Editing Geography of Lithuania

{{Short description|none}}
{{Country geography
| name = Lithuania
| map = File:Satellite image of Lithuania in March 2003.jpg
| continent = [[Europe]]
| region = [[Northern Europe]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|54|54|24|N|25|19|12|E|type:country}}
| km area = 65,300
| percent land = 95.99
| km coastline = 262 
| borders = [[Land borders|Total land borders]]:<br /> {{convert|1,574|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| highest point = [[Aukštojas Hill]] <br /> {{convert|294|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| lowest point = [[Baltic Sea]] <br /> 0 meters
| longest river = [[Neman River|Nemunas]] <br /> {{convert|917|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| largest lake = [[Lake Drūkšiai]] <br /> {{convert|44.79|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| exclusive economic zone = {{convert|7,031|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
}}

[[Lithuania]] is one of the countries in the [[Baltic region]] of Europe.  The most populous of the [[Baltic states]], [[Lithuania]] has {{convert|262|km|mi|abbr=on}} of coastline consisting of the continental coast and the "Curonian Spit" coast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/documentation/studies/documents/lithuania_climate_change_en.pdf |title=Country overview and assessment The economics of climate change adaptation in EU coastal areas- Lithuania |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/ |publisher=European Commission Policy Research Corporation |pages=1, 2 |access-date=6 August 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085950/http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/documentation/studies/documents/lithuania_climate_change_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Lithuania's major [[port|warm-water port]] of [[Klaipėda]] lies at the narrow mouth of [[Curonian Lagoon]], a shallow [[lagoon]] extending south to [[Kaliningrad]] and separated from the Baltic sea by [[Curonian Spit]], where [[Kuršių Nerija National Park]] was established for its remarkable sand dunes.

The [[Neman River]] and some of its [[tributary|tributaries]] are used for internal shipping (in 2000, 89 inland ships carried 900,000 tons of cargo, which is less than 1% of the total goods traffic).

Situated between 56.27 and 53.53 latitudes and 20.56 and 26.50 longitudes, Lithuania is [[glacial period|glacial]]ly flat, except for [[Moraine|morainic]] hills in the western uplands and eastern highlands no higher than 300 metres. The terrain is marked by numerous small lakes and [[swamp]]s, and a mixed forest zone covers over 33% of the country. The growing season lasts 169 days in the east and 202 days in the west, with most farmland consisting of sandy- or clay-loam soils. [[Limestone]], [[clay]], [[sand]], and [[gravel]] are Lithuania's primary natural resources, but the coastal shelf offers perhaps {{convert|1600000|m3|Moilbbl|abbr=on}} of [[petroleum|oil]] deposits, and the southeast could provide high yields of [[iron ore]] and [[granite]].

== Geographical position ==

[[File:Lithuania Transportation.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Political map of Lithuania]][[File:LithuaniaPhysicalMap-Detailed.png|thumb|Physical map of Lithuania|300x300px]]Lithuania is situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.<ref name=":0">{{citation-attribution|1={{cite encyclopedia|title=Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania: country studies|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/96004057/|last1=Vardys|first1=V. Stanley|date=1996|editor-last=Iwaskiw|editor-first=Walter R.|edition=1st|pages=186–189|isbn=0-8444-0851-4|oclc=34245562|last2=Sloven|first2=William A.|entry=Lithuania: Physical Environment|access-date=2021-06-04|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624194827/https://www.loc.gov/item/96004057/|url-status=live}} }}</ref> Lithuania's boundaries have changed several times since 1918, but they have been stable since 1945.<ref name=":0" /> Currently, Lithuania covers an area of about {{convert|65,300|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0" /> It is larger than [[Belgium]], [[Denmark]], [[Latvia]], [[Estonia]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]] or [[Switzerland]].<ref name=":0" /> Lithuania borders Latvia on the north, Belarus on the east and south, and Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia on the southwest. The Eastern border together with Latvia in the South of its East comes along with the [[Kraków|Krokuva]]-[[Vilnius]]-[[Veliky Novgorod]] route with it chiefly within the territory. It is a country of gently rolling hills, many forests, rivers and streams, and lakes. Its principal natural resource is agricultural land.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

Lithuania's northern neighbor is Latvia.<ref name=":0" /> The two countries share a border that extends 453 kilometres. Lithuania's eastern border with [[Belarus]] is longer, stretching 502 kilometers.<ref name=":0" /> The border with [[Poland]] on the south is relatively short, only 91 kilometers, but it is very busy because of international traffic.<ref name=":0" /> Lithuania also has a 227-kilometer border with Russia. Russian territory adjacent to Lithuania is [[Kaliningrad Oblast]], which is the northern part of the former German [[East Prussia]], including the city of [[Kaliningrad]].<ref name=":0" /> Finally, Lithuania has 108 kilometers of Baltic seashore with an ice-free harbor at Klaipėda.<ref name=":0" /> The Baltic coast offers sandy beaches and pine forests and attracts thousands of vacationers.<ref name=":0" />

According to some geographers, the [[geographical midpoint of Europe]] is just north of Lithuania's capital, [[Vilnius]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/centre-of-europe|title=Centre of Europe|work=Atlas Obscura|access-date=2022-09-25|archive-date=2022-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925150944/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/centre-of-europe|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Major coordinates ===

In terms of latitude or climate fifteen degrees (corresponding to the longitude or an [[Time Zone|hour]] fifteen degrees, except the polar climate sums being 7°30´ in latitude) Lithuania situates within the 52°30´-N - 67°30´-N latitude, that is northwards from [[Southend]] latitude, together with the [[North Sea]] major body, the Far North of [[Germany]], [[Siberia]]. It situates in the southern quarter of the climate fifteen degrees, stretching northwards from the southern mark of the climate fifteen degrees further than in nearly one tenth or the sum of <1°30´, that is kind of an edge zone of the climate fifteen degrees, being generally boggy in the western [[Belarus]], and on the 54°-N latitude the one tenth zone is marked by the greatest bog in Lithuania the [[Čepkeliai Marsh]].

