Sveiki! Welcome to the land of amber and ancient forests—Lithuania, the largest of the three Baltic states, located along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea. There are around 3 million people living here, and the capital is Vilnius, a city famous for having one of the largest and most beautiful medieval old towns in Europe. The official language is Lithuanian, which is one of the oldest living languages in the world and shares surprising similarities with ancient Sanskrit.
Lithuania covers about 65,300 square kilometers (25,212 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of West Virginia in the U.S., or Latvia. The landscape is a serene mix of flat plains, over 3,000 sparkling lakes, and dense forests that cover a third of the territory.
The most popular sport is Basketball—it is often called the “second religion” of Lithuania, and the country consistently ranks among the best in the world. Their national animal is the White Stork, and you will see many of their large nests perched atop poles and chimneys throughout the countryside.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of yellow, green, and red, where the yellow represents the sun and prosperity, the green stands for the forests and hope, and the red symbolizes the courage and blood of those who died for the country.
The food is hearty, comforting, and famously features the potato. You must try Cepelinai, the national dish, which are large potato dumplings stuffed with meat or cheese and shaped like Zeppelins. Another favorite is Šaltibarščiai, a striking bright pink cold beet soup served with hot potatoes, which is a staple during the summer months. Lithuania is also known for its Black Rye Bread and Midus, a traditional honey mead that dates back thousands of years.
Lithuania is home to the Curonian Spit, a 98-kilometer long thin sand dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another unique landmark is the Hill of Crosses, a site where over 100,000 crosses have been placed by people as a symbol of peaceful resistance and Catholic faith. In the middle of a lake, you will find Trakai Island Castle, a fairytale-like red brick fortress that was once the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Interestingly, back in the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the largest country in Europe, stretching all the way to the Black Sea.
From the bohemian district of Užupis in Vilnius to the rolling dunes of Nida, Lithuania is a land of deep history and natural charm. Ačiū! That means “Thank you!”