Lithuania
The Region Lithuania
[lithOOA'nEu]
Lithuania, Lithuanian Lietuva, officially Republic of Lithuania, republic (1995 est. pop. 3,876,000), 25,174 sq mi (65,201 sq km), North central Europe. Lithuania borders on the Baltic Sea in the west, Latvia in the north, Belarus in the east and southeast, Poland in the south, and the Kaliningrad oblast (a Russian exclave; formerly East Prussia) in the southwest. Vilnius is the capital, largest city, and an important rail and highway center.
Geography
Lithuania is situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea and borders Latvia on the north, Belarus on the east and south, Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia on the southwest. It is a country of gently rolling hills, many forests, rivers and streams, and lakes. Its principal natural resource is agricultural land.
Cultural Artifact of Lithuania
We treat Lithuanian Amber as our gold. Amber has been around on this earth for millions and millions of years and protects our history. It is known that Lithuania was covered in forest. Drops of resin that fell from trees did not dissolve in water and were carried by rivers to the sea. It was a long journey, so various objects became trapped in the resin on the way, including insects, spines of plants, grass and soil of different colours. Amber incense was used to protect children against misfortune, as well as newlyweds and husbands going to war.
Regional Fun Fact
Lithuanian Games - Various traditional games are still played on Christmas Eve - for example, after the dinner whoever pulls the longest straw from under the tablecloth will live the longest.
Another traditional game involves the unmarried young women present standing near the main door and throwing a shoe onto the threshold; if your shoe lands pointing at the door you will soon marry, but if it is pointing inward the young men will walk past your home.