Declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1989. Lithuanian is the official language. Predominantly Roman Catholic with Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformist, Russian Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim and Jewish minorities. European 2-pin plugs are in use. Phonecards are sold at kiosks and post offices.
Plans are underway to introduce one type of phonecard, compatible with both phones.
Post to Western Europe takes up to six days. Newspapers are published in Lithuanian and some in Russian or Polish. The major dailies are Lietuvos Rytas , Respublika, Lietuvos Aidas, Kauno Diena and Valstieciu Laikrastis . The newspapers Lithuanian Weekly and Lithuanian Worker are published in English. From time to time these change.