Updated: 09.07.2025.
Latvia is located in northeastern Europe, on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It is one of the three Baltic States. Its neighboring countries are Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. Latvia is divided into four geographic regions: Kurzeme in the west, Vidzeme in the north, Zemgale in the south, and Latgale in the east of the country. Latvia covers an area of 65,589 km² and has a shoreline that is 494 km long.
Latvia’s landscape is rich and diverse. The country lies in a zone where both Northern and Central European flora and fauna can be found. Approximately 44% of its territory is covered by forests, which are considered one of Latvia’s greatest treasures. Latvia is also a land of lakes — around 2,300 lakes are found in the country, particularly in the eastern region of Latgale.
Latvia has always been at the crossroads of major trade routes and, since ancient times, has served as a bridge between Western Europe and Russia. Ancient chronicles speak of the route “from the Vikings to the Greeks,” which began in Scandinavia, passed along the banks of the Daugava River—now within Latvia—and continued through Kievan Rus all the way to the Byzantine Empire.
Latvia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. July is the warmest month of the year, with an average air temperature of 20–22°C, although temperatures can rise to 30°C and above. Winters tend to be snowy, with average temperatures ranging from -5°C to -15°C. However, Latvia is also known for its unpredictable and sometimes surprising weather.
Latvian is the official state language of Latvia. It is a Baltic language and a member of the Indo-European language family. Latvian is considered one of the oldest European languages. It is neither a Slavic nor a Germanic language — only Lithuanian is closely related to it.
The primary foreign language in Latvia is English. The younger generation speaks English well, while the older generation often communicates in Russian.
Here are a few words and phrases in Latvian:
- Hi, hello — Sveiki
- Goodbye — Uz redzēšanos
- Yes — Jā
- No — Nē
- Thank you — Paldies
- Please — Lūdzu
- Sorry — Atvainojiet
In the beginning of 2024, there were 1.857 million residents in Latvia. Of them 1,171,070 were ethnic Latvians, 437,587-Russians, 59,597-Ukrainians, 54,645-Belarusians, 34,782-Poles, 20,155-Lithuanians.
Latvia is an independent democratic parliamentary republic. Legislative power is vested in a unicameral parliament — the Saeima, which consists of 100 members. Elections are held every four years. Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. The Head of State is the President of Latvia, who is elected by the Saeima for a term of four years and has broad representative functions.
Latvia’s Independence Day is celebrated on November 18.
Riga, the capital city of Latvia, is considered the country’s cultural center, with a high concentration of scientific, cultural, and entertainment institutions. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a wide variety of cultural events, including museums, exhibitions, theater performances, and opera. The cultural and historical significance of Riga is especially visible in its Old Town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Theaters, ethnic cultural centers, and various other cultural organizations can also be found throughout Latvia.
Latvia is known as a land of song, and musical events are very popular — from concerts and seasonal festivals to local performances. One of the most important cultural events is the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, which brings together the country’s best folk dance groups, choirs, and musicians. This tradition dates back to 1873. The festival is held once every five years and remains an impressive and unifying event every time.
Latvians are also enthusiastic about sports — ice hockey, basketball, bobsledding, and other sports are widely enjoyed. Latvia’s larger cities, including Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, and Ventspils, offer ice skating rinks and sports clubs, and many of these activities are also popular in rural areas.
A very important tradition in Latvia is the Summer Solstice, known locally as Jāņi. The celebration takes place on the night of June 23 and is rich with ancient customs, many of which have been adapted to modern life. People gather in the countryside, light large bonfires, and spend the entire night singing and celebrating together.
The major religious denominations in Latvia are Lutheranism, Roman Catholicism, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Since the Reformation in the 16th century, the Lutheran Church has been the dominant religious tradition in Latvia.