Map of Lithuania | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024 | More stats

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Background: Independent between the two World Wars Lithuania was annexed by the USSR in 1940. In March of 1990 Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993.


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Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E

Map reference: Europe

Area
Total: 65,200 km²
Land: 65,200 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries
Total: 1,273 km
Border countries: (3) Belarus 502 km; , Latvia 453 km; , Poland 91 km; , Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Coastline: 99 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea:12 nm

Climate: transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Juozapine Kalnas 292 m

Natural resources: peat

Land use
Arable land: 35%
Permanent crops: 12%
Permanent pastures: 7%
Forests and woodland: 31%
Other: 15% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 430 km² (1993 est.)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards: NA

Geography


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Population: 3,617,104 (July 1997 est.)
Growth rate: -0.49% (1997 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Lithuanian(s)
Adjective: Lithuanian

Ethnic groups: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%

Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Religions: primarily Roman Catholic, others include Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Islam, Judaism

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 21% (male 385,959; female 370,100)
15-64 years: 66% (male 1,157,987; female 1,240,850)
65 years and over: 13% (male 157,328; female 304,880) (July 1997 est.)

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate: -0.49% (1997 est.)

Birth rate: 10.64 births/1000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate: 12.96 deaths/1000 population (1997 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.6 migrant(s)/1000 population (1997 est.)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: 14.8 deaths/1000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 68.7 years
Male: 62.61 years
Female: 75.11 years (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.47 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 98%
Male: 99%
Female: 98% (1989 est.)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
Conventional short form: Lithuania
Local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
Local short form: Lietuva
Former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type: independent, democratic republic

Capital: Vilnius

Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*:Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Dependent areas

Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992

Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (acting president since 25 November 1992, president since 15 February 1993)
Head of government: Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held spring 1997); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
Election results: Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS elected president; percent of vote - NA

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)
Elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000)
Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Conservative Party 70, LKDP 16, Center Union 13, LDDP 12, LSDP 12, DP 2, independents 4, others 8, vacant 4

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
In the us chancery: 2,622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20,009
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 234-5,860
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466
In the us consulates general: New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
From the us embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2,600
From the us mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 9,723
From the us telephone: [370] 670-6,083
From the us FAX: [370] 670-6,084

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage


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Economy overview: Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined program to restrain inflation, abolish most price controls, lower the budget deficit, and privatize the economy. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized. Although some important "strategic" enterprises remain exempt from privatization, the new government has outlined plans to privatize large companies dealing with transport, pipelines, communications, and energy. While Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over 1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995 and 13.1% in 1996. Although the government tried to stay the course on economic reform and fiscal discipline in 1996, the new government, which took office in 1996 inherited high debts for energy supplies. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate: 3.4% (1996 est.)

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,870 (1996 est.)

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 13%
Industry: 32%
Services: 55% (1996 est.)

Agriculture products: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk, eggs; fish; flax fiber

Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (1996)

Labor force
Total: 1.836 million
By occupation industry and construction: 42%
By occupation agriculture and forestry: 18%
By occupation other: 40% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 8% (January 1997)

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $1.4 billion
Expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $168 million (1995)

Taxes and other revenues

Public debt

Revenue

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance

Exports
Total value: $3.3 billion (1996 est.)
Commodities: textiles 15%, agriculture and food 14%, chemicals 12%, fuels 12%, machinery 11% (1995)
Partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus, Latvia, Ukraine (1995)

Imports
Total value: $4.56 billion (1996 est.)
Commodities: oil 25%, machinery 17%, textiles 10%, chemicals 9% (1995)
Partners: Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external: $895 million

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1997), 4.000 (1996), 4.000 (1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992; note - fixed rate since 1 May 1994


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Electricity
Capacity: 5.46 million kW (1994)
Production: 9.57 billion kWh (1994)
Consumption per capita: 2,151 kWh (1995 est.)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones: 1.012 million (1995)

Telephone system: telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the former Soviet republics
Domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay connect switching centers
International: international connections no longer depend on the Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally through Copenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available; landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics

Broadcast media

Internet

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $31.7 million (1996 est.)
Percent of gdp: 1% (1996 est.)

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 96 (1994 est.)
With paved runways total: 25
With paved runways over 3047 m: 3
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 4
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 2
With paved runways under 914 m: 14 (1994 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 71
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 6
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)

Heliports

Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Railways
Total: 2,002 km
Broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Roadways

Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable

Merchant marine
Total: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 275,871 GRT/305,943 DWT
Ships by type: cargo 24, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1996 est.)

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international: dispute with Russia over the position of the riparian and maritime boundary with Kaliningrad Oblast; disputes maritime border with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights; treaty with Belarus defining the border awaits demarcation

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia