Lithuania is the biggest of the three Baltic Countries on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania shares borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia (Kaliningrad). The country is full of preserved natural landscapes, woods, lakes and rivers, and has an unique sea side, with the Curonian Spit, a sandy peninsula, isolating the Curonian sea from the Baltic Sea.

Alhough Lithuania was mentioned as early as 1009, it is now a young republic, trying to recover from the grinding occupation by the Soviet Union. Independence was restored only in 1990, but the history of Lithuanian statehood dates back to the 13th century, when Mindaugas, the first and only king of our country, gained the crown. The history of Lithuania is erratic, full of mighty victories and severe setbacks. Today’s Lithuania is a small country, but in historical maps you can find it the biggest country in Europe, or not existing at all. Today the country, still under the impact of 50 years of Soviet occupation, tries to blend into the economic and cultural space of the European Union.

As one of the most recently Christianized countries in Europe, Lithuania preserves much of pagan traditions, and folk traditions are still alive in villages. The cultural life prospers in all the bigger cities.

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city. The first known written record of Vilnius as the Lithuanian capital is known from Gediminas' letters in 1323.

Today, Vilnius is one of the most frequently visited cities of Eastern Europe. It draws attention not only because of its unique architectural character, but also by its cultural events and attractions. During the first ten years of independence the city has become a tourist attraction centre. It is therefore not surprising that during these ten years the number of tourists has consistently increased and at the same time tourist infrastructure and services have been developed.

Vilnius, as the capital of Lithuania, is the home of the President, the Seimas (parliament), the Government, and the Supreme Court. Diplomatic missions, educational, cultural, financial, research, and healthcare institutions are based here.

According to the 2012 statistics, the population of Vilnius is 523,000 people, which accounts for 17 per cent of the total population of the country. Vilnius is home to people of different ethnic backgrounds. Ethnic Lithuanians, 57.8%; Poles, 18.7%; Russians, 14%; Belarusians, 4%; Jews, 0.5%; and representatives of other ethnic backgrounds, the remaining 5%.

Vilnius occupies an area of about 400 square kilometres, of which approximately 29% is developed, the remainder being green space (69%) and water (2%). The historical centre of Vilnius, the Old Town (Senamiestis), is one of the largest old town centres in Eastern Europe, covering almost 360 hectares. The Old Town is situated in a picturesque valley of two rivers, the Vilnia and the Neris, at the meeting of trade roads, next to the ford, which was guarded by Vilnius castle in the olden times.

Vilnius is a cosmopolitan city with diverse architecture. There are 65 churches in Vilnius. Like most medieval towns, Vilnius was developed around its Town Hall. For more information on Vilnius please visit www.vilnius-tourism.lt/presentation/site.html.