LATVIA
Founded in Nov 18 1918, Latvia is one of the Baltic States along with Lithuania and Estonia and it lies in the Baltic region of Northern Europe.
The natives of Latvia are called ‘Letts’ and historically Latvia is known as Lettland. In 1941, during the Russian occupation of Latvia, thousand of Letts were exiled to Siberia.
The Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians joined hands forming a long human chain stretching from Tallinn to Riga to Vilnius, in 1989, an attempt to demonstrate their desire for freedom from Soviet occupancy.
In 1994 the Russian troops finally withdrew from Latvia.
A dramatic hinterland - much of which is protected in nature parks - comes replete with vast swathes of forest forests lining the shores, tranquil lakes and gushing river and above all the somber Gulf of Riga and the open Baltic Sea are some of the reasons that Latvia sees a large tourist rush.
Some of the best Art Nouveau architecture in Europe can be found at the charming capital city of the country- Riga.
LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY
Latvia is situated on the Eastern European plain, on the Baltic shore. On the north it is bordered by Estonia, on the south by Lithuania, on the east by the Russian Federation and on the southeast by Belarus.
The country covers a territory of 64,589 sq. km and enjoys a temperate seasonal climate. Latvia has numerous lakes and hills to the east and is mainly fertile lowland.
CLIMATE
Being in the close vicinity of the Baltic Sea makes its climate humid, continental and temperate. The spring and summers are perhaps the best times to visit the country as the weather is mild during these seasons and the summers can be warm. The winters too can be very extreme due to the northern location of the country; cold winds from Russia and severe snowfalls are very common.
LANGUAGES AND PEOPLE
About 60% of the population is made up by the indigenous people of the country, nearly 30% by Russians and the rest by a combination of such ethnic groups as Belarusians, Ukrainians, Poles, Jews Germans and Estonians. Christianity is the largest religion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church having the largest followers.
The folk song culture of Latvia is nearly 1000 years old and millions of thousands of melodies of folk songs are preserved in the country.
Latvian is spoken by the majority of the population and is the official language of the country. A nearly extinct language called Livonian, which is a dialect of Latvian, is protected by Latvian law as a historical variation of the Latvian language.
ECONOMY AND CURRENCY
Lats (Ls) (LVL), is the Latvian monetary unit and since 1999 the country is a member of the World Trade Organization and since 2004, it has been a member of the European Union.
The Latvian economy, driven by the growth of domestic consumption, took the GDP of the country to the highest in Europe. But in 2008-9 the economy fell by 18%. Now the state-owned small and medium companies have been successfully privatized in order to stabilize the economy.
HOLIDAYING IN LATVIA
Shopping
From folk art, linen, to wickerwork and ceramics, Latvia has a number of things available as take away or souvenirs. One of the most popular items to shop for at Latvia is Amber. You can choose from high quality Amber to cheap imitations according to your budget and taste.
To take back the taste of the country, shop for the Latvian beer and the Riga Black Balsam drinks. Also you can buy the extensive and renowned Latvian folk music.
Nightlife
At Riga, there is no much distinction between its bars and cafes and the nightlife there is legendary. During the warm summer months, both, the bars and the cafes spill out on to the roads.
Strip and lap dancing clubs are also big attractions at Riga.
From dancing all night to blues concerts, the nightclubs are always full of fervent activity.
Holiday resorts in some of the places become very lively during the summers.
Food and Drink
Red Meats, served with creamy sauces form the mainstay of the Latvian menus. However, in the coastal regions, meat gives way to fish. Latvian beer and lethally strong spirits are used to wash down the food.
You can several international restaurants in Riga, if you are wary of sampling the local cuisine.
In case you are keen on taking your taste buds on a different trip, here are some of the Latvian specialties you can try:
- Meat patties called Kotelets
- A special cabbage soup called Skabu kapostu zupa
- For a fruity taste, try the raspberry- or cranberry-filled pastry strips, called Alexander Torte.
- A pastry filled with bacon and onions, which is called Piragi.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES AND DESTINATIONS
Cape Kolka, a breathtaking spot where the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga crash together, is just the place for taking a walk and photographs as well.
For a 360 degree view of the Latvian capital of Riga, go to the skyline bar, at the Revel Hotel Latvia and once there sample the cocktail list while you indulge your sense of sight.
Visit the Gauja national park, covering an area of nearly 94 sq. km (36 sq. miles) around the River Gauja, and explore its caves, rocks and dense woods. This and several other national parks in the country have numerous hiking trails, so you can embark on refreshing treks through them.
A significant population of interesting and uncommon birds, including the corncrake, is attracted by Latvia's wetlands and traditionally cultivated farmland. You can contact some local operators who arrange for bird-watching trips.
As far back as 1924 an ethnographic open air museum was established in the country which boasts historical dwellings, workers' homesteads, a tavern and windmills, gathered here from all over Latvia.
From Sigulda to Krimulda, you can get a birds-eye view of the Gauja River Gorge, on a cable car.
Amidst the Latgale forest there are log cabins for rent, some of which are located next to lakes where the hearty can take a swim, while others have their own saunas.
Explore the capital city, Riga, where there is a fine concentration of Jugendstil (Germanic art nouveau) buildings in Europe and a chocolate-box pretty old town, which together have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Turaida Museum Reserve is one of Latvia's most popular attractions which thronged by tourists and Latvian school children.
A visit to this opulent baroque and rococo masterpiece, the Rastrelli's Rundale Palace, is nearly essential.
Visit Cesis, one of Latvia’s oldest towns, is full of old wooden buildings, cobbled streets, attractive churches and impressive castles to transport you back through layers of history.
The Basilica of Aglona, this immense white cathedral is a place of pilgrimage for Catholics but is worth visiting even if you are not religious.
WHERE TO STAY
Stay in a converted castle or grand manor house for that unique Latvian experience.
With major international chains, boutique properties, spa hotels and family run businesses, Latvia has an extensive range of hotels with the capital, Riga, having the broadest range of all.
For longer stays, self catering apartments are readily available at Riga, and at other places you can find the more reasonable pensions and guest houses.
For the exclusive Latvian countryside experience, self-catering cottages, often Alpine-style chalets, are available.
Spaces for caravans are provided at some of the camp sites, which are generally in remarkably picturesque spots.
In the numerous youth hostels spread across the country, the facilities vary, with accommodation typically provided in dormitories, although some double, triple and quadruple bedrooms are available as well.
HOW TO REACH
The main international airport is at Riga, which is 8 kilometers from the city and you can fly there via the country’s national airline air Baltic.
Charter and business flights to Europe and CIS countries are available at Liepaja International Airport (LPX).
Ferry services from Riga are available to some places like Stockholm, Lubeck in Germany.
Rail links between Riga and Moscow and St Petersburg in the Russian Federation, Tallinn in Estonia and Vilnius in Lithuania are there.
Through to Belarus and to the neighboring two Baltic Republics, there are good road routes.
GETTING AROUND
Riga is connected to all the major towns of Latvia by a good rail network and the railway terminal in Riga is at Stacijas laukums.
Although there is quite an extensive road network in place in Latvia but road quality varies considerably from sealed roads to rough tracks strewn with potholes. You can travel by bus or then hire a car.
Click to Hide