Country Overview
Latvia is not well known in the United States. Your student will be able to tell you why it should be.

Latvia is located in northeastern Europe on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. Its Baltic neighbors are Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania.

Its population of 2.5 million is predominantly (55%) Latvian. The remainder of the population is Russian (33%), Belarussian, Ukrainian, Polish, Lithuanian, Jewish, Gypsy, Estonian, and German.

Latvian is the official language, but it is not the only language spoken. Most Latvians also speak Russian and either English or German.

About one-third of the population (890,000) lives in the capital, Riga.

Latvia is a relatively flat country. Low flatlands alternate with hills and shallow valleys. The Baltic and Gulf of Rigas shores feature long stretches of sandy beaches. There are also many lakes and rivers, and forest covers 45% of the country.

The climate is less mild than the terrain. Winters are bitterly cold. From early November to April the temperature rarely rises above 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). During this time the sun shines for only a few hours a day.

June to August is more pleasant. Then the average temperature is 57-71 degrees Fahrenheit (14-22 degrees Celsius). July and August are the warmest months, but they are also the rainiest.

Latvia became a republic following its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. The Saeima, the 100-member unicameral legislature, elects the president, who acts as the head of the state. The prime minister is the head of the government.

Latvia is a member of the United Nations and its organizations, including the IMF and World Bank. It has applied for European Union membership and has expressed interest in joining NATO.

Latvia's major industries are wood, wood products, textiles, and agriculture. The currency is the lats (plural 'lati').

Latvian artists and authors are not well known outside Latvia. The giant of Latvian literature is Janis Rainas, while the most celebrated twentieth century painter is Janis Rizentals.

Latvian folk songs are very popular and have been passed down from generation to generation. A popular type of poetic verse is dainas, a short form that has been compared to haiku.

Latvian cuisine relies heavily on smoked fish. Smoked flounder, eel, herring, and pilchards are staples of the diet. Other mainstays are dairy products, eggs, potatoes, grains, soups, and sausages.

Summer and autumn are a sweet time to visit. Fruit is in abundance there and Latvians bake the berries into wonderful pies and tarts.

Community
There is no official religion in Latvia. The major religions are Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox. Religious participation was discouraged during the Soviet era, but the number of practitioners has been growing over the last few years. Nonetheless, there are many Latvians who claim to follow no faith.

back to top