A northeastern European country on the Baltic Sea, Lithuania is the largest of the three Baltic states.
Map of Lithuania
Key geography facts
1. Lithuania is bordered by the Baltic Sea to the west, offering access to maritime routes.
2. The highest point in Lithuania is Aukštojas Hill in the Medininkai Highlands, located near the capital city of Vilnius, standing at 964 feet (293.84 m).
3. Lithuania is home to an estimated 758 rivers and 2,833 lakes. The Neman, or Nemunas, River is Lithuania’s longest river at 582 miles (937 km), flowing from Belarus and emptying into the Baltic Sea.
4. Land covers more than 50% of Lithuania, while forest covers about 33% of the total area.
5. Along the Baltic coast, Lithuania shares the shallow Curonian Lagoon with Kaliningrad Oblast, an exclave of the Russian Federation.
Recommended reading: Fun Facts About Lithuania
Lithuania regions
Lithuania’s territory was divided into 10 counties (now abolished) and 60 municipalities. Counties are still used for statistical purposes, and municipalities are now the self-governing authorities.
- Alytus County (Alytaus apskritis)
- Kaunas County (Kauno apskritis)
- Klaipėda County (Klaipėdos apskritis)
- Marijampolė County (Marijampolės apskritis)
- Panevėžys County (Panevėžio apskritis)
- Šiauliai County (Šiaulių apskritis)
- Tauragė County (Tauragės apskritis)
- Telšiai County (Telšių apskritis)
- Utena County (Utenos apskritis)
- Vilnius County (Vilniaus apskritis)
Lithuania has five ethnographic regions, which are not official or political units but may differ in terms of culture, dialect, and history.
- Aukstaitija (Aukštaitija) in the east
- Dzukija (Dzūkija) in the south east
- Lithuania Minor (Mažoji Lietuva) bordering the Baltic Sea and the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia
- Samogitia or Zemaitija (Žemaitija) in the west
- Sudovia (Suvalkija) in the south west
Map of Lithuania in Europe
Lithuania borders Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Kaliningrad Oblast. The Baltic Sea is to the west of the country.
Lithuania major cities
Vilnius – The capital and largest city with one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe. Vilnius is an important industrial center in the region.
Kaunas – The second-largest city, renowned for its modernist interwar architecture, rich history, and as a major cultural and academic hub.
Klaipėda – A major port city on the Baltic Sea, known for its maritime industry, cultural festivals, and as a gateway to the Curonian Spit.
Panevėžys – Located in the north, this city is acknowledged for its cultural institutions and as an important industrial center.
Šiauliai – Known as the “City of the Sun,” this trading hub has a rich history and home to the world-famous Hill of Crosses.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.