Many pagan traditions have been preserved in the culture of this country. One of the most popular national holidays- Ligo is the day of the summer solstice. The holiday is dedicated to the cult of the sun and fertility. These days, Latvians go out into nature, light bonfires, dance in circles, and sing folk songs.
Latvians have a lot of nature, and they love it and make efforts to preserve it: in 2012, Latvia was ranked 2nd in the world (after Switzerland) in the environmental performance index. It is interesting that many Latvian surnames come from the names of trees, birds, and animals.
The city with the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings
Riga has the world's largest collection of examples of the Art Nouveau (modern) architectural style: more than 800 buildings. The architectural style emerged in the late 19th century and was based on the idea that art should be part of everyday life. At the same time, Riga experienced an economic boom, which led to extensive development. Nowadays, on the streets of the central part of the city, it is difficult not to pay attention to buildings with fancy stucco moldings: masks, mythical creatures, and floral decorations. The most modernist place in Riga is Alberta Street. Most of the buildings in Art Nouveau (modern) were created by the architects Eisenstein and Production.
Passion for the high
The highest point in the country is only 312 m, which is 6 m less than the highest mountain in Estonia. This is a serious blow to the prestige of the nation. Therefore, they had to build a tower on this mountain in order to get ahead of their neighbor.
On the other hand, Latvia is home to the tallest women in Europe with an average height of 170 cm. Per capita, it produces more fashion models than any other country in the world. Of course, women's basketball is a beloved sport in the country. The women's team “TTT Riga” is a multiple European champion.
Note to tourists
Gulrypsh - a holiday destination for celebrities
There is an urban-type settlement Gulrypsh on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, the appearance of which is closely connected with the name of the Russian philanthropist Nikolai Nikolaevich Smetsky. In 1989, due to his wife’s illness, they needed a change of climate. The matter was decided by chance.Latvia – state in Northern Europe, washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea in the west. On a detailed map of Latvia you can find the country's border with four countries: Estonia in the north, Russia in the east, Belarus in the southeast and Lithuania in the south.
Latvia is a major financial and logistics center, as well as an exporter of wood, petroleum products and medicines.
Latvia on the world map: geography, nature and climate
On the world map, Latvia is located in Northern Europe, in the Baltic states, and is washed by the Baltic Sea from the west and the Gulf of Riga from the north-west. The territory of Latvia stretches from north to south for 250 km, and from west to east – 450 km. The total length of the borders is 1382 km.
Minerals
Latvia does not have significant mineral reserves, however, the country has deposits of gravel, clay, peat, gypsum, limestone, oil and iron ores.
Relief
Most of Latvia’s topography is represented by slightly hilly plains 100–200 m high, which are the western edge of the East European Plain:
- in the west and north-west of the country, along the coast of the Baltic Sea, there is the Primorskaya Lowland;
- in the southern part of Latvia there are the Zemgale lowland, Augšzeme and South Kurzeme uplands;
- the eastern part of the country is occupied by the East Latvian lowland, Latgale Aluksna and uplands;
- in the north of Latvia there is the North Latvian Lowland;
- on the map of Latvia in Russian in the central part of the country you can find the Vidzeme Upland, the Riga Plain and the Central Latvian Lowland.
The highest point in Latvia is Mount Gaizinkalns (312 meters), which belongs to the Vidzeme Upland.
Hydrography
More than 700 rivers flow through the territory of Latvia, the longest of them is the Daugava - its length within the country is 357 km (total length - 1020 km). Other large rivers are the Gauja, Lielupe, and Venta. All rivers belong to the Baltic Sea basin and usually have a mixed supply - snow, rain and underground. Rivers freeze in November–December and open in March–April.
There are about 3,000 lakes in Latvia, occupying 1.5% of the country's territory. Most of the lakes are of glacial origin, and the largest of them is Lake Lubans with an area of 81 km 2. Wetlands account for about 10% of Latvia's area, most of which are located in the east of the country.
Flora and fauna
The most common soils in Latvia are sod-podzolic, sod-carbonate, gley and peat-bog soils.
Forests occupy 40% of the country's area, coniferous forests (pine, spruce) account for 2/3, and deciduous forests (birch, aspen, alder) account for 1/3 of all forests.
The fauna of Latvia is represented by 63 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 29 species of fish, 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, 17,500 species of invertebrates. The most frequently encountered animals are roe deer, deer, wild boar, hares, and wolves. Rare representatives of the fauna can be found here: black stork, raccoon dog and corncrake. In the Baltic Sea and inland waters of the country there are pike, pike-perch, trout, catfish, perch, syrty, roach, salmon and other fish.
Latvia has 4 national parks, 5 nature reserves and many nature reserves. The largest environmental protection zone is the Gauja National Park, located in the central part of the country and known primarily for the sandy cliffs along the river of the same name. There are also historical attractions here - Turaida and Lielstraup castles, built in the 13th century.
Climate
The climate of Latvia is temperate maritime and temperate continental, significantly softened by the proximity of the Baltic Sea and moistened by the influence of Atlantic winds - the average annual air humidity is 81%. Winter in the country is mild and snowy, the average temperature in January is from -1 to -5 °C. Summer is cool and humid, the average temperature in July is from +16 to +18 °C. The average annual air temperature is +6 °C, and the average annual precipitation is from 600 to 700 mm. The country experiences mostly cloudy and cloudy weather - there are only 30 - 40 sunny days a year.
Map of Latvia with cities. Administrative division of the country
The territory of Latvia consists of 110 regions and 9 republican cities:
- Rigi,
- Daugavpils,
- Liepaja,
- Jelgava,
- Jurmala,
- Ventspils,
- Rezekne,
- Valmiera,
- Jekabpils.
Largest cities in Latvia
- Riga- the capital and largest city not only of Latvia, but also of the Baltic states, an important economic and cultural center of the country. The city is located on both banks of the Daugava River and the coast of the Gulf of Riga. The population of Riga has been steadily declining since the collapse of the Soviet Union and today stands at 638 thousand people, of which the most numerous are Latvians (46%) and Russians (38%).
- Daugavpils- the second largest and most populous city (86 thousand people) in Latvia, located on both banks of the river of the same name, 30 km from the border with Belarus and Lithuania. Metalworking, chemical and food industry, and more recently – electronics. The main attraction of the city is the Daugavpils Fortress, built in the 19th century. On a map of Latvia with cities in Russian, Daugavpils can be found in the south of the country.
- Liepaja is a city in southwestern Latvia and an important port on the Baltic Sea coast. 70 thousand people live in Liepaja. Cargo and passenger transportation, construction, metallurgy, light and food industries are the most important sectors of the city's economy.
(Latvian republic)
General information
Geographical position. State in northeastern Europe. In the north it borders with Estonia, in the east with Russia, in the south with Belarus and Lithuania. In the west it is washed by the Baltic Sea.
Square. The territory of Latvia occupies 64,500 square meters. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of Latvia is Riga. The largest cities: Riga (924 thousand people), Daugavpils (128 thousand people), Liepaja (114 thousand people). Administratively, Latvia is divided into 26 districts (counties).
Political system
Latvia is a republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is the unicameral Sejm.
Relief. Most of the territory is occupied by a low-lying plain, hilly in the west and east.
Geological structure and minerals. Latvia is not rich in mineral resources, but the country has deposits of dolomite, limestone, and peat.
Climate. The climate of Latvia is transitional from maritime to continental. The average temperature in July is from +16 to +18°C. In January on the Baltic Sea coast it is -2°C. In the eastern regions -7°C. The sunniest and driest month is May. There are 150-170 cloudy days a year in Latvia.
Inland waters. Latvia has a developed river network, all rivers belong to the Baltic Sea basin. The largest rivers: Daugava, Lielupe, Venta, Gauja. Lakes occupy 1.5 percent of the country's territory, most of them of glacial origin. The deepest lake is Drizda (61.1 m). The lakes are used for fishing. 4.8% of the territory is occupied by swamps.
Soils and vegetation. The soils are podzolic and marshy. Deciduous and coniferous tree species are widely represented in the forests of Latvia.
Animal world. The fauna of Latvia is not very diverse, but it can be found in forests a large number of deer, hares, roe deer, wild boars. The Black Crane is quite common.
Population and language
The population is 2.386 million people. Ethnic groups: Latvians - 51.8%, Russians - 33.8%, Belarusians - 4.5%, Ukrainians - 3.4%, Poles - 2.3%. Languages: Latvian (state), Russian.
Religion
Religion: Evangelical Lutherans, Orthodox.
Brief historical sketch
Since the 13th century. Latvia was alternately under the rule of Germany, Poland and Russia. Latvia passed to Russia in 1795 after the third partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
After the October Revolution of 1917 Latvia got a chance to gain sovereignty and declared independence on November 19, 1918. On August 5, 1940, the country was annexed by the USSR as the 15th republic.
Brief Economic Sketch
Latvia is an industrial-agrarian country. The leading industries are mechanical engineering and metalworking (power engineering, electrical engineering, radio-electronic industry, production of communications equipment and instrument making, transport, and agricultural engineering). The chemical and petrochemical, light (textile, knitwear, etc.), food (meat and dairy, fish, etc.), forestry, woodworking and pulp and paper, glass and porcelain-faience industries are developed; production of perfumery and cosmetic products; artistic crafts: processing of leather, amber, wood carving, embroidery. The main branch of agriculture is livestock farming (dairy and beef cattle breeding and bacon pig farming). Crops of grain (rye, wheat, barley), fodder crops. Fiber flax and sugar beets are also grown. Potato growing, vegetable growing. Beekeeping, fur farming. Resorts: Jurmala, Liepaja, Kelari, Baldone, etc. Export: products of mechanical engineering, light and food industries.
The monetary unit is lat.
Brief sketch of culture
Art and architecture. Riga. Dome Cathedral (XIII century); Church of St. John (XV century); St. Peter's Cathedral (XVI century); The old town, surrounded by a moat; guild building (XIV century). Liepaja. Cathedral (XVIII century). Cesis. Castle (XIV century). Jelgava. Cathedral (XVII century).
Literature. J. Rainis (1865-1929) - poet and playwright, who wrote in figurative metaphorical form, full of deep philosophical symbolism and lyricism, using folklore motifs, author of poetry collections (“Distant Echoes on a Blue Evening”), poetic plays (“Blow, Breeze” ").
Map of Latvia from satellite. Explore the satellite map of Latvia online in real time. A detailed map of Latvia was created based on high-resolution satellite images. As close as possible, the satellite map of Latvia allows you to study in detail the streets, individual houses and attractions of Latvia. The map of Latvia from a satellite can easily be switched to regular map mode (diagram).
Latvia– one of the Baltic states, which is located in northeastern Europe. The shores of Latvia are washed by the Baltic Sea. The capital of the country is the city of Riga. Despite the fact that the official language is Latvian, most residents understand and speak Russian well.
Most of the attractions are concentrated in Riga, the cultural center of the country. This city is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. This is an ancient city with a huge number of attractions. With its monuments and architecture, Riga has rightfully earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Latvia is a fairly popular country in terms of tourism. In the summer, many tourists come to the Baltic Sea coast for an excellent seaside holiday. Jurmala is considered the most prestigious summer resort. In addition to ordinary residents of Latvia, film and pop stars vacation in Jurmala. This city is also famous for the annual New Wave competition.