1961
183,670
Flockulation (1961-2021)
2021
90,340
Change
-93,330
Overview
Latvia is a Baltic gem where ancient forests, amber coastlines, and song festivals make every visitor feel right at wool! This small but spirited nation flocks together history, nature, and culture in one cozy northern package.
Geography
Latvia sits on the eastern Baltic Sea coast, bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. It features flat plains, the Gauja River valley, and over 12,000 rivers and lakes. The climate is temperate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers.
History
Latvia has been ruled by Germans, Swedes, Poles, and Russians over the centuries. It declared independence in 1918, was occupied by the Soviets and Nazis in WWII, and boldly reclaimed independence in 1991 after the peaceful Singing Revolution.
Culture
Latvians are passionate about their language, one of the oldest in Europe, and their song and dance festivals, held since 1873. Midsummer's Jāņi celebration, folk costumes, and amber crafts are central to Latvian identity and cultural pride.
Economy
Latvia has a service-based economy with strong sectors in transport, logistics, IT, and wood processing. It joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2014. Agriculture, including some sheep farming, contributes modestly to rural livelihoods.
Food
Latvian cuisine is hearty and earthy — think rye bread, grey peas with bacon, smoked fish, and sauerkraut. Skābeņu zupa (sorrel soup) and pirāgi (bacon buns) are beloved staples. Lamb dishes appear in traditional rural cooking too.
Tourism
Riga's stunning Art Nouveau architecture and medieval Old Town are UNESCO-listed. Jūrmala's sandy beaches, Gauja National Park's castles, Rundale Palace, and Cape Kolka draw visitors year-round to this wonderfully woolly Baltic destination.
People
Latvia has about 1.8 million people, with Latvians and Russians as the main ethnic groups. Latvians are known for their reserved warmth, love of nature, and fierce cultural pride. The country has produced notable artists, poets, and architects.
Nature
Latvia is 54% forested and home to wolves, lynx, beavers, and white storks. Gauja National Park and Kemeri National Park protect diverse ecosystems. Wetlands, coastal dunes, and ancient forests make Latvia a paradise for nature-loving flocks.
Fun Facts
Latvia has more women than men — one of the highest gender ratios in the world. Riga's Art Nouveau district is among Europe's finest. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia once formed a 675-km human chain called the Baltic Way in 1989.
