About LATVIA

is to the north of Gothland. The coastline of the territory of Latvia is 490 km long. Irbe channel links

Riga Gulf with the central part of the Baltic Sea (between Kolka horn and Saaremaa island). The

Baltic Sea is a typical inland sea with about 250 inflowing rivers. Therefore, it has the least salty

water in the world (approximately 7 – 8 per mille). The sea currents and waves shape the coast of

the Baltic Sea and Riga Gulf. There are about 40 fish species in the Baltic Sea. After the autumn storms,

it is possible to find small ambers at the seafront.

 

                   

 

There are about 3000 lakes in Latvia. Most of them are rather small. Approximately 40 % are located in

Eastern part of Latvia. The deepest lake is Dridzis (65,1 m), the Largest - Lubans (80,7 m), while

Ezezers is rich in islands (33 islands) and is situated in Latgale. There is also Usma lake in Kurzeme

with the oldest nature reserve on the island - Moricsala (founded in 1912).

 

                

 

Latvia is located in the mixed  forest area. Apart from conifers - fir-trees and pines, there are also

deciduous trees - oaks, lindens and maples, alders, birch-trees and aspen trees. There are more than

1600 species of flowering plants and filicides in Latvia. The most typical flora of the country is forests,

meadows and bogs. The forests cover more than 40 % of the territory of  Latvia, although nowadays,

intensive timber cutting takes place in Latvia. Most of the forests are coniferous forests (pine-trees).

There are very few deciduous forests in Latvia.

 

                

 

The fauna of Latvia has characteristics of the mixed forest area. Significant birds’ migration routes

(Pape Lake) cross the territory of Latvia. There are more than 14000 registered animal species in

Latvia (70% of them are insects). We can find 60 species of mammals in Latvia. The animals that

can be haunted live in the forests – elks, deer, does and wild boars. The number of beavers has

increased significantly. The most popular predators of Latvia are wolves, foxes and lynxes. Due to

pollution, the population of seals in the Riga Gulf is endangered. There are also quite many small

rodents – mice, rats, hedgehogs, moles etc.

Latvia is rich in 300 species of birds, 190 of which nest in Latvia. For hunting, wood grouses and

black – cocks, as well as ptarmigans are very popular. A stork is one of the symbols of Latvia (there

is a storks’ museum in Staicele – a city in the north Vidzeme). Sparrows, crows and pies are also very

common in Latvia. The national bird of Latvia is a wagtail. The most widespread water – birds are

ducks, swans, and different species of seagulls that live near the sea. There are 29 typical sea fish

in the fish fauna of Latvia, 14 species live both in the sea and in the freshwaters, while 28 species

live only in rivers and lakes. Economically, the most important sea fish are the Baltic sprat, sprats and

flounders. The salmons spawn in the rivers of Latvia (Salaca, Venta, Gauja). The haul of lampreys is

also very popular in Latvia.

 

                

 

- one of the largest rivers in Europe. The word “Daugava” in the language of ancient Balts means “rich

in rivers”. Outside Latvia - in Belorus, it is called Zahodnaja Dzvina, while in Russia - Zapadnaja Dzvina.

Daugava is 1005 km long (352 km in Latvia). The ancient part of Daugava is between Kraslava and

Daugavpils, where Daugava flows in ten large arches, making beautiful scenery. There is Adamova’s path

in Kraslava, which is a great place of attraction for tourists. In Riga, at the bridges, Daugava is 700 m

wide, however, as it approaches the sea, its width is 1.5.km and depth - 8-9 meters.
The river Gauja starts in the territory of Latvia, in Vidzeme elevation. Its total length is 452 km (it is the

longest river in Latvia). The most beautiful scenery from Valmiera to Murjani (ancient vale of Gauja) is in

the territory of Gauja National Park. On the banks of the river Gauja, the Devon sandstone rocks can be

observed (Sietiniezis, Red Cliffs, Eagles’ Cliffs). These places have become very popular among the tourists.

Gauja’s eddies are dangerous, because the river changes its base. Sigulda is an outstanding tourism city

and lies on the banks of Gauja (there is also the world famous bob-sleight route in Sigulda).
The river Venta starts in Lithuania, in Zemaitija elevation. There are rapids at Kuldiga and the widest

waterfall in Europe – 2 meters high Venta rapid. In the river mouth, it is 150 – 200 meters wide and very

deep and therefore, a port was built in Ventspils. Lielupe is the second largest river in Latvia. It starts

at Bauska city in the place where two rivers Musa and Memele meet. Lielupe is 119 km long. It has more

than 250 tributaries. At the time of spring floods, the river very often overflows, reaching 4 km width at

its lower. Earlier it was a tributary of Daugava, but since 1755, has been flowing into Riga Sea Gulf. The

most ancient part of Lielupe is Bullupe that flows into Daugava.

