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Republic of Lithuania

Flag colors meaningsFlag colors meanings

Green countrysidesGreen countrysides

Golden fieldsGolden fields

Blood that had been shedBlood that had been shed for Lithuaniafor Lithuania

Emblem of the Republic of LithuaniaEmblem of the Republic of Lithuania

Emblem of the Emblem of the Republic of Republic of Lithuania isLithuania is

VytisVytis

("the Chaser").("the Chaser").

Emblem of the Republic of LithuaniaEmblem of the Republic of Lithuania

The coat of arms of Lithuania, consisting of an The coat of arms of Lithuania, consisting of an armor-clad knight on horseback holding an armor-clad knight on horseback holding an olden sword and shield, is also known as Vytis olden sword and shield, is also known as Vytis ("the Chaser"). The Lithuanian coat of arms is ("the Chaser"). The Lithuanian coat of arms is one of the oldest national coat of arms in one of the oldest national coat of arms in EuropeEurope. . It is one of very few, containing It is one of very few, containing symbolism adopted from ducal portrait seals symbolism adopted from ducal portrait seals rather than from coat of arms of dynasties, rather than from coat of arms of dynasties, which is the case for most European countries.which is the case for most European countries.

STATISTIC OF LITHUANIASTATISTIC OF LITHUANIA

CCapital –Vilniusapital –Vilnius Area -65.2 thousand kmArea -65.2 thousand km22;; Population -3.5 million of witch:Population -3.5 million of witch:Lithuanian 83.4 %Lithuanian 83.4 %Polish 6.7 %Polish 6.7 %Russian 6.3 %Russian 6.3 %

How do we speak in Lithuania? How do we speak in Lithuania?

Lithuanian (official) 82%Lithuanian (official) 82%

Russian 8%Russian 8%

Polish 5.6 %Polish 5.6 %

Currency –litas (LTL)Currency –litas (LTL) FFixedixed exchange rate against the euroexchange rate against the euro

1 EUR 1 EUR == 3.4528 LTL3.4528 LTL

We are famous with beautiful lakesWe are famous with beautiful lakes

RiversRivers

Emerald green meadowsEmerald green meadows

Forests Forests

LLOCATION. AREA. BORDERSOCATION. AREA. BORDERSFrom the cartographic point of view, From the cartographic point of view, Lithuania is a Central European rather Lithuania is a Central European rather than an Eastern European country, as is than an Eastern European country, as is sometimes groundlessly claimed. Located sometimes groundlessly claimed. Located in the center of Europe, Lithuania is in the center of Europe, Lithuania is situated at one of the largest crossroads of situated at one of the largest crossroads of the continent. the continent.

Lithuania is one of the states in the East ringing Lithuania is one of the states in the East ringing the Baltic Sea. the Baltic Sea. ItIt ‘‘s the Cens the Centtre of Europe (18 km re of Europe (18 km from Vilnius). To the north it borders on the from Vilnius). To the north it borders on the Republic of Latvia to the east and south it Republic of Latvia to the east and south it borders on Byelorussia, to the southwest - on borders on Byelorussia, to the southwest - on Poland and on districal of Kaliningrad. Poland and on districal of Kaliningrad. Administratively, Lithuania is divided into 44 Administratively, Lithuania is divided into 44 regions, and 52 districts;regions, and 52 districts; there are 92 cities and there are 92 cities and 22 urban-type settlements. 22 urban-type settlements.

The length of sea coastline is 99km. The The length of sea coastline is 99km. The coast is covered by sand beaches and coast is covered by sand beaches and

coastal dunes. At the south coast is the coastal dunes. At the south coast is the Courtland lagoonCourtland lagoon..

POLITICAL AND NATIONAL POLITICAL AND NATIONAL STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

The state of Lithuania is an independent, The state of Lithuania is an independent, democratic republic. The state power in democratic republic. The state power in Lithuania belongs to the Seimas Lithuania belongs to the Seimas (Parliament), President of the Republic, (Parliament), President of the Republic, Government and Court. Powers are limited Government and Court. Powers are limited according to the constitution, adopted in according to the constitution, adopted in 1992 by a referendum. The territory of the 1992 by a referendum. The territory of the state is one and not divisible. state is one and not divisible.

