Latvia is had in the north of the Eastern Europe, at coast of Baltic sea and bounds with Lithuania, Belarus, Russia and Estonia. Terrain - 64,5 thousand sq. km. The population (2,6 million persons) it is presented by Latvians (52 %), Russian (34 %), Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Poles. A state language - Latvian. The bulk of believers - roman catholics, lutherans and orthodox. Monetary unit - an armour. Capital - Riga, other large cities - Daugavpils, Liepaja, Yelgava, Jürmala, Ventspils.
the Bulk of terrain of Latvia - plain in altitude to 311 m, with hilly elevations (Kurzemsky and Latgalsky) in the west and the east. At coast it is deep in a land extensive gulf of Riga bordered with sandy beaches presses. The largest rivers - Daugava (Zapadnaya Dvina) and Gauja. In Latvia it is a lot of loches (Lubanas, Reznas, etc.).
the Climate transitive from marine to the continental: average temperatures in January from-2 ° to-7 °C, in July 16-18 °C, deposits falls out 500-800 mm a year. About third of terrain of Latvia it is occupied pine and sosnovo-shirokolistvennymi by woods, it is a lot of moss moors. More than half of terrain it is occupied by agricultural lands. The country nature is guarded in reservations Grini, Moritssala, Slitere, national park Gauja.
Latvia - perfect vacation spot and travel. Favourite places of tourists: a valley of the river Gaui, a shore of Daugava, the river Salatsa, Vidzemsky and Kurzemsky coast of gulf of Riga, a neighbourhood of settlement Ergli and Vetspiebalgi, mounts Gajzinkalns and Sauleskalns, neighbourhoods of the cities of Tukumsa and Tulsa, the city of Tsesis and Kuldiga, loches Esha and Reznas.
The Latvian resorts with a soft climate and pure pine air Are perfect: Baldone, had nearby to Riga - a balneal and mud resort with picturesque park; Liepaja - a bayshore mud and climatic resort; the Jürmala which has been drawn through along sandy coast of gulf of Riga on 33 km. Here there is a museum-summer residence of poet J.Rajnisa. On the picturesque I protect the rivers Gaui popular resort Sigulda has placed. Caves, a thick wood, ruins of medieval castles create a unique originality of this place.
Daugavpils - the second-large city of Latvia. Here in the core monuments of architecture of XIX century - ensembles of the former strong hold with strengthenings are presented.
The Ancient small town Tsesis has saved ruins ancient livonskogo the lock. City neighbourhoods - one of zhivopisnejshih places of Latvia. One more medieval monument - Kuldiga, had on the bank of the river Venta. A city ornament is small cataract Venta of the Rhumb. In the city of Aluksne there is a wonderful park (XVIII-XIX centuries), ruins of the lock of XIV century, are dazzling also suburban landscapes.
The Traditional applied art of the country - weaving, a metal working, amber and an arbour, knitting and an embroidery, is famous the Latvian ceramics.
The Popular national dish - boiled grey pease with the salted pork fat and patties with the salted pork fat. On Ivans day (a summer solstice) from curds prepare JAnov the cheese reminding the sun.
In Riga the feasts of a national song beginning with colourful procession of participants in national suits are regularly had.
