The Baltic Country with Europe’s Largest Art Nouveau City
Latvia is the middle of the three Baltic states (Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south). Its capital Riga has the largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world — over 800 buildings in this style, concentrated in the centre.
Latvia has been a NATO and EU member since 2004 and uses the euro (since 2014). The country is culturally and economically oriented toward Scandinavia and the EU, though the large Russian-speaking minority (about 25% of the population) remains a political theme.
A Brief History
Latvian territory was successively under German (Livonian Brothers of the Sword), Polish, Swedish, and Russian rule for centuries. Independence in 1918 lasted until Soviet occupation in 1940. Restored independence in 1991 came through the peaceful “Singing Revolution”. Latvia joined NATO and the EU in 2004.
Geography and Climate
Latvia covers 64,589 km² with a 494 km Baltic coast. The country is mostly flat and forested (approximately 56% forest cover).
Culture, Language and Religion
Latvian is a Baltic language (in its own branch with Lithuanian). Religion: approximately 34% Lutheran, 25% Catholic, 20% Orthodox.
The Economy
Latvia has a high-income economy (~$45 billion GDP in 2024). Key sectors: services, timber, food processing, IT.
UNESCO Sites
Latvia has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Historic Centre of Riga and the Struve Geodetic Arc.
Travel Guide
Entry: Schengen visa-free 90 days.
Best seasons: May-September.
Budget: Moderate — daily mid-range €70-€110.
Surprising Facts
- Riga has the largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture anywhere — over 800 buildings.
- Latvia’s national anthem is “Dievs, svētī Latviju!” (God Bless Latvia) composed in 1873.
- Song and Dance Festival — held every 5 years in Riga — draws over 30,000 participants and is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list.
- Riga was once the Russian Empire’s fifth-largest city and an industrial powerhouse.
- Latvia has two national beverages — Riga Black Balsam (a herbal bitter) and beer.
- Gauja National Park — the country’s largest — is known for its sandstone cliffs and Latvia’s version of bobsleigh tracks from the Soviet era.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.