CLIMATECLIMATEClimate is transitional between maritime and Climate is transitional between maritime and

continental. The average annual temperature is continental. The average annual temperature is about 6about 600 C. The average temperature of C. The average temperature of January is -4.8January is -4.800 C C, , of July is of July is + + 17.217.200 C C..

The highest temperature +37.4 The highest temperature +37.4 00 C C (July 1994),(July 1994), the lowest temperature -42.7 the lowest temperature -42.7 00 C C (February 1956)(February 1956)..

The greatest amount of The greatest amount of precipitation precipitation falls in falls in August, at the seaside - in October. August, at the seaside - in October.

The vegetation season in Lithuania lasts from The vegetation season in Lithuania lasts from 169 to 202 days169 to 202 days..

LITHUANIAN FOOD AND LITHUANIAN FOOD AND TRADITIONSTRADITIONS

Lithuanians like to eat good, tasty and Lithuanians like to eat good, tasty and filling foodsfilling foods.. The tradition of eating The tradition of eating well is inherited from the ancestors well is inherited from the ancestors who would say "he who eats well, who would say "he who eats well,

works well". Lithuanian traditional works well". Lithuanian traditional cuisine took shape over many centuries cuisine took shape over many centuries and was much influenced by cultural and was much influenced by cultural contacts with neighboring nationscontacts with neighboring nations. .

WeavingWeaving

Weaving is one of the oldest Lithuanian Weaving is one of the oldest Lithuanian folk crafts. Some of the decorative cloth folk crafts. Some of the decorative cloth is still woven today. Of all the Lithuanian is still woven today. Of all the Lithuanian national fabric is the most valuable and national fabric is the most valuable and most characteristic bands and aprons. most characteristic bands and aprons. They have the wealth and colorful They have the wealth and colorful patterns. patterns.

Lithuania is devided into five Lithuania is devided into five ethnic regions. This regional ethnic regions. This regional

division is evident in foods that division is evident in foods that are particular to each regionare particular to each region

The HighlandersThe Highlanders(Auk(Aukštaičiai)štaičiai)

They They live in the North Eastern live in the North Eastern region and are known for their region and are known for their

pancakes and cottage cheese pancakes and cottage cheese dishes. dishes.

THE SAMOGITIANSTHE SAMOGITIANS(Žemaičiai)(Žemaičiai)

They They inhabit the North Western inhabit the North Western region and have their special region and have their special

sour butter, porridges and sour butter, porridges and gruelsgruels..

Dzūkai Dzūkai

DzDzūūkai are the people of the South kai are the people of the South Eastern region and are main Eastern region and are main consumers of buckwheat, consumers of buckwheat, mushrooms and potatoesmushrooms and potatoes

Suvalkiečiai Suvalkiečiai

PPeople of the South Western eople of the South Western region favors smoked meat, region favors smoked meat,

sausages and cepelinai. sausages and cepelinai.

TRAKAI NATIONAL PARKTRAKAI NATIONAL PARK

It It was designated in 1992 to embrace the was designated in 1992 to embrace the historic city of Trakai, some 25 khistoric city of Trakai, some 25 kmm outside Vilnius, and the forests, lakes and outside Vilnius, and the forests, lakes and villages in its environs. The total area of villages in its environs. The total area of the park is 8 th kthe park is 8 th kmm. The most significant . The most significant historical monuments the Ancient Castle, historical monuments the Ancient Castle, erected on one oferected on one of the island of lake Galve. the island of lake Galve. Today it houses the Museum of Today it houses the Museum of Ethnography.Ethnography.

Žemaitija national parkŽemaitija national park

It is in the north western part of It is in the north western part of LithuaniaLithuania.. The area makes up The area makes up 20 thousand of hectares20 thousand of hectares.. Valleys, bushes, cultivated soil Valleys, bushes, cultivated soil make up the rest ofmake up the rest of the area. the area.

