Lithuania

Lietuvos Respublika

independent, democratic republicIndependence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Lithuania as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalVilnius
Position56 00 N, 24 00 E
Area65,200 sq km
LocationEastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and
1997

Every edition of Lithuania

Populationas each edition published it
3.62 million July 1997 est. · 3.79m in 1992
Population growth% a year
-0.49% 1997 est. · 0.76% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 36.6 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
68.7 years 1997 est. · 71.12 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.47 children per woman 1997 est. · 2.1 in 1992
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
14.8 deaths per 1,000 live births 1997 est. · 18 in 1992
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$3,870 1996 est. · $3,240 in 1994
GDP real growth% a year
3.4% 1996 est. · -30% in 1993

Geography

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and | Russia

17 fields

Land useshare of 65,200 sq km

arable land 35%permanent crops 12%permanent pastures 7%forests and woodland 31%other 15% (1993 est.)irrigated 430 sq km (1993 est.)
Area
65,200sq km
land: 65,200 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly larger than West Virginia
Coastline
99km
territorial sea: 12 nm
Highest point
292m
Juozapine Kalnaslowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Land boundaries
1,273km
border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Climate

transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Environment - current issues

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

Environment - international agreements

party to :
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

People

15 fields
Population
3,617,104
(July 1997 est.)growth rate: -0.49% (1997 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1997 est.)

Birth
10.64Death
12.96Net migration
-2.6

Ethnic groups

Lithuanian 80.1%Russian 8.6%Polish 7.7%Byelorussian 1.5%other 2.1%
Literacy
98%
definition: age 15 and over can read and writemale: 99%female: 98% (1989 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:
21% (male 385,959; female 370,100)
15-64 years:
66% (male 1,157,987; female 1,240,850) 65 years and over : 13% (male 157,328; female 304,880) (July 1997 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years :
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.52 male(s)/female
total population:
0.89 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate

14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population:
68.7 years
male:
62.61 years
female :
75.11 years (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.47 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Lithuanian(s)
adjective:
Lithuanian

Religions

primarily Roman Catholic, others include Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Islam, Judaism

Languages

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Government

Independent, democratic republic; President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (acting president since 25 November 1992, president since 15 February 1993)

21 fields

Parliament or Seimas, 141 seats, elected 20 October and 10 November 1996one dot, one seat

Conservative Party 70LKDP 16Center Union 13LDDP 12LSDP 12DP 2independents 4others 8vacant 4

Country name

conventional long form :
Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form:
Lithuania
local long form:
Lietuvos Respublika
local short form:
Lietuva
former:
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type

independent, democratic republic

Administrative divisions

44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Constitution

adopted 25 October 1992

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (acting president since 25 November 1992, president since 15 February 1993)
head of government :
Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
  • election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held spring 1997);
  • premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
election results:
Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS elected president; percent of vote - NA

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Conservative Party 70, LKDP 16, Center Union 13, LDDP 12, LSDP 12, DP 2, independents 4, others 8, vacant 4

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament

Political parties and leaders

  • Christian Democratic Party or LKDP [Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman];
  • Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania or LDDP [Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Nationalist Union or LTS [Rimantas SMETONA, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman];
  • Farmers' Union [Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman];
  • Center Union [Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman];
  • Homeland Union/Conservative Party [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman];
  • Lithuanian Polish Union or LLS [Rsztardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman];
  • Democratic Party or DP [Lydie WURTH-POLFER, president]

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery:
2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 234-5860

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466; consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy:
Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address:
PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone :
[370] 670-6083

FAX

[370] 670-6084

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Economy

Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania | has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the | former socialist system.

22 fields
Real growth rate
3.4%
(1996 est.)industrial production growth: 3.7% (1996)
Inflation, consumer prices
13.1%
(1996 official est.)
Unemployment rate
8%
(January 1997)
Labor force
1.836million
by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

GDP - composition by sector(1996 est.)

agriculture 13%industry 32%services 55% (1996 est.)

Budget

Revenues
$1.4 billionExpenditures
$1.5 billion (1995)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $168 million

Economy - overview

Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined program to restrain inflation, abolish most price controls, lower the budget deficit, and privatize the economy.

More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized. Although some important "strategic" enterprises remain exempt from privatization, the new government has outlined plans to privatize large companies dealing with transport, pipelines, communications, and energy.

While Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over 1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995 and 13.1% in 1996.

Although the government tried to stay the course on economic reform and fiscal discipline in 1996, the new government, which took office in 1996 inherited high debts for energy supplies. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $14.1 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,870 (1996 est.)

Industries

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

Electricity - capacity

5.46 million kW (1994)

Electricity - production

9.57 billion kWh (1994)

Agriculture - products

  • grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables;
  • meat, milk, eggs;
  • fish;
  • flax fiber

Exports

total value:
$3.3 billion (1996 est.)
commodities :
textiles 15%, agriculture and food 14%, chemicals 12%, fuels 12%, machinery 11% (1995)
partners:
Russia, Germany, Belarus, Latvia, Ukraine (1995)

Imports

total value:
$4.56 billion (1996 est.)
commodities:
oil 25%, machinery 17%, textiles 10%, chemicals 9% (1995)
partners:
Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus

Debt - external

$895 million

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993) note : commitments from the West and international financial institutions, $765 million (1992-95)

Currency

1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas

Exchange rates

litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1997), 4.000 (1996), 4.000 (1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate since 1 May 1994

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

6 fields
Fixed lines
1.012 million
(1995)

Telephone system

telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the former Soviet republics

domestic:
an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay connect switching centers
international:
  • international connections no longer depend on the Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas;
  • satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);
  • cellular network linked internationally through Copenhagen by Eutelsat;
  • international electronic mail is available;
  • landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1

Radios

1.42 million (1993 est.)

Televisions

1.77 million (1993 est.)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
14
over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m : 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m : 2

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
63
total: 71 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6

Networkskm

Railways
2,002Waterways
600
Railways: broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Railways

total:
2,002 km
broad gauge:
2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

Highways

total :
61,442 km
paved:
53,086 km (including 394 km of expressways)
unpaved:
8,356 km (1995 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Ports and harbors

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Merchant marine

total :
45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 275,871 GRT/305,943 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 24, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1996 est.)

Airports

96 (1994 est.)

Military

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, | Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

7 fields

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 904,096 (1997 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$31.7 million (1996 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

  • dispute with Russia over the position of the riparian and maritime boundary with Kaliningrad Oblast;
  • disputes maritime border with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights);
  • treaty with Belarus defining the border awaits demarcation

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia LUXEMBOURG

Central Intelligence Agency. “Lithuania.” The World Factbook 1997. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/lithuania/1997.

How to cite ← 1996 edition 1998 edition →