LOCATIONS
Facts & figures
Location
North-eastern Europe on the shores of the Baltic Sea
Currency
Euro since 2015
International airports
Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga
Neighbours
Poland, Latvia, Russia, Belarus
Climate
Maritime/continental
Port
Klaipėda is an ice free port located in the north
Population
2, 986 million
Landscape
Pastoral with plains, forests and rolling hills
Roads
High grade and well developed road system throughout the country
Government
Parliamentary Republic
Coastline
99 km of sandy coastline, of which 38 km face the Baltic Sea
Religion
79% Roman Catholic. Other: Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim
Ethnic groups
83,9% Lithuanian, 6,6% Polish, 5,4% Russian, 1,3% Belorussian, 2,8% other
Time zone
GMT +2 (winter), GMT +3 (summer)
Area
66 200 sq. km 30% forests. 2, 830 lakes larger than 0,5 hectares, 18 rivers longer than 100 kilometres
Official language
Lithuanian. English and Russian spoken extensively, Polish in some areas
International membership
European Union, NATO, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Schengen Area
Capital
Vilnius was established in 1323. Population of 542,932. One of the largest Old Towns in Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Curonian spit
98 km long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that is surrounded by waters of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by Lithuania and Russia
Location
Southeastern Europe in the western part of the Balkans.
Capital
Its capital city is Tirana, which is located in the central-western part of the country, about 30 km of the Adriatic coast.
Neighbours
Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece, the Coastline on the Adriatic Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the southwest.
Landscape
Shaped by mountains (about 70% of Albania), coastlines (476 km in total), rivers, and valleys.
Religion
Islam: 56–60%, Christianity: 17–20%, Atheist 15–25%. Albania is widely praised for religious harmony.
Area
28,748 sq. km.
Currency
Albanian lek (LEK).
Climate
Mediterranean along the coast (hot & dry summers, mild & wet winters) and continental in the interior and mountainous regions (cold winters with snow above 1 km and cool summers, rain in late autumn / winter).
Roads
In recent years, Albania has invested heavily in upgrading its major highways, connecting the main cities, especially the A1 motorway linking Tirana to Kosovo. In mountainous or rural areas roads can be narrow and winding.
Ethnic groups
98.4% Albanians, 0.6% Greeks, 1% Other (Aromanians, Romani people, Macedonians, Roma and Montenegrins).
Official languages
Albanian with two main dialects (Tosk and Gheg). Various linguistic minorities are recognized and used locally, where those minorities are concentrated.
Cultural Heritage
Butrint, Apollonia, Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër, Lake Ohrid, Iso-polyphony, Bektashi Order.
Airports
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), Kukës International Airport Zayed (KFZ), and Vlora International Airport (opening in summer 2025) as a strategic location for southern Albania and the Albanian Riviera.
Population
2.7 million.
Government
Parliamentary Republic.
Time Zone
Central European Time (CET): GMT +1 (winter), GMT +2 (summer)
International Membership
UN, Candidate Country of EU, NATO, World Bank, IMF, WTO, Council of Europe.
LOCATION
Northern Europe, on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea
CURRENCY
Euro since 2011
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Kuressaare
NEIGHBOURS
Latvia, Russia, Finland (across the Gulf of Finland)
CLIMATE
Maritime/continental
PORTS
Tallinn (the largest), Pärnu, Paldiski, and several smaller ports
POPULATION
1.3 million
LANDSCAPE
Flat terrain with forests, lakes, and over 2,000 islands
ROADS
Well-developed and high-quality road network
GOVERNMENT
Parliamentary Republic
COASTLINE
3,794 km, including islands
RELIGION
Predominantly secular. Minority religious groups include Lutheran, Orthodox, and Catholic communities
ETHNIC GROUPS
69% Estonian, 24% Russian, 2% Ukrainian, 1% Belarusian, 1% Finnish, 3% other
TIME ZONE
GMT +2 (winter), GMT +3 (summer)
AREA
45,227 sq. km | ~50% covered by forests | Over 1,400 lakes and 7,000 rivers
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Estonian. English, Russian, and Finnish are also widely spoken
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
European Union, NATO, Schengen Area, World Trade Organization
CAPITAL
Tallinn – established in the 13th century, population of ~440,000, home to one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval Old Towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
SAAREMAA & HIIUMAA
Largest Estonian islands, featuring unique landscapes, lighthouses, and historic windmills
LOCATION
Northern Europe, on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea
CURRENCY
Euro (€) since 2014
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Riga International Airport
NEIGHBOURS
Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast
CLIMATE
Temperate maritime climate with four distinct seasons.
