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=Lithuania Liberation=

Brief History

 * The earliest sign of Lithuania dates back to 10 000 BCE. Between 3 000-2 000 BC the cord-ware culture people spread over a vast region of Eastern Europe between the he Moscow-Kursk line in the east ,and Baltic Sea and the Vistula River in the west . The combination of population gave way to a distinct Indo European ethnic group whose ancestors are today’s Lithuanian and Latvian nations and the now extinct Prussians.

Loss of Indepenece

 * During World War I the German army occupied Lithuania, but at the end of the war, on February 16 in Vilnius, the Council of Lithuania declared Lithuania an independent state. In August 1922 ,Lithuania was considered a democratic republic. For the next two years Conservative and liberal factions in the Seimas collided during the next two years. On December 17,1926, the army and nationalists, led by the conservative statesman Antanas Smetona, engineered a coup d'état. All liberals and leftists were expelled from the Seimas.

After the rise of Hitler, Lithuanian-German conflict over the city of Klaipeda increased at a steady pace. With the event of World War II and the partition of Poland by Germany and the USSR, the two governments ,Lithuanian and Soviet concluded a mutual-assistance treaty on October 1939. A pro-Soviet government was installed in Lithuania the following June. Political disagrees were rounded up, and the electorate voted, on July 14 and 15, 1940, in a single-slate parliamentary election. The new parliament approved a resolution requesting incorporation of Lithuania in the USSR, which basically means that Lithuania and the USSR are joined together. The United States and other democratic powers, however, refused to recognize that legality of the Soviets taking over Lithuania.

Gain of Indepence

 * During the 1980’s political changes started to spread across Eastern Europe, which effect

the USSR and Lithuania nationalism. Independence was announced March 1990 given Lithuania the chance to regain independent. Not wanting Lithuania to declare independence and break from the union the USSR used economic, political, and military pressure to keep Lithuania within is area. A communist leader in Lithuania fought back with protests, which turned into a nation fighting back. Not begin able to gain independence in the time they suspected Lithuania continued to protest. This independent movement cause a war, not so battle but a elect ional war, between Lithuania and the soviets. In the end the Democratic Labor party (which also stands for DLP; which was the Communist party of Lithuania) won a majority of votes in August 1991. After the soviet union collapsed the central government granted independence to Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. These three counties where called the Three Baltic Republics. In 1993 Lithuania became the first of the three Baltic states to be free of a Russian military presence. February 1994, Lithuania joined the Partnership for Peace program, which was set up by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as a first step for countries wishing to join the alliance. Final they had their independence and could now live life the Lithuania way.

Independent Today

 * Things seem to be doing good in Lithuinia so good that they now had a official language. Modern day Lithuania is attractive to the tourists because of the fair rulers, brave warriors, antd castles. Trakai, Kernave, Vilnius are Lithuanian cities where the historic fortune of a the great state. Kernave and Trakai are the most ancient Lithuanian capitals and Vilnius is a former residence of Lithuanian dukes which is the center of independent republic now. Lithuanian historical heritage with its beauty of Baltic seaside create the whole picture of one of the best resorts in Eastern Europe. Lithuania is a unique region where the past is completed with modern comfort and exceptional of Lithuanian people. The most important thing which this modern  place managed to keep is the face of a king radiating warmth and peace.

Facts

 * Lithuania is one of three countries known as the "Baltic States". The other Baltic State countries are Estonia and Latvia.
 * The Nemunas is the largest and longest (937 km) river in Lithuania.


 * King Mindaugas (1236-1263) was Lithuania's only king.


 * Kaunas is Lithuania's second city.

Economy



 * Privatisation of state-run businesses began soon after Lithuania broke away from the Soviet Union. Lithuania is a full EU Member State.


 * The agricultural sector provides a relatively small amount of the Gross Domestic Product but is still a significant employer. Agricultural products are grains, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables and dairy products. Livestock is reared. Other primary industries are flax and fishing.


 * Industry includes petroleum refining, fertilizers, shipbuilding (small ships), agricultural machinery, machine tools, electric motors, refrigerators and freezers, televisions, electronic components, computers, optical equipment, furniture, amber jewellery, textiles, food processing and alcoholic beverages.


 * Lithuanian Tourism aims to expand the tourist industry, promoting a variety of holidays including visits to areas of scenic beauty, cultural holidays and health resorts (2007).

Holidays

 * Independence Day from Soviet Russia (1918) is celebrated on 16 February and the Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood is celebrated on 11 March (1990).


 * The Day of Statehood (6 July) marks the crowning of Mindaugas (1236 - 1263) who was Lithuania's only king.


 * New Year, Christmas and Easter are holidays. Saint Casimir's Day is on 4th March and All Saint's Day is on 1 November.