| Lithuania is a republic in north Eastern Europe. It is one | | | | Traditional Lithuanian cuisine includes soups, stews, |
| of the three Baltic States along the Baltic Sea. The | | | | sausages, smoked meat and rye bread. |
| other Baltic State countries are Estonia and Latvia. | | | | Main meals consist of meat such as pork, chicken and |
| However the concept of Baltic States is misleading as | | | | duck or fish such as eel, pike and herring served with |
| it implies some sort of political unity between Lithuania, | | | | potatoes and vegetables such as beans, beets, |
| Latvia and Estonia which is not the case. It shares | | | | cabbage, carrots, cucumber, mushrooms, onions, |
| borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the | | | | radishes and turnips. |
| southeast, Poland to the south, and the Kaliningrad | | | | Lithuania has a variety of potato dishes including |
| Oblast of Russia to the southwest. The capital of | | | | pancakes and stuffed potato dumplings called cepelinai. |
| Lithuania is Vilnius. | | | | Dairy products, especially cottage cheese and curd |
| The population of Lithuania was estimated at 3,585,906 | | | | cheese, are used in Lithuanian recipes. Eggs are used |
| in 2006. | | | | to make a variety of omelettes. |
| Lithuanian is the official language. | | | | Cakes, pastries, fruit dumplings and ice cream are |
| The majority of Lithuanians are Roman Catholic. Other | | | | popular desserts. Cold sweet soups, such as cherry |
| religions practised in Lithuania are Lutheran, Protestant, | | | | soup, are made with berries and fruit. Other fruits |
| Russian Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran, Judaism and | | | | grown in Lithuania are apples, gooseberries, pears and |
| Islam. | | | | plums. Bilberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries |
| The Kernave Archaeological Site, about thirty five | | | | and mushrooms are collected from the woods. |
| kilometres from Vilnius, is on the World Heritage List. | | | | Lithuanians drink milk, fruit juices, tea, coffee, beer and |
| The site which dates from the late Palaeolithic period | | | | mead, an alcoholic drink made with honey. |
| to the middle Ages includes settlements, burial sites, | | | | Many Lithuanians belong to sports clubs. The most |
| forts and the town of Kernave. | | | | popular sports are basketball, football, track and |
| Over thirty percent of Lithuania is forested. There are | | | | athletics. |
| many rivers and over three thousand lakes. | | | | During the Sydney Olympics Lithuania won the bronze |
| There are Regional parks and National parks. Animals | | | | medal for basketball and gold medals for the discus |
| found in protected areas are elk, deer, foxes, wolves | | | | and shooting. |
| and wild boar. Birds include eagles, hawks, geese, | | | | Lithuanias climate is mild although it can be cold in |
| herons, swans and white storks. | | | | winter and summers are warm. |