Lithuania is a country located in Northern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea to the west, Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, and Poland and the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia to the southwest. It is one of the three Baltic States, along with Latvia and Estonia. The capital city is Vilnius, known for its beautiful architecture and vibrant culture. Lithuania has a rich history, having been part of various empires and states, including the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. The country is a member of the European Union and