Black apolloBlack apollo

Flowers blow in the bogFlowers blow in the bog

Plokstines’ forestPlokstines’ forest

The Kuršių Nerija national parkThe Kuršių Nerija national park

It It was designated to protect was designated to protect the unique scenic beauty of the unique scenic beauty of the Kursiu Nerija, a narrow the Kursiu Nerija, a narrow peninsula separating the peninsula separating the Kursiu Marios Lagoon from Kursiu Marios Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.the Baltic Sea.

Dene Dene

Wind’s pathWind’s path

Clouds’ harmonyClouds’ harmony

Sea’s gateSea’s gate

Sand Sand

The national museum of RumsiskesThe national museum of Rumsiskes

A town of 1.500 on the shores of the Kaunas Marios (Sea), it is an idyllic location with the Praviena stream

cutting through its woods. Its location is in comfortable proximity of 18 km from the city of Kaunas, just after an

exit from the Vilnius - Kaunas Highway.

TTHE HILL OF CROSSESHE HILL OF CROSSES

The road to the Hill of Crosses is the The road to the Hill of Crosses is the mirror of Lithuanian history, culture, mirror of Lithuanian history, culture, religion, philosophy of life. A small but religion, philosophy of life. A small but a very vivid relic of our past rests on a a very vivid relic of our past rests on a tiny hill and reminds us of our cruel tiny hill and reminds us of our cruel

and glorious history - uprisings, wars, and glorious history - uprisings, wars, revolutions, occupations. You have revolutions, occupations. You have

seen so much blood and cruelty!seen so much blood and cruelty!

Little and big crosses surrounded with sun-rays are links and ties nourished by the memories and

love for our motherland, Lithuania, which has suffered a lot but has brought up many reserved, peaceful and strong - willed people.

DruskininkaiDruskininkai Druskininkai is a spa town on the NemDruskininkai is a spa town on the Nemuunnasas

River in southern Lithuania, close to the borders River in southern Lithuania, close to the borders of Belarus and Poland. The city of Druskininkai of Belarus and Poland. The city of Druskininkai has a population of 18has a population of 18 thousands thousands and dates back and dates back as a spa resort to the 19th century.as a spa resort to the 19th century.

The town is located at the Ratnyčia River The town is located at the Ratnyčia River estuary to the Nemunas River and is surrounded estuary to the Nemunas River and is surrounded by a natural forest reserve. The town is situated by a natural forest reserve. The town is situated in a picturesque landscape with rivers, lakes, in a picturesque landscape with rivers, lakes, hills and forests.hills and forests.

Druskininkai Druskininkai

Druskonis lakeDruskonis lake

The Water Park in DruskininkaiThe Water Park in Druskininkai

Orthodox and Catholic churches in Orthodox and Catholic churches in DruskininkaiDruskininkai

Grūtas Park Grūtas Park is located near Druskininkaiis located near Druskininkai

The park The park unofficially known as Stalin's World; unofficially known as Stalin's World; is a sculpture garden of Soviet-era statues and an exposition is a sculpture garden of Soviet-era statues and an exposition

of other Soviet ideological relics from the times of the of other Soviet ideological relics from the times of the Lithuanian SSR. After Lithuania regained its Lithuanian SSR. After Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, various Soviet statues were taken independence in 1990, various Soviet statues were taken down and dumped in different places. Malinauskas down and dumped in different places. Malinauskas requested the Lithuanian authorities to grant him the requested the Lithuanian authorities to grant him the possession of the sculptures, so that he could build a possession of the sculptures, so that he could build a privately-financed museum. Many of its features are privately-financed museum. Many of its features are recreations of Soviet Gulag prison camps: wooden paths, recreations of Soviet Gulag prison camps: wooden paths, guard towers, and barbed-wire fences.guard towers, and barbed-wire fences.