With the [[Eastern Hemisphere]] core longitude on the 67°30´-E, the hour or its longitude fifteen degrees that set on Lithuania are 15°-E - 30°-E ([[Greenwich]], London) longitude, the core of which coming on the 22°30´-E longitude also marks the western one fourth, or the sum of 45° in the West of the Eastern Hemisphere if marking it with the [[Cape Verde]] archipelago and the [[Transantarctic Mountains]]. The 22°30´-E longitude comes in the West of Lithuania, with the river [[Jūra]] (pronounced as in ''Euro'' except the ending vowel) meaning ''sea'' locally flowing on the mark. [[Tilsit]] ([[Kaliningrad Oblast]]), [[Telšiai]] as the Greek ''thalassa'' situate in the western one fourth of the Eastern Hemisphere, although [[Talsi]] ([[Latvia]]) situate eastwards from the mark. The rivers [[Šešupė]], [[Šešuvis]], [[Šušvė]] plus Šyša situate in the sum of approximately 2°30´ longitude or one sixth of an hour fifteen degrees (''šeši'' - ''six'' in Lithuanian), in the both sides of the 22°30´-E mark.

== Topography and drainage ==
[[File:Lithuania-topo-en.png|thumb|300px|Topographical map of Lithuania]]

Lithuania lies at the edge of the [[North European Plain]].<ref name=":0" /> Its landscape was shaped by the glaciers of the [[quaternary glaciation|last Ice Age]],<ref name=":0" /> which retreated about 25,000–22,000 years BP ([[Before Present]]).{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} Lithuania's terrain is an alternation of moderate lowlands and highlands.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Aukštojas Hill|highest elevation]] is 297.84 meters above sea level, found in the eastern part of the republic and separated from the uplands of the western region of [[Samogitia]] by the fertile plains of the southwestern and central regions.<ref name=":0" /> The landscape is punctuated by 2,833 lakes larger than {{Convert|1|hectare}} and 1,600 smaller ponds.<ref name=":0" /> The majority of [[List of lakes in Lithuania|the lakes]] are found in the eastern part of the country.<ref name=":0" /> Lithuania also has 758 rivers longer than {{Convert|10|km}}.<ref name=":0" /> The largest river is the [[Neman River|Nemunas]] (total length {{Convert|917|km|abbr=on}}), which originates in Belarus.<ref name=":0" /> The other larger waterways are the [[Neris]] ({{Convert|510|km|abbr=on}}), [[Venta River|Venta]] ({{Convert|346|km|abbr=on}}), and [[Šešupė]] ({{Convert|298|km|abbr=on}}) rivers.<ref name=":0" /> However, only {{Convert|600|km}} of [[List of rivers in Lithuania|Lithuania's rivers]] are navigable.<ref name=":0" />

Once a heavily forested land, Lithuania's territory today consists of only 32.8 percent<ref>http://www.kontrastai.lt/?p=15825{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> woodlands—primarily [[pine]], [[spruce]], and [[birch]] forests.<ref name=":0" /> Ash and oak are very scarce.<ref name=":0" /> The forests are rich in mushrooms and berries,<ref name=":0" /> as well as a variety of plants.

== Climate ==
{{See also|Lithuania#Climate|l1=Climate}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map v2 LTU 1991–2020.svg|thumb|300x300px|Köppen–Geiger climate classification map at 1-km resolution for Lithuania 1991–2020]]
[[File:Serksnas laukuose.jpg|thumb|Winter landscape in Lithuania|300x300px]]

Lithuania has a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfb'' in the [[Köppen climate classification]]).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Beck |first1=Hylke E. |last2=McVicar |first2=Tim R. |last3=Vergopolan |first3=Noemi |last4=Berg |first4=Alexis |last5=Lutsko |first5=Nicholas J. |last6=Dufour |first6=Ambroise |last7=Zeng |first7=Zhenzhong |last8=Jiang |first8=Xin |last9=van Dijk |first9=Albert I. J. M. |last10=Miralles |first10=Diego G. |date=2023-10-23 |title=High-resolution (1 km) Köppen-Geiger maps for 1901–2099 based on constrained CMIP6 projections |journal=Scientific Data |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=724 |doi=10.1038/s41597-023-02549-6 |issn=2052-4463 |pmc=10593765 |pmid=37872197|bibcode=2023NatSD..10..724B }}</ref> Average temperatures on the coast are {{convert|1.6|°C|lk=on}} in January and {{convert|17.8|°C|1}} in July.<ref name=":0" /> In Vilnius the average temperatures are {{convert|2.1|°C|1}} in January and {{convert|18.1|°C|1}} in July.<ref name=":0" /> Simply speaking, {{convert|20|°C}} is frequent on summer days and {{convert|14|°C|1}} at night.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} Temperatures occasionally reach {{convert|30|or|35|C|F}} in summer.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} Winters when easterly flows from Siberia predominate, like 1941–42, 1955–56 and 1984–85,<ref>J.-M. Hirschi, Joël and Sinha, Bablu; ‘Negative NAO and cold Eurasian winters: How exceptional was the winter of 1962/1963?’; ''[[Weather (journal)|Weather]]'' Vol. 62, No. 2 (February 2007); pp. 43–48</ref> are very cold, whereas winters dominated by westerly maritime airflows like 1924–25, 1960–61 and 1988–89 are mild with temperatures above freezing a normal occurrence.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} {{convert|−20|C|F|disp=or}} occurs almost every winter.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} Winter extremes are {{convert|-34|°C}} at the coast and {{convert|-43|°C}} in the east of Lithuania.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} The average annual precipitation is {{convert|717|mm|in|1}} on the coast,<ref name=":0" /> {{convert|900|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in Samogitia highlands,{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} and {{convert|490|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the eastern part of the country.<ref name=":0" /> Snow occurs every year, it can be snowing from October to April.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} In some years sleet can fall in September or May.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} The growing season lasts 202 days in the western part of the country and 169 days in the eastern part.<ref name=":0" /> Severe storms are rare in the eastern part of Lithuania and common nearer the coast.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

The longest measured temperature records from the Baltic area cover about 250 years. The data show that there were warm periods during the latter half of the eighteenth century and that the nineteenth century was a relatively cool period. An early twentieth century warming culminated in the 1930s, followed by a smaller cooling that lasted until the 1960s. A warming trend has persisted since then.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gkss.de/BACC/Downloads/Poster_2_1.pdf|title=Climate trends in the Baltic}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Lithuania experienced a [[drought]] in 2002, causing forest and [[peat]] bog fires.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Research Note Effect of drought and fires on the quality of water in Lithuanian | bibcode=2003HESS....7..423S| last1=Sakalauskiene| first1=G.| last2=Ignatavicius| first2=G.| journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences| year=2003| volume=7| issue=3| page=423| doi=10.5194/hess-7-423-2003| s2cid=129291840| doi-access=free}}</ref> The country suffered along with the rest of Northwestern Europe during a heatwave in the summer of 2006.
{{clear}}

===Examples===

====General averages====
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Lithuania (general)
<!-- Record high temperatures -->| Jan record high C = 14.9
| Feb record high C = 16.5
| Mar record high C = 25.5
| Apr record high C = 31.0
| May record high C = 34.0
| Jun record high C = 35.7
| Jul record high C = 37.5
| Aug record high C = 37.4
| Sep record high C = 35.1
| Oct record high C = 26.0
| Nov record high C = 18.5
| Dec record high C = 15.6
| year record high C = 37.5
<!-- Average high temperatures -->| Jan high C = -1.7
| Feb high C = -1.3
| Mar high C = 2.3
| Apr high C = 9.4
| May high C = 16.5
| Jun high C = 19.9
| Jul high C = 20.9
| Aug high C = 20.6
| Sep high C = 15.8
| Oct high C = 9.9
| Nov high C = 3.5
| Dec high C = -0.1
| year high C = 9.5
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->| Jan mean C = -3.9
| Feb mean C = -3.5
| Mar mean C = -0.1
| Apr mean C = 5.5
| May mean C = 11.6
| Jun mean C = 15.2
| Jul mean C = 16.7
| Aug mean C = 16.1
| Sep mean C = 12.2
| Oct mean C = 7.0
| Nov mean C = 1.8
| Dec mean C = -1.7
| year mean C = 6.2
<!-- Average low temperatures -->| Jan low C = -6.3
| Feb low C = -6.6
| Mar low C = -2.8
| Apr low C = 1.5
| May low C = 7.0
| Jun low C = 10.5
| Jul low C = 12.2
| Aug low C = 11.9
| Sep low C = 8.3
| Oct low C = 4.0
| Nov low C = 0.1
| Dec low C = -3.7
| year low C = 2.7
<!-- Record low temperatures -->| Jan record low C = -40.6
| Feb record low C = -42.9
| Mar record low C = -37.5
| Apr record low C = -23.0
| May record low C = -6.8
| Jun record low C = -2.8
| Jul record low C = 0.9
| Aug record low C = -2.9
| Sep record low C = -6.3
| Oct record low C = -19.5
| Nov record low C = -23.0
| Dec record low C = -34.0
| year record low C = -42.9
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
<!-- IMPORTANT: use mm or cm but ''not'' both! -->| Jan precipitation mm = 36.2
| Feb precipitation mm = 30.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 33.9
| Apr precipitation mm = 42.9
| May precipitation mm = 52.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 69.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 76.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 77.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 60.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 49.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 50.4
| Dec precipitation mm = 47.0
| year precipitation mm = 625.5
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->| source 1 = Records of Lithuanian climate<ref name="meteolt">{{cite web|url=http://www.meteo.lt/klim_ekstr_reisk.php |title=Ekstremalūs reiškiniai (Extreme Phenomena) |website=Meteo.lt |access-date=13 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401052625/http://www.meteo.lt/klim_ekstr_reisk.php |archive-date=1 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://meteo.lt/naujiena.php?id=696 |title=Rekordiškai šilta Rugsėjo Pirmoji (Warmest 1 September on record) |website=Meteo.lt |date=2 September 2015 |access-date=7 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907075956/http://meteo.lt/naujiena.php?id=696 |archive-date=7 September 2015}}</ref>
| source 2 = Weatherbase<ref name="weatherbase">{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=LT&name=Lithuania|title=Lithuania Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=2021-10-09|archive-date=2021-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517065916/https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=LT&name=Lithuania|url-status=live}}</ref>
| source = 
}}

====Cities====

{{Weather box
| width = auto 
| location = Vilnius (1991–2020 normals, sun 1961–1990, extremes 1777-present)
| collapsed = Yes  
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 11.0
| Feb record high C = 14.4
| Mar record high C = 20.0
| Apr record high C = 29.0
| May record high C = 31.8
| Jun record high C = 34.2
| Jul record high C = 36.5
| Aug record high C = 34.9
| Sep record high C = 33.1
| Oct record high C = 24.5
| Nov record high C = 15.5
| Dec record high C = 10.5
| year record high C = 36.5
| Jan high C = −1.7
| Feb high C = −0.5
| Mar high C = 4.4
| Apr high C = 12.6
| May high C = 18.4
| Jun high C = 21.7
| Jul high C = 23.8
| Aug high C = 23.1
| Sep high C = 17.4
| Oct high C = 10.2
| Nov high C = 3.7
| Dec high C = −0.3
| year high C = 11.2
| Jan mean C = −3.9
| Feb mean C = −3.1
| Mar mean C = 0.9
| Apr mean C = 7.6
| May mean C = 13.0
| Jun mean C = 16.4
| Jul mean C = 18.7
| Aug mean C = 17.9
| Sep mean C = 13.0
| Oct mean C = 7.0
| Nov mean C = 1.8
| Dec mean C = −2.2
| year mean C = 7.3
| Jan low C = −5.9
| Feb low C = −5.6
| Mar low C = −2.7
| Apr low C = 2.6
| May low C = 7.5
| Jun low C = 11.1
| Jul low C = 13.6
| Aug low C = 12.7
| Sep low C = 8.5
| Oct low C = 3.7
| Nov low C = −0.1
| Dec low C = −4.1
| year low C = 3.5
| Jan record low C = −37.2
| Feb record low C = −35.8
| Mar record low C = −29.6
| Apr record low C = −14.4
| May record low C = −4.4
| Jun record low C = 0.1
| Jul record low C = 3.5
| Aug record low C = 1.0
| Sep record low C = −4.8
| Oct record low C = −14.4
| Nov record low C = −22.8
| Dec record low C = −30.5
| year record low C = −37.2
| Jan avg record high C = 4.9
| Feb avg record high C = 5.7
| Mar avg record high C = 13.1
| Apr avg record high C = 22.4
| May avg record high C = 26.7
| Jun avg record high C = 28.8
| Jul avg record high C = 30.8
| Aug avg record high C = 30.3
| Sep avg record high C = 25.4
| Oct avg record high C = 18.3
| Nov avg record high C = 11.1
| Dec avg record high C = 6.1
|year avg record high C = 32.1
| Jan avg record low C = -19.3
| Feb avg record low C = -17.5
| Mar avg record low C = -10.8
| Apr avg record low C = -4.2
| May avg record low C = 0.1
| Jun avg record low C = 4.9
| Jul avg record low C = 8.1
| Aug avg record low C = 6.8
| Sep avg record low C = 1.1
| Oct avg record low C = -3.8
| Nov avg record low C = -8.7
| Dec avg record low C = -14.1
|year avg record low C = -22.0
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 38.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 34.4
| Mar precipitation mm = 37.0
| Apr precipitation mm = 46.2
| May precipitation mm = 52.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 72.7
| Jul precipitation mm = 79.3
| Aug precipitation mm = 75.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 65.2
| Oct precipitation mm = 51.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 51.5
| Dec precipitation mm = 49.2
| year precipitation mm = 653.8
| Jan precipitation days = 21.7
| Feb precipitation days = 18.4
| Mar precipitation days = 17.5
| Apr precipitation days = 10.2
| May precipitation days = 12.4
| Jun precipitation days = 11.7
| Jul precipitation days = 11.4
| Aug precipitation days = 10.5
| Sep precipitation days = 9.7
| Oct precipitation days = 13.5
| Nov precipitation days = 16.7
| Dec precipitation days = 21.2
| year precipitation days = 174.9
| Jan sun = 37
| Feb sun = 70
| Mar sun = 117
| Apr sun = 165
| May sun = 242
| Jun sun = 231
| Jul sun = 220
| Aug sun = 217
| Sep sun = 141
| Oct sun = 93
| Nov sun = 33
| Dec sun = 25
| year sun = 1591
| Jan uv =0
| Feb uv =1
| Mar uv =2
| Apr uv =3
| May uv =5
| Jun uv =6
| Jul uv =6
| Aug uv =5
| Sep uv =3
| Oct uv =2
| Nov uv =1
| Dec uv =0
| source = [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]] (avg high and low)<ref name = WMOVilnius>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/105/c00204.htm
| title = World Weather Information Service – Vilnius
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 2 February 2013
| archive-date = 23 December 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191223070503/https://worldweather.wmo.int/105/c00204.htm
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> NOAA (sun, extremes, and mean temperatures),<ref name = VilniusNOAA>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/LU/26730.TXT
| title = Vilnius Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 2 February 2017
| archive-date = 18 March 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220318044606/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/LU/26730.TXT
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Météo Climat<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| title = Météo Climat 1991–2020 averages for Lithuania
| publisher = Météo Climat
| access-date = 2 December 2020
| archive-date = 20 June 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220620014134/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| url-status = live
}}</ref> and Weather Atlas<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/lithuania/vilnius-climate|title=Vilnius, Lithuania - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast|publisher=Yu Media Group|website=Weather Atlas|language=en|access-date=2021-04-06|archive-date=2022-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620014131/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/lithuania/vilnius-climate|url-status=live}}</ref>
| date = October 2017
}}

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Kaunas (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1901-present)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = Yes
| Jan record high C = 11.7
| Feb record high C = 14.8
| Mar record high C = 23.3
| Apr record high C = 28.6
| May record high C = 31.4
| Jun record high C = 32.9
| Jul record high C = 34.9
| Aug record high C = 35.3
| Sep record high C = 33.3
| Oct record high C = 23.9
| Nov record high C = 16.7
| Dec record high C = 11.1
| year record high C = 35.3
| Jan high C = -0.8
| Feb high C = 0.2
| Mar high C = 4.8
| Apr high C = 12.9
| May high C = 18.6
| Jun high C = 21.6
| Jul high C = 24.0
| Aug high C = 23.3
| Sep high C = 17.9
| Oct high C = 11.0
| Nov high C = 4.6
| Dec high C = 0.8
| year high C = 11.8
| Jan mean C = -3.0
| Feb mean C = -2.6
| Mar mean C = 1.3
| Apr mean C = 7.9
| May mean C = 13.0
| Jun mean C = 16.3
| Jul mean C = 18.7
| Aug mean C = 18.1
| Sep mean C = 13.3
| Oct mean C = 7.5
| Nov mean C = 2.6
| Dec mean C = -1.4
| year mean C = 7.9
| Jan low C = -5.4
| Feb low C = -5.2
| Mar low C = -2.2
| Apr low C = 2.7
| May low C = 7.3
| Jun low C = 10.9
| Jul low C = 13.3
| Aug low C = 12.6
| Sep low C = 8.7
| Oct low C = 4.1
| Nov low C = 0.6
| Dec low C = -3.1
| year low C = 3.8
| Jan record low C = -35.8
| Feb record low C = -36.3
| Mar record low C = -26.3
| Apr record low C = -12.0
| May record low C = -3.7
| Jun record low C = 0.1
| Jul record low C = 2.1
| Aug record low C = 0.3
| Sep record low C = -3.0
| Oct record low C = -13.7
| Nov record low C = -21.0
| Dec record low C = -30.6
| year record low C = -36.3
| Jan avg record high C = 5.8
| Feb avg record high C = 6.3
| Mar avg record high C = 12.8
| Apr avg record high C = 22.5
| May avg record high C = 26.5
| Jun avg record high C = 28.2
| Jul avg record high C = 30.7
| Aug avg record high C = 30.5
| Sep avg record high C = 25.3
| Oct avg record high C = 18.3
| Nov avg record high C = 11.4
| Dec avg record high C = 6.7
| year avg record high C = 32.0
| Jan avg record low C = -18.2
| Feb avg record low C = -16.2
| Mar avg record low C = -9.9
| Apr avg record low C = -3.4
| May avg record low C = 0.6
| Jun avg record low C = 5.0
| Jul avg record low C = 8.3
| Aug avg record low C = 7.0
| Sep avg record low C = 1.5
| Oct avg record low C = -2.9
| Nov avg record low C = -7.0
| Dec avg record low C = -12.2
| year avg record low C = -21.3
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 53.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 41.4
| Mar precipitation mm = 44.0
| Apr precipitation mm = 42.0
| May precipitation mm = 57.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 71.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 95.8
| Aug precipitation mm = 84.2
| Sep precipitation mm = 56.1
| Oct precipitation mm = 69.2
| Nov precipitation mm = 50.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 48.2
| year precipitation mm = 710.2
| Jan precipitation days = 12.29
| Feb precipitation days = 10.77
| Mar precipitation days = 10.40
| Apr precipitation days = 8.50
| May precipitation days = 9.25
| Jun precipitation days = 10.76
| Jul precipitation days = 10.72
| Aug precipitation days = 10.51
| Sep precipitation days = 8.46
| Oct precipitation days = 10.76
| Nov precipitation days = 10.65
| Dec precipitation days = 11.21
| year precipitation days = 124.53
| Jan sun = 40.3
| Feb sun = 67.8
| Mar sun = 127.1
| Apr sun = 174.0
| May sun = 251.1
| Jun sun = 264.0
| Jul sun = 257.3
| Aug sun = 238.7
| Sep sun = 159.0
| Oct sun = 99.2
| Nov sun = 42.0
| Dec sun = 27.9
| year sun = 1748.4
| source 1 = World Meteorological Organization<ref name=KaunasWMO>{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldweather.org/105/c00607.htm
| title = World Weather Information Service – Kaunas
| access-date = 1 December 2008
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| date = May 2011
| archive-date = 15 January 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184530/http://www.worldweather.org/105/c00607.htm
| url-status = live
}}</ref> NOAA (extremes)<ref name = kaunasNOAA>{{cite web
| url = ftp://dossier.ogp.noaa.gov/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-VI/LU/26629.TXT
| title = Kaunas Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 2 February 2013}}</ref>
| source 2 = Hong Kong Observatory (sun only)<ref name= HKOkaunas >{{cite web
 | url = http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/ukr_lith/kaunas_e.htm
 | title = Climatological Normals of Kaunas
 | access-date = 14 March 2011
 | publisher = [[Hong Kong Observatory]]
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191025200926/https://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/ukr_lith/kaunas_e.htm
 | archive-date = 25 October 2019
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref> Météo Climat (normal temps & precipitation)<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| title = Météo Climat stats for Kaunas 1991–2020
| publisher = Météo Climat
| access-date = 15 October 2017
| archive-date = 20 June 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220620014134/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
| date = August 2010
| source = 
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Klaipėda (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1929-present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|width = auto
|Jan record high C = 11.7
|Feb record high C = 15.4
|Mar record high C = 18.6
|Apr record high C = 28.9
|May record high C = 31.2
|Jun record high C = 33.8
|Jul record high C = 34.0
|Aug record high C = 36.6
|Sep record high C = 30.4
|Oct record high C = 22.9
|Nov record high C = 15.4
|Dec record high C = 11.5
|year record high C = 36.6
|Jan high C = 1.3
|Feb high C = 1.3
|Mar high C = 4.5
|Apr high C = 10.8
|May high C = 16.0
|Jun high C = 19.3
|Jul high C = 22.1
|Aug high C = 22.3
|Sep high C = 17.8
|Oct high C = 11.9
|Nov high C = 6.3
|Dec high C = 3.2
|year high C = 11.6
|Jan mean C = -0.7
|Feb mean C = -0.9
|Mar mean C = 1.8
|Apr mean C = 7.1
|May mean C = 11.8
|Jun mean C = 15.5
|Jul mean C = 18.4
|Aug mean C = 18.5
|Sep mean C = 14.3
|Oct mean C = 9.0
|Nov mean C = 4.2
|Dec mean C = 1.2
|year mean C = 8.5
|Jan low C = -2.9
|Feb low C = -3.1
|Mar low C = -1.0
|Apr low C = 3.1
|May low C = 7.5
|Jun low C = 11.6
|Jul low C = 14.7
|Aug low C = 14.6
|Sep low C = 10.8
|Oct low C = 6.2
|Nov low C = 2.3
|Dec low C = -0.8
|year low C = 5.3
|Jan record low C = -32.0
|Feb record low C = -33.4
|Mar record low C = -20.8
|Apr record low C = -12.8
|May record low C = -5.2
|Jun record low C = -2.8
|Jul record low C = 5.2
|Aug record low C = 2.9
|Sep record low C = -3.3
|Oct record low C = -7.5
|Nov record low C = -14.6
|Dec record low C = -24.1
|year record low C = -33.4
| Jan avg record high C = 6.1
| Feb avg record high C = 5.7
| Mar avg record high C = 10.6
| Apr avg record high C = 21.0
| May avg record high C = 26.2
| Jun avg record high C = 27.6
| Jul avg record high C = 30.0
| Aug avg record high C = 29.2
| Sep avg record high C = 23.9
| Oct avg record high C = 17.5
| Nov avg record high C = 11.1
| Dec avg record high C = 7.5
|year avg record high C = 31.3
| Jan avg record low C = -13.5
| Feb avg record low C = -12.0
| Mar avg record low C = -7.5
| Apr avg record low C = -2.6
| May avg record low C = 0.6
| Jun avg record low C = 5.9
| Jul avg record low C = 9.4
| Aug avg record low C = 9.4
| Sep avg record low C = 3.8
| Oct avg record low C = -1.4
| Nov avg record low C = -5.1
| Dec avg record low C = -9.0
|year avg record low C = -16.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 73.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 50.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 47.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 36.2
|May precipitation mm = 43.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 59.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 74.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 96.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 89.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 108.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 90.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 79.9
|year precipitation mm = 853.1
|Jan precipitation days = 14.77
|Feb precipitation days = 11.35
|Mar precipitation days = 10.05
|Apr precipitation days = 7.45
|May precipitation days = 7.59
|Jun precipitation days = 9.22
|Jul precipitation days = 9.42
|Aug precipitation days = 11.67
|Sep precipitation days = 11.55
|Oct precipitation days = 14.86
|Nov precipitation days = 14.49
|Dec precipitation days = 15.39
|year precipitation days = 138.72
|Jan sun = 34
|Feb sun = 65
|Mar sun = 122
|Apr sun = 180
|May sun = 264
|Jun sun = 285
|Jul sun = 274
|Aug sun = 252
|Sep sun = 167
|Oct sun = 100
|Nov sun = 40
|Dec sun = 28
|year sun = 1811
|source 1 = Météo Climat<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| title = Météo Climat stats for Klaipėda
| access-date = 17 October 2017
| publisher = Météo Climat
| archive-date = 20 June 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220620014134/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA<ref name = KlaipėdaNOAA>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/LU/26509.TXT
| title = Klaipėda Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 2 February 2013
| archive-date = 8 April 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230408100001/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/LU/26509.TXT
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|date=January 2011
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Šiauliai (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1937-present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|width = auto
|Jan record high C = 10.5
|Feb record high C = 13.3
|Mar record high C = 21.0
|Apr record high C = 26.6
|May record high C = 30.4
|Jun record high C = 32.1
|Jul record high C = 35.0
|Aug record high C = 35.7
|Sep record high C = 30.1
|Oct record high C = 23.3
|Nov record high C = 16.9
|Dec record high C = 13.4
|year record high C = 35.7
|Jan high C = -0.4
|Feb high C = -0.1
|Mar high C = 4.7
|Apr high C = 12.4
|May high C = 17.9
|Jun high C = 21.2
|Jul high C = 23.6
|Aug high C = 22.9
|Sep high C = 17.3
|Oct high C = 10.7
|Nov high C = 4.5
|Dec high C = 0.8
|year high C = 11.4
|Jan mean C = -2.5
|Feb mean C = -2.9
|Mar mean C = 1.1
|Apr mean C = 7.4
|May mean C = 12.4
|Jun mean C = 16.0
|Jul mean C = 18.5
|Aug mean C = 17.9
|Sep mean C = 13.0
|Oct mean C = 7.6
|Nov mean C = 2.4
|Dec mean C = -1.2
|year mean C = 7.6
|Jan low C = -4.9
|Feb low C = -5.7
|Mar low C = -2.5
|Apr low C = 2.3
|May low C = 6.8
|Jun low C = 10.8
|Jul low C = 13.4
|Aug low C = 12.8
|Sep low C = 8.7
|Oct low C = 4.3
|Nov low C = 0.4
|Dec low C = -3.2
|year low C = 3.6
|Jan record low C = -36.0
|Feb record low C = -36.4
|Mar record low C = -27.0
|Apr record low C = -13.2
|May record low C = -3.5
|Jun record low C = 0.1
|Jul record low C = 5.2
|Aug record low C = 2.1
|Sep record low C = -5.7
|Oct record low C = -8.5
|Nov record low C = -19.3
|Dec record low C = -31.1
|year record low C = -36.4
| Jan avg record high C = 5.9
| Feb avg record high C = 6.2
| Mar avg record high C = 12.9
| Apr avg record high C = 21.9
| May avg record high C = 26.3
| Jun avg record high C = 28.2
| Jul avg record high C = 30.2
| Aug avg record high C = 29.6
| Sep avg record high C = 24.1
| Oct avg record high C = 17.7
| Nov avg record high C = 10.9
| Dec avg record high C = 6.6
|year avg record high C = 31.4
| Jan avg record low C = -17.3
| Feb avg record low C = -17.2
| Mar avg record low C = -11.0
| Apr avg record low C = -3.7
| May avg record low C = 0.1
| Jun avg record low C = 4.9
| Jul avg record low C = 8.5
| Aug avg record low C = 7.2
| Sep avg record low C = 1.6
| Oct avg record low C = -3.0
| Nov avg record low C = -7.2
| Dec avg record low C = -12.7
|year avg record low C = -21.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 44.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 35.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 36.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 33.4
|May precipitation mm = 54.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 71.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 77.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 68.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 53.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 71.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 52.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 45.4
|year precipitation mm = 642.7
|Jan precipitation days = 11.32
|Feb precipitation days = 9.86
|Mar precipitation days = 9.45
|Apr precipitation days = 7.12
|May precipitation days = 8.65
|Jun precipitation days = 10.04
|Jul precipitation days = 10.12
|Aug precipitation days = 10.36
|Sep precipitation days = 9.07
|Oct precipitation days = 12.17
|Nov precipitation days = 11.25
|Dec precipitation days = 11.91
|year precipitation days = 121.50
|Jan sun = 37
|Feb sun = 65
|Mar sun = 125
|Apr sun = 176
|May sun = 263
|Jun sun = 277
|Jul sun = 261
|Aug sun = 243
|Sep sun = 166
|Oct sun = 100
|Nov sun = 42
|Dec sun = 29
|year sun = 1784
|source 1 = Météo Climat<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| title = Météo Climat stats for Siauliai
| publisher = Météo Climat
| access-date = October 17, 2017
| archive-date = June 20, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220620014134/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p130.php
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 
|source 2 = NOAA (extremes and sun)<ref name = SiaulaiNOAA>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/LU/26524.TXT
| title = Siauliai Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = March 22, 2015}}</ref>
|date = February 2013}}

