Overview
Geography
Climate
Nature
Government and Political System
Populations
Latvians
Cities
e-Resorces and e-Information sources
Latvija.lv
Your Gateway to Acquaint Yourself with Latvia
Institutions
News Agencies and Information Services
Newspapers, Magazines and Internet News Portals in English
Inquiry Desks
Latvia - a small country on the Baltic Sea. Closer than you think (only approx. 2,5 h by plane from London, Paris or Rome), and more contrasting than you think. It takes only about 8 hours to drive across the state from West to East, with the possibility to experience both untouched nature and hi-tech settings. A mix of ancient traditions and modern knowledge. A possibility to experience something fresh, clean and in its natural state, at the same time not losing the connection with the civilization. Latvia is bridging the past and the future as it moves from its past to a modern EU, NATO and ERA country and are ready to take its place in the global community.
The landscape of the country is marked by lowland plains and rolling hills. Most of the countryside is less than 100 metres above sea level. It has an extensive network of rivers, thousands of lakes and hundreds of kilometres of undeveloped seashore lined by pine forests, dunes, and continuous white sand beaches.
Latvia is bordered by Estonia to the north, Russia and Belarus 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.
Latvia weather features a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers, moderate winters and frequently high levels of humidity and precipitation.
With over 44 percent of its territory covered by forests, a vast network of free flowing rivers and thousands of lakes, Latvia is one of Europe best preserved havens for a wide variety of wildlife. Over 27 thousand species of flora and fauna thrive in natural settings that are still relatively undisturbed by man. Many rare species, such as the black stork and lesser spotted eagle, make their homes in Latvia mixed forests, marshes and meadows. There is also an abundance of otters, beavers, lynx and wolves, as well as great concentrations of deer, elk, fox and wild boar. Bird-watching is particularly rewarding in Latvia, especially in the coastal areas and wetlands during annual migration periods.
Latvia is a democratic, parliamentary republic. Legislative power is in the hands of the single chamber parliament (Saeima), which has 100 deputies (http://www.saeima.lv/). Parliamentary elections are held every 4 years. Latvia head of state, the President, is elected by the Saeima for a period of 4 years (http://www.president.lv/). The President signs laws, chooses the Prime Minister (who heads the government) and performs representative functions. The highest executive body is the Cabinet of Ministers (http://www.mk.gov.lv/).
Latvians are the indigenous people of Latvia, and the Finno-Ugric Livs (or Livonians) are the only indigenous minority. Latvia present ethnic mix is largely a result of massive post-war immigration.
In all, there are more than 1.5 million Latvians in the world. Around 90% of them live in Latvia, while others can be found in the USA, Russia, Australia, Canada, the UK and Germany, as well as Brazil, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia and Ireland.
The particular Latvian character traits: reserve, self-reliance, independence and persistence. Latvians may seem somewhat anti-social to others overly reticent individualists but in fact it is simply that Latvians need more time to develop trust and friendship. As in many parts of Eastern Europe, so too in Latvia, ethnic consciousness is very pronounced, sometimes even predominating over national or religious consciousness. Regardless of whether they live in cities or the countryside, all Latvians display a deep reverence for nature: the land, sea, animals, and especially flowers and trees.
Riga - Capital of Latvia (http://www.riga.lv/, http://www.rigatourism.lv/, http://www.virtualriga.com/, http://www.rigathisweek.lv/) - founded in 1201, population 735,000, territory 307 sq.km.
Daugavpils (http://www.daugavpils.lv/) - first mentioned in 1275, population 111,000.
Jelgava (http://www.jelgava.lv/) - founded in 1225, population 66,000.
Liepāja (http://www.liepaja.lv/) - first mentioned in 1253, population 86,000, international airport, icefree harbour.
Rezekne (http://www.rezekne.lv/) - first mentioned in 1285, population 37,000.
Valmiera (http://www.valmiera.lv/) - founded in 1283, population 28,000.
Ventspils (http://www.ventspils.lv/) - founded in 1378, population 44,000.
Latvija.lv (http://www.latvija.lv/) - aim of the Portal is to provide people in Latvia and abroad with access to Internet resources of Latvian state institutions and with centralized access to electronic services provided by different institutions.
The Latvian Institute (http://www.li.lv/) – a state institution to provide a wide range of information about Latvia, its society, culture & history: fact sheets, brochures … . Information in English, Latvian, French, German, Russian, Spain, Estonian, Chinese.
Welcome to Latvia (http://www.latviatourism.lv/) - the official Latvia tourism portal of the Latvian Tourism Development Agency: welcoming information about Latvia, its society, culture and daily life. Information in English, Latvian, German, Russian.
About Latvia (http://www.am.gov.lv/en/latvia/about/) – welcoming information about Latvia prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) (http://www.liaa.gov.lv/) – economy and business information.
The Central Statistical Bureau (http://www.csb.gov.lv/) – a internationally comparable statistical information on economical, demographic, social, and environmental phenomena and processes of Latvia
The State Archives of Latvia (http://www.arhivi.lv/) – an integrated, easy accessible information system on political, social and cultural history databases, exhibitions, publications ... .
Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Agency (http://www.meteo.lv/) – geographical, climate and weather information.
Lursoft (http://www.lursoft.lv/) – the access to different data bases and registers, including those of business and state importance (paid service).
Letonika (http://www.letonika.lv/) (in Latvian !) – a portal devoted to Latvian language, terminology, translation; Latvian encyclopaedic information and online dictionaries; a Latvian Internet search tool and directory (paid
service).
The National News Agency (LETA) (http://www.leta.lv/) – the full service news agency in Latvia provides quality news and business information solutions (paid service).
The Baltic News Service (BNS) (http://www.bns.lv/) – the largest news agency in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (paid service).
News.lv (http://www.news.lv/) (in Latvian !) – a newspaper library (archive) – the most voluminous collection of Latvian newspaper and news (paid service).
The Baltic Times (http://www.baltictimes.com/) – the news from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania: Politics, Business, Entertainment, Opinions, … ; available also in printed form.
CityPaper (http://www.citypaper.ee/) – magazine covers Baltic stories, events, people and places to foreign travelers and business people, locals and expats; available also in printed form.
Policy.lv (http://www.politika.lv/en/) – the Latvian public policy site about policy studies, reviews and articles on public policy issues in Latvia.
1180 ZL Hotline (http://www.zl.lv/) – inquiry portal and directory (free access), WAP service, phone desk 1180 (paid services);
1188 (http://www.1188.lv/) – inquiry portal and directory (free access) SMS and WAP services, phone desk 1188 (paid services);
1189 InfoLIne (http://www.1189.lv/) – inquiry portal and directory (free access), phone desk 1189 (paid services).
If you need additional information or need personal assistance for particular case regarding the General information about Latvia, please use our HelpDesk or contact the EURAXESS Latvia Services Centre.
