1998 Edition

Area

total: 65,200 sq km land: 65,200 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area-comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers

Coastline

99 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m

Environment-current issues

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

Environment-international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Irrigated land

430 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,273 km border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Land use

arable land: 35% permanent crops: 12% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 31% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

peat

Terrain

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Age structure

0-14 years: 20% (male 376,034; female 360,446) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,155,733; female 1,238,671) 65 years and over: 13% (male 159,526; female 309,748) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

10.57 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

12.94 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

Lithuanian 80.6%, Russian 8.7%, Polish 7%, Byelorussian 1.6%, other 2.1%

Infant mortality rate

14.75 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 68.83 years male: 62.76 years female: 75.21 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1989 est.)

Nationality

noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian

Net migration rate

-2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

3,600,158 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.45% (1998 est.)

Religions

primarily Roman Catholic, others include Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, evangelical Christian Baptist, Islam, Judaism

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.46 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

44 regions (rajonai, singular-rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birstonas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Marijampoles Rajonas, 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, Salcininku Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Silutes Rajonas, Sirvintu Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traku Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Constitution

adopted 25 October 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code

LH

Executive branch

chief of state: President Valdes ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998) head of government: Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote-Valdas ADAMKUS 50.37%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.7%

FAX

[1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Keith C. SMITH embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600 mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (2) 223-031, 227-224

[370] 670-6084

Flag description

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS (appointed 30 September 1997) chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or LKDP [Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman]; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania or LDDP [Ceslovas JURSENAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Nationalist Union or LTS [Rimantas SMETONA, chairman]; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman]; Lithuanian Farmer's Party or LUP (previously Farmers' Union) [Albinas VAIZMUZIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Center Union or LCS [Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Polish Union or LLS [Rsztardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie WURTH-POLFER, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: Lithuanian Future Forum

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-TS 69, LKDP 15, LCS 15, LDDP 12, LSDP 10, DP 2, independents 12, others 6

National capital

Vilnius

National holiday

Statehood Day, 16 February (1918)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture-products

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

Budget

revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)

Currency

1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas

Debt-external

$895 million

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993) note: commitments from the West and international financial institutions, $765 million (1992-95)

Economy-overview

Lithuania has benefited from its disciplined approach to market reform and its adherence to strict fiscal and monetary policies imposed by the IMF, measures that have helped constrain the growth of the money supply, reduce inflation to 8.6%, and support GDP growth of 6% in 1997. Inflation is expected to fall in 1998 to 6% and GDP to grow at close to 7%. Foreign direct investment in 1997 of some $430 million pushed the country over the $1 billion mark, the first Baltic state to reach this milestone. However, the current account deficit has hovered around 8% to 10% of GDP annually since 1995-the result of greater demand for consumer goods and falling growth in exports.

Electricity-capacity

5.463 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

2,398 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

14.33 billion kWh (1997 est.)

Exchange rates

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

Exports

total value: $3.3 billion (1996) commodities: agricultural products 16.9%, mineral products 15.7%, textiles 15.2%, machinery 11.4%, live animals 7.7% (1996) partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus, Latvia, Ukraine (1996)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$15.4 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% (1995 est.)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$4,230 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

6% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $4.4 billion (1996) commodities: mineral production 20%, machinery 16%, transport equipment 10%, chemicals 10%, textiles 8%, foodstuff 6% (1996) partners: Russia, Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark (1996)

Industrial production growth rate

3.7% (1996)

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 price index

8.6% (1997 est.)

Labor force

total: 1.8 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1997)

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

1.012 million (1995)

Television broadcast stations

3

Televisions

1.77 million (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.7% (January 1998)

Airports

96 (1994 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (1994 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 71 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)

Highways

total: 65,135 km paved: 57,058 km (including 404 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,077 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 307,947 GRT/341,733 DWT ships by type: cargo 25, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1997 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Kaunas, Klaipeda

Railways

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

Waterways

600 km perennially navigable

Military branches

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

Military expenditures-dollar figure

$81.2 million (1997)

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

0.9% (1997)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 905,259 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 712,593 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

18 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 26,211 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

ongoing talks over boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern oil exploration rights); demarcation has begun on border with Belarus; 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia