1996 Edition

Description

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Location

56 00 N, 24 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly larger than West Virginia

land area

65,200 sq km

total area

65,200 sq km

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers

Coastline

108 km

Environment

current issues

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

international agreements

party to - Climate Change, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Ozone Layer Protection

natural hazards

NA

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 24 00 E

International disputes

dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards; disputes maritime border with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); treaty with Belarus defining the border awaits ratification

Irrigated land

430 sq km (1990)

Land boundaries

border countries

Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

total

1,273 km

Land use

arable land

49%

forest and woodland

16%

meadows and pastures

22%

other

13%

permanent crops

0%

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

peat

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

highest point

Juozapine Kalnas 292 m

lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: 22% (male 400,823; female 384,592) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,162,626; female 1,244,103) 65 years and over: 12% (male 154,862; female 299,035) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate

12.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

13.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%

Infant mortality rate

17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Life expectancy at birth

female

74.21 years (1996 est.)

male

62.15 years

total population

68.03 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)

female

98%

male

99%

total population

98%

Nationality

adjective

Lithuanian

noun

Lithuanian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

3,646,041 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.35% (1996 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other

Sex ratio

all ages

0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas)

and 11 municipalities*

Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Capital

Vilnius

Constitution

adopted 25 October 1992

Data code

LH

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS

telephone

[1] (202) 234-5860, 2639

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister

chief of state

President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25 November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November 1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held spring 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS was elected; percent of vote NA

head of government

Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15 February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the Seimas

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466

[78] (8) 670-6084

consulate(s) general

New York

Flag

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas

Legal system

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

conventional long form

Republic of Lithuania

conventional short form

Lithuania

former

Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Lietuvos Respublika

local short form

Lietuva

National holiday

Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Other political or pressure groups

Lithuanian Future Forum

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Party (LKDP), Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania (LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union, Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman; Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman

Seimas (parliament)

elections last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats - (141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers' Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

republic

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.

embassy

Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600

mailing address

PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723

telephone

[78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224

Agriculture

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk, eggs; fish

Budget

expenditures

$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

revenues

$NA

Currency

introduced the convertible litas in June 1993

Economic aid

note

commitments from the West and international financial institutions, $765 million (1992-95)

recipient

ODA, $144 million (1993)

Economic overview

Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the budget deficit and privatize the economy. Lithuania has embarked on a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized, although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from privatization - namely energy and telecommunications. While Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over 1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995. Production bottomed out in 1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995. If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the near term. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.

Electricity

capacity

6,190,000 kW

consumption per capita

4,608 kWh (1993)

production

18.9 billion kWh

Exchange rates

litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000 (1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate since 1 May 1994

Exports

$2.2 billion (1994)

commodities

electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum products 5% (1989)

partners

Russia, Ukraine, Germany

External debt

$895 million

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

20%

industry

42%

services

38% (1993 est.)

GDP per capita

$3,400 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

1% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption

Imports

$2.7 billion (1994)

commodities

oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989)

partners

Russia, Germany, Belarus

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

35% (1995 est.)

Labor force

1.836 million

by occupation

industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

Unemployment rate

6.1% (January 1996)

Branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1% of GDP (1995)

Manpower availability

males age 15-49

903,437

males fit for military service

712,875

males reach military age (18) annually

26,162 (1996 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1

Radios

1.42 million (1993 est.)

Telephone system

telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the former Soviet republics

domestic

an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay connect switching centers

international

international connections no longer depend on the Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally through Copenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available; landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics

Telephones

900,000

Television broadcast stations

3

Televisions

1.77 million (1993 est.) Defense

Airports

total

96

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

4

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

2

with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m

2

with paved runways over 3 047 m

3

with paved runways under 914 m

14

with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

1

with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

1

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

6

with unpaved runways under 914 m

63 (1994 est.)

Highways

paved

42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways)

total

55,603 km

unpaved

13,394 km (1994)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995 est.)

total

43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWT

Pipelines

crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)

Ports

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Railways

broad gauge

2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)

total

2,002 km

Waterways

600 km perennially navigable