PORT
Riga Free Port is a significant ice-free port located in the capital city
POPULATION
Approximately 1.8 million
LANDSCAPE
Predominantly low-lying plains with rolling hills in the east; over half the country is forested
ROADS
Well-developed road network connecting major cities and regions
GOVERNMENT
Parliamentary Republic
COASTLINE
Approximately 500 km of sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea
RELIGION
Predominantly Christianity, with Lutheranism and Eastern Orthodoxy being the major denominations
ETHNIC GROUPS
62.7% Latvians, 24.5% Russians, 3.1% Belarusians, 2.2% Ukrainians, 2% Poles, and others
TIME ZONE
GMT +2 (winter), GMT +3 (summer)
AREA
64,589 sq. km; features over 12,000 rivers and 3,000 small lakes
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Latvian; Russian is also widely spoken
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
European Union, NATO, Schengen Area, United Nations, World Trade Organization.
CAPITAL
Riga, established in 1201; population of approximately 616,000
LOCATION
Southeastern Europe in the central Balkans
CURRENCY
Euro (adopted unilaterally, though Kosovo is not part of the Eurozone)
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Pristina International Airport
NEIGHBOURS
Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia
CLIMATE
Combination of a continental and a mediterranean climate, with four distinct seasons
POPULATION
1,586,659
LANDSCAPE
Mountainous terrain with valleys, rivers, and rolling plains
ROADS
Developing and improving road infrastructure; key highways connect major cities and neighboring countries
GOVERNMENT
Parliamentary Republic
RELIGION
Predominantly Muslim (93.49%), with Orthodox (2.31%) and Catholic (1.75%) minorities
ETHNIC GROUPS
Majority Albanian (95%), with Bosniak (2%), Serb (1.5%), and other minorities
TIME ZONE
Central European Time (CET) GMT +1 (winter), GMT +2 (summer)
AREA
10,887 sq. km. Features include the Accursed Mountains (Bjeshkët e Nemuna), Sharr Mountains, and numerous rivers and lakes
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Albanian and Serbian. English is widely spoken, especially in urban areas
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Not a UN member but recognized by over 100 countries
CAPITAL
Pristina is Kosovo's political, economic, and cultural center. Pristina has a population of approximately 227,466, making it the most populous city in Kosovo
CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Gračanica Monastery, a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery near Pristina, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kosovo also features Ottoman-era architecture, mosques, and vibrant cultural festivals
LOCATION
Transcontinental country bridging Europe and Asia, bordered by eight countries and surrounded by the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas
CURRENCY
Turkish Lira (TRY)
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Major hubs include Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB), Antalya Airport (AYT), and İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
NEIGHBOURS
Bulgaria; Greece to the west; Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east; Georgia to the northeast; Syria to the south; and Iraq to the southeast
CLIMATE
Transitional between Mediterranean, Oceanic, and Continental climates. The climate zones observed are the Mediterranean Climate where summers are hot and dry and the winters are mild and rainy; the Black Sea Climate where summers are cool and winters are warm in the coastal area and snowy and cold at the higher parts; the Terrestrial Climate where temperature differences between summer and winter and day and night are large
POPULATION
Approximately 87 million
LANDSCAPE
Diverse geography with mountains, plains, forests, lakes, and coastlines. Features two of the world's most famous straits: Bosporus & Dardanelles
ROADS
Extensive and modern highway and motorway network connecting all major cities and regions
GOVERNMENT
Republican Parliamentary Democracy
RELIGION
Predominantly Islamic (Sunni & Alevi Muslim majority), with small Christian and Jewish communities
ETHNIC GROUPS
Majority Turkish, with significant Kurdish, Arab, Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities
TIME ZONE
GMT +3 (Turkey Time, no daylight saving)
AREA
783,356 sq. km – Diverse terrain including mountains, plateaus, rivers, and fertile valleys
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Turkish. English is widely spoken in business and tourism, along with some Arabic, German, and Russian in touristic areas
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
NATO, G20, OECD, WTO, Council of Europe, Organization of Turkic States
CAPITAL
The capital of Turkey is Ankara, a major political and administrative hub, home to government institutions and a population of over 5.5 million people
CULTURAL HERITAGE
* 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Göbekli Tepe. * Home to ancient civilizations like Hittites, Byzantines, Ottomans. * Istanbul is the only city in the world spanning two continent
DISTANCES AND FLIGHTS BETWEEN VILNIUS & OTHER CITIES DISTANCES AND FLIGHTS BETWEEN TIRANA & OTHER CITIES DISTANCES AND FLIGHTS BETWEEN TALLINN & OTHER CITIES DISTANCES AND FLIGHTS BETWEEN RIGA & OTHER CITIES DISTANCES AND FLIGHTS BETWEEN PRISTINA & OTHER CITIES DISTANCES AND FLIGHTS BETWEEN ISTANBUL & OTHER CITIES
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
JANUARY 1
New Year's Day
MAY 1
Labour Day
NOVEMBER 1
All Saints' Day
FEBRUARY 16
Independence Day
JUNE 24
Feast of St. John (Midsummer)
DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve
MARCH 11
Restoration of Independence Day
JULY 6
Coronation Day
DECEMBER 25,26
Christmas
BETWEEN MARCH & APRIL
Easter
AUGUST 15
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
January 1-2
New Year's Day
March 14
Summer Day
March 20-22
Nevruz Day
March 31
Eid al-Fitr
BETWEEN MARCH AND APRIL
Catholic/Orthodox Easter
May 1
International Workers' Day
BETWEEN MAY AND JUNE
Eid al-Adha
September 5
Mother Teresa Day
November 22
Alphabet Day
November 28
Independence Day
November 29
Liberation Day
December 8
National Youth Day
December 25
Christmas Day
JANUARY 1
New Year's Day
FEBRUARY 24
Independence Day (National Day)
BETWEEN MARCH & APRIL
Good Friday
BETWEEN MARCH & APRIL
Easter Sunday
MAY 1
Spring Day (Labour Day)
BETWEEN MAY & JUNE
Pentecost (varies by year)
JUNE 23
Victory Day (Võidupüha)
JUNE 24
Midsummer Day (Jaanipäev)
AUGUST 20
Restoration of Independence Day
DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve
DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day
DECEMBER 26
Second Christmas Day
JANUARY 1
New Year's Day
BETWEEN MARCH & APRIL
Good Friday
BETWEEN MARCH & APRIL
Easter Sunday
BETWEEN MARCH & APRIL
Easter Monday
MAY 1
Labour Day
MAY 4
Restoration of Independence Day
JUNE 23
Midsummer’s Eve
JUNE 24
Midsummer’s Day
NOVEMBER 18
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia
DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve
DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day
DECEMBER 26
Second Day of Christmas
JANUARY 1
New Year's Day
JANUARY 7
Orthodox Christmas Day
FEBRUARY 17
Independence Day
BETWEEN MARCH AND APRIL
Catholic Easter Monday
VARIES ANUALLY (in 2020’s falls between March and May)
Eid al-Fitr (marks the end of Ramadan)
MAY 1
Labour Day
BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY
Orthodox Easter Monday
MAY 9
Europe day
VARIES ANUALLY (in 2020’s falls between June and August)
Eid al-Adha
DECEMBER 25
Catholic Christmas Day
JANUARY 1
New Year's Day
BETWEEN LATE MARCH & EARLY JUNE
Ramadan Feast (After the end of the Islamic month Ramadan)
APRIL 23
National Sovereignty and Children's Day
MAY 1
Labour and Solidarity Day
MAY 19
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
JULY 15
Democracy and National Unity Day
BETWEEN MID-JUNE & MID-AUGUST
Sacrifice Feast (Begins on the 10th day of the Islamic month Dhu'l-Hijjah
AUGUST 30
Victory Day
OCTOBER 29
Republic Day
DECEMBER 31
New Years's Eve
MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (°C) IN LITHUANIA MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (°C) IN TIRANA MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (°C) IN ESTONIA MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (°C) IN LATVIA MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (°C) IN PRISTINA MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (°C) IN TURKEY
