Settled by Liths by 1500 BCE; local cultures flourished 1st-6th centuries CE, traded with Rome and German tribes; retained non-Christian culture until conquered by German military orders 13th-15th centuries; united with Poland 1386; controlled by Russia from 18th century; official language is Lithuanian.

Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names: http://www.getty.edu/vow/TGNFullDisplay?find=&place=&nation=Lithuania&english=Y&subjectid=7006542