Are you ready to discover a hidden gem in Europe? Look no further than Lithuania, a small but mighty country nestled between Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and the Baltic Sea. Despite its size, Lithuania boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant culture that’s sure to captivate any traveler. From its stunning Gothic architecture to its delicious cuisine, there’s no shortage of fascinating facts to uncover about this Eastern European gem. Join us as we take a deep dive into the top Lithuania facts that will leave you in awe and itching to book your next adventure to this destination. Get ready to fall in love with Lithuania!
1-5 Fun Facts About Lithuania
1. Lithuania is overwhelmingly Christian, with 93% of its population identifying as Catholic.
2. A small district in Vilnius, Lithuania, has declared itself an independent republic. That’s right. They’ve got their flag, currency, president, cabinet, and even an army of 11 men.
3. If you’re feeling soviet, why not check out the theme park in Lithuania that recreates life as a USSR citizen? Visitors have their belongings confiscated, are made to wear moldy overcoats, experience interrogation, and even have to learn the Soviet anthem.
4. Back in 1992, Lithuania withdrew from the Olympics due to a lack of funds after the fall of the USSR. But the Grateful Dead came to the rescue, funding the transportation costs for the basketball team and even designing their jerseys and shorts. And guess what? They went on to win the Bronze medal.
5. Fun fact: In Lithuania, you’ve got to be 18 years old to buy beverages with more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Lithuania
6. Lithuania has a festival where people dress up as Gypsies and Jews and go around asking for money. Now, this might raise some eyebrows, but it’s all in good fun and for a good cause. The money collected goes to charity.
7. Until 2002, women in Lithuania had to undergo a gynecological exam before getting their driver’s license. The reason? To make sure they weren’t suffering from any “female illnesses.” It seems like a strange requirement, but hey, better safe than sorry!
8. There is an annual Baby Racing competition in Lithuania to find the “Fastest Crawler in the country.” I’m not sure if there’s a prize for the winner, but I bet it’s a cute event to watch.
9. Basketball is the national sport of Lithuania. And the country has produced many world-class basketball players, including Arvydas Sabonis and Šarūnas Marčiulionis.
10. Forests cover more than one-third of the total land in Lithuania, making it one of the greenest countries in Europe.
11-15 Awesome Facts About Lithuania
11. During World War II, Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara risked his life to save more than 6,000 Jews by issuing them transit visas in Lithuania.
12. The Ignalina nuclear power plant in eastern Lithuania is identical to the Chornobyl plant in Pripyat and was used as the set for the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl.” It remained operational until 2009.
13. Lithuania has a complex history. During World War I, Germany occupied Lithuania when it was part of Russia, and in 1918, Lithuania declared independence from Russia and Germany. However, in 1940, the Soviet Union annexed Lithuania, and it remained a part of the Soviet Union until 1990 when it regained its independence.
14. Lithuania celebrates two independence days: February 16, when it declared independence from Russia and Germany in 1918, and March 11, the Day of the Restoration of Independence in 1990, when it regained independence from the Soviet Union.
15. Lithuania has its unique fragrance, known as “the Scent of Lithuania,” with notes of wildflowers, ginger, raspberry, sandalwood, and musk.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 15 Interesting Lithuania Facts For Kids.
Read More:
20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Luxembourg That You Should Know
20 Interesting Facts About Hungary That Will Blow Your Mind
15 Mind-Blowing Facts About Cambodia That You Should Know