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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 45 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Lithuania
Vilnius. Riga is the capital of Latvia, Tallinn the capital of Estonia. Kaunas is Lithuania's second largest city and was the capital from 1920-40, as Vilnius was annexed by Poland in 1921.
| In which year did Lithuania gain actual independence from the Soviet Union? | Lithuania
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1991. Lithuania declared itself independent in 1990, but didn't gain effective Independence till the following year. The last Russian troops left in 1993.
| What is the approximate area of Lithuania? | Lithuania
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25,200 sq miles. It is slightly bigger than Latvia and is the largest of the three Baltic republics.
| What is the approximate population of Lithuania? | Lithuania
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3.6 million. It is the most populous of the Baltic republics.
Klaipeda. Kaliningrad is in Russia, Gdansk in Poland and Liepaja is in Latvia. Klaipeda was formerly the German port of Memel.
| From 1795-1917 most of the present territory of Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire. Apart from Russian influence, what was predominant foreign cultural influence in the period c.1600-1800? | Lithuania
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Polish. In this respect, Lithuania differs considerably from Latvia and Estonia, where German and Swedish influence was very significant. The main religious denomination is Roman Catholic, like in Poland - and unlike in the other two Baltic republics, which are predominantly Lutheran. For over two centuries prior to 1795, Poland and Lithuania were in effect one country, and most of the present territory of Lithuania was annexed by Russia in the course of the third partition of Poland (1795).
Christmas Eve. Well, believe it or not, on Christmas Eve exactly at midnight animals can speak. However, I wouldn't recommend you listen because you might hear about the day of your own death.
Bread and salt. Of course, you would be greeted with a loaf of bread on a towel and maybe a pinch of salt. Bread is considered very important in this little country. Even the newlyweds are greeted with the bread and salt.
Twelve. According to traditions, there should be at least twelve dishes because Jesus had 12 Apostles. The problem is, that on this day meat products (and in certain regions even milk products) are not allowed. So these are mainly fish, mushrooms, vegetables and similar dishes. It is very important to taste each dish - otherwise you won't last until next Christmas.
fern. It is believed that during the night of St. John, the fern comes into flower and if you find the blossom of the fern, you'll be able to find hidden treasures. According to other legends - you'll be extremely lucky.
The spirits of dead relatives or loved ones will visit the home during the night and eat. There's also an empty plate placed on the table during the Christmas Eve dinner, because it is believed that the spirit of a relative, who died that year participates in dinner.
Easter Granny. Easter Granny (Velyku Senele) brings Easter eggs for children. Bunnies only help her to paint eggs.
| Masquerade and the struggle between two mythological characters Fatso (Lasininis), who represents winter and Hemper (Kanapinis), who represents spring are the part of which holiday? | Lithuanian Traditions and Customs
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Shrove Tuesday. It's Shrovetide, when everybody dresses up and has fun. And a fight... of course Hemper wins - spring is already here, goodbye winter!
Whip those who stayed at home. Just don't think that Lithuanians are aggressive. It's just a symbolic act. You just gently whip the back and shoulders of those who stayed home and sing, 'I am not the one striking, the Palm is striking, you are not in pain, the Palm is in pain, soon it will be Easter.'
Neris. Vilnius stands on the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. Kaunas, the second city, stands on the Nemunas (or Nieman) and Panevezys on the Nevezis. The Latvian capital, Riga, stands at the mouth of the Daugava.
Klaipeda. Memel was made an international protectorate after the First World War. It was later incorporated into Lithuania. Klaipeda is now Lithuania's main port and its third city.
Gediminas. Gediminas is said to have had a dream of a wolf howling like a thousand wolves on a hilltop. The dream was interpreted as meaning that he should build a fort there.
Rolandas Paksas. Landsbergis was president from 1991 to 1993, Brazauskas was president 1993-98 and Adamkus 1998-2003. Since Lithuania became independent (in 1991), no president has managed to secure a second term in office, although Brazauskas became prime minister in 2001.
