Here are some interesting facts about Latvia.
- Latvia is one of the 3 European Baltic states. It is located in northern Europe, covers an area of about 64,000 square km and is bordered by Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Belarus.
- The country was controlled by the Soviet Union after World War II, and claimed its independence in 1991.
- In 2004, Latvia joined the European Union.
- Riga is the capital and largest city. The city is a World Heritage Site, known for its 19th century wooden buildings and for having the most Art Nouveau buildings in the world.
- Riga Castle was built in the 14th century to protect the city, and is today the home of the country’s President. In 2013, a fire destroyed about 3,000 square metres of the castle.
- One of Riga’s most well-known buildings is the House of the Blackheads. It was built during the 14th century as a trade guild for unmarried German merchants.
- Over 50 percent of Latvia is covered by forest, and a lot of the coastline is undeveloped.
- The country’s highest point is only 311 metres high, and there are over 700 protected areas, including over 250 nature reserves.
- Ice hockey is the most popular sport in Latvia, and tennis, football and cycling are also popular.
- In 1935, the Latvian basketball team won the first European Basketball Championship.
- In 2012, most of the country voted not to adopt Russian as an official second language, after Latvian.
- Some Latvians speak the almost extinct language of Livonian, which is protected under the country’s law.
- It rains or snows in Latvia for over half the year. The farmland often has to be drained, which provides one of the country’s main sources of employment.
- The country has over 12,000 rivers and is home to over 27,000 plant and animal species.
- The white wagtail has been Latvia’s national bird since 1960.
