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Latvia facts - business, people and nature

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Baltic Legal
Latvia facts - business, people and nature

Area: 64,589 square kilometers or 24,937 square miles.

Regions: Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale.

The total length of the state border: 1862 km.

The length of the Baltic Sea coast of Latvia: 494 km.

Population: 2,272,300 people.

Borders: Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania.


Short history of Latvia

The Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918 (November 18 is a national holiday and the day of Latvia's declaration of independence). After the end of the freedom struggle in 1920, several countries recognized Latvia's de jure independence, and 16 foreign missions were opened in Riga. Latvia lost its independence in 1940 after the outbreak of World War II. For the first time it was occupied by the Soviet Union (from 1940 to 1941). It was occupied by Nazi Germany (from 1941 to 1945). However, the Soviet Union regained power and occupied Latvia again (from 1945 to 1991). As a result of Gorbachev's reforms, on August 21, 1991, Latvia de facto announced the restoration of its independence. He restored international diplomatic relations and joined the United Nations (UN).


The name Latvia comes from the ancient Latgalians, who were one of the four Indo-European tribes involved in the ethnogenesis of the Latvians along with the Zemgale, Kuren and Selonians.


Flag of Latvia

The flag of Latvia with three horizontal stripes of maroon and white is one of the oldest flags in the world, dating back to events in the city of Cēsis in the 13th century. According to legend, the mortally wounded commander was wrapped in a white sheet along with his sword, both edges of which were stained with blood. After the leader's death, this leaf was used as a flag in the next battle, which led the Latvians to victory. The design of the Latvian flag is officially adopted and envisaged in the Latvian Constitution - Satversme.


Geography of Latvia and neighboring countries

Latvia is the central country of the Baltic States and is located in north-eastern Europe. The territory of Latvia, the relief of which was formed during the Ice Age, consists of rich lowlands in the plains and temperate hills. Most of it is below 100 meters below sea level. Latvia has an extensive river and lake network consisting of more than twelve thousand rivers and around two thousand lakes. There are pine forests, dunes and white sand beaches all over Latvia. The sea along the Latvian coast is very shallow, and the depth of the Gulf of Riga does not exceed 26 meters. The highest mountain in Latvia is Gaizinkalns (312 m). Latvia's neighbors are Estonia, Latvia, Russia and Belarus, and Latvia's strategic location favors commercial and cultural development.


Climate Latvia

Latvia is in the temperate zone, and its climate is influenced by the proximity of the sea and air masses from the Atlantic Ocean. Latvia has four distinct seasons. Summers are mild and winters moderately cold; The humidity is relatively high and it often rains. The average temperature in summer is 15.8 °C, in winter -4.5 °C. Temperature records were 36.4°C and -43.2°C respectively. Latvian weather is characterized by frequent changes in air masses, as 170 fronts cross the area in February, July and October. These fronts are accompanied by strong winds that cause most snowstorms in February, heavy rains and thunderstorms in July, and strong winds, even storms, in October.


Nature of Latvia

With more than 44% of the forested area, an extensive network of rivers and thousands of lakes, Latvia is one of the best preserved reserves for various wildlife. More than 27,000 animal and plant species live under natural conditions in areas that are still relatively untouched by humans. Many rare species, such as black stork and lesser spotted eagle, live in their habitats - mixed forests, swamps and meadows. Latvia is also densely populated with otters, beavers, lynxes and wolves, as well as large numbers of deer, moose, foxes and wild boar. It is an interesting place for ornithologists and other ornithologists, especially the coastal and wetlands during the migration season, as well as for hunters during the official hunting season.https://www.baltic-legal.com/latvia-facts-eng.htm

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