Latvia

Northern Europe

Latvia is a country in Northern Europe, home to 1.9 million people, with an area of 64,589 km². Its capital is Riga.

Capital: Riga
Population: 1.9 million
Area: 64,589 km²
Region: Northern Europe
Density: 29.0 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Latvia · Northern Europe · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Latvia is known for

Latvia is best known for Riga Old Town, Jurmala Beach and Gauja National Park.

Latvia is a country located in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It shares borders with Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Belarus to the southeast, and Lithuania to the south. The country has a coastline along the Baltic Sea to the west. Latvia is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union, the United Nations, and NATO.

Latvia at a glance

Language: Latvian is the official language, but English, Russian, and German are also widely spoken
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Religion: Christianity is the predominant religion in Latvia, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church being the largest denomination
National dish: Grey peas with bacon, a traditional Latvian dish made with boiled peas and smoked bacon
Climate: Latvia has a humid continental climate, characterized by cold winters and mild summers. The country is known for its frequent rainfall and occasional snow
Main industries: Manufacturing, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and electronics; service industries, including transportation and logistics, finance, and tourism; and agriculture
GDP: $35.6 billion (nominal, 2021 estimate)
Development: Latvia is considered a developed country, with a high-income mixed economy and a human development index (HDI) ranking of 44 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Latvia

Some of the main tourist attractions in Latvia include:

Riga Old Town a historic district in the capital city of Riga that is famous for its medieval architecture.
Jurmala Beach a long stretch of sandy beach along the Gulf of Riga that is popular with tourists and locals.
Gauja National Park a large nature reserve in central Latvia that contains forests, rivers, and historical sites.
Turaida Castle a medieval castle located in the Gauja National Park that dates back to the 13th century.
Kuldiga Waterfall a picturesque waterfall in western Latvia that is one of the widest in Europe.
Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum: a museum located near Riga that showcases traditional Latvian rural life and culture.
Sigulda Castle a medieval castle located in the town of Sigulda, known for its striking red brick architecture.
Cesis Castle a medieval castle located in the town of Cesis that dates back to the 13th century.
Latvian National Museum of Art a museum in Riga that contains a collection of Latvian and European art.
Rundale Palace a Baroque palace located in the town of Rundale that was designed by the same architect who created the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Latvia has to offer. The country is also known for its natural beauty, including its forests, lakes, and rivers.