Baltic states and the Baltic Sea

The Baltic states or the Baltic countries is a term which refers to three countries in Northern Europe: Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Northern Europe (marked in purple) Northern Europe is a name of the northern part of the European continent. ...

• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania

Prior to World War II, Finland was sometimes considered a fourth Baltic state. For example, in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 in which Nazi Germany relinquished Finland to the Soviet "sphere of interest", Finland was mentioned as one of the Baltic states. Since then, the Finnish view that Finland is one of the Nordic countries has become generally accepted. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km (over 11 miles) into the air, August 9, 1945 after the Allied atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ... Molotov (lower left), Ribbentrop (in black) and Stalin (far right) The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, also known as the Hitler-Stalin pact or Nazi-Soviet pact and formally known as the Treaty of Nonaggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was a non-aggression treaty between the German... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... The Nordic countries (Greenland not shown) The Nordic countries is a term used collectively for five countries in Northern Europe. ...

It should be noted that although politically the present-day Baltic countries are republics, the term Baltic republics often refers to the Baltic countries under Soviet occupation. In a broad definition a republic is a state or country that is led by people who do not base their political power on any principle beyond the control of the people living in that state or country. ... The Baltic Sea The term Baltic Republics referred to the three Soviet Republics of Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR, and Lithuanian SSR. The sovereign nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, who had gained sovereignty in 1918, were occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. ... Occupation may refer to: the principal activity (job or calling) that earns money for a person (see profession, business) the periods of time following a nations territory invasion by controlling enemy troops (see belligerent occupation) any activity that occupies an important portion of a persons attention (see fan...

The term state is here used as a synonym of sovereign country, as distinct from non-sovereign states of the kind to be found in federations and confederations. Before the fall of the Soviet Union the term Baltic state was by some English speakers intended to hint at the three Baltic countries were under Soviet occupation. A state is an organized political community occupying a definite territory, having an organized government, and possessing internal and external sovereignty. ... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme authority over a geographic region, group of people, or oneself. ... The term state may refer to: a sovereign political entity, see state unitary state nation state a non-sovereign political entity, see state (non-sovereign). ... A federation (from the Latin fÅ“dus, covenant) is a state comprised of a number of self-governing regions (often themselves referred to as states) united by a central (federal) government. ... A confederation is an association of sovereign states, usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution. ... The rise of Gorbachev Although reform stalled between 1964–1982, the generational shift gave new momentum for reform. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Balticum, Baltic sea countries and the Baltic Sea

Balticum is the geographic term used in local languages, Scandinavian languages, and in German for the territory of the Baltic states and historical East Prussia. In a historical context it includes the lands of: Map of the Baltic Sea (translated from the Ostsee. ... Map of the Baltic Sea (translated from the Ostsee. ... The Scandinavian languages are the three mutually intelligible North Germanic languages spoken in Scandinavia: Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. ... East Prussia (German: Ostpreu en; Polish: Prusy Wschodnie; Russian: Восточная Пруссия — Vostochnaya Prussiya) was a province of Kingdom of Prussia, situated on the territory of former Ducal Prussia. ...

• Estonia
• Livonia
• Courland
• Latvia
• Prussia or East Prussia
• Lithuania

Sometimes the Baltic countries are also designated as Northeastern Europe. Livonia (Latvian: Livonija; Estonian: Liivimaa; German: Livland; Polish: Inflanty; Russian: Лифляндия or Liflandiya) once was the land of the Finnic Livonians, but came in the Middle Ages to designate a much broader territory controlled by the Livonian Order on the eastern coasts of the Baltic Sea in present-day Latvia and... Map Kurland, Courland, Couronia, Curonia, Kurzeme a former Baltic province of the Teutonic Order state in Livonia (ca. ... The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 The word Prussia (German: Preußen or Preussen, Polish: Prusy, Lithuanian: PrÅ«sai, Latin: Borussia) has had various (often contradictory) meanings: The land of the Baltic Prussians (in what is now parts of southern Lithuania, the Kaliningrad exclave of... East Prussia (German: Ostpreu en; Polish: Prusy Wschodnie; Russian: Восточная Пруссия — Vostochnaya Prussiya) was a province of Kingdom of Prussia, situated on the territory of former Ducal Prussia. ... The Baltic Sea Northeastern Europe is a compromise terminology to refer to the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. ...

The term Baltic states differs from the term Baltic sea countries which refers to all the countries bordering the Baltic. The Baltic Sea The following countries have access to the Baltic Sea: Denmark Estonia Finland Germany Latvia Lithuania Poland Russia Sweden The Baltic Sea countries, together with Norway, Iceland and the European Union form the Council of the Baltic Sea States. ... The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe, bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainlands of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and the Danish islands. ...

The Baltic states are today liberal democracies, parliamentary republics, and very quickly growing market economies. Liberal democracy is a form of representative democracy where elected representatives that hold the decision power are moderated by a constitution that emphasizes protecting individual liberties and the rights of minorities in society (also called constitutional liberalism), such as freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of religion, the right to... A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... In a broad definition a republic is a state or country that is led by people who do not base their political power on any principle beyond the control of the people living in that state or country. ...

Despite the common name, it's often indicated that the three Baltic countries have little else in common than their location and, to lesser degree, a shared history. Estonia aspires in direction of their Finnic brethren and the Nordic countries while Lithuania focuses on its connection to Poland and Central Europe. Finnic (Fennic, sometimes Baltic Finnic) may refer to Finnish-similar languages spoken close to the Gulf of Finland, i. ... The Nordic countries (Greenland not shown) The Nordic countries is a term used collectively for five countries in Northern Europe. ... Historical lands and provinces in Central Europe Central Europe is the region of Europe between Eastern Europe and Western Europe. ...

Geography

In the Cold War context the Baltic countries were considered to be a part of Eastern Europe, but culturally and historically it is more appropriate to view Estonia and partly Latvia as part of Northern Europe, Lithuania and partly Latvia as part of Central Europe, where the historical impact of the Hanseatic League, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and the German Empire have been of crucial importance. For Latvia and Estonia, present-day and historical connections to Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have also been important. The Cold War was the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies. ... Eastern Europe is marked in orange Eastern Europe is, by convention, that part of Europe from the Ural and Caucasus mountains in the east to an arbitrarily chosen boundary in the west. ... Northern Europe (marked in purple) Northern Europe is a name of the northern part of the European continent. ... Historical lands and provinces in Central Europe Central Europe is the region of Europe between Eastern Europe and Western Europe. ... The Hanseatic League (German: die Hanse) was an alliance of trading cities that established and maintained a trade monopoly over most of Northern Europe and the Baltic for a time in the later Middle Ages and the Early Modern period (ie between the 13th and 17th century). ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... The term German Empire (Deutsches Reich) commonly refers to Germany, from its consolidation as a unified nation-state on January 18, 1871, until the abdication of Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm II on November 9, 1918. ...

Nearby is Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast, the northern part of historical East Prussia. map of Kaliningrad Oblast Kaliningrad Oblast (Russian: Калининградская область), informally called Yantarny kray (Russian:Янтарный Край - meaning Amber land) is an administrative division (oblast) of Russia on the Baltic coast, with no land connection to the rest of Russia: an exclave of the EU. It is the westernmost parcel of... East Prussia (German: Ostpreu en; Polish: Prusy Wschodnie; Russian: Восточная Пруссия — Vostochnaya Prussiya) was a province of Kingdom of Prussia, situated on the territory of former Ducal Prussia. ...

Some political scientists consider Lithuania as part of Central Europe, because it shares few common influences with the other two Baltic countries. The Baltic Sea At the most general level, Baltic countries are countries that border the Baltic Sea. ...

Largest cities in Baltic States by population:

• Riga (739,232)
• Vilnius (553,904)
• Tallinn (401,694)
• Kaunas (378,943)
• Klaipėda (192,954)
• Šiauliai (133,883)
• Panevėžys (119,749)
• Daugavpils (115,265)
• Tartu (100,482)
• Liepaja (89,448)

Largest cities in Baltic States by population of Baltic States peoples (Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians): Riga (RÄ«ga in Latvian), the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of River Daugava, at 56°58′ N 24°8′ E. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic States and serves as a major cultural, educational, political, financial, commercial and industrial... Vilnius Old Town Vilnius (sometimes also Vilna in English, Belarusian Вільня, Polish Wilno, Russian Вильнюс, German Wilna, see also Cities alternative names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania with population in excess of 540 thousand (in 2003). ... The city of Tallinn is the capital city and main seaport of Estonia. ... Kaunas (approximate English transcription [ˈkəʊ.nÉ™s], simplified Lithuanian transcription [kaÅ­nas]; Polish: Kowno, often anglicized as Kovno; Russian Каунас, formerly Ковно), is the second largest city in Lithuania. ... Klaipėda. ... Šiauliai (approximate English transcription [ʃǝʊ. ... Panevėžys (approximate English transcription [pÊŒ.nÉ›.vÉ›.ˈʒıːs], simplified Lithuanian transcription [panevÄ“Ê’Ä«s]; pol. ... Daugavpils (Belarusian Дзьвінск Dźvinsk, Russian Двинcк Dvinsk, Lithuanian Daugpilis, German Dünaburg, Polish Dzwinow or Dźwińsk, Yiddish דענענבורג Denenburg), population 115,265 in 2000 census) is the second largest city in Latvia. ... Image of a Tartu street Tartu (German and Swedish: Dorpat, Russian: , formerly Дерпт (Derpt) or Юрьев (Yuryev)) is the second largest city of Estonia, with a population of 100,482 (census data as of 2004) and an area of 38. ... Liepāja. ...

• Kaunas (352,051)
• Vilnius (318,510)
• Riga (309,000)
• Tallinn (215,114)
• Klaipėda (137,557)
• Šiauliai (124,263)
• Panevėžys (114,585)
• Tartu (80,397)
• Alytus (69,390)
• Marijampolė (47,555)

Kaunas (approximate English transcription [ˈkəʊ.nÉ™s], simplified Lithuanian transcription [kaÅ­nas]; Polish: Kowno, often anglicized as Kovno; Russian Каунас, formerly Ковно), is the second largest city in Lithuania. ... Vilnius Old Town Vilnius (sometimes also Vilna in English, Belarusian Вільня, Polish Wilno, Russian Вильнюс, German Wilna, see also Cities alternative names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania with population in excess of 540 thousand (in 2003). ... Riga (RÄ«ga in Latvian), the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of River Daugava, at 56°58′ N 24°8′ E. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic States and serves as a major cultural, educational, political, financial, commercial and industrial... The city of Tallinn is the capital city and main seaport of Estonia. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Å iauliai (approximate English transcription [ʃǝʊ.ˈleı], simplified Lithuanian transcription [ʃiaÅ­liaǐ]; Polish Szawle, German Schaulen, Yiddish שאַװל Shavl) is the fourth largest city of Lithuania with a population of 133,883. ... Panevėžys (approximate English transcription [pÊŒ.nÉ›.vÉ›.ˈʒıːs], simplified Lithuanian transcription [panevÄ“Ê’Ä«s]; pol. ... Image of a Tartu street Tartu (German and Swedish: Dorpat, Russian: , formerly Дерпт (Derpt) or Юрьев (Yuryev)) is the second largest city of Estonia, with a population of 100,482 (census data as of 2004) and an area of 38. ... Alytus (approximate English transcription [ÊŒ.lıː.ˈtus], simplified Lithuanian transcription [alÄ«tus]; Polish: Olita) is the capital of Alytus County, Lithuania, with 70,000 inhabitants. ... MarijampolÄ— (approximate English transcription [mÊŒ.rı.ˈjaːm. ...

History

The common history of the Baltic States began when the Sword Brethren brought Christianity and feudalism to the region. These countries subsequently became a battlefield between Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Russia and Germany. The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Latin Fratres militiae Christi, literally the brothers of the army of Christ), also known as the Christ Knights, Sword Brethren or The Militia of Christ of Livonia, was a military order started in 1202 by Albert von Buxhövden, bishop of Riga (or Prince-Bishop... Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, death by crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as portrayed in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... Defining feudalism is difficult because there is no generally accepted agreement on what it means. ...

By around 1582 almost the whole territory of the Baltic countries (other than northern Estonia) was under the overlordship of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Events January 15 - Russia cedes Livonia and Estonia to Poland February 24 - Pope Gregory XIII implements the Gregorian Calendar. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

In the 18th and 19th century the Baltic provinces (Curonia, Livonia, Estonia and Ingria) and Lithuania in the 19th century, albeit with names and borders different from the present-day countries, were part of the Russian Empire. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Courland, Kurland, Couronia, or Curonia, a former Baltic province of the Teutonic Order state in Livonia (ca. ... Livonia (Latvian: Livonija; Estonian: Liivimaa; German: Livland; Polish: Inflanty; Russian: Лифляндия or Liflandiya) once was the land of the Finnic Livonians, but came in the Middle Ages to designate a much broader territory controlled by the Livonian Order on the eastern coasts of the Baltic Sea in present-day Latvia and... The Ingrian flag Historically Ingria (Finnish: Inkeri, Russian: Izhora, Swedish: Ingermanland) comprises the area along the basin of the river Neva, between the Gulf of Finland, the Narva River, Lake Peipsi in the south-west, and Lake Ladoga in the north-east. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start...

