FACTS

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

Area (only Total) total: 65,200 sq km

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

Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Population: 3,565,205 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Lithuanian

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital (Name): Vilnius

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2

Independence: 11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

February 16 Independence Day

March 11 Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood

April 9 Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day (not a bank holiday)

July 6 Anniversary of Crowning of Mindaugas

August 15 Assumption

November 1 All Saints Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 Boxing Day

Commemorative Days

January 13 Defenders of Freedom Day

February 24 Estonia Independence Day

June 14 Day of Mourning and Hope

June 23 Jonines (summer solstice) Night

August 23 Black Ribbon Day

September 8 Crowning of Vytautas the Great

October 25 Constitution Day

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday