|RNature and climate:|N Billowing plateaus with low forested ridges. 49% of the land is cultivated.
Average temperature in January between -3 and -6°C and in July +17°C.
Percipitation between 600 and 800 mm.
|RPeople:|N 80% Lithaunian, 9% Russian and 7% Polish.
|REconomy:|N 40% of the labour force is occupied in industry and construction and 20% in agriculture and forestry.
Most important crops are grain, potatoes and vegetables. Stockraizing and forestry are extensive as well as fishing.
Most important industries are engineering, shipbuilding, papermills and timber.
|RHistory:|N During the 13th century the Lithaunians repeatedly defended themselves against the Teutonic knights and in the 14th and 15th centuries Lithaunia conquered most of Belarus.
In 1386 the Lithaunian king Jogaila married the Polish queen and was crowned king of Poland.
Under strong Russian pressure Lithaunia and Poland was united into one country in 1569. As a protest against the Polish aristocracy Lithaunia joined Sweden in 1655, but became a part of Poland in the early 18th century. At the third partition of Poland in 1795 Lithaunia became a part of Russia.
During World War I Lithaunia was occupied by Germany and after the war, in 1918, the independent republic of Lithaunia was declared.
In 1923 Lithaunia annexed the German city Klaipeda by the Baltic Sea and the same year Poland conquered the capital Vilnius.
In 1926 the military dispensed parliament and an authoritarian regime followed.
Pre World War II under tension from Germany and Poland Lithaunia sought Soviet "help" and in 1940 the Lithaunian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed after elections were only pro-Soviet candidates were permitted to run. After this thousands of Lithaunians fled to the West, while thousands disappeared into Sibiria.
In 1990 Lithaunia formally declared independence which was recognized worldwide in 1991.
