Vilnius is the capital of the Republic of Vilnius is the capital of the Republic of Lithuania and the largest administrative Lithuania and the largest administrative centre in Lithuania with all major centre in Lithuania with all major political, economic, social and cultural political, economic, social and cultural centres. centres.

AAccording to the data of 2007 the ccording to the data of 2007 the population of Vilnius is approximately population of Vilnius is approximately 554,400. Of them 57.8% are 554,400. Of them 57.8% are Lithuanians, 18.7% Poles, 14% Lithuanians, 18.7% Poles, 14% Russians, 4% Byelorussians, 0.5% Jews Russians, 4% Byelorussians, 0.5% Jews and the remaining 5% comprising some and the remaining 5% comprising some other nationalities.other nationalities.

Facts and figuresFacts and figures Current area of Vilnius is about 400 square kilometres. Buildings Current area of Vilnius is about 400 square kilometres. Buildings

cover 20.2% of the city and the remaining area is prevailed with the cover 20.2% of the city and the remaining area is prevailed with the greenery (43.9%) and waters (2.1%). The County of Vilnius covers greenery (43.9%) and waters (2.1%). The County of Vilnius covers the regions of Vilnius, Elektrėnai, Šalčininkai, Širvintos, Švenčionys, the regions of Vilnius, Elektrėnai, Šalčininkai, Širvintos, Švenčionys, Trakai, and Ukmergė totalling to 965,000 ha. Trakai, and Ukmergė totalling to 965,000 ha.

Mayor: Juozas Imbrasas (2007) Mayor: Juozas Imbrasas (2007) Where: 54°41" N. 25°17" E.Where: 54°41" N. 25°17" E. Time: GMT+2 (DST GMT+3)Time: GMT+2 (DST GMT+3) Currency: Litas LTL, 1 LTL = 100 centasCurrency: Litas LTL, 1 LTL = 100 centas Airport: Vilnius International Airport VNO (Vilniaus oro uostas)Airport: Vilnius International Airport VNO (Vilniaus oro uostas) Main Railway Station: Vilnius Railway Station is located at Main Railway Station: Vilnius Railway Station is located at

GeleGeležžinkelio Stotis, Geleinkelio Stotis, Geležžinkelio Str. 16inkelio Str. 16 Climate: In-between continental and maritime climate the average Climate: In-between continental and maritime climate the average

temperature in January is -4.9°C and in July +17°Ctemperature in January is -4.9°C and in July +17°C

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Tourism in VilniusTourism in Vilnius Today, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of the most frequently visited Today, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of the most frequently visited

cities of Eastern Europe. It draws attention, not only because of its unique cities of Eastern Europe. It draws attention, not only because of its unique architectural character, but also by its cultural events and attractions. A architectural character, but also by its cultural events and attractions. A variety of business, political and cultural meetings are held there. Vilnius is variety of business, political and cultural meetings are held there. Vilnius is attractively presented at international tourism exhibitions and co-operation attractively presented at international tourism exhibitions and co-operation between many capitals of Europe is promoted. In 2009, Vilnius, as the first between many capitals of Europe is promoted. In 2009, Vilnius, as the first of the new cities of the EU Member States, will become the European of the new cities of the EU Member States, will become the European Capital of Culture. It will share this honour with the Austrian city of Linz. Capital of Culture. It will share this honour with the Austrian city of Linz. During the first ten years of independence the city has become a tourist During the first ten years of independence the city has become a tourist attraction centre. It is, therefore, not surprising that during these ten years attraction centre. It is, therefore, not surprising that during these ten years the number of tourists has consistently increased and at the same time the number of tourists has consistently increased and at the same time tourist infrastructure and services have been developed.tourist infrastructure and services have been developed.

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The Old TownThe Old Town

The Old Town, historical centre of The Old Town, historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). The most valuable Europe (360 ha). The most valuable historic and cultural heritage is historic and cultural heritage is concentrated here. The buildings in the concentrated here. The buildings in the old town – there are about 1.5 old town – there are about 1.5 thousand of them – were built in a thousand of them – were built in a number of different centuries, number of different centuries, therefore, it is a mixture of all therefore, it is a mixture of all European architectural styles. European architectural styles. Although Vilnius is often called a Although Vilnius is often called a baroque city, here you will find some baroque city, here you will find some buildings of gothic, renaissance and buildings of gothic, renaissance and other styles. The main sights of the city other styles. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle and the are the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square, symbols of the Cathedral Square, symbols of the capital. Their combination is also a capital. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the gateway to the historic centre of the capital.capital.

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Vilnius Vilnius TTelevision towerelevision tower The highest building in Vilnius is The highest building in Vilnius is

the television tower. It has a total the television tower. It has a total height of 326.5 metres, and at 165 height of 326.5 metres, and at 165 metres the tower’s restaurant is metres the tower’s restaurant is the highest observation point in the highest observation point in the city. The circular floor of the the city. The circular floor of the restaurant does a complete restaurant does a complete revolution once per hour, giving revolution once per hour, giving people sitting at the tables by the people sitting at the tables by the windows an excellent bird’s eye windows an excellent bird’s eye view of the whole city. view of the whole city.

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GediminasGediminas Tower Tower The first fortifications were The first fortifications were

built of wood by the built of wood by the DukeDuke of of the the Grand Duchy of Grand Duchy of Lithuania Gediminas(1316 – Lithuania Gediminas(1316 – 1341)1341). First the castle was . First the castle was built of brick inbuilt of brick in 1409 1409 by Duke by Duke Vytautas the GreatVytautas the Great, , (1392 – (1392 – 1430).1430). There are some There are some fragments of the old castle, fragments of the old castle, which are now restored which are now restored according to numerous according to numerous archeological researches on archeological researches on the Gediminas Hill.the Gediminas Hill.

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The National Museum of The National Museum of LithuaniaLithuania

The National Museum of Lithuania is The National Museum of Lithuania is the largest depository of the Lithuanian the largest depository of the Lithuanian historical heritage, where museum historical heritage, where museum valuables reflecting the cultural history valuables reflecting the cultural history of the country are collected, preserved, of the country are collected, preserved, studied and popularised on a studied and popularised on a systematic basis. At the same time it is systematic basis. At the same time it is the oldest museum of Lithuania, with its the oldest museum of Lithuania, with its roots in the Vilnius Museum of roots in the Vilnius Museum of Antiquities established in 1855 on the Antiquities established in 1855 on the initiative of culture historian Count initiative of culture historian Count Eustache Tyszkiewicz.Eustache Tyszkiewicz.The Museum and the main expositions The Museum and the main expositions of the National Museum of Lithuania of the National Museum of Lithuania are located in the historical centre of are located in the historical centre of Vilnius, in the buildings within the Vilnius, in the buildings within the territory of Vilnius Castlesterritory of Vilnius Castles..

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The EndThe End Information taken from: Information taken from: www.vilnius.lt www.vilnius-tourism.lt www.lnm.lt http://foto.miestai.net http://www.efoto.lt Mariaus Jovaišos photo