{{Weather box
| location = Panevėžys (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1959−present)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| collapsed = yes
| width = auto 
|Jan high C = -0.3
|Feb high C = 1.5
|Mar high C = 4.3
|Apr high C = 12.4
|May high C = 17.0
|Jun high C = 21.5
|Jul high C = 23.8
|Aug high C = 22.9
|Sep high C = 17.5
|Oct high C = 11.3
|Nov high C = 4.0
|Dec high C = -0.3
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = -2.5
|Feb mean C = -1.3
|Mar mean C = 0.8
|Apr mean C = 7.7
|May mean C = 11.5
|Jun mean C = 16.4
|Jul mean C = 18.3
|Aug mean C = 17.3
|Sep mean C = 12.7
|Oct mean C = 8.0
|Nov mean C = 1.9
|Dec mean C = -2.4
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -4.7
|Feb low C = -4.0
|Mar low C = -2.6
|Apr low C = 2.9
|May low C = 6.0
|Jun low C = 11.3
|Jul low C = 12.8
|Aug low C = 11.7
|Sep low C = 7.9
|Oct low C = 4.6
|Nov low C = -0.3
|Dec low C = -4.5
|year low C = 
|Jan record high C = 11.8
|Feb record high C = 10.6
|Mar record high C = 18.1
|Apr record high C = 26.6
|May record high C = 29.5
|Jun record high C = 32.5
|Jul record high C = 35.3
|Aug record high C = 34.0
|Sep record high C = 28.4
|Oct record high C = 21.7
|Nov record high C = 13.6
|Dec record high C = 10.3
|year record high C = 
|Jan record low C = -27.4
|Feb record low C = -27.7
|Mar record low C = -17.0
|Apr record low C = -6.5
|May record low C = -2.5
|Jun record low C = 1.9
|Jul record low C = 5.8
|Aug record low C = 0.0
|Sep record low C = -3.8
|Oct record low C = -8.0
|Nov record low C = -21.5
|Dec record low C = -30.3
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 49.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 33.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 36.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 43.1
|May precipitation mm = 64.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 67.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 103.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 54.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 40.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 56.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 44.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 40.4
|year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11.1
|Feb precipitation days = 11.9
|Mar precipitation days = 10.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.3
|May precipitation days = 9.1
|Jun precipitation days = 10.8
|Jul precipitation days = 9.7
|Aug precipitation days = 10.4
|Sep precipitation days = 7.8
|Oct precipitation days = 11.0
|Nov precipitation days = 11.2
|Dec precipitation days = 11.1
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=26529099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP|title=Global Surface Summary of the Day - GSOD|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date=27 March 2023|archive-date=2023-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327143908/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=26529099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Alytus
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto 
|collapsed = yes
|Jan high C = -2.2
|Feb high C = -1.1
|Mar high C = 3.9
|Apr high C = 11.1
|May high C = 18.3
|Jun high C = 21.1
|Jul high C = 22.2
|Aug high C = 22.2
|Sep high C = 16.7
|Oct high C = 11.1
|Nov high C = 4.4
|Dec high C = -0.6
|year high C = 10.6
|Jan mean C = -5.0
|Feb mean C = -4.4
|Mar mean C = 0.0
|Apr mean C = 6.1
|May mean C = 12.2
|Jun mean C = 15.6
|Jul mean C = 16.7
|Aug mean C = 16.7
|Sep mean C = 12.2
|Oct mean C = 7.2
|Nov mean C = 2.2
|Dec mean C = -2.8
|year mean C = 6.4
|Jan low C = -7.8
|Feb low C = -7.8
|Mar low C = -3.9
|Apr low C = 1.1
|May low C = 6.1
|Jun low C = 10.0
|Jul low C = 11.7
|Aug low C = 10.6
|Sep low C = 7.2
|Oct low C = 3.3
|Nov low C = 0.0
|Dec low C = -5.0
|year low C = 2.1
|Jan rain mm = 41
|Feb rain mm = 27
|Mar rain mm = 36
|Apr rain mm = 41
|May rain mm = 56
|Jun rain mm = 74
|Jul rain mm = 80
|Aug rain mm = 70
|Sep rain mm = 60
|Oct rain mm = 48
|Nov rain mm = 51
|Dec rain mm = 50
|year rain mm = 634
|Jan precipitation days = 8
|Feb precipitation days = 9
|Mar precipitation days = 14
|Apr precipitation days = 16
|May precipitation days = 16
|Jun precipitation days = 12
|Jul precipitation days = 13
|Aug precipitation days = 14
|Sep precipitation days = 12
|Oct precipitation days = 14
|Nov precipitation days = 8
|Dec precipitation days = 7
|year precipitation days = 143
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=592846&cityname=Alytus-Alytaus-Apskritis-Lithuania|title=Alytus, Lithuania Temperature Averages|website=weatherbase.com|publisher=Weatherbase|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706162123/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=592846&cityname=Alytus-Alytaus-Apskritis-Lithuania|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

