Latvia

Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bounded to the southwest by Lithuania, to the southeast by Russia, to the northeast by Estonia, and to the west by the Baltic Sea. Latvia has a population of approximately 1.9 million people and its capital and largest city is Riga.

Latvia covers an area of about 64,589 square kilometres and features a mixed landscape of forests, loess plains, and bogs. The country has 15% of its territory under forest cover, and its climate is temperate with cold winters and mild summers.

Latvia has a rich cultural heritage that includes traditional folk music, the famous song and dance festivals, and a strong emphasis on literature and the arts. The Latvian language, a Baltic language, is the nation's official language, and many Latvians are bilingual in Russian and English.

Latvia's history dates back to the medieval period when it was inhabited by various Baltic tribes. It later became part of the Livonian Confederation and experienced Russian, German, and Swedish rule. Latvia declared independence in 1918, was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II, and then annexed by the Soviet Union, regaining independence in 1991. Today, Latvia is a member of the European Union and NATO.

This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.