All about Latvia By:Camille Malagar
Joined EU May 1st, 2004 // Not a founding member of EU
Location:
Latvia borders Lithuania, Russia, and Estonia. Latvia is situated on the Baltic Coast.
Major Cities:
Riga (the Capital of Latvia) is one major city. Most of the population of Latvia lives in Riga ( 104,857)Other important cities are daugavpils (population-104,857), Liepaja (population-84,747), Durbe (population-1,105), and Pavilosta (population-1,111).
Currency type
Latvia used lats until it was recently replaced with euros (€) just this year. 1 lat equaled $1.75 in American money.
Geography (Physical features)
Latvia has large forests and many rivers such as the Daugava River, Lielupe River, Gausa River, the Veinta River, and the Salaca River. Also pine woods cover 41% of the country.
History
Latvia is one of the Baltic States. Latvia was forced to the Soviet Union by the Nazi Germans in 1940, until the Soviets re-occupied Latvia in 1941. Latvia was not independent until 1991.
Flag History
Latvia used their flag independently in 1918 until they got invaded by the Nazis and the Soviets in 1940. The red symbolizes the blood taken from their hearts for freedom and willingness to defend their liberty. The white stripe represents the white sheet that covered their leader when he was killed.
Tourism
Many people tour Latvia because of it's rich environment in wildlife and the beautiful freedom statue of Latvia that is one of the highest monuments in Europe so people could want to see that.
Freedom Statue of Latvia
Wildlife animals in Latvia
Wildlife in Latvia
3 interesting facts
The widest waterfall in Europe is in Latvia! "Ventas Rumba" (360ft)
The longest day in Latvia runs to 17+ hours of sunlight
Latvians are Protestant and love ice hockey.
Government
Parliamentary Republic