Remerciez-le!

Remerciez @Admin pour avoir partagé cet document gratuitement, de la manière la plus simple, en partageant sur les réseaux sociaux.

From Wikitravel Europe : Baltic states : Lithuania [+] Understand Climate Terra

From Wikitravel Europe : Baltic states : Lithuania [+] Understand Climate Terrain History Independence National Holidays Regions Cities Other destinations [+] Get in By plane By train By car By bus By boat [+] Get around By train By thumb By bus By taxi By bicycle By car Talk [+] See Natural scenery Nature objects Major parks and gardens Major manors [+] 20th century military heritage WWI WWII Cold war Pagan heritage: sites and artifacts Christian heritage [+] Do Pilgrimages [+] Sport Lithuania travel guide - Wikitravel http://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Lithuania&printable=yes 1 of 63 4/9/2014 6:51 AM Location Flag [+] Major sports venues Major football stadiums Motorsport Golf courses [+] Buy Shopping Eat Drink [+] Sleep Hotels, motels, hostels, apartments Countryside Tourism Homesteads Camping Learn Work [+] Stay safe Natural danger [+] Stay healthy Ayurveda and holistic centres Yoga Reiki Respect [+] Contact Land line phones Mobile phones Internet Postal Service Lithuania (http://www.lietuva.lt/en/) (Lietuva) is a Baltic country in Northern Europe. It has a Baltic Sea coastline in the west and is surrounded by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland to the southwest, and Russia (Kaliningrad) to the west. Lithuania is an active member of the European Union (since 1 May 2004) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (since 29 Mar 2004). Lithuania is the only Baltic country with more than eight hundred years of statehood tradition and its name was first mentioned one thousand years ago, in 1009. Wedged at the dividing line of Western and Eastern civilizations, Lithuania travel guide - Wikitravel http://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Lithuania&printable=yes 2 of 63 4/9/2014 6:51 AM Quick Facts Capital Vilnius Government Parliamentary democracy Currency Litas (LTL) Area total: 65,200 km² Population 3,585,906 (July 2006 est.) Language Lithuanian (official), English, Polish, Russian Religion Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical Christian Baptist, Pagan Electricity 220V/50Hz (European plug) Country code +370 Internet TLD .lt Time Zone UTC+2 Lithuania battled dramatically for its independence and survival. Once in the Middle Ages (15th century), Lithuania was the largest state in the entire continent of Europe, where crafts and overseas trade prospered. In 1579, Vilnius University, an important scientific and education centre of the European scale, was opened. In the 16th century, Lithuania adopted its First, Second and Third Statutes. The Statutes were not only the backbone of the legislative system, they also had a major impact on the legislation of other European states of the time. Despite losing its independence, Lithuania managed to retain its Third Statute in force for as many as 250 years, which was instrumental in the preservation of national and civic self-awareness. The Constitution of Poland-Lithuania together with the French Constitution, both adopted in 1791, were the first constitutions in Europe (The Polish-Lithuanian constitution was adopted few months earlier than the French). Climate Transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers. Terrain Lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil. The fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits. The highest point is Aukštojas Hill (http://www.virtualmountains.co.uk/esc/Lithuania/LI_Info.html) 294 m (967 ft), about 24 km southeast of Vilnius and lies just off the main highway to Minsk and within sight of the Belarus border. 30% is covered in forest. History Lithuania, first formed in the middle of the 13th century, was a huge feudal country stretching from the Baltic to the Black sea in the middle ages and in 1569 entered an union with Poland to form a commonwealth. Lithuania was part of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth until the Polish Partitions in the 18th century when it became part of the Russian Empire. Independence Modern Lithuania gained its independence from Russia in 1918 following World War Lithuania travel guide - Wikitravel http://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Lithuania&printable=yes 3 of 63 4/9/2014 6:51 AM Medininkai Castle, a largest enclosure type castle in Lithuania (note a protective sloping capping installed for masonry preservation: the upper construction of the walls was wooden, it was badly damaged by a major fire in the late 15th century). I and the dissolution of the Czarist monarchy. However, in 1940 Lithuania was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognized until September 1991, following the abortive coup in Moscow. The Soviet Union recognized Lithuania's independence on 6 September 1991. A constitution was adopted on 25 October 1992. The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently has restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions. National