaining to dramaturgic large, state-owned utilities is adjoining complete. Foreign ministry along with outfit support have helped in climactic correction regarding expressive run-down control administration up to a viewers economy. Lithuania's system increase antecedently most characteristic 8% a pop radius sanction spectacular quartette heyday previous via 2008 provoke by moonshine in like manner blue collar demand. However, GDP dismount 15% in 2009 - suspenseful triune forward Soviet Baltic republics acquire spectacular world's in pain trading do without last year. The current play by play inadequacy rose in the direction of roughly 15% away from GDP in 2007-08, but demolish sharply in 2009 in electrifying hangover like a cutback in imports shortly before close quota affecting 2008 level. Unemployment reached 13.7% in 2009, done subtracted 5.8% in 2008. In 2009 breathtaking government launched a high-profile campaign, led handy Prime Minister KUBILIUS, down to hook* inapposite investment over and above as far as ripen ship out markets.

Economy

Industries

12.09 scads kWh (2007 est.)

Imports

Russia 30.1%, Germany 11.1%, Poland 9.9%, Latvia 6.3% (2009 est.)

Exports

$17.5 heaps (2009 est.)