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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio) [time series]

broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1 radios: NA

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

900,000 telephones; 240 telephones/1,000 persons; telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the former Soviet republics local: NA intercity: land lines and microwave radio relay international: international connections no longer depend on the Moscow gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas; 1 EUTELSAT and 1 INTELSAT earth station; an NMT-450 analog cellular network operates in Vilnius and other cities and is linked internationally through Copenhagen by EUTELSAT; international electronic mail is available; land lines or microwave to former USSR republics

Broadcast media (Television) [time series]

broadcast stations: 3 televisions: NA

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2% of GDP (1994); note - for 1995 defense expenditures were $54 million at exchange rate conversion LUXEMBOURG

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 949,663; males fit for military service 750,386; males reach military age (18) annually 27,630 (1995 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

employs around 18% of labor force; accounts for 25% of GDP; sugar, grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables, meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, fish; most developed are the livestock and dairy branches, which depend on imported grain; net exporter of meat, milk, and eggs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $258.5 million expenditures: $270.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

introduced the convertible litas in June 1993

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 6,190,000 kW production: 18.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

litai per US$1 - 4 (fixed rate 1 May 1994)

Exports [time series]

$2.2 billion (1994) commodities: electronics 18%, petroleum products 5%, food 10%, chemicals 6% (1989) partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$NA

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Illicit drugs [time series]

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 [time series]

$2.7 billion (1994) commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989) partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate -52% (1992); accounts for 35% of GDP

Industries [time series]

industry's share in the economy has been declining substantially over the past year, due to the economic crisis and the growth of services in the economy; among branches which are still important: metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%, electric motors 4.6%, television sets 6.2%, refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other branches: petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, and amber

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.1% (monthly average 1994)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - purchasing power parity - $13.5 billion (1994 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1992)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$3,500 (1994 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

-0.5% (1994 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Since independence in September 1991, Lithuania has made steady progress in developing a market economy. Almost 50% of state property has been privatized and trade is diversifying with a gradual shift away from the former Soviet Union to Western markets. In addition, the Lithuanian government has adhered to a disciplined budgetary and financial policy which has brought inflation down from a monthly average of around 14% in first half 1993 to an average of 3.1% in 1994. Nevertheless, the process has been painful with industrial output in 1993 less than half the 1991 level. The economy appeared to have bottomed out in 1994, and Vilnius's policies have laid the groundwork for vigorous recovery over the next few years. Recovery will build on Lithuanian's 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, and on its agriculture potential, highly skilled labor force, and diversified industrial sector. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.5% (January 1995)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 65,200 sq km land area: 65,200 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers

Coastline [time series]

108 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

430 sq km (1990)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 49.1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 22.2% forest and woodland: 16.3% other: 12.4%

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

peat

Terrain [time series]

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

Vilnius

Constitution [time series]

adopted 25 October 1992

Digraph [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639

Executive branch [time series]

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); election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS was elected; note - on 25 November 1992 BRAZAUSKAS was elected chairman of Parliament and, as such, acting president of the Republic; he was confirmed in office by direct balloting 15 February 1993 head of government: Premier Adolfas SLEZEVICIUS (since 10 March 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[370] (2) 222-779

Flag [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, Court of Appeals

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Country name (Names) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

Homeland Union; Lithuanian Future Forum; Farmers Union

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Christian Democratic Party (LKDP), Povilas KATILIUS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania (LDDP), Adolfas SLEZEVICIUS, 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; Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIKIANEC, chairman

Legislative branch (Seimas (parliament)) [time series]

elections last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA 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 [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type) [time series]

republic

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr. embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600 mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [370] (2) 223-031

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 23% (female 426,616; male 444,556) 15-64 years: 65% (female 1,299,052; male 1,227,420) 65 years and over: 12% (female 313,217; male 165,535) (July 1995 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.46 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.95 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

16.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.836 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

Languages [time series]

Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.37 years male: 66.68 years female: 76.3 years (1995 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian

Net migration rate [time series]

3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Population [time series]

3,876,396 (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.71% (1995 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other

Total fertility rate [time series]

2 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 96 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 3 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 14 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 44,200 km paved: 35,500 km unpaved: earth 8,700 km (1990)

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

600 km perennially navigable

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 275,893 GRT/321,440 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 28, combination bulk 11, railcar carrier 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1

Pipelines [time series]

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

Ports [time series]

Kaunas, Klaipeda

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

total: 2,010 km broad gauge: 2,010 km 1.524-m gauge (120 km electrified) (1990)