Liuthuania

Lithuania is the largest and most populous of the Baltic States. It became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Lithuanian landscape is flat except for low hills in the western uplands and eastern highlands. "The highest point is Aukstasis at 294 meters. Numerous lakes and marshes dot the terrain. A mixed forest zone covers 30% of the country. Around 80% of the population is Lithuanian, 11% Polish and 7% Russian.

The capital, Vilnius, is a picturesque city on the banks of River Vilnia. Its university, founded in 1579, is a renaissance style complex with countless inner courtyards, forming a city within the city.

The Lithuanian president, elected directly for a five-year term, oversees foreign and security policy. The unicameral Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas, has 141 members who are elected for a four-year term. A party must receive at least 5% of the popular vote to be represented in the Seimas.

Lithuanian cuisine consists of, among other things, cold beet soup, Lithuanian sausage and potato meals, the most popular of which are potato pancakes and Cepelinai – potato dumplings stuffed with meat, curd cheese or mushrooms.