A statue of Stalin in Grūtas ParkA statue of Stalin in Grūtas Park

EDUCATION EDUCATION IN IN

LITHUANIALITHUANIA

EDUCATION EDUCATION IN IN LITHUANIALITHUANIA

Primary school Primary school -1-1stst to 4 to 4thth forms; forms; Basic school -5Basic school -5thth -10 -10thth forms; forms; General education secondary school -1General education secondary school -1stst -12 -12thth

forms;forms; Gymnasium corresponding to the 9Gymnasium corresponding to the 9 thth to 12 to 12thth forms forms

of secondary school;of secondary school; There are also special institutions for children with There are also special institutions for children with

special needs, youth schools which provide basic special needs, youth schools which provide basic education and adult education institutions.education and adult education institutions.

The educational structureThe educational structure

EDUCATION IN LITHUANIA EDUCATION IN LITHUANIA

Secondary education ends in taking one compulsory Secondary education ends in taking one compulsory and at least three optional examinations;and at least three optional examinations;

Successful students are awarded a School Leaving Successful students are awarded a School Leaving CertificateCertificate (Brandos atestatas) (Brandos atestatas);;

Education is free in all state secondary school;Education is free in all state secondary school; Compulsory education last until the age 16;Compulsory education last until the age 16; Pupils can stay at school for twelve years but some of Pupils can stay at school for twelve years but some of

them leave school having finished the tenth form;them leave school having finished the tenth form; These pupils usually go to vocational junior colleges These pupils usually go to vocational junior colleges

or trade schools where they can get both secondary or trade schools where they can get both secondary education and the qualifications;education and the qualifications;

EDUCATION IN LITHUANIAEDUCATION IN LITHUANIA

Higher education can be pursued by Higher education can be pursued by individuals who have secondary school individuals who have secondary school graduation certificates;graduation certificates;

There are 15 state school of higher There are 15 state school of higher education in our country: 7 universities, education in our country: 7 universities, 6 academies and 2 institutes, as well as 6 academies and 2 institutes, as well as 3 clerical seminaries3 clerical seminaries

EDUCATION IN LITHUANIAEDUCATION IN LITHUANIA

In Lithuania children go to school five days a week;In Lithuania children go to school five days a week; The school years begins in The school years begins in 1st of 1st of September and September and

ends in the middle of June;ends in the middle of June; Educational process time for pupils: Educational process time for pupils: 1-5 forms - 32 weeks, 1-5 forms - 32 weeks, 6-9 forms – 36 weeks,6-9 forms – 36 weeks, 10 and 12 forms – 34 weeks.10 and 12 forms – 34 weeks. There are 4 There are 4 school holidaysschool holidays during the year: during the year:

AAutumnutumn -1 week; W -1 week; Winter inter ((ChristmasChristmas) -2 weeks,) -2 weeks, SSpring pring ((EasterEaster) -1 week, Summer (12-14 weeks)) -1 week, Summer (12-14 weeks)

EDUCATION IN LITHUANIAEDUCATION IN LITHUANIA There are optionally three terms or two semestres in There are optionally three terms or two semestres in

the school year.the school year. 45-minute lesson duration45-minute lesson duration;; Basic subjects is such as Lithuanian, Mathematics, Basic subjects is such as Lithuanian, Mathematics,

History, Science, Computer studies, History, Science, Computer studies, 2 2 modern foreign modern foreign languageslanguages, Music, Physical Education, Technology, , Music, Physical Education, Technology, ArtArt are included in the curriculums a are included in the curriculums att all schools. all schools.

Religious Religious EEducation is provided for all pupils, but ducation is provided for all pupils, but parents can choose between religion or ethnics.parents can choose between religion or ethnics.

Vilkaviškis districtVilkaviškis district

Vilkaviskis District Vilkaviskis District Municipality, with its Municipality, with its

area of 1259 sqarea of 1259 sq. km.. km., is , is situated in the situated in the

southwestern part of southwestern part of Lithuania. The district Lithuania. The district borders with Poland in borders with Poland in

the south and the south and Kaliningrad Oblast of the Kaliningrad Oblast of the

Russian Federation.Russian Federation.

