The Natural World

Nature is a part of life in Lithuania. From childhoods at granny’s summer house deep in the forest, to lunchtime strolls through the parks and by the rivers that cut right through the heart of the major cities. Every Lithuanian worth their salt owns either a fishing rod, a vegetable patch, or a mountain bike, and if they don’t, their cousin does.

Nature begins with soil-cover and topography, and for Lithuania it is very sandy and flat. During the last glacial period, the retreating and melting glacial sheets turned Lithuania into an outwash plain, and it is thanks to the flatness that the sand could accumulate without completely being washed away.

These soil conditions have made Lithuania the perfect place for growth of it’s vast pine forests, and when you visit Vilnius and see the Northern boreal and Central temperate forests meeting right in the city, you can really understand why it is this year’s European green capital.

The Green Lakes, near Vilnius

The second face of Lithuania’s nature are its many bodies of water.. there is a reason it is called Lietuva - which literally means, the rainy land.

Thanks to this rain, and the small rolling nature of Lithuania’s landscape, it’s very easy for water to accumulate as the many lakes and ponds that are enjoyed year-round. That’s right, fishing in the summer and ice bathing in the winter.

In total, there are around 6,000 lakes in Lithuania. And even though Lithuania only averages around 110m above sea-level, there are some more obvious uplands and lowlands.

In these 'lowlands’ high groundwater levels and poor drainage abilities form swamps - perfect for blueberry collection, and having played a key role in Lithuanian mythology for centuries as dangerous places where evil spirits dwelled.

Swampy regions dominate the lowlands

The final piece of Lithuanian nature is the Baltic coastline. You won’t meet a Lithuanian who hasn’t spent at least one summer by the coast in Palanga or even Nida on the famous Curonian spit.

Here, the vast forests of the country meet the relatively fresh-water sea. The Curonian spit itself initially formed as waves and currents deposited small amounts of sand down the Baltic coast, with time and winds creating the dunes, until the growth of forest stabilized it into the iconic landmark it is today.

So if you are coming to Lithuania, don’t forget your swimming gear and if you are a nature-lover, you have come to the right place 💚

Nida, Curonian Spit