Lithuania's Borders: Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Kaliningrad (Russia) & Baltic Sea
Lithuania (Baltic state, NATO/EU) shares land borders with 4 entities and a maritime coastline:
Land Borders (Clockwise from North)
| Neighbor | Length | Key Crossings | Notes |
|---|
| Latvia | 588 km | Grenctāle / Saločiai, Meškučiai / Paternieki | EU/NATO/Schengen — open |
| Belarus | 679 km | Kamenny Loh / Raigardas, Benyakoni / Šalčininkai | EU external border — strict; visa required |
| Poland | 104 km | Budzisko / Kalvarija, Ogrodniki / Kybartai | EU/NATO/Schengen — open; Suwałki Gap strategic |
| Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) | 227 km | Mamonovo / Nida, Sovetsk / Panemunė | EU external — strict; exclave, no land link to Russia mainland |
Maritime Border
- Baltic Sea: 90 km coastline — Klaipėda (major port, ice-free), Curonian Spit (UNESCO, shared with Kaliningrad).
- EEZ: Delimited with Sweden, Latvia, Russia (Kaliningrad).
Strategic Significance
- Suwałki Gap (Poland-Lithuania border, 65 km) — only NATO land link to Baltics; Kaliningrad (RU) + Belarus (RU ally) on both sides.
- Rail gauge break: 1,520 mm (RU/BY) vs 1,435 mm (EU) — at border stations.
- Energy: LitPol Link (PL), NordBalt (SE) — electricity independence from RU/BY (achieved 2025).
Quick Reference
- Capital: Vilnius (54.7°N, 25.3°E)
- Area: 65,300 km²
- Population: 2.8M (2024)
- Schengen: Since 2007
- Euro: Since 2015
Bottom line: Lithuania = NATO/EU eastern flank. Borders: 3 friendly (LV, PL, SE via sea), 1 tense (BY), 1 frozen conflict (Kaliningrad/RU).
Wanderlust World