Vilkaviškis Vilkaviškis

PPopulation of opulation of VilkaviskisVilkaviskis is is about 13 about 13 thousand people thousand people ;;

More information about More information about Vilkaviskis you can Vilkaviskis you can found in bookletsfound in booklets

Schools in VilkaviskisSchools in Vilkaviskis

Vilkaviskio “Aušros” Gymnasium;Vilkaviskio “Aušros” Gymnasium; 2 basic schools;2 basic schools; 1 primary school;1 primary school; 1 vocational training school;1 vocational training school; 3 nurseries, kindergartens;3 nurseries, kindergartens; 3 non-formal education for children of school3 non-formal education for children of school: :

music school, sports school, Children and music school, sports school, Children and Youth Centre Youth Centre

There are in Vilkaviskis district:There are in Vilkaviskis district:

33 gymnasiums, gymnasiums, 6 6 secondary schools,secondary schools, 99 basic schools,basic schools, 11 primary school primary school 11 youth school, youth school, 1 1 special school special school;; 11 vocational training school vocational training school..

Žaliosios Vinco Žemaičio pagrindinė Žaliosios Vinco Žemaičio pagrindinė mokyklamokykla

SchoolSchool history history

The original The original primary primary school was founded school was founded about 1885 year. In 1944, school was burned about 1885 year. In 1944, school was burned down during the war. After three years, 1947 down during the war. After three years, 1947 autumn, it was reopened in another location. autumn, it was reopened in another location. In In 1959 began construction of the current school 1959 began construction of the current school building and the school has become a basicbuilding and the school has become a basic schoolschool. .

The school has attained a lot of important The school has attained a lot of important people in Lithuania. people in Lithuania.

WWhy the school called Vinchy the school called Vincoo ZemaiciZemaicioo school? school?

VincVincasas ŽŽemaitis (1896 - 1983) - Lithuanian emaitis (1896 - 1983) - Lithuanian forester, an ethnographer and public figureforester, an ethnographer and public figure had had

studied in this school. studied in this school.

HeHe was born and was born and lived here until 1944. lived here until 1944.

In 2001, VilkaviskiIn 2001, Vilkaviskiss municipality gave municipality gave to to the the school the Vincas Zemaitisschool the Vincas Zemaitis name name. .

There are There are Vinc Vincasas Zemaitis Museum Zemaitis Museum in the in the schoolschool..

Zaliosios Vinco Zemaicio basic schoolZaliosios Vinco Zemaicio basic school TThe he Zaliosios Zaliosios school has school has three primary three primary

schoolschool sections, and sections, and they arethey are located in located in different different areas.areas.

The The farthestfarthest sectionsection Lauckaimis is Lauckaimis is 16 16 km from here. km from here.

149 149 pupilpupils studying at schools studying at school::

80 pupils in three sections and 80 pupils in three sections and

69 pupils in Zalioji69 pupils in Zalioji

SSchool chool (with sections)(with sections) employsemploys::

2828 teachers, teachers, 11 social educator, social educator, 11 speech therapist, speech therapist, 11 librarian librarian;; 22 pre- primary pre- primary

education teacherseducation teachers

11 headmasterheadmaster, , 1 vice principal;1 vice principal; 1 financier1 financier, , 11 secretary, secretary, 1 steward1 steward, , 55 cleaners, cleaners, 55 buildings and buildings and yards yards

staff staff ;; 1 canteen staff.1 canteen staff.

Curriculum tableCurriculum table Subject Grades Number of lessons per weekLithuanian 1-10 5

Mathematics 1-10 4

Religious Education 1-10 1

History 5-10 2

Geography 6-10 2

Science: World and human nature Biology Chemistry Physics

1-67-108-107-10

21-222

Computer studies 5-10 1

Foreign languages: English Russian

2-106-10

2-32

Music 1-10 1

Physical Education 1-10 2

Technology 1-78-10

21

Art 1-10 1

School is not only lessonsSchool is not only lessons in classrooms in classrooms, , but also extra-curricular activitiesbut also extra-curricular activities::

sports, sports, music, music, dance,dance, artart projects,projects, festivals,festivals, competitions competitions ........

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