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Tourist Guide and Information about Latvia

 

 

 

Latvia (Latvijas Republika) is a small country on the Baltic Sea, a democratic parliamentary republic, divided in four distinct regions: Livland (Vidzeme), Latgallia (Latgale), Courland, (Kurzeme) and the Semigallia (Zemgale). Latvia is divided into 26 districts (rajoni). There are also seven cities (lielpilsētas) that have a separate status: Riga, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Ventspils. Latvia has been a member state of the European Union since May 1, 2004. Latvia  border in the North with Estonia, in the East with Russia, in the South–East with Belorus, in the South with Lithuania, it is separated from Sweden in the west by the Baltic Sea. Latvia consists of fertile, low-lying plains, largely covered by forest, the highest point being the Gaiziņkalns at 311 metres. Undulating plains cover 75% of Latvia's territory; 25% of the territory lies in uplands of moderate-sized hills. The major rivers include the Daugava, the Lielupe, the Gauja, and the Salaca.

Climate: Winter climate in Latvia, which lasts from November to mid-March, can be very cold. Snowfall is common in the winter months. The coldest months are January and February and winter can experience extreme temperatures, and averages -4°C during the day. Summer climate in Latvia is warm with relatively mild weather in spring and autumn. May to September (spring and summer) is the best time to visit, with daytime temperatures averaging 16°C, July and August is the peak tourist season. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with the heaviest rainfall in August. The annual average precipitations is 500-800 milimeter.

  

Tourist attractions: The attractions for the tourist in Latvia are constituted from an important historical patrimony, comprising archaeological and historical monuments, sacred and military buildings. The historical center of Riga is the more important tourist landmark of the country. On the natural side the country has three national parks: Gauja National Park, Ķemeri National Park and Slītere National Park; and four Nature Reserves: Morics Caves, Grīni, Krustkalni and Teiči Nature Reserves.

Unesco has inscribed 2 Latvia sites in the World Heritage List: Historic Centre of Riga (1997), Struve Geodetic Arc (2005). Between the properties submitted on the Tentative List are: Daugavpils Fortress (2005), Jurmala town cultural and natural heritage (2005), Livs' village "Kosrags" (1996), Abava Valley (2005), Kuldiga Old City in the Primeval Hollow of the River Venta (2005).

Travel Documents: passport or identification card (identification cards as travel documents accepted only for citizens of EU, European Economic Zone and Switzerland).

Health: For entry into Latvia no vaccinations or health certificates are required. It is advisable to have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in case of a medical emergency. Health insurance policy is optional.

Shopping hours: Monday-Friday 09,00/10,00-18,00/19,00, Saturday 09,00/10,00-16,00/17,00. Some smaller shops may close for an hour or two between 12,00 and 15,00 for lunch. Food shops open 08,00/09,00-20,00/21,00. Some shops are open 24 hours.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz European-style 2-pin plugs.

Cuisine: Common ingredients in Latvian recipes are found locally, such as potatoes, wheat, barley, cabbage, onions, eggs, and pork. The typical Latvian menu has contained things like rye bread, porridge, vegetables (particularly root vegetables), pork, chicken, fish, wild game and dairy products. Latvian food is generally quite fatty, and uses few spices. A typical example would be boiled grey peas with pieces of bacon. A traditional Latvian cheese is Ķimeņu siers (caraway cheese); other dishes are borshch (beet soup), rasols (potato salad), Sweetbread soup with dried fruit, Piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions), Kotletes (meat patties), Skabu kapostu zupa (cabbage soup), Alexander Torte (raspberry- or cranberry-filled pastry strips), and sauerkraut. Beer has always been the most popular drink in Latvia, other popular drinks are vodka, and balzam. LATVIAN CUISINE RECIPES.

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Airports and Flights: the main airport is Riga International Airport, it has Regular Flights From/To Riga: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Helsinki, Istanbul, Kiev, Köln, London, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Minsk, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Prague, St. Petersburg, Rome, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Tallinn, Tampere, Tashkent, Tel Aviv, Vienna, Vilnius, Warsaw

Area: 64,589 sqkm

Population: 2,294,200 Latvians 59.0%, Russians 28.3%, Belorussians 3.7%, Ukrainians 2.5%, Poles 2.4%, Lithuanians 1.4%, Others 2.1%.

State Capital: Riga

Language: Latvian. Russian is by far the most widespread minority language.

Religion: Non-religious 35%, Lutheran 24%, Catholic 18%, Orthodox 15%, Others 8%

Currency: Lats (LVL)

Time: GMT +2, from April to November GMT +3 .

 

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