Lithuania is the southernmost and the biggest of the Baltic countries, covering area of 65.200 sq km. It borders Latvia in the north, Belarus in the southeast, and Poland and the Kaliningrad Region in the southwest.

Lithuania has 4 main regions: Aukstaitija (Upper Lithuania)-the east, Zemaitija (Lower Lithuania)-the west, Dzukija-the south, and Suvalkija or Suduva-the southwest.

Lithuania's Baltic coast extends only about 100 km, half of which lies along the extraordinary Courland Spit (Neringa)-a sandbar 98 km long and up to 66 metres high, but nowhere more than 4 km wide. It's the most unusual natural feature of the Baltic States and well worth a visit. Behind Neringa is the wide (up to 35 km) Courland Lagoon, one of a series of lagoons protected by sandbars round this southeast corner of the Baltic Sea. It has a single narrow opening to the sea at its north end, by the Lithuanian port Klaipeda.

Lithuania is a predominantely flat country, though it has two broad bands of territory, which often exceed 150 metres above the sea level. One is down the whole eastern boarder with Belarus. It reaches its highest levels in Medininku Upland in the south-east (where the country's highest point 294 metre Juozapines, is located) and Svencioniu Upland in the northeast. The second band is the Zemaitija Upland, which spreads over much of the northwest and reaches a height of 234 metres.

Lithuania has the most ethnically homogenous population of the three Baltic States, with Lithuanians accounting for 80% of 3.5 million people. About 9% Russian and 7% Polish.

Official language-Lithuanian.

Religions-the vast majority of Lithuanians and Poles are Roman Catholic. Many and the Russians are mainly Russian Orthodox.

Currency-Lithuanian lit.

Vilnius (population 580 000), the historic, lively capital lies in the southeast of the country. The centre of Vilnius is on the south side of the Neris River. The large old part of the city is a warren of winding streets, hidden courtyards and dozens of old churches and is endlessly intriguing to explore. http://www.vilnius.lt

Other Interesting Places Are:

Kaunas

Kaunas (population 414 000)-Lithuania's second biggest city in the central part. It offers a pretty old town, including the ruins of Kaunas Castle and the Vytautas Church. There is also a Devil's Museum, which houses a collection of various devils and devil figures. http://www.kaunas.lt

Klaipeda

Klaipeda (population 203 000)-Lithuanian port http://www.klaipeda.lt

Siauliai

Siauliai (population 114 000)-4 th biggest city in the country, is famous of its Hill of Crosses http://www.siauliai.lt

Palanga

Palanga-the tourist destination for many Lithuanians, it has a beach that seems to stretch forever. http://www.palanga.lt

Trakai

Trakai-the nations medieval-era capital, and a sight not to be missed. Trakai, 25 kilometres west of Vilnius, is best known for the distinctive, red-bricked Castle sitting in the middle of a nearby lake. http://www.trakai.lt