Brief Introduction Capital: Vilnius Area: total: 6.530,000 National Flower: Rue The important Festival: National day: November 11 New Year: January 1 Population: 3,700,000 Language: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian Currency: LTL

Lithuania

Geography

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia.

Administrative divisions

10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus.

Economy – overview

Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with Russia, has slowly rebounded from the 1998 Russian financial crisis. Unemployment remains high, still 10.7% in 2003, but is improving. Growing domestic consumption and increased investment have furthered recovery. Trade has been increasingly oriented toward the West. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and has moved ahead with plans to join the EU. Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, is nearing completion. Overall, more than 80% of enterprises have been privatized. Foreign government and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy.

Culture and media

Newspaper:

Baltic Times, the , Baltische Rundschau , Laisvas Laikraštis , Lietuvos Rytas, Lietuvos Žinios , Nasz Csaz