Travel TipsLithuania

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area
65,300 sq km (25,212 sq miles).

Population
3,462,553 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density
53 per sq km.

Capital
Vilnius.
Population: 553,373 (official estimate 2002).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Russia/Germany 1918-1940, and then from the Soviet Union in 1990.
Head of State: President Valdas Adamkus since 2004.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas since 2001.

Language
Lithuanian is the official language. Lithuania has a large number of dialects for such a small territory, including High Lithuanian (Aukstaiciai) and Low Lithuanian (Zemaiciai).

Religion
Predominantly Roman Catholic with Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformist, Russian Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim and Jewish minorities.

Time
GMT + 2 (daylight saving time GMT + 3 from 29 Mar to 26 Sep).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use.

Communications


Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 370. City codes: 2 for Vilnius, 7 for Kaunas, 6 for Klaipeda. Outgoing international code: 810. There are two kinds of payphone: rectangular telephones which take magnetic strip cards and rounded telephones which take chip cards. Phonecards are sold at kiosks and post offices. Plans are underway to introduce one type of phonecard, compatible with both phones.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks in use. Network operators include Bite (website: www.bite.lt), Omnitel (website: www.omnitel.lt) and Tele2 (website: www.tele2.lt). Coverage extends all over the country. Roaming agreements are in operation.

Fax
Services in Vilnius are available in large hotels, at the Central Post Office, Gedimino 7, and at Faxsav and at a few other fax bureaux.

Internet
Public access is available at the Lithuanian National Library and increasingly at Internet centers and cafes in main cities and towns. ISPs include Aiva (website: www.aiva.lt) and Omnitel (website: www.omnitel.net).

Telegram
There are telegram facilities in main post offices in each town.

Post
Post to Western Europe takes up to six days. There is a variety of private companies offering express mail services.

Press
Newspapers are published in Lithuanian and some in Russian or Polish. The major dailies are Kauno Diena, Lietuvos Rytas, Respublika and Vakaro Zinios, plus the twice-weekly Valstieciu Laikrastis.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Public Holidays

Jan 1 2005:    New Year’s Day.
Feb 16:    Independence Day.
Mar 11:    Restoration of Lithuania’s Statehood.
Mar 28:    Easter Monday.
Jul 6:    Anniversary of the Coronation of King Mindaugas.
Aug 15:    Assumption.
Nov 1:    All Saints’ Day.
Dec 25-26:    Christmas.
Jan 1 2006:    New Year’s Day.
Feb 16:    Independence Day.
Mar 11:    Restoration of Lithuania’s Statehood.
Apr 17:    Easter Monday.
Jul 6:    Anniversary of the Coronation of King Mindaugas.
Aug 15:    Assumption.
Nov 1:    All Saints’ Day.
Dec 25-26:    Christmas.

Special Events
For full details, contact the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism (see General Info section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Lithuania in 2005:

Jan 6:    Epiphany Procession (The Three Magi), Vilnius.
Feb 5:    SARTAI 2005, Dusetos, Zarasai Region.
Feb 8:    Mardi Gras, Vilnius.
Feb 10-13:    Vilnius Book Fair.
Mar 4-6:    Kaziukas Fair.
Mar 11:    Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania.
Mar 25-Apr 1:    Cinema Festival 'Vilniaus Pavasaris'.
Apr:    International Contemporary Dance Festival - New Baltic Dance, Vilnius.
May:    Opening of the Tourist Season, Trakai.
May 26-29:    32nd International Folklore Festival, Vilnius.
Jun-Jul:    Vilnius Festival.
Jun-Aug:   Vilnius Carnival.
Jun 3-5:    XII Jazz Festival at Klaipeda Castle.
Jun 23:    Feast of St John, nationwide.
Jul:    Wine Festival, Anykšèiai; Cucumber Festival.
Jul 1-Aug 1:    St Christopher's Summer Festival.
Jul 9-16:    International Thom Mann's Festival.
Jul 19-24:    Sea Festival, Klaipeda.
Aug 1-23:    VIII International Opera & Symphony Festival, Klaipeda.
Sep 10-18:    The Days of the Capital - Vilnius 2005.
Sep 15-18:    International Festival - Vilnius Jazz 2005.
Sep 24:    Mushroom Fiesta, Varena.
Oct:    International Festival of Modern Music - GAIDA, Vilnius.
Oct 21-23:    International Festival of Singing Poetry, Vilnius.
Dec-Jan 2006:    Christmas Festivities.

Contact Information:

Location
Northern Europe.

Country dialing code
370.

Lithuanian State Department of Tourism
Juozapavicius Street 13, 09311 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel: (5) 210 8796. Fax: (5) 210 8753.
E-mail: vtd@tourism.lt or info@tourism.lt
Website: www.tourism.lt

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
84 Gloucester Place, London W1U 6AU, UK
Tel: (020) 7486 6401 or 6404 (visa section). Fax: (020) 7486 6403.
E-mail: chancery@lithuanianembassy.co.uk or consular@lithuanianembassy.co.uk (consular section).
Website: http://amb.urm.lt/jk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300 (consular section); Mon, Wed & Fri 1500-1600 (visa section; appointments not necessary).

British Embassy
2 Antakalnio Street, 10308 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel: (5) 246 2900. Fax: (5) 246 2901.
E-mail: be-vilnius@britain.lt
Website: www.britain.lt

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
2622 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 234 5860 (ext. 127 for visa section). Fax: (202) 328 0466.
E-mail: info@ltembassyus.org
Website: www.ltembassyus.org
Consulates General in: Chicago and New York.
Honorary Consulate Generals in: Chicago, Cleveland and Los Angeles.

Embassy of the United States of America
Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel: (5) 266 5500. Fax: (5) 266 5510.
E-mail: WebMailVilnius@state.gov
Website: www.usembassy.lt

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
130 Albert Street, Suite 204, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4, Canada
Tel: (613) 567 5458. Fax: (613) 567 5315.
E-mail: litemb@storm.ca or zelniene@storm.ca (trade section).
Website: www.lithuanianembassy.ca
Honorary Consulates in: Calgary, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Office of the Canadian Embassy
Jogailos St 4, 7th Floor, 11116 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel: (5) 249 0950. Fax: (5) 249 7865.
E-mail: vilnius@canada.lt
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/baltics