Geography 101 in its fourth season, features the Baltic gem of Lithuania—a nation of resilience, beauty, and deep cultural roots.

Lithuania sits along the Baltic Sea, sharing borders with Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Russia’s Kaliningrad region. Its strategic location made it a crossroads of cultures and empires for centuries. This geography also gave Lithuania access to trade routes that shaped its prosperity. Interestingly, it is the only Baltic nation with a history as a medieval empire.Vilnius, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its Baroque architecture and Old Town. Walking through its cobbled streets feels like stepping back in time. From Gothic churches to Renaissance courtyards, the city is a tapestry of styles. Fun trivia: Vilnius once competed with Florence for being called the “Jerusalem of the North.

Lithuania is one of the oldest recorded states in Europe, officially mentioned in chronicles as early as 1009. That’s more than a thousand years of history. Over time, it rose to become the heart of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Imagine one small nation commanding such vast lands!

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania reached its height in the 14th century. It was one of the largest countries in Europe, covering parts of today’s Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Russia. This powerful state balanced military might with religious tolerance. Did you know it was one of the last places in Europe to officially convert to Christianity—in 1387?

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