==Environment==

Concerned with environmental deterioration, Lithuanian governments have created several [[List of national parks of Lithuania|national parks]] and reservations.<ref name=":0" /> The country's flora and fauna have suffered, however, from an almost fanatical drainage of land for agricultural use.<ref name=":0" /> Environmental problems of a different nature were created by the development of environmentally unsafe industries.<ref name=":0" /> [[Air pollution]] problems exist mainly in the cities, such as [[Vilnius]], [[Kaunas]], [[Jonava]], [[Mažeikiai]], [[Elektrėnai]], and [[Naujoji Akmenė]]—the sites of fertilizer and other chemical plants, an oil refinery, power station, and a cement factory.<ref name=":0" />

Water quality has also been an issue.<ref name=":0" /> The city of Kaunas, with a population of about 400,000, had no water purification plant until 1999; sewage was sent directly into the [[Neman River]]. [[Sewage treatment|Tertiary wastewater]] treatment is scheduled to come on-line in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.watertime.net/docs/WP2/D23_Kaunas.doc |title=Wastewater treatment in Kaunas |access-date=2006-12-03 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205418/http://www.watertime.net/docs/WP2/D23_Kaunas.doc |url-status=live }}</ref> River and lake pollution are other legacies of Soviet carelessness with the environment. The [[Courland Lagoon]], for example, separated from the Baltic Sea by a strip of high dunes and pine forests, is about 85 percent contaminated.<ref name=":0" /> Beaches in the Baltic resorts, such as the well-known vacation area of [[Palanga]], are frequently closed for swimming because of contamination.<ref name=":0" /> Forests affected by [[acid rain]] are found in the vicinity of Jonava, Mažeikiai, and Elektrėnai, which are the chemical, oil, and power-generation centers.<ref name=":0" /> Lithuania was among the first former [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Soviet republics]] to introduce environmental regulations.<ref name=":0" /> However, because of Moscow's emphasis on increasing production and because of numerous local violations, technological backwardness, and political apathy, serious environmental problems now exist.<ref name=":0" />

'''Natural hazards:'''
hurricane-force storms, blizzards, droughts, floods

'''Environment—current issues:'''
contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] military bases

'''Environment—international agreements:'''

* ''party to:''

[[Air Pollution]], Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, [[Biodiversity]], Climate Change, Climate Change-[[Kyoto Protocol]], [[Desertification]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Environmental Modification]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Law of the Sea]], Ozone Layer Protection, [[Ship Pollution]], [[Wetlands]]

* ''signed, but not ratified:''

== Natural resources ==
[[File:ORLEN Lietuva.jpg|thumb|[[Orlen Lietuva|Oil refinery]] in [[Mažeikiai]]]]
[[File:Heilquelle.JPG|thumb|150px|Mineral water spring in [[resort town|resort city]] [[Birštonas]]]]
Lithuania has an abundance of [[limestone]], [[clay]], [[quartz sand]], [[gypsum]] sand, and [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], which are suitable for making high-quality [[cement]], [[glass]], and [[ceramics]].<ref name=":0" /> There also is an ample supply of [[mineral water]], but energy sources and industrial materials are all in short supply.<ref name=":0" /> Oil was discovered in Lithuania in the 1950s, but only a few wells operate, and all that do are located in the western part of the country.<ref name=":0" /> It is estimated that the Baltic Sea shelf and the western region of Lithuania hold commercially viable amounts of oil, but if exploited this oil would satisfy only about 20 percent of Lithuania's annual need for [[petroleum]] products for the next twenty years.<ref name=":0" /> Lithuania has a large amount of [[thermal energy]] along the Baltic Sea coast which could be used to heat hundreds of thousands of homes, as is done in [[Iceland]].<ref name=":0" /> In addition, [[iron ore]] deposits have been found in the southern region of Lithuania.<ref name=":0" /> But commercial exploitation of these deposits probably would require strip mining, which is environmentally unsound.<ref name=":0" /> Moreover, exploitation of these resources will depend on Lithuania's ability to attract capital and technology from abroad.<ref name=":0" />

