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Latvia
Latvia, the pearl of the Baltic States, is one of the European Union member states and is situated in the North of Europe – on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Since ancient times Latvia has been at the cross-roads between East and West, North and South. Therefore, Latvia is a multi-cultured state, where the traditions of all these countries have merged, creating a unique environment, the like of which is not to be found anywhere in the world.
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| Cesvaine Castle | Rundale Palace and Museum |
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| Pape Nature Park | Jurkalne Bluff |
Latvia in Brief
Location
Latvia is bordered by Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Lithuania to the south and the Baltic Sea to the west. Its strategic location has made it an international crossroad for trade, commerce and cultural exchange since ancient times. Vikings followed the ‘Amber Road’ through Latvian territory along the Daugava River to reach Byzantium and the Mediterranean Sea.
Useful facts
Country code: LV
Calling code: +371
Internet TLD: .LV (.EU)
Time zone: EET (UTC+2) EEST (UTC+3)
Weights and measures: Metric
Euro information
Status: Latvia joined the euro area on 1 January 2014. The Latvian lats joined the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) on 2 May 2005, and observed a central rate of 0.702804 to the euro with standard fluctuation margins of ±15, but Latvia unilaterally maintained a 1% fluctuation band around the central rate.
Fixed conversion rate:€1 = 0.702804 Latvian lat.
History
The Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918. It has been continuously recognized as a sovereign state since 1920 despite occupations and rule by the Soviet Union (1940-1941, 1945-1991) and Nazi Germany (1941-1945). On August 21, 1991 Latvia declared the restoration of its de facto independence, re-established international diplomatic ties, and joined the United Nations. Latvia joined the WTO in 1998 and in 2004 became a member of the European Union and NATO.
The name "Latvija" comes from the ancient Latgallians, one of four Indo-European Baltic tribes, who along with Couronians, Selonians and Semigallians formed the ethnic core of today’s Latvian people.
Latvian Foods
Among Latvia’s traditionally most popular national foods are caraway cheese, grey peas with bacon, bacon-filled pastries and a special rye bread prepared from ancient recipes. Latvian rye bread is a staple for most of the population and is one of Latvia’s most popular food ‘souvenirs’.