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|  | LATVIA COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast and borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Russian Federation in the east and Belarus in the southeast. The coastal plain is mostly flat, but inland to the east the land is hilly with forests and lakes. There are about 12,000 rivers in Latvia, the biggest being the River Daugava. The ports of Riga, Liepaja and Ventspils never freeze over during the winter. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. A growing perception that many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the country's vibrant financial sector. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Riga
Situated on a sandy plain 15km (9 miles) from the mouth of the River Daugava, Riga is the capital of Latvia and is one of the most beautiful of the Baltic cities. According to legend, once in a hundred years the devil rears his head from the waters of the River Daugava and asks whether Riga is 'ready' yet. If the answer were 'yes', the now nearly 900-year-old city would be doomed to sink into the Daugava. The Latvian capital is a major tourist attraction, and has excellent air, train and road connections. It is rich in history and culture with remarkable Gothic, Baroque, Classical and Art Nouveau buildings. The centre of the city is considered to contain the finest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Old Riga contains a remarkable diversity of architectural styles, perhaps best epitomised by the Dome Cathedral. Begun in 1211, the building