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Latvia#

In 1940, the country was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany in 1941, and re-occupied by the Soviets in 1944 to form the Latvian SSR for the next fifty years.

For 2014, Latvia was listed 46th on the Human Development Index and as a high income country on 1 July 2014.

It used the Latvian lats as its currency until it was replaced by the euro on 1 January 2014.

Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic established in 1918.

The capital city is Riga, the European Capital of Culture 2014.

The Republic of Latvia was founded on 18 November 1918.

  • Latvia has largest boundary with Lithuania which is approximately 576 km.
  • Latvia has shortest boundary with Belarus which is approximately 171 km.
  • The largest river in Latvia is Western Dvina which is 1020 km.
  • The largest export partner of Latvia is Russia.
  • The largest import partner of Latvia is Lithuania.
  • There are 11 seaports in Latvia.

Special facts about Nobel Prize winners#

  • Latvia has only 1 Nobel Prize winner Wilhelm Ostwald. (Counting winners if born in Latvia)

Tourist Attraction#

In Riga, the spires of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral reflect centuries of Russian rule.

National Facts#

  • The national bird of Latvia is White wagtail.
  • Oxeye Daisy is the national flower of Latvia.
  • The national sports of Latvia are Basketball and Icehockey.
  • The famous dish of Latvia is Latke.

References#

  1. Text marked as italic is taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvia unter CC