Lithuania and [[Denmark]] are the only countries in [[Europe]], which are fully equipped with fresh groundwater. The Lithuanians consume about 0.5 million cubic metres of water per day, which is only 12–14 percent of all explored fresh groundwater resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gėlo vandens ištekliais Lietuva išsiskiria iš kitų Europos šalių|url=http://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/137832/gelo-vandens-istekliais-lietuva-issiskiria-is-kitu-europos-saliu|website=LRT|date=25 May 2016|access-date=25 May 2016|language=lt|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430202622/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/137832/gelo-vandens-istekliais-lietuva-issiskiria-is-kitu-europos-saliu|url-status=live}}</ref> Water quality in the country is very high and is determined by the fact that drinking water comes from deep layers that are protected from pollution on the surface of the earth. Drilling depth usually reaches 30–50 metres, but in [[Klaipėda Region]] it even reaches 250 metres. Consequently, Lithuania is one of very few European countries where groundwater is used for centralized water supply. With a large underground fresh water reserves, Lithuania exports mineral-rich water to other countries. Approved mineral water quantity is about 2.7 million cubic metres per year, while production is only 4–5 percent of all mineral water resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gėlas vanduo – milžiniškas turtas Lietuvos gelmėse|url=http://alkas.lt/2012/03/15/gelas-vanduo-milziniskas-turtas-lietuvos-gelmese/|website=alkas.lt|date=15 March 2012|access-date=15 March 2012|language=lt-LT|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627213604/https://alkas.lt/2012/03/15/gelas-vanduo-milziniskas-turtas-lietuvos-gelmese/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lithuania's capital [[Vilnius]] is the only [[Baltic states|Baltic]] capital city that uses centralized water supplying from deep water springs, which are protected from pollution and has no [[nitrates]] or [[nitrites]] that are harmful to the human body. Water is cleaned without chemicals in Lithuania. About 20% of the consumed water in the state is a non-filtered very high quality water.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Raudonis|first1=Jokūbas|title=Vilniaus turtas – švarus vanduo iš giluminių šaltinių|url=https://verslas.lrytas.lt/rinkos-pulsas/2013/05/08/news/vilniaus-turtas---svarus-vanduo-is-giluminiu-saltiniu-5024475/|website=lrytas.lt|date=8 May 2013|access-date=8 May 2013|language=lt-LT|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308021218/https://verslas.lrytas.lt/rinkos-pulsas/2013/05/08/news/vilniaus-turtas---svarus-vanduo-is-giluminiu-saltiniu-5024475/}}</ref>

''Natural resources:''
peat, arable land, amber.

'''Land use:'''

* ''arable land:'' 33.48%
* ''permanent crops:'' 0.47%
* ''other:'' 66.05% (2011)

'''Irrigated land:'''
13.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (2011)

'''Total renewable water resources:'''
24.9&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2011)

== Area and boundaries ==
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=265|type=line|stroke-width=3|text=Interactive map showing land and [[Maritime boundary|maritime]] [[border]] of Lithuania}}
[[File:Algae bloom formation in the Baltic Sea-Curonian Lagoon (Copernicus 2024-07-15).png|thumb|Lithuanian coastline with the [[Nemunas delta]], [[Curonian lagoon]] and [[Curonian spit|spit]].]]
'''Area:'''

* ''Total:'' 65,300&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* ''Land:'' 62,680&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* ''Water:'' 2,620&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>

'''Comparative area'''
*[[Australia]] comparative: slightly smaller (5.5%) than [[Tasmania]]
*[[Canada]] comparative: about 9% smaller than [[New Brunswick]]
*[[United Kingdom]] comparative: about 17% smaller than [[Scotland]]
*[[United States]] comparative: slightly larger (4%) than [[West Virginia]]

'''Land boundaries:'''

* ''Total:'' 1,574&nbsp;km
* ''Border countries:'' Belarus 680&nbsp;km, Latvia 576&nbsp;km, [[Poland]] 91&nbsp;km, [[Russia]] (Kaliningrad) 227&nbsp;km

'''Coastline:''' {{convert|262|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="oceans-and-fisheries">{{cite web|url=https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2016-09/op-lithuania-fact-sheet_en.pdf|title=Lithuania – overview|website=European Commission|access-date=2022-07-09|archive-date=2022-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090926/https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2016-09/op-lithuania-fact-sheet_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The coastline consists of 20 kilometres from Klaipėda, 50 kilometres at [[Cape Nehrung]], and 21 kilometres in the region of Palanga and the mouth of the [[Šventoji (Baltic)|Šventoji]] river.<ref>{{cite book |last=Harrison |first=Ernest John |author-link=Ernest John Harrison |year=1928 |title=Lithuania, 1928 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.155516 |location=London |publisher=Hazell, Watson & Viney |page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.155516/page/n37 16] |quote=In addition, Lithuania, including the Memel (Klaipéda) region, possesses 91 kilometres of coast-line, i.e. 20 kilometres from Klaipéda (Memel), 50 kilometres at Cape Nehrung, and 21 kilometres of sea-coast in the region of Palanga and the mouth of the Šventoji (Sventa) river.
}}</ref> [[Lithuania Minor]] occupies two-thirds of the Lithuanian coast-line.

'''Maritime claims:'''

* ''Territorial sea:'' {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}
* ''[[Exclusive Economic Zone]]:'' {{convert|7,031|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} with {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}

'''Elevation extremes:'''

* ''Lowest point:'' Baltic Sea 0 m
* ''Highest point:'' [[Aukštojas Hill]] {{Convert|294|m|feet}}

== See also ==
*[[List of protected areas of Lithuania]]
* [[Lithuania]]
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Lithuania}}</small>'''''

== References ==
{{CIA World Factbook |article=Lithuania}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.nerija.lt/en/info/ Kursiu Nerija National Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210208/http://www.nerija.lt/en/info/ |date=2016-03-03 }}

{{Lithuania topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Europe topic|Climate of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Lithuania}}
[[Category:Geography of Lithuania| ]]