User blog:Czacik/Kingdom of Lithuania

Kingdom of Lithuania (lit. Lietuvos Karalystė) is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordering Germany to the southwest, Belarus to the south and east and United Baltic Duchy to the north. It is situated east of the Baltic Sea. It has population of 6.352 million. Its capital and largest city is Vilnius.

Kingdom of Lithuania is highly developed nation, boasting high standards of living, low corruption and strong economy. The country, while possesing some democratic institutions, like the State Council of Lithuania, elected via universal suffrage, the greatest power is still held by the King and the prime minister, who is not elected but appointed by the ruling monarch.

After its declaration of indpendence, Council of Lithuania, headed by Antanas Smetona elected Duke Wilhelm of Urach as the king. He chose the name Mindgauas II and despite inital German protests, went on to become the Lithuanian monarch. After the end of the war, Germany refused to withdraw its troops stationed in Lithuania and pressed for an alliance. Lithuania remained in the German sphere ever since.

Independence
Lithuania declared indpendence from the Russian Empire, when the German army had entered Lithuanian territory in 16 February 1918. After the war, the control was transfered from German occupation authorities to civilian administration. Border disputes with Poland and White Ruthenia were effectively settled by German dicatates, but that proved very benefactory to Lithuania, as it was allowed not only to hold on to Vilnius, claimed by Poland but also recieved large territories in the south, going as far as Suvalkai (Suwałki), Gardinas (Hrodna).

Early history
Despite strong growth in early 20th century, soon after having independence, Lithuania was still a mostly agricultural, underdeveloped nation. The situation was further excarbated by the destruction of the Great War. During the war, Lithuania sufferred from famine. After the war, the new government led by the Smetona created large public-private infrastructure investment.