Latvia Facts

Latvia is situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic sea across from Sweden. It borders Lithuania to the south, Estonia to the north, Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast. The coastal plain is predominantly flat, but inland to the east the land is hilly with forests and lakes. Forests cover a total of 43% of the country. Ten percent consists of peat bogs, 2-3% is fresh water reservoirs, 40% is used for agriculture and 4% consists of towns, villages and roads.

Total area: 64,000 square kilometers (500 kilometers of which is coastline)
Capital: Rîga (population: 800,000)
Largest lake: Razna (over 58 square kilometres)
Number of lakes: 2,300
Number of rivers: 12,000 (17 of which are longer than 100 kilometres)
Longest rivers: Daugava (1,020 kilometres, of which 365 km run through Latvia) and Gauja (460 km)
Highest point: Gaizins Kalns (311.6 m)
Other major cities: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Jûrmala, Ventspils

Rîga, Liepâja and Ventspils ports are ice-free during the winter.

The four historical regions of Latvia are Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Latgale and Zemgale.

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Total population: a little less than 2.4 million of which:

59% is Latvian
28% is Russian
4% is Belarussian
2.5% is Ukrainian
2.5% is Polish
1.5% is Lithuanian
2% other (including Jewish, Roma, and German)

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Latvia’s climate is relatively moderate, with four distinct seasons. Summers are short but warm, winters cold and long. Spring is vibrant and breathtaking, although snow in May is not unheard of. Being quite far north, Latvia experiences an abundance of sunshine in the summer months. Around the solstice in June, the sun sets at midnight and the sky begins to lighten again at three in the morning. Winters, on the other hand, are dark and the skies often gray. Sunrise and sunset times change quickly, however. While in late December, the sun sets at 15:30, by mid-March, it sets a little after 18:00.

Average temperatures: July + 16.9ºC; February - 4.9ºC

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Latvian is the official language of the Republic of Latvia. It is a member of the Baltic branch of Indo-European languages, its only existing relative being Lithuanian. Latvian is not a Slavic language. Russian, however, is widely spoken, especially in the capital. Some German is spoken and English has become increasingly common. Most Latvians of the younger generation know at least some English and many speak it quite well.

Pronunciation tips:
- j sounds like y
- c sounds like ts
- č sounds like ch
- š sounds like sh
- ļ sounds like ly
- o usually sounds like the o in "corn"

some words and phrases

Jā ------- Yes
Nē ------- No
Labdien! ------- Hello, Good day
Sveiki! ------- Hello
Uz redzēšanos/Čau ------ Goodbye
Paldies ------- Thank you
Lūdzu -------- Please, You're welcome
Atvainojiet ------- Excuse me, sorry

Ieeja --------- Entrance
Izeja --------- Exit
Atvērts ------- Open
Slēgts ------- Closed
Labi -------- OK
Pa kreisi ------- To the left
Pa labi ------- To the right
Taisni ------- Straight
Atpakaļ ------ Back

Es nerunaju latviski --------- I don't speak Latvian
Cik ir pulkstenis? --------- What time is it?
Cik tas maksa? ---------- How much does this cost?
Tas ir par dargu.----------- This is too expensive
Mani sauc...----------- My name is...
Prieks iepazities --------- Pleased to meet you

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Latvia has no official religion. A majority of the population is Lutheran. The Russian Orthodox community in Latvia is also large, Roman Catholicism prevails in eastern Latvia, and a small Jewish community exists. Independence has seen an increased interest in “Dievturi”, a neo-pagan religion based on pre-Christian beliefs existent in ancient Latvia. These beliefs strongly link Latvians with their land and the cycles of nature and remain an integral part of Latvian holidays and traditions today.

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The constitution of Latvia was adopted in 1922, but was annulled after the Soviet occupation in 1940. Now, it has been renewed and is again in force. Legislative powers are vested in the unicameral Saeima, its 100 members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms. The head of state is the President, elected by Saeima. The Saeima also appoints the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister holds executive authority.

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The territory of modern Latvia was first inhabited 10,000 years ago by several Baltic tribes - the Kurši, Latgali, Seli, and Zemgali peoples, who were primarily pagan farmers. At the beginning of the 13th century, German crusaders invaded and established a feudal state confederation, subjugating the native tribal peoples and attempting to convert them to Christianity. Rîga was founded in 1201 and soon became an important trade capital between East and West.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Sweden ruled the region of Vidzeme including Rîga while the remaining Latvian territories were ruled by a Polish-Lithuanian princedom. This was a period of relative prosperity and more social freedoms for the Latvians. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Russian Empire overtook much of Latvia and by the century‘s end, all of Latvia was under Russian control. Rising Latvian nationalism, World War I and the upheaval of the Russian revolution provided Latvia the opportunity to found an independent state.

Independence was claimed November 18, 1918 and the first Republic of Latvia was officially recognized and autonomous from 1920 to 1940. This was a period of rapid growth. Latvia enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in Europe at the time and Rîga was known as the “Paris of the Baltics“. Then in 1940, the USSR invaded. 15,000 people were deported to Siberia and many more killed in the following year. National elections were held in which the only party represented was the communist party, and the USSR claimed Latvians “voted” to join the Soviet Union. In 1941, Germany invaded and remained in control until 1944 (until 1945 in the Kurzeme region). During this period, 90,000 people were killed, including 30,000 Jews. At war‘s end, the USSR’s borders were allowed to be drawn according to June 1941 lines, so that the Soviet Union effectively claimed Latvia along with Estonia and Lithuania for its own.