The Baltic States gained (or regained in case of Lithuania) their sovereignty as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I. They declared independence in 1918, fought independence wars against German freikorps and Bolshevist Russia and were recognized as independent countries in 1920. WWI redirects here. ... Independence war can refer to: A war of independence of a country. ... The designation of Freikorps (German for Free Corps) was originally applied to voluntary armies. ... Bolshevist Russia is a common term that refers to the Red side in the Russian government between the Bolsheviks October Revolution (November 7, 1917) and the constitution of the Soviet Union (December 30, 1922). ...

In 1940, under the terms of the 1939 Soviet-German Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact dividing Northern and Eastern Europe into spheres of interest, the USSR occupied and annexed Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In 1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union and occupied all three Baltic states. By late 1944, the Soviet Army, driving the German troops back West, reached the region again, and re-established full control by early 1945. The Baltic republics were established as the Estonian SSR, the Latvian SSR and the Lithuanian SSR, being constituent parts of the Soviet Union. 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... This term is generally used for the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) in the first phases of World War II. History of the Occupation Before the beginning of World War II Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed an ostensible non-aggression treaty known as... 1941 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... State motto: Kõigi maade proletaarlased, ühinege Official language Constitutionally, all languages were equal. ... State motto: Visu zemju proletārieši, savienojieties! Official language Constitutionally, all languages were equal. ... State motto: Visų Å¡alių proletarai, vienykitÄ—s (Workers of all countries, unite) Official language Constitutionally, all languages were equal. ...

The three Baltic nations re-declared their independence in 1990-1991 and their independence was recognized by the Soviet Union on September 6, 1991. 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ...

Rather than new states, they declared themselves to be in fact restorations of the pre-war republics that had existed between the first and second world wars. This further emphasized their contention (adhered to worldwide, but contested by some Russian governments) that Soviet domination during the Cold War period had been an illegal occupation. The Cold War was the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies. ...

In 2002 the Baltic states took the first steps towards the realization of their long standing political goal (and their principal objective since leaving the Soviet Union) by applying to become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU). Membership of NATO was duly achieved on 29 March 2004 and accession to the EU took place on 1 May 2004. Integration with the Western World and with Western Europe has begun. 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The flag of NATO NATO 2002 Summit The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), sometimes called North Atlantic Alliance, Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for defence collaboration established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 1949. ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term Western world can have multiple meanings depending on its context. ... Western Europe is distinguished from Eastern Europe by differences of history and culture rather than by geography. ...

Culture

Although the three nations have much in common in their history and culture they belong to two distinct language families.

• The Latvian and Lithuanian languages make up the group of Baltic languages and belong to the Indo-European languages family.
• The Estonian language belongs to the group of Finno-Ugric languages in the Uralic languages family, sharing close cultural and historical ties with the Finnish language and culture.

They also belong to different Christian denominations: The Baltic languages are a group of genetically-related languages spoken in the Northern Europe and belonging to the Indo-European language family. ... The Indo-European languages include some 443 (SIL estimate) languages and dialects spoken by about three billion people, including most of the major language families of Europe and western Asia, which belong to a single superfamily. ... The Estonian language (eesti keel) is spoken by about 1. ... Geographical distribution of Finno-Ugric (Finno-Permic in blue, Ugric in green). ... Geographical distribution of Finnic, Ugric, Samoyed and Yukaghir languages The Uralic languages form a language family of about 30 languages spoken by approximately 20 million people. ... Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland (92%) and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. ...

• Latvia and Estonia are mostly Lutheran (except for Russian minorities in these countries which are Orthodox), while
• Lithuania is principally Catholic.

Due to a long period of Germanic domination, starting in the middle ages, German language has an important role. Its role has somewhat diminished after World War II but it remains one of three main foreign languages taught in schools (the other two being English and Russian). The Baltic states have historically also been in the Swedish and Russian spheres of influence. Following the period of Soviet domination, ethnic Russians today make up a sizable minority in the Baltic states, particularly in Estonia and Latvia. The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... Saint Basils Cathedral, a well-known Russian Orthodox church situated in Moscow The Russian Orthodox Church (Русская Православная церковь) is that body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km (over 11 miles) into the air, August 9, 1945 after the Allied atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Baltic states and the Baltic Sea The Baltic states or the Baltic countries is a term which nowadays refers to three countries in Northern Europe: Estonia Latvia Lithuania Prior to World War II, Finland was sometimes considered, particularly by the Soviet Union, a fourth Baltic state. ...

