Latvia only won it’s independence from the Soviets in 1991
The capital city of Riga is over 800 years old
The currency of Latvia is called the Lat
The Latvian population is 2.42 million
Latvia has borders with Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Estonia
A tenth of the country is below sea level, sometimes up to 50m
Famous Latvian tipple is the Riga Black Balsam; A thick, jet-black, 45-proof mixture has been produced only in Latvia since 1755
The first major Latvian painter was Janis Rozentals. He painted scenes of peasant life and portraits in the early 20th century
Latvians are descended from tribes such as the Letts (or Latgals), Selonians, Semigallians and Cours.
Latvia is home to most of Eastern Europe’s white storks – 6500 pairs of them. Also spot the VERY rare black stork
Latvia has a female president. Vaira Vike-Freiberga has had an international upbringing. She was born in Riga in 1937, grew up in refugee camps in Germany, went to school in Morocco and studied at University in Canada.
Vilhelm Ostwald (Born Riga 1853) was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1909.
Latvia has one of the biggest valued banknotes in the world (500 Latts = $800) and on of the biggest coins (100 Latts= $160).
1 Latt costs £1.10 making it one of the most expensive currencies in the world.
FAST FACTS
Guide to Latvia
