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09.03.

1009: First Mention of Lithuania in History

1009: First Mention of Lithuania in History
Photo Credit To http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/91932432.jpg

Lithuania is the northernmost country in the world with a Catholic majority.



The first mention of Lithuania in history occurred on this day in 1009. Accordingly, Lithuania recently (in 2009) celebrated the 1000th anniversary of its existence. The first mention of this can be found in the Quedlinburg Annals, which were written in the Quedlinburg monastery, some 40 km southwest of Magedburg in today’s Germany.

Lithuania is now an independent state covering 65 300 square km (slightly larger than West Virginia). Four of the six largest cities in the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) are located in Lithuania, but the country has a population of less than 3 million.

An interesting fact about Lithuania is that it’s the northernmost country in the world with a Catholic majority, surpassing Ireland in this regard. Around 77% of Lithuania’s population is Catholic. One important Catholic location, the Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas) is located in that country. It was visited by Pope Saint John Paul II, who on that occasion gave thanks to the Lithuanians for maintaining such a symbol of their faith.

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