Balts

Old Prussian was closely related to the other extinct Western [[Baltic language]]s, [[Curonian language|Curonian]], [[Galindian language|Galindian]] and [[Sudovian language|Sudovian]]. It is more distantly related to the surviving Eastern [[Baltic language]]s, [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]] and [[Latvian language|Latvian]]. Compare the Prussian word ''seme'' (''zemē''),<ref name="Lie">Mikkels Klussis. ''Bāziscas prûsiskai-laîtawiskas wirdeîns per tālaisin laksikis rekreaciônin'' [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081218125558/http://donelaitis.vdu.lt/prussian/Lie.pdf Donelaitis.vdu.lt] (Lithuanian version of [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081218125908/http://donelaitis.vdu.lt/prussian/Engl.pdf Donelaitis.vdu.lt).]</ref> Latvian ''zeme'', the Lithuanian ''žemė'' (''land'' in English).{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Old Prussian was closely related to the other extinct Western [[Baltic language]]s, [[Curonian language|Curonian]], [[Galindian language|Galindian]] and [[Sudovian language|Sudovian]]. It is more distantly related to the surviving Eastern [[Baltic language]]s, [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]] and [[Latvian language|Latvian]]. Compare the Prussian word ''seme'' (''zemē''),<ref name="Lie">Mikkels Klussis. ''Bāziscas prûsiskai-laîtawiskas wirdeîns per tālaisin laksikis rekreaciônin'' [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081218125558/http://donelaitis.vdu.lt/prussian/Lie.pdf Donelaitis.vdu.lt] (Lithuanian version of [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081218125908/http://donelaitis.vdu.lt/prussian/Engl.pdf Donelaitis.vdu.lt).]</ref> Latvian ''zeme'', the Lithuanian ''žemė'' (''land'' in English).{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

===Modern Era===

[[File:Ethnographic map of Lithuanians and Latvians in 1847 by Heinrich Berghaus.jpg|thumb|Ethnographic map of Balts in 1847 by Heinrich Berghaus. Lithuanians (Littauer) and Latvians (Letten).]]

[[File:Baltu vienības diena Palangā (37412893275).jpg|thumb|[[Baltic Unity Day]] in [[Palanga]], 2017.]]

In the modern era, the Balts — primarily Lithuanians and Latvians — have sustained a unique cultural and linguistic identity along the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, speaking the only surviving [[East Baltic languages]], Lithuanian and Latvian, which are among the most conservative Indo‑European tongues and retain archaic features from their Proto‑Indo‑European roots. Following nearly five decades of [[Occupation of the Baltic states|Soviet rule]], Lithuania and Latvia restored their independence in 1990–1991 and subsequently pursued integration with Western institutions, culminating in accession to both the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] in 2004. In the 21st century, these two Baltic nations have established stable democracies with parliamentary systems, preserved local languages and traditions, and address common economic, political and cultural priorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/latvijos-rysiai-ir-santykiai-su-lietuva/|title=Latvijos ryšiai ir santykiai su Lietuva|website=[[vle.lt]]}}</ref>

==Culture==

==Culture==