Special Sub-Topic: Baltic States Click Here To Play: Baltic States

Which of the Baltic States has the largest territory?

Lithuania. Lithuania is 96 65.300 sq. km (about twice the size of Belgium). Second is Latvia - 64,589 sq. km. Estonia is the smallest: 45,227 sq. km, a bit larger than the Netherlands.

Which of the three Baltic states has greatest number (in percentage)of Russian-speaking?

Latvia. Latvians are almost a minority in their country because of the massive russification. Now 40 percent of Latvian citizens are Russian-speaking. Estonia - 32 percent Russian-speaking and Lithuania - just 9 percent Russian speaking.

Lake Peipsi is the largest lake of which country?

Estonia. Lake Peipsi (on the Russian border), covers an area of 3555km2, of which 1529km2 is in Estonia. It is the fourth largest lake in Europe. Largest Lake of Lithuania is Druksciai - 4479 hectares. Raznas Lake is the largest in Latvia.

Which capital is not situated near the sea?

Vilnius. While Tallinn and Ryga are situated on the coast of Baltic Sea, Vilnius is situated in the Southeastern part of Lithuania, more than 300 km from the sea.

Which of the Baltic capitals was founded in 1201 by Bishop Albert?

Riga & Ryga. Riga was founded in 1201, when Bishop Albert builds a castle on the site.

Which Baltic State has the highest point?

Estonia. Well, it sounds quite funny, when I say 'highest'. Simply because the highest point of Estonia (and of the Baltics) is Suur Munamagi and it is ... 318 meters high... :) Highest point of Latvia is Gaizinkalns (311.6m). The highest point of lithuania (depending on who you ask) is either Juozapine or Kruopine, both 293 to 294 m high.

Which language does not belong to the Baltic branch of Indo-European languages?

Estonian. The Baltic branch of Indo-European languages comprise of Lithuanian, Latvian and now-extinct Old Prussian. Linguists think, that Lithuanian is one of the world's oldest surviving languages, and is distantly related to Sanskrit, a religious and literary language in India. Estonian belongs to the Finno-Ugric family of languages - along with Finnish, Hungarian and other languages. Actually, it's not related to Indo-European languages at all.

'Narrow cobblestone streets and an orgy of the Baroque, almost like a Jesuit city somewhere in the middle of Latin America.' Which of the Baltic capitals was described by Polish writer, Noble Laureate Czeslaw Milosz?

Vilnius. Read more about Baltic capitals on www.balticsww.com

Which of the Baltic nations has the last pagans in Europe?

Lithuania. Lithuania was the last country in Europe to be Christianized (in 1387). Until then they worshiped gods like Perkunas, god of thunder, Zemyna, the mother Earth, Gabija, goddess of hearth fire, Pikuolis, god of underworld, and many others. There are still pockets of pagan beliefs and practices in everyday Lithuanian life.

Religion is one thing that Baltic nations do not have in common. Only one nation is Roman Catholic. Which?

Lithuania. Predominant religion in Latvia and Estonia is Lutheranism. Lithuanians are Catholic.

'Terviseks!' means 'Cheers!' in which language?

Estonian & Estonia. Latvians would say 'Prieka!', and Lithuanians - 'I sveikata!'.

Which Baltic country had the first elected woman president in the former Soviet bloc?

Latvia. In 1999 the Latvian parliament elected multilingual psychology professor Vaira Vike Freiberga as a president. The funny thing is, that she came back to the country just a year before elections. She spent most of her life in Canada, where she emigrated when she was a small girl.

By 1430 which Baltic State extends from the Baltic to the Black Sea?

Lithuania. In 1392 the Great Grand Duke of Lithuania becomes Vytautas. During his reign (till 1430) the Great Duchy of Lithuania reaches its big time. In 1410 in the battle of Tannenberg (also known as Grunwald or Zalgiris) joint Polish-Lithuanian armies defeated the Teutonic knights. In that period Lithuania had the biggest territory ever, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

Which Baltic State won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2001?

Estonia. May 12, 2001 - Estonia won the Eurovision Song Contest with Tanel Padar and Dave Benton's happy number, 'Everybody.'

August 23, 1989 - Two million people joined hands along the 600km road between Tallinn and Vilnius to mark the anniversary of the which event?

Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Over two million people from the Baltic states formed a human chain stretching from Vilnius to Tallinn to protest the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This document, often called 'prelude to Baltic tragedy' was signed exactly fifty years ago. In this non-aggression treaty signed in 1939 August 23, Germany and Soviet Union also assigned spheres of influence (including Baltic countries). As a direct result of this treaty, Moscow first forced the Baltic States to accept the Soviet forces within their border and later occupied them.

Sydney Olympics. Basketball semifinals. After dramatic fight USA dream team wind with the result 85:83. Just two points hindered which nation to become the first team in the world to overcome NBA professionals?

Lithuania &. Lithuania has great records in basketball. They won bronze in three last Olympics - Barselona, Atlanta and Sydney. In domestic leagues, the perennial powerhouse is Zalgiris Kaunas. They were European champions in 1999. Having won the prestigious European Cup over all other clubs in Europe in 1997, Zalgiris earned a place in the EuroLeague, the top echelon of basketball on the continent-and then won its championship in 1999.

When do Latvians celebrate their Day of Independance?

November 18. Latvia: November 18 - Independence day in 1918. Estonia: February 24 - Independence Day (1918), August 20 - Day of Restoration of Independence (1991). Lithuania: February 16 - Independence Day (1918), March 11 - Restoration of Lithuania's Independence (1990).

Which was the first Soviet Republic to declare independence?

Lithuania. On 1990 March 11 - Lithuania declared independence, the first Soviet republic to do so.

Kalevipoeg (Son of Kalev) is the national epic of which country?

Estonia. Since Lithuania does not have a national epic and Latvian national epic is Lacplesis (the Bear slayer), Kalevipoeg or Kalev's Son is definitely Estonian national epic. This epic was compiled from ancient Estonian folk tales and published by F.R. Kreutzwald in 1857. It is a tale about a three-sized superhero son of Kalev, who as an Estonian ruler is fighting with Estonian enemies and helping other people.

According to the legends, a castle was under siege for two weeks. Residents decided to break the enemy lines. They sacrificed a ram, soaked a white shirt in its blood and attacked enemies waving that shirt as a flag. Ever since it has been a flag of:

Latvia. Latvian flag red with a white stripe. More about flags: www.crwflags.com

Which nation gave the name for the Estonian capital Tallinn?

Denmark. Tallinn is derived from two Estonian words: Taani = Danish + linn = city. Danes used to attack Estonia in ancient days.

In which Baltic capital is there a monument for American composer Frank Zappa?

Vilnius. The stone bust of Frank Zappa on top of its four-meter high stainless steel column stands close to the center of Vilnius.

The largest Estonian Island is:

Saarema. Saaremaa is known for its peace and natural beauty. It is the largest island of Estonian Archipelago, which is comprised of 1521 islands.

Who was so amazed by gothic church of St. Anne in Vilnius, that he wanted to bring this church back to his country in the palm of his hand?

Napoleon Bonaparte. According to legend, Napoleon Bonaparte was so captivated by St Anne's that he cried out his desire to bring the church back to France in the palm of his hand.

Which is NOT an Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian word for 'Hello'?

Privet. 'Privet' is a Russian word. Estonians say 'Tere', Latvians - 'Labdien!' or 'Sveiks!'. Lithuanians would say 'Labas' or 'Sveikas'.