The capital and largest city, Riga.
History
Latvia was ruled by Russia during the 1800s. They fought for independence from 1917 and succeeded in achieving it in 1920.
The Soviet Union invaded the country in 1940 causing deportations to Siberia and Asia. Nazi Germany then invaded in 1941 killing very many Latvian Jews.
The country’s independence was restored in 1991.
It joined NATO and the European Union in 2004.
Food/ culture
The country’s culture is based on their traditions and is demonstrated through songs, dances, craft and crafts.
The main crops are rye, wheat, oat, flax and barley.
The main dishes include rye bread, beetroot soup, speck, smoked fish and kvass.
Wildlife
The wildlife animals include hedgehogs, deer, wolves, wild boars, Eurasian otter, lynx and seals.
Annual events/ celebrations/ festivals
The main celebrated festivals are International Baltic Ballet Festival, Riga Opera Festival, Midsummer Festival and Bauska Country Music Festival.
Things to sees
People visit the Venta Rapid on Venta River, the widest waterfall in Europe, its width ranging between 249 and 270 m depending with the season and its height is between 1.80 to 2.20 m.
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum displays the country’s heritage through music, crafts and food is also another amazing site.
There is also the Gauja National Park, home to a variety of animals and also a good place to relax.
Other places to visit include Juemala, Kuldiga, Cesis and Rundale Palace.
Interesting facts
The country has the tallest women in the world, ranging to around 169.8 cm.
The most popular sport is ice hockey followed by basketball.
The official language is Latvian.
The main religion is Christianity.
Borders
Latvia is bordered on the north by Estonia, on the south by Lithuania, on the east by Russia, on the southeast by Belarus and on the west, it shares marine border with Sweden.
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