Changes

==Geography==

==Geography==

The largest and most populous of the Baltic states, Lithuania is situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, in northeastern Europe. It is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the southeast, Poland to the southwest, and Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russia, to the west. It has 61.5 miles of sandy coastline, of which only 24 miles face the open Baltic Sea. Lithuania's major warm-water port of Klaipeda lies at the narrow mouth of Kursiu Gulf, a shallow lagoon extending south to Kaliningrad. The Nemunas River and some of its tributaries are used for internal shipping. Situated between the 53rd and 57th North latitudes and the 21st and 27th East longitudes (with the exception of the Curonian Spit, which lies to the West of the 21st longitudinal degree), Lithuania is glacially flat, except for the hills (the highest of which is 965 feet) in the western and eastern highlands. The terrain is marked by numerous small lakes and swamps, and a mixed forest zone covers 30% of the country. According to some geographers, Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, lies at the geographical center of Europe.

The largest and most populous of the Baltic states, Lithuania is situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, in northeastern Europe. It is bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the southeast, Poland to the southwest, and Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russia, to the west. It has 61.5 miles of sandy coastline, of which only 24 miles face the open Baltic Sea. Lithuania's major warm-water port of Klaipeda lies at the narrow mouth of Kursiu Gulf, a shallow lagoon extending south to Kaliningrad. The Nemunas River and some of its tributaries are used for internal shipping. Situated between the 53rd and 57th North latitudes and the 21st and 27th East longitudes (with the exception of the Curonian Spit, which lies to the West of the 21st longitudinal degree), Lithuania is glacially flat, except for the hills (the highest of which is 965 feet) in the western and eastern highlands. The terrain is marked by numerous small lakes and swamps, and a mixed forest zone covers 30% of the country. According to some geographers, Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, lies at the geographical center of Europe.

*Area: 65,200 sq. km. (25,174 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia.  

*Area: 65,200 km². (25,174 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia.  

*Cities (2011): Capital—Vilnius (pop. 554,060); other cities—Kaunas (321,200); Klaipeda (177,823); Siauliai (120,969).

*Cities (2011): Capital—Vilnius (pop. 554,060); other cities—Kaunas (321,200); Klaipeda (177,823); Siauliai (120,969).

*Terrain: Lithuania's fertile, central lowland plains are separated by hilly uplands. A total of 758 rivers, many navigable, and 2,833 lakes cover the landscape. The coastline is 90 km. (56 mi.) long. Land use—44.2% arable land, 0.91% cultivated, 53.87% other.

*Terrain: Lithuania's fertile, central lowland plains are separated by hilly uplands. A total of 758 rivers, many navigable, and 2,833 lakes cover the landscape. The coastline is 90 km. (56 mi.) long. Land use—44.2% arable land, 0.91% cultivated, 53.87% other.

*Population (2012): 3,190,070.

*Population (2012): 3,190,070.

*Annual growth rate (2011): -0.28%. Birth rate (2012)--9.34/1,000. Death rate (2009)--11.18/1,000.  

*Annual growth rate (2011): -0.28%. Birth rate (2012)--9.34/1,000. Death rate (2009)--11.18/1,000.  

*Population density (2011): 122 per sq. km.  

*Population density (2011): 122 per km².  

*Ethnic groups (2007): Lithuanians 83.9%, Poles 6.6%, Russians 5.4%.  

*Ethnic groups (2007): Lithuanians 83.9%, Poles 6.6%, Russians 5.4%.  

*Religions (2001 census): Roman Catholic (79%), Russian Orthodox (4.1%), Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) (1.9%).

*Religions (2001 census): Roman Catholic (79%), Russian Orthodox (4.1%), Protestant (including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) (1.9%).