Overview: The Republic of Lithuania, on the east coast of the Baltic Sea,
boldly became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its
independence in 1990. With a restructured economy it joined the EU
in the spring of 2004, and the gates of this fascinating ancient
country are now wide open for western tourists and
pleasure-seekers. Relatively small, with only 62 miles (100km) of Baltic
coastline, and hemmed in by Latvia, Belarus, Poland and part of the
Russian Federation, Lithuania has a big heart and wide variety of
offerings for visitors, including around 2,500 lakes, 18 sizeable
meandering rivers, and forests covering a third of its territory.
The country can also boast of being officially the centre of
Europe: the National Geographic Institute of France proclaimed a
point (now a popular tourist attraction) 15 miles (24km) northwest
of the capital, Vilnius, as the geographic centre of the continent
in 1989. Vilnius itself is an atmospheric historic city founded in 1323,
with a beautiful old quarter that has been declared a UNESCO
Heritage Site and is undergoing tasteful renovations. Just a few
miles from Vilnius lies Trakai, capital of Lithuania in the Middle
Ages, on the shore of the scenic Lake Galve, and a little further
west visitors revel in the peaceful Birstonas mineral water spa
resort. Lithuania's second largest city, Kaunas, is a cultural
centre boasting numerous museums and three theatres among its
attractions. On its Baltic coastline Lithuania boasts seaside
resorts, such as Palanga, with unspoilt white sandy beaches backed
by pine forests. An increasing number of travellers are savouring the delights of
this re-discovered Baltic State, which is easily accessible from
the main centres of Europe by air and road, and whose people are
ready, willing and proud to show off its attributes.
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