The Republic of Latvia, abbreviated as Latvia, is a country located in Northeastern Europe. It is situated in the western part of the East European Plain, bordered by the Baltic Sea (with a coastline of 307 kilometers), and the Gulf of Riga extends inland. It shares borders with Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Lithuania to the south, and Belarus to the southeast.
Scenic Attractions
Major tourist cities and scenic areas in Latvia include: the Old Town of Riga, Jurmala Beach, the Sigulda and Cesis scenic areas, the Open-Air Ethnographic Museum, and Rundale Palace.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Latvia is during the spring, summer, and autumn. Latvia has a climate that transitions from maritime to continental. The average daytime temperature in summer is 23℃, while the average nighttime temperature is 11℃. In winter, the average temperature along the coast is -3℃, and -7℃ in non-coastal areas. The average annual precipitation is 633 millimeters. The humidity is high, with rainy or snowy weather occurring about half of the year.
Historical and Cultural Background
Most of Latvia was historically known as Livonia, influenced by the German Livonian Brothers of the Sword since the 13th century, and converted to Christianity. Riga (the current capital) joined the Hanseatic League in 1285, maintaining close ties with other parts of Europe. In the 18th century, Russia acquired all the territory of present-day Latvia from Sweden and Poland. After World War I, Latvia declared independence on November 18, 1918, but during World War II, the Soviet Union re-annexed Latvia and incorporated it as a Soviet Republic. Political reforms began in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, which also promoted the development of the Latvian independence movement. On August 21, 1991, Latvia declared independence again. Since independence, Latvia has actively cultivated relationships with Western countries and joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.
