In 1931, Vilnius had a population of 195,071, of which 65.9% were Poles, 28.0% Jews, 3.8% Russians, 0.9% Belarusians, 0.8% Lithuanians and 0.6% others (Germans, Tatars, Karaims, Latvians, Ukrainians and others). In 1939, Vilnius had a population of about 209,500, the percentage of the population remained roughly similar to 1931)[source?]
The climate of Vilnius is considered asHumid Continental or Hemiboreal byKöppen climate classification.[3] Summers can be hot, with temperatures above thirty degrees Celsius throughout the day. Winters can be very cold, with temperatures rarely reaching above freezing
Aušros Vartai Street. The icon ofThe Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy is venerated in a chapel at the medieval gate at the top of this street.
Like mostmedieval towns, Vilnius was developed around itsTown Hall. TheOld Town, the historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest inEurope (3.6km²). The most valuable historic and cultural sites are concentrated here. The main sights of the city areGediminas Castle andCathedral Square, symbols of the capital. The Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on theUNESCOWorld Heritage List in 1994. In 1995, the firstbronzecast ofFrank Zappa in the world was installed near the center of Vilnius with the permission of the government.
The Choral Synagogue of Vilnius, the only synagogue in the city to survive theHolocaust.
Once widely known asYerushalayim De Lita (the "Jerusalem of Lithuania"), Vilnius once was comparable only toJerusalem,Israel, as a world center for the study of theTorah, and for its large Jewish population. That is why one part of Vilnius was namedJeruzalė. At the end of the 19th century, the number ofsynagogues in Vilnius was more than hundred.
Islam came to Lithuania in the 14th century fromCrimea andKazan, through theTatars. Tatars in Lithuania have maintained their religious practices: currently, about 3,000 Tatar Muslims live in Lithuania. There are same few groups of pre-Christianpagan in the city.
Vilnius has apublic transportation system. in 2023 there were 87 bus and 18 trolleybus routes in the city, 426 buses and 190trolleybuses used the routes on weekdays. They transport about 500,000 people every day. UAB Vilnius Public Transport runs most of the routes. Some are run by Transrevis.[4]
