Lithuania is in northern Europe, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Latvia is to the north, Belarus to the southeast, Poland to the south and the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation to the southwest. Together, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia make up the Baltic States. Lithuania is the largest and most populous of the three. It is slightly larger than the province of Nova Scotia. Lithuania is a member of the European Community. Population - 3.6 million people with major ethnic groups: Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and Belarusian.

The land of Lithuania consists of low-lying plains in the west and gently rolling hills in the east. The highest point in the country is Juozapines Hill, near Vilnius, at 294 metres. There are numerous lakes in the eastern part of the country. The Nemunas River and its many tributaries flow west to the Baltic Sea. More than half of the coast is sheltered by a sand bar about 100 kilometres long and less than four kilometres wide, known as the Curonian Spit. Today, the spit is a national park. The water between the sandbar and the mainland is called the Curonian Lagoon.

At one time, thick forests covered much of the land, but over the years, farmers have cleared the land for crops. Today, woodlands cover only one-quarter of Lithuania. Pine trees grow along the coast and in the south, while oak trees are abundant in the central region. Edible plants such as mushrooms, wild strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and billberries grow in the southern pine woods. Lithuania's many nature reserves and national parks support a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, wolves, foxes and wild boar. Bird species include white storks, herons, geese, ducks, swans, eagles and hawks.

The climate of Lithuania is generally mild, but cool. The eastern regions are usually colder than the area along the coast. In winter, between November and March, the temperature may fall to -10C or lower and much of the country is covered with snow. In summer, the temperature may reach 22C and it often rains.

Lithuanians tend to marry in their early twenties. Common-law marriages, although generally accepted by society, are not regarded as a legal form of marriage. The divorce rate is high and single mothers head many households. Elders are treated with respect and it is not unusual for parents to live with their adult children and help raise their grandchildren. Nursing homes are uncommon. Young children are expected to obey their parents and may be disciplined if they do not.

Weddings are joyous occasions. In the past, the celebrations often continued for more than a week. All the couple's neighbours and friends were invited. It was a custom for men from neighbouring villages to arrive uninvited. Today, weddings are still important celebrations and the bride and groom welcome their family, friends and neighbours for dancing, drink and a festive meal.

Traditionally, Lithuanian women were homemakers. Today, many work outside the home in business for the professions. Government-supported child-care programs have helped women entering the business world. Women and men are considered equal in the eyes of the law, but most Lithuanian women have full responsibility for their homes and children in addition to their careers.