The Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika), abbreviated as Latvia. The name of the country, derived from the national language, meaning "armor", "metal clothing", is located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. The total length of the national border is 1,862 kilometers, and the land area is 64,589 square kilometers, of which the land area is 62,046 square kilometers and the internal water area is 2,543 square kilometers. With an average altitude of 87 meters, the terrain is hills and plains. The climate is an intermediate type of transition from an oceanic climate to a continental climate. The average temperature in January is -4.6°C, the average temperature in July is 21.4°C, and the average night temperature is 11°C. The average annual precipitation is 732 mm.
In the 10th century, it was established as a feudal principality, and from the end of the 12th century to 1562, it was invaded by the Germanic crusaders and later belonged to the Delvonian regime. In 1583~1710, it was divided by the Sweden and Poland Lithuania federations. From 1710 to 1918 it was occupied by the Russia Empire and then by Germany, and on November 18, 1918 declared independence.
The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was established in July 1940, and was annexed by the Soviet Union on August 5 of the same year and became one of the Soviet republics. On 22 August 1991, Latvia regained its independence.
Latvia is a developed capitalist country that became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004 and joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Member of the Schengen Convention since 21 December 2007. On January 1, 2014, Latvia officially became the 18th member of the Eurozone.
The reason why Latvia is called the "land of singing" is not for nothing. The country's musical tradition is deep, and the love of the people for the art of singing permeates almost every corner of life. From ancient folk songs to modern symphonies, from family reunions to performances on the international stage, singing has played an extremely important role in the lives of Latvians.
Latvia's choirs are internationally acclaimed, especially the Latvian Radio Choir, which has won praise from audiences around the world for its virtuosity and rich repertoire. Whether it's Bach's classical works or the innovations of modern composers, Latvian choirs are able to perform them to the fullest, showing a high artistic standard.
geographical location
Latvia is located in the western part of the Eastern European Plain, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Riga is deep inland; It shares borders with Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. The land area is 64,589 square kilometers, of which the land area is 62,046 square kilometers and the inland water area is 2,543 square kilometers.
The topography of Latvia is interspersed with plains, lowlands and low hills, with three-quarters of the region below 120 meters above sea level and 311 meters above sea level at the highest point. The coastline of Latvia is 307 kilometers long, and the Gulf of Riga is deep inland. The terrain is low and flat, with hills in the east and west. The total length of the border is 1,841 km, of which 496 km are coastline. The average altitude is 87 meters, and the landform is hills and plains, mainly limestone soil, and about half of it is arable land.
Latvia is an intermediate type of transition from an oceanic to a continental climate, with an average temperature of -4.6 °C in January, 21.4 °C in July and 11 °C at night. The average annual precipitation is 732 mm.
The main rivers in Latvia are the Daugava and the Goya. The territory is full of lakes and swamps. There are 140 lakes with an area of more than 1 square kilometre, and the larger lakes are Lake Lubans, Lake Lazna, Lake Egulie and Lake Britagnix. The climate is an intermediate type of transition from an oceanic climate to a continental climate. There are 14,000 rivers, of which 777 are more than 10 kilometers long.
Latvia has small amounts of minerals such as peat, limestone, gypsum, dolomite, quartz sand, etc. There are 14,000 wild species. The forest area is 3.497 million hectares, of which 1.686 million hectares are state-owned forests, with a coverage rate of 49.9%.
national flag
The flag of Latvia is a horizontal rectangle with a ratio of length to width of about 2:1. From top to bottom, it is composed of three parallel horizontal and wide strips of red, white, and red. As early as the 13th century, the Latgars living in Latvia used red, white and red flags. In 1918 the national flag was de facto legalized, and in 1922 the colors and proportions of the flag were determined. In 1940, when Latvia became a republic of the Soviet Union, the flag at that time was a white and blue water ripple pattern on the lower part of the Soviet flag. In 1990, Latvia declared independence, and the red, white and red flags, symbolizing the unity of the Latvian nation, were used as national flags. This red is actually a unique dark red, which is commonly known as "Latvian red" in the world. The dark red eulogizes the patriotic feelings of Latvians who have the courage to sacrifice their blood for the motherland, and the white color expresses the Latvians' yearning and desire for peace and tranquility.
national emblem
The national emblem of Latvia is divided into three styles: large, medium and small. Among them, the small coat of arms is the coat of arms: the sun is above, and the seventeen rays represent the seventeen Latvian-speaking regions; In the lower left corner is a lion, representing West Latvia; In the lower right corner is a griffon, indicating the eastern region. There are three five-pointed stars above the shield, symbolizing the three districts in history. The Chinese emblem is marked with oak branches. The branches of the emblem of the country are tied with the national flag, and the left and right are guarded by lions and griffins.
Administrative divisions
As of July 1, 2021, Latvia is divided into 42 first-level administrative regions with 35 counties and 7 municipalities. [2] Cities in Latvia will be divided into nationalcities and countycities, with Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Ogre, Rēzekne, Rīga, Ten cities of Valmiera and Ventspils.
Riga has an area of 307 square kilometers and a population of 632,600. Located in the heart of the Baltic States, 56 degrees 58 minutes 0 seconds north latitude, 24 degrees 8 minutes 0 seconds east longitude, bordering the Gulf of Riga, the urban area spans both sides of the Daugava River, and is 15 kilometers north of the Baltic Sea. Located at the crossroads of western and eastern Europe, Russia and Scandinavia, its port is strategically important and is known as the "beating heart of the Baltic Sea" and the "Paris of the North". Because Riga is close to the lake, it is also known as three rivers and one lake, the three rivers refer to the Daugava River, the Leruba River, the city canal, and the one lake refers to the Jishi Lake. It covers an area of 307 square kilometers. The average temperature in January is -4.6°C, the average temperature in July is 21.4°C, and the average temperature throughout the year is 6.7°C.
In 2022, Latvia had a population of 1.876 million. Latvian 62 per cent, Russian 25.4 per cent, Belarus 3.3 per cent, Ukraine 2.2 per cent and Poland 2.1 per cent. In addition, there are Jews, Estonia and other ethnic groups.
When talking about Latvia, one has to mention the beauty and charm of the country's women. Latvian beauties are known all over the world for their tall figures, delicate facial features, natural temperament, and unique sense of fashion.
Latvian women generally have tall statures and slender limbs, which makes them stand out from the crowd. Their facial features are well-defined, their eyes are deep and bright, the bridge of their noses is straight, and their lips are full, revealing a natural beauty. In addition, Latvian women usually pay attention to maintenance and a healthy diet, resulting in a delicate, smooth skin with a natural glow.
tourism
Tourism in Latvia is an important part of the country's economy and is constantly evolving despite some challenges over the past few years.
1、里加古城(Riga Old Town)
The ancient city of Riga is the historical and cultural center of Latvia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many medieval buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica and Riga Cathedral have been preserved here, and you can feel the rich historical atmosphere when you stroll through the cobbled streets. There are also many handicraft shops, cafes and restaurants in the old city, where visitors can taste authentic Latvian cuisine and buy unique souvenirs.
2、伦达尔宫和博物馆（Rundale Palace and Museum）
Lendal Palace is the most typical Baroque and Rococo style building in Latvia, designed by the famous architect Francesco Rastrelli. Surrounded by a beautiful rose garden on the outside, the palace is lavishly decorated inside, showcasing a wealth of art and artifacts. The museum houses a large collection of precious works of art and furniture, and visitors can get up close and personal with these historical treasures.
3. Jurmala Beach
Jurmalla is the largest seaside resort in the Baltics and the most popular in Latvia, with white and sandy Blue Flag beaches and clean pine forest air. Visitors can enjoy the sun, sand and waves here, as well as visit the unique spa and relax.
4、图雷达堡博物馆保护区(Turaida Museum Reserve)
Located near Sigulda, the Fort Tureda Museum Reserve is the best place to learn about the ancient traditions of Latvia. A medieval castle and its fascinating museum are preserved here. Visitors can explore the musical heritage of Latvian Folk Song Mountain and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Goya River Valley.
5、文茨皮尔斯港(Ventspils)
Ventspils Port is a town that embraces the sea, with magnificent beaches and an abundance of tourism. Visitors can admire street sculptures, explore medieval interactive castles, or relax on the Blue Flag beaches.
These are just a few of the many attractions in Latvia, each with its own unique charm and character waiting to be explored and discovered.
delicacies
Latvian cuisine blends Nordic, Russia and Central European cooking styles to create unique specialties. Here are some representative Latvian cuisines:
1、黑面包(Fermented bread)
Brown bread is one of the traditional foods on the Latvian table, made from rye flour, which has a dark brown appearance and a rich taste. It has a distinctive wheat flavor and is usually served with cream, sauces or fish.
2、烤猪肉(Lime)
Roast pork is a classic dish in Latvian cuisine, consisting of marinated pork that is slow-roasted for a crispy texture and tender meat. It is usually served with mushroom sauce or berry jam and gives people a rich taste experience.
3、腌鲱鱼(Marinated Sid)
Pickled herring is one of the traditional delicacies of Latvia, made from fresh herring that has been salted and has a sweet and sour taste with a hint of saltiness. It is usually sliced and served with brown bread and becomes a traditional appetizer.
4、乳酪蛋糕(Siers kūka)
Cheesecake is one of the traditional desserts in Latvia, made with ingredients such as cheese, cream, eggs, and flour, with a delicate texture and moderate sweetness. It is often enjoyed at festivals and celebrations and is one of the favorite desserts of Latvians.
5、里加黑药酒(Riga Black Balsam)
It is a very herbaceous liquor, usually drunk as a hot drink, with ingredients such as blackcurrant juice, fragrant resin, coffee, and whipped cream, which is bitter and sweet, and has a strong cold repelling effect.
Not only is Latvian cuisine very diverse, but each dish has a rich cultural and historical background. Tasting these delicacies will not only satisfy your taste buds, but also give you an insight into the customs of Latvia.