5 Facts you didn't know about Lithuania

Hello, i'm going to tell you 5 facts you probably didn't know about Lithuania

Fact#1 Center of Europe.

Lithuania is the geographical center of Europe. After a re-estimation of the boundaries of the continent of Europe in 1989, Jean-George Affholder, a scientist at French National Geographic Institute determined that the geographic center of Europe is located at 54°54′N 25°19′E, near the village of Purnuškės. The method used for calculating this point was that of the center of gravity of the geometrical figure of Europe.

Fact#2 First to divorce the Soviets.

Lithuania was the first country to declare its independence from the Soviet Union. After a landslide victory in elections to the Supreme Soviet, members of Sąjūdis, an anti-communist party, proclaimed Lithuania's independence on 11 March 1990, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so. The Soviet Union attempted to suppress the secession by imposing an economic blockade. Soviet troops attacked the Vilnius TV Tower, killing 14 Lithuanian civilians and wounding 600 others on the night of 13 January 1991

Fact#3 Sand Dunes? Here?

The country is home to one of the largest moving sand dunes in Europe. Holidays in Lithuania must include this spot! The Curonian Spit is a unique and vulnerable, sandy and wooded cultural landscape on a coastal spit which features small Curonian lagoon settlements. The Spit was formed by the sea, wind and human activity and continues to be shaped by them.

Fact#4 Basketball Frenzy.

Lithuania has the fourth best basketball team in the world. Basketball is insanely popular here and the country has adequate representation in the NBA. The country's men's team ranking fourth in the world and having won three bronze medals at the Olympics. The team goes by the nickname "The Second Religion".

Fact#5 The Largest Kingdom.

In the early 13th century, the map of Lithuania was much larger. The tribes in the area formed the Kingdom of Lithuania, quickly expanding outwards into Mongol-controlled Russia, as well as segments of Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. By the late 14th century this Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the largest kingdom in Europe. At the end of the 18th century the Commonwealth was dissolved, and Lithuania was effectively split between Russia and Prussia.

Hope you liked it! ;)