Soviet occupation brought another mass deportation to Siberia in 1949 (42,000 people were forcibly taken from their homes), repression, loss of freedoms, and a relentless program of Sovietization and Russification. Russian workers and their families were brought to Latvia so that by the 1970’s, Latvians comprised only 53% of the population in their own country. In the 1980’s, the Gorbachev era encouraged an already rising sentiment of nationalism. In August 1991, Latvia regained its independence and established a democratic republic. It has enjoyed an economic growth rate of 5-7% per annum since then. In 2004, Latvia became a member of both NATO and the European Union.

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January 1 - New Year's Day
April 14 (2006) - Good Friday (Liela Piekdiena)
April 16-17 (2006) - Easter (Lieldienas)
May 1 - Labor Day
May 4 - Day of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Latvia
June 23 - Ligo (Midsummer's Eve)
June 24 - Jani (Midsummer's Day)
November 18 - Day of Independence of the Republic of Latvia (1918)
December 25-26 - Ziemassvêtki (Christmas)
December 31 - New Year's Eve

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Latvians’ love of the land and their close working relationship with it is evidenced by important traditions marking seasonal changes. The four major Latvian holidays celebrate the winter and summer solstices and spring and fall equinoxes. These were long ago adapted to city life and remain an integral facet of modern Latvian society.

Lieldienas

Easter is called Lieldienas, “Great Days”. The spring equinox, March 21, traditionally marks the first time in the year when day becomes longer than night. Farmers take a break from one of the busiest times of the year to celebrate this occasion. On Lieldienas morning, one is supposed to wake before the sun in order to see it rise. Those who unfortunately sleep through it are switched with steamed birch branches to ensure their good health, success, and fertility. A very important activity on this day is swinging. Usually, a large swing is hung outside just for this purpose. Swinging gently, allowing the swing’s movement to slow and stop on its own ensures a good flax harvest as well as healthy livestock, fertility, and a summer free from mosquito bites. Eggs, symbolic of life, are colored with plant material and vegetable dyes, eaten, and used in many games on Lieldienas. In addition to eggs, round flatbreads and sprouted grains are foods traditionally eaten at this time.

Jâni - Midsummer

The summer solstice, June 22, marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It also marks a division in the farmer’s work. Before Midsummer, plowing, sowing and weeding is done while after Midsummer, harvest time begins with mowing of the hay.

Many herbs are collected on Ligo which is the day before Jâni. Each has its own significance and healing powers. Wreaths, boughs and bouquets are made to decorate houses, gates, fences and outbuildings and flower wreaths are worn by women and girls while men and boys wear wreaths made of oak leaves and other green plants.

The mythical blooming fern is said to bloom only on Jânis "nakt" (night) and to impart great luck to those who find it. According to legend, the earth mother, Laima, and the sky father, Dievs, meet on this night. The mistress of the farmstead, "saimniece", makes round wheels of Jânis cheese while the master, "saimnieks", brews beer. Celebrants arrive singing songs and adorning houses with herbs and in return are offered cheese and beer.

Traditional lîgotne songs with their characteristic refrain - "ligo, ligo" are sung at this time. Popular themes include Saule, the sun goddess, the sky son Jânis, the hosts of each farmstead - "mother" and "father" of Midsummer, and the Jânis children - the celebrants who go from farm to farm singing and bringing blessings with their songs. People sing about each phase of the celebration and its details.

A fire is built at the top of a hill and lit before sunset on Midsummer Eve. Its energy is thought to be purifying, promote fertility and health and guard against evil. Songs are sung and many dances are danced by the light of this fire. Everyone must stay awake to see the sun rise the following morning. Other rituals observed to bring luck and prosperity in the following year include bathing in a natural body of water, leaping over the fire, and burning last Midsummer’s wreaths.

Mikeli

The end of summer and turning of the sun towards long winter nights marks the autumnal equinox on September 23. Before the celebration of Mikeli, gardens are harvested and crops are stored as after this date, the gates are symbolically open for winter.

There is a special celebration for beginning the work of reaping grain and at the end of this work, an important ritual to ensure the strength of the next harvest which involves the catching of “Jumis”. This word has several meanings. In traditional beliefs, “Jumis” is a field spirit which embodies fertility. It also refers to two ears on one stalk or two vegetables or fruits that have grown together. A “Jumis” clump is left uncut, its ears tied together and weighted down and directed towards the surrounding soil. The seeds are rubbed out of the clump and scattered into the soil. This symbolically returns the spirit and strength of the current harvest to the earth so that it reappears in the next sowing. The last sheaf is also made into a wreath or braid and in the spring, grain from it is sown. A special “Jumis” loaf of bread is baked which is a great honor to eat.

Harvest work is traditionally accomplished by group labor. Neighbors would gather to help each other and then have a special feast featuring songs, dances and fertility rituals. Another festival and feast marks the completion of the harvest.

Ziemassvêtki

The winter solstice, December 22, marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, a time when field work is least demanding and people gather inside around the warmth of the fire to tell stories, do handiwork, guess riddles, sing songs, and dance. In traditional Latvian culture, Christmas (Ziemassvêtki) celebrates the rebirth of the Sun maiden.

During this season, rooms are decorated with evergreen branches and ornaments made from straw and reeds.

During the period from November to February, people dress up in disguises and travel from farm to farm, village to village, or street to street, singing and dancing, bringing blessings with them, encouraging fertility and frightening away evil spirits. Celebrants are called "kekatnieki" and common costumes include tall women, small men, death, fortune tellers, horses, wolves, goats, bears, and haystacks. The most intense period for this activity occurs around Ziemassvêtki.

A Christmas feast traditionally includes a pig’s head boiled with mashed barley, peas, beans and barley sausage. Round foods are valued for their symbolic reference to the sun and the year. It is also traditional to bake "piparkukas", gingerbread cookies, and to decorate a fir tree. Special songs and dances are sung and danced at this time as well.