Tourism

The Baltics are in fact very different countries, despite being frequently grouped together under this name. They are considered to be little populated countries of nature, amber and medieval cities, mostly former members of the Hanseatic League. Today, the Baltic states are dynamic countries with a young population and cities offering great cultural opportunities and cozy pubs and restaurants. The Baltic countries are known to offer affordable vacations. The deepest visible-light image of the universe, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. ... AMBER (an acronym for Assisted Model Building and Energy Refinement) is a force field for molecular dynamics originally developed by Peter Kollmans group in the University of California, San Francisco. ... The Hanseatic League (German: die Hanse) was an alliance of trading cities that established and maintained a trade monopoly over most of Northern Europe and the Baltic for a time in the later Middle Ages and the Early Modern period (ie between the 13th and 17th century). ...

A favourite place to visit in Estonia is the capital city Tallinn (Reval), an old medieval town with a cathedral, romantic little streets and a harbour with ferry lines to Sweden and Finland. South of Tallinn there is the famous old university town of Tartu (Dorpat). Estonia offers beautiful islands such as Saaremaa and Hiiumaa and lakes such as Lake Peipus. Estonia is ideal for recreation in free nature and in the woods. The city of Tallinn is the capital city and main seaport of Estonia. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Image of a Tartu street Tartu (German and Swedish: Dorpat, Russian: , formerly Дерпт (Derpt) or Юрьев (Yuryev)) is the second largest city of Estonia, with a population of 100,482 (census data as of 2004) and an area of 38. ... Map of the Estonian archipelago (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa) Saaremaa (Swedish, German Ösel, or Oesel, Latin Osilia) is the largest island (2673 km²) belonging to Estonia. ... Hiiumaa (Swedish Dagö) is the second largest island belonging to Estonia. ... Lake Peipsi - Landsat satellite photo Lake Peipus (Estonian: Peipsi järv, Russian: Чудское озеро (Chud Lake), German: Peipus-See) is a large lake, on the border between Estonia and Russia in Eastern Europe. ...

Latvian capital, Riga, is the largest city of the Baltics with about 800,000 inhabitants. Riga is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, its broad boulevards and its cosmopolitan flair. The Latvian countryside is similar to that found in Scandinavia, but is much more affordable. Latvia offers a long Baltic Sea coastline with harbour towns like Liepaja and seaside resorts like Jurmala. The countryside offers picturesque little towns, often with medieval centres. Riga (RÄ«ga in Latvian), the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of River Daugava, at 56°58′ N 24°8′ E. Riga is the largest city in the Baltic States and serves as a major cultural, educational, political, financial, commercial and industrial... Alfons Mucha, lithographed poster Dancel (1898). ... Liepāja. ... Jūrmala. ...

Lithuanian capital, Vilnius (Wilna), has been called the "Lithuanian Jerusalem" because of its many churches and its formerly significant Jewish minority. Remains of Polish, Jewish and Lithuanian cultures can be found in the old town, particularly in the form of places of worship. Close to the capital is the famous castle of Trakai. The second biggest city in Lithuania is Kaunas. It is more typically Lithuanian and offers an old town dating from medieval times. One of the more unusual museums can be found in this town, the Devil Museum. The western harbour city of Klaipeda may be also worth a visit. Popular Lithuanian seaside resorts include Nida on the Curonian Spit and Palanga. Vilnius Old Town Vilnius (sometimes also Vilna in English, Belarusian Вільня, Polish Wilno, Russian Вильнюс, German Wilna, see also Cities alternative names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania with population in excess of 540 thousand (in 2003). ... The word Jew (Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... The castle in Trakai Trakai (Polish Troki) - a town and lake resort in Lithuania, a part of Trakai national park territory and an administrative centre of the region. ... Kaunas (approximate English transcription [ˈkəʊ.nÉ™s], simplified Lithuanian transcription [kaÅ­nas]; Polish: Kowno, often anglicized as Kovno; Russian Каунас, formerly Ковно), is the second largest city in Lithuania. ... Klaipėda. ... Nida may have one of the following meanings. ... Categories: Geography of Lithuania | Notable places in Lithuania | World Heritage Sites in Russia | Russia geography stubs | Lithuania-related stubs ... Tyszkiewicz palace in Palanga. ...

See also

• Baltic way

Baltic way (aka Baltic chain, Lithuanian: Baltijos kelias) is the event which occured on 23 August 1989. ...

External links

• Open directory
• Could the Baltic States have resisted to the Soviet Union?