Lithuania

Population About country profiles The country profiles are intended to provide some background and context for the descriptions of the churches. These profiles should be read in conjunction with those of the churches in the country. Click here for the sources of the statistical data *:	3,255,000
Surface area:	65,200 km²
Capital:	Vilnius
GNI per capita:	10,320 US$
Classification:	Developed economy
Languages:	Lithuanian
Religions:	Christian: 88.80% Atheist: 0.73% Muslim: 0.19% Jewish: 0.14%
	(source: WCD)
Christianity:	Catholics: 2,570,800 Orthodox: 152,200 Protestants: 39,960 Independent: 21,600 Pentecostals: 3,400

Like the other Baltic states, Lithuania only knew independence between the two world wars. During the first World War it was occupied by Germany. After they withdrew, Lithuania declared independence only to be invaded by the Russian Bolshevik army, followed by Poland. In 1939 the Soviet Union annexed Lithuania. The country formally achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the last Russian troops withdrew in 1993, and the first elections were held in 1996. Like other Baltic states, Lithuania struggles with corruption, environmental degradation, and the large-scale transition from communism to private enterprise. It joined NATO and the European Union in 2004. The Roman Catholic Church has always been strong in Lithuania and continues to be the largest Christian presence in the country. Under Soviet influence the churches experienced severe repression, but the Roman Catholic Church was influential in the struggle for Lithuanian independence. There are no WCC member churches based in this country.

(source: In God's Hands)