Latvia

I

Introduction

Latvia (in Latvian, Latvija), republic in north-eastern Europe, bordered on the north by Estonia and the Gulf of Riga, an inlet of the Baltic Sea; on the east by Russia; on the south by Belarus and Lithuania; and on the west by the Baltic Sea. The area of Latvia is about 63,700 sq km (24,600 sq mi). Riga, the capital and largest city, is also the country’s chief port.

II

Land and Resources

Latvia consists for the most part of a low-lying plain with some moderate elevations in the east, the tallest of which is 311 m (1,020 ft). The landscape bears traces of glaciation and includes numerous lakes, streams, marshes, and peat bogs. The coastline (547 km/340 mi) is relatively unindented, with many sandy beaches.

A

Rivers and Lakes

The principal river is the Daugava River, which originates in Russia. On it are the republic’s major hydroelectric power stations.

B

Climate

The climate is dominated by marine influences, although more continental conditions, with greater climatic variation, exist in the eastern portion of the republic; in the west, summers are cooler and winters are milder. In Latvia snow covers the ground from two to more than four months of the year. Summers are frequently hot, with average daily temperatures exceeding 25° C (80° F).