Lithuania, which lies on the shores of the Baltic Sea, claims which capital city? Vilnius. Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital and largest city, located in the country’s southeastern corner near the Belarusian border.
The city stands at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers and is known for its extensive historic center. Vilnius Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Its architecture reflects Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical influences.
Vilnius has been Lithuania’s political and cultural center for centuries, although the city’s history includes periods of rule by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union. Lithuania restored its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, with Vilnius serving as the national capital.
A common mix-up is Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city. Kaunas temporarily served as the country’s capital during the interwar period, from 1920 until 1939, when Vilnius was controlled by Poland. Vilnius returned to its role as the capital after Lithuania regained the city in 1939.