Latvia

SHORT INFORMATION

The regions of Latvia

Latvia lies at the crossroads where east meets west on the shores of the Baltic Sea. At the beginning of 2003, the population of Latvia stood at just under two and a half million and its territory covered 64 589 km².

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

National Holidays

Festivities to celebrate the New Year begin in the evening of December 31 In recent years, both the President and Prime Minister address the people on national TV. While champagne toasts are common, many Latvian families partake in a variety of traditional rituals to ensure good luck and prosperity in the New Year.

SHORT INFORMATION

Overview of Latvia

Officially name: The Republic of Latvia

Capital: Riga

Largest city: Riga

Official language: Latvian

Government: Parliamentary republic