EU membership has catapulted Lithuania onto the global stage, with more and more people becoming aware of the country’s rich panoply of castles, lakes and forests, and more people flocking to see Vilnius, one of Europe’s most enchanting cities.

Lithuanian independence came swiftly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. By 1995, the transition to a full market economy had been more or less completed. The long-running border dispute with Poland was settled with the signing of a friendship and cooperation treaty in January 1992, and negotiations with Russia led to the withdrawal of the remaining Russian troops in Lithuania in August 1993. Such events led up to the country joining the EU in May 2004.

65,300 sq km (25,212 sq miles).

3.43 million (Census 2005).

52.5 per sq km.

Vilnius. Population: 541,300 (Census 2005).

Republic. Gained independence from Russia/Germany 1918-1940, and then from the Soviet Union in 1990.

Lithuanian is the official language. Lithuania has a large number of dialects for such a small territory, including High Lithuanian (Aukstaiciai) and Low Lithuanian (Zemaiciai).

Predominantly Roman Catholic with Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformist, Sunite, Baptist, Muslim, Judaic, Karaite and others.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Handshaking is customary. Normal courtesies should be observed. The Lithuanians are proud of their culture and their national heritage and visitors should take care to respect this sense of national identity.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use.

Prime Minister Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas since 2001.

President Valdas Adamkus since 2004.