The Republic of Lithuania, southernmost of the Baltic states
in east Europe, has an area of 25,174 sq. mi.(65,201 sq. km.) and
a population of *3.6 million. Capital: Vilnius. The economy is
based on livestock raising and manufacturing. Hogs, cattle, hides
and electric motors are exported.
Lithuania emerged as a grand duchy in the 14th century. In
the 15th century it was a major power of central Europe, stretching
from the Baltic to the Black Sea. It was joined with Poland in 1569,
but lost Smolensk, Chernihiv, and the right bank of the river Dnepr
Ukraina in 1667, while the left bank remained under Polish –
Lithuania rule until 1793. Following the third partition of Poland by
Austria, Prussia and Russia, 1795, Lithuania came under Russian
domination and did not regain its independence until shortly
before the end of World War I when it declared itself a sovereign
republic on Feb. 16, 1918. In fall of 1920, Poland captured Vilna
(Vilnius). The republic was occupied by Soviet troops and
annexed to the U.S.S.R. in 1940. Following the German occupation
of 1941-44, it was retaken by Russia and reestablished as
a member republic of the Soviet Union. Western countries, including
the United States, did not recognize Lithuania's incorporation
into the Soviet Union.
Lithuania declared its independence March 11, 1990 and it
was recognized by the United States on Sept. 2, 1991, followed
by the Soviet government in Moscow on Sept. 6. They were
seated in the UN General Assembly on Sept. 17, 1991.

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