Paksas was impeached by the Lithuania Parliament and removed from office in 2004 for a number of offences, including violating the constitution. The subsequent presidential election saw the return to office of Valdus Adamkus.
| In what year did the Soviet Union recognise Lithuanian independence? | This Is Lithuania
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1991. Lithuania became independent of Russia after the First World War in 1918. However, the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1940 to be followed by the Germans in 1941 and then the Soviets again in 1944. Lithuania declared independence on the 11th of March 1990. Following the abortive coup in Moscow in 1991, the Soviet Union recognised Lithuanian independence on the 6th of September of that year.
| What is the name of the site on the Curonian Spit covered in wooden carvings? | This Is Lithuania
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Hill of Witches. One of the most fascinating sites in Lithuania, the hill is covered in carvings of various sizes and designs such as witches, pagan gods, animals and other creatures.
The Hill of Crosses is located near Siauliai; another fascinating site, covered in thousands upon thousands of crosses of all different sizes, styles and materials: wood, plastic, metal, amber, even wool.
yellow, green and red. The yellow represents the sun, the green the land and the red the blood of the people.
| Lithuania was in a "dynastic union" with which country from 1386-1569? | This Is Lithuania
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Poland. Grand Duke Jogaila of Lithuania married Jadwiga of the Polish royal house in 1386. From then on the hereditary Grand Dukes were regularly chosen for the elected position of King of Poland. However, the two countries were not formally united until 1569.
| What is the name of the former Tsarsist fort on the outskirts of Kaunas later used as a concentration camp and now a museum? | This Is Lithuania
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The 9th Fort. The fort was originally built in the nineteenth century as part of Tsarist Russia's defences against Imperial Germany. During the Second World War it was used by the Germans as a concentration camp where an estimated 30000 Jews from all over Europe were murdered. It has since become a museum with a memorial to the dead.
| As well as Latvia and Russia, with what other two countries does Lithuania share a border? | This Is Lithuania
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Poland and Belarus. Lithuania borders Poland to the south, the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to the south-west, Latvia to the north and Belarus to the east.
| What is the largest city in population in Lithuania? The city is famous for its unique Old Town, great Gediminas Castle, Gothic St. Ann's Church and more. | Towns in Lithuania
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Vilnius. Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, with about 550,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in 1323. Vilnius was an issue between Lithuanians and Poles in the XX century. Nowadays it's a very beautiful city, where you can find a mixture of modern and old architecture.
| What is the second largest (in population) city of Lithuania. It stands on the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas river, in the middle of the country? | Towns in Lithuania
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Kaunas. Kaunas' population is about 400,000. It was provisional capital of Lithuania for twenty years.
| What was Lithuania's first historical capital? The town was first mentioned in 1279, when it was besieged by Teutonic Knights. | Towns in Lithuania
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Kernavė. Kernavė was a medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Only about 320 people live in Kernavė now, but roughly 30,000 tourists visit Lithuania's first capital every year. There are a lot of historic hillfort mounds around Kernavė.
| This town is another Baltic sea resort, which is located in Kuršių Nerija (Curonian Spit). It is a very quiet place with green pine forests, lovely old wooden houses and, of course, remarkable dunes. Can you tell me what town I'm talking about? | Towns in Lithuania
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Nida. Nida is a honeypot for German tourists. It has 1650 residents.
| What is the main seaport and the third largest city by population in Lithuania? It was former German city called Memel (Memelburg). | Towns in Lithuania
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Klaipeda. About 200,000 people live in Klaipėda. Throughout its history Klaipėda has belonged to Prussia, Germany, and Lithuania. Some of its older buildings have picturesque framework architecture similar to that found in Germany, England, and Denmark.
| In which town you could hardly understand "Lithuanian" language even if you are Lithuanian because of the special dialect? | Towns in Lithuania
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Teliai. Teliai is a town in Žemaitija (Lower Lithuania/Samogitia) and people there speak in Samogitian dialect, which isn't easy for the rest of fellow-countryman.
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