Latvia (Latvija), officially Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika)
– country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. Latvia is a low-lying country with large forests. The landscape of the country is marked by lowland plains and rolling hills. The environment is rich in wildlife. Latvia borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Baltic Sea with the Gulf of Riga in the west, Russia in the east, and Belarus in the southeast. Latvia is largely a fertile lowland with numerous lakes and hills to the east.

Capital city: Riga

Largest cities: Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava

Official language: Latvian.

Currency: The Latvian Lat (LVL); 1LVL = 100 centimes.

Ethnic groups: Latvians (51,8%), Russians (33,8%), Belarusians (4,3%), Ukrainians (3,5%), Poles (2,3%), Lithuanians (1,3%).

Religion: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (55%), Roman Catholic (24%), Orthodox (9,0%).

Climate: humid, continental, temperate owing to the maritime influence of the Baltic Sea. 

Total area: 65 000 km².

Year of EU entry: 2004.

Famous for winning the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest.

How to get there

As Latvia is in Schengen Area and borders among most of the European countries have been abolished, it is possible to travel among schengen member countries without without visas and checking procedures at the state border.

Please, take your valid passport or identification card in case the police officers use the right to check the personal identity.