Holidays St. John's Day 24 Jun. Despite its Christian name, celebrated mostly according to Pagan traditions (Midsummer's Day). Statehood Day 6 Jul. Commemorates the coronation in 1253 of Mindaugas as the first and only King of Lithuania. Later rulers of Lithuania were called Grand Dukes. Independence Day 16 Feb. Independence from Russian Empire in 1918 following World War I. Restitution of Independence 11 March : Restoration of independence from the Soviet Union. Regional differences of Lithuanian culture reflect the complicated historical development of the country. Since the thirteenth century five ethnographic areas, or regions, have historically formed in the current territory of Lithuania: Aukštaitija Literally Highlands, northeastern and eastern region. Žemaitija Samogitia, literally Lowlands, north-western region. Dzūkija (Dainava) Southeastern region. Suvalkija (Sūduva) South-western region. Lithuania Minor Sea-coast region. Lithuania travel guide - Wikitravel http://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Lithuania&printable=yes 4 of 63 4/9/2014 6:51 AM Merkinė hill-fort. Lithuanians are history-conscious people and proud of their ancient history. Hundreds of hill-forts still stand, a reminder of the struggle against the Teutonic Order. These ethnographic regions even today differ by dialects, ways of life and behaviour styles, while until the turn of the last century there were pronounced differences in dress and homestead styles as well as village planning. Lithuania is justly proud of its unfailing treasures of folklore: colourful clothing, meandering songs, an abundance of tales and stories, sonorous dialects and voluble language. This ethnographic heritage is nourished by ethnographic and folklore companies and barn theatres. Recent years have witnessed the revival of ethnographic crafts and culinary traditions. Folk craft fairs and live craft days are organized during many events and festivals. Vilnius — the capital of Lithuania. Cultural, educational, financial and political centre of the country. Known for its spectacular Old Town and its unique architecture. Alytus — largest city of Dzūkija region, its centre and unofficial capital Kaunas — second-largest city, former citadel of Russian Empire, temporary capital of Lithuania during the interwar period, point of intersection of all main roads Klaipėda — third-largest city and a seaport, stopover point for cruise ships, famous for various summer events Palanga — resort on a coast of the Baltic sea, the most popular spot for Lithuanians or tourists to visit in summer. City's population in summer grows from 10,000 to 600,000 in July and August Panevėžys — largest city of Aukšatitija region, its centre and unofficial capital Šiauliai — fourth-largest city situated between two main regions of the country Telšiai — centre and unofficial capital of Žemaitija (Samogitia) region Lithuania travel guide - Wikitravel http://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Lithuania&printable=yes 5 of 63 4/9/2014 6:51 AM Much of Lithuania's natural beauty is well preserved. The eastern part of the country Aukštaitija, is famous for lakes, hills and forests. Non-Schengen sector at Vilnius airport Trakai — small town 28 km away from capital. A former capital of the country with a residence of medieval rulers. Centre of the Historical National Park and resort area Curonian Spit — unique peninsula in the Baltic sea with sand dunes, seaboard forest, white sanded beaches and old ethnographic villages. A UNESCO World Heritage Site Hill of Crosses — site of religious significance, north of Šiauliai city Jonava — city named after John, which makes St. John's Day, the biggest national holiday, really special. Quirky town with vintage industrial buildings and structures, and a modern factory away from the city itself Kernavė — former (first known) Lithuanian capital on the bank of Neris river; now a well-preserved archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Kėdainiai — city in the centre of the country, has rather large old-town close to Nevėžis river. Famous for annual Cucumber Festival Molėtai Lakeland (http://www.infomoletai.lt/) — abundance of homesteads and mini-resorts scattered among more than 200 lakes of various size. Paradise for vacationists National Parks (http://www.lietuva.lt/en/tourism/what_to_see/national_parks) — each region has its own national park which protects and represents most valuable environment. Free and open all year round Purnuškės — small village 26 km north of Vilnius where according to measures of Institut géographique national is the geographical centre of Europe Žemaičių Kalvarija — famous pilgrimage site in Samogitia region Lithuania is a member of the Schengen Agreement. There are no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented this treaty - the European Union (except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. But be careful: not all EU members have signed the Schengen treaty, and not all Schengen members uploads/Geographie/ lithuania-travel-guide-wikitravel.pdf