Lithuania By Maria Magabo

Quick Facts Eastern European country Bordered by Russia, Latvia, Belarus, and Poland Population around 3.5 million people Maritime and continental climate

A Quick History Lesson 1772-1795: Lithuania is annexed Russia 1920: Secures independence from Russia 1939: Hitler forces Lithuania to give up it’s city of Klaipeda and arrives there on March 22. 1939: Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia are annexed by the USSR. 1914: Nazis occupy Lithuania. 1944: Soviets occupy Lithuania (again). 1991: Civilians killed in capital city; Lithuania gains independence

Language Baltic language Related to Latvian and Old Prussian 3.5 million speakers in Lithuania Considered as the oldest surviving Into- European language Was banned from 1894 to 1904 Had to use Polish, Russian, Belarusian, or Latin instead Language Baltic language Related to Latvian and Old Prussian 3.5 million speakers in Lithuania Speakers in Poland, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, the UK, and Uruguay Considered the oldest surviving Indo-European language Thought to still retain features of the Proto-Indo-European language like pitch-accent and a complex inflexional case system Some words resemble those found in Sanskrit and Latin First dictionary printed during 17th century 1864 to 1904, Czar outlaws public use of Lithuanian Printing and teaching of Lithuanian was banned. Had to use Polish, Russian, Belorussian, or Latin instead

The Arts Multicultural influences prominent in art Cultural and casual life was put to a stop under Soviet regime Artists and writers adapted socialist realism as their main style Professional music completely stopped

Sagittarius by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis Maironis (poet)

Religion Stayed predominantly pagan until Grand Duke married Polish Queen Mostly Roman Catholic today Many traditions revolve around Christian traditions

Government Parliamentary democracy Unicameral legislature (called the Seimas) Constitution adapted on October 25, 1992 Judicial branch includes Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and Court of Appeals Executive branch includes prime minister and president

Lithuania’s current prime minister The Seimas Lithuania’s current president