 

                

 

prohibited. The oldest natural reserve (founded in 1912) is established in Morcsala in Usma Lake,

Ventspils district. There you can find the rare hornbeam, as well as yew, that have been registered in

the Red Book. There are also 222 species of butterflies. Slitere National Park (recently – a reserve) is

situated in the north – west of Latvia, maritime lowland (founded in 1921). There you can find 38

protected species of plants and many rare birds which nest there.
Grini reserve was founded in 1936, is situated in Liepaja district, at the sea and is famous for its unusual

forest type. Krustkalni reserve was founded in 1977 and is situated in Madona district. In this reserve,

you can observe almost all types of forests that exist in Latvia. The relief of the reserve is uncommon -

rich in springs and 13 lakes.
Teici reserve was founded in 1982 and is located in eastern Latvia’s lowland. Teici reserve is famous for

its protected bog ecosystems. It is the largest reserve according to its area. Gauja National Reserve

was founded in 1973. There are the largest sandstone detritions in the territory of the park, which is

situated on the banks of Gauja. It is also famous for many protected architectural monuments (in

Turaida, Cesis, Straupe) and archaeological monuments (Araisi Palace) etc.
Kemeri national park is the most recent of the parks. There is the high bog – moor and valuable

sulphurous water sprigs. There are many natural conservancy areas in Latvia, which aim at maintaining

and protecting rare or uncommon natural elements that are typical of a respective district.

 

                

 

have always been dependent on certain rhythm dictated by the nature. Winter and summer solstice,

as well as spring and autumn equinox were the most important moments in their lives. The Christmas

or winter solstice has been one of the happiest and most important festivities. It started with trundling

and burning of a log, which symbolised liquidation of the solicitudes of the year and awakening of the sun

and all living beings. In their folk songs, Latvians mention Christmas food – peas, beans, muzzle of a pig

etc. Morris dancing tradition has to do with Christmas and can be perceived as an ancient theatre. The

most typical masks used in Morris dancing were a mask of a goat, wolf, death, bear, crane and haystack

etc. Every mask had its symbolic meaning. The 12th of February was the Shrovetide day. It was

considered as a border between winter and spring. The Easter symbolised coming of spring (it has no

important relations with rebirth of the Christ that is celebrated in the world). For Latvians, the Easter

symbolises revival of the nature. The most significant activities during the Easter were hanging of swings

and swinging, which symbolised promotion of arrival of the sun.
The summer solstice was the culmination for the farmers, because all spring works had to be accomplished

by that time and the period of summer works started. St. John’s Day was celebrated in the shortest night

of the year. The day before St. John’s day was called the Herbage Day, because it was considered that

on this day all herbage have a healing and magic power. The culmination of the festivity was fire making

on the top of the hill and at midnight on the 24th of June. Nowadays, St. John’s Day is the national holiday

of Latvians and official vacations. There are songs of St. John’s Day in the Latvian folklore, which clearly

depict the traditions of summer solstice. Celebration of St. John’s Day was followed by celebration of

St. Peter’s Day (on 29th June) and St. Jacob’s Day (on 25th of July), which are also related to fertility

cult. Autumn sets in with St.Mikelis Day (on 29th of September) – by this day the harvesting had to be

accomplished. Today, a particular feature of this day is organisation of autumn fairs. After this day,

the so- called period of the ghosts begins. According to opinion of Latvians, it was the time when the

dead ancestry visited them. The period of ghosts ends in Martini (10th of November) – that is considered

as the beginning of winter.

 

                

 

in the formation of the relief, as well as the Baltic Sea. Although Latvia is not rich in mountains,

there are many place names with a name “kalns” or “kalnins” (mountain) in them. The highest point in

Latvia is Gaizinkalns in Vidzeme highland (311,5 m above the sea level, 61,6 m – relative height).

 

                

 

are also abundant (26 billion m3). Clay is widely used in Latvia, especially in the production of bricks,

regular roof, as well as pottery items. There are different rocks in Latvia – chalkstone, rock gypsum.

One of the most widespread minerals is turf. There is also wide choice of mineral waters (in Kemeri,

Baldone, Sigulda).