Information
Country: LatviaContinent: Europe
Latvia, Europe
Overview
Latvia sits in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, with Estonia to its north, Lithuania to the south, Russia on the east, Belarus tucked to the southeast, and the Baltic Sea stretching along its western shore.Latvia blends sleek modern life with deep-rooted traditions, set against forests that smell of pine, colorful festivals, and centuries of history.Latvia covers 64,589 square kilometers (24,938 square miles), small in size yet rich in variety, from flatlands and gentle hills to fertile fields and deep green forests.Gaiziņkalns, the country’s highest peak, tops out at only 312 meters (1,024 feet), yet Latvia stretches along 500 kilometers of Baltic coastline lined with pale sand, windswept dunes, and small harbor towns, while rivers like the Daugava, Gauja, and Venta weave across its green hills and fields.Latvia boasts over 2,000 lakes, their surfaces often rippling under a soft breeze, adding to the country’s charm.The climate is temperate and maritime, with clear seasonal shifts-winters from December to February are cold, averaging -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F), while summers from June to August stay mild and pleasant at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).Spring and autumn bring changeable skies and shifting temperatures.Forests blanket about half the land, making Latvia one of the greenest corners of Europe.Pine, spruce, and birch stretch across much of the land, their scent sharp in the cool air.Elk, wild boar, lynx, and wolves roam here, along with storks and eagles that wheel overhead.Vast bogs and marshes shelter rare plants and creatures, forming vital ecosystems.Latvia protects its natural heritage through national parks, biosphere reserves, and other safeguarded areas.People have called this place home since about 9000 BCE.The indigenous Baltic tribes laid the groundwork for Latvia’s ethnic identity, and by the 12th century, the country bustled with merchants drawn to its harbors on the Baltic Sea.Latvia once belonged to the Hanseatic League, a powerful web of trade that sent ships heavy with grain and amber across the Baltic, and over the centuries it fell under the rule of Germanic crusaders, Sweden, Poland-Lithuania, and eventually Russia.These forces left their mark on Latvia’s culture and skyline.In 1918, after World War I, the nation declared independence, but the rumble of Soviet tanks and the shadow of Nazi banners returned during World War II.Latvia regained its independence in 1991 after the Soviet Union collapsed, and today about 1.8 million people live there, scattered across a country with plenty of open space.Most are ethnic Latvians-roughly 62%-while around a quarter are Russian, with smaller communities of Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Poles.Latvian is the official language, close in sound to Lithuanian, but Russian is still widely heard, especially among older residents, and English is becoming common in cities and among younger people.The country’s faiths range from Lutheran to Catholic to Eastern Orthodox, their church bells often mixing in the cold morning air.A notable share of Latvians are non-religious, yet traditions run deep-Jāņi, the midsummer festival, fills the air with songs, swirling dances, and tables heavy with food; ancient folksongs called *dainas* echo themes of nature, love, and everyday life; classical music thrives through talents like composer Pēteris Vasks and opera star Elīna Garanča; modern artists and exhibitions draw global attention; literature often mirrors the land’s forests and its long fight for independence; and the cuisine, shaped by the climate and farming heritage, is warm, filling, and made for cold nights.Latvian staples range from hearty rye bread and potatoes to rich dairy products, while beloved dishes include sklandrausis, a golden carrot-and-potato pie, grey peas with crisp bacon, and smoky fish fresh from the coast; locals also savor drinks like tangy kvass and the bittersweet black balsam liqueur, and the economy thrives on agriculture-grains, dairy, and forestry-alongside wood processing, electronics, and textiles, with tourism, IT, and finance quickly gaining ground since the country adopted the euro in 2014, its Baltic location keeping trade brisk with the EU and nearby Russia.Around 68% of Latvians live in cities, and Riga-buzzing with markets and street music-remains the country’s economic and cultural heart.Rural life still thrives, with small towns and villages keeping old traditions alive-think bread baked in wood-fired ovens.Latvians guard their work-life balance, often escaping on weekends to the beach, a quiet forest trail, or a countryside cottage.Education holds high importance here, and nearly everyone can read and write.Latvia not only offers affordable higher education, it also boasts smooth highways linking towns and countryside, scenic but slower trains between major cities, and plenty of buses, minibuses, and trams that make getting around urban areas cheap and easy; Riga International Airport connects travelers to much of Europe, while beyond the cities you’ll find quiet pine forests, wide marshes, and sandy coastline perfect for outdoor adventures.People flock to the forests in summer and autumn to hike, watch birds, cycle, or gather mushrooms and berries still damp with morning dew.Latvia’s identity is rooted in its language, folk traditions, and a history of enduring hardship.For centuries, the Latvian people have held on to their culture and independence despite foreign rule, and you can feel that pride in their folk songs, bright festivals, and everyday conversations.Latvia brims with wild forests, sweeping coastlines, and deep cultural roots, all carried forward by a resilient people who keep their eyes on the future.A rich mix of history, like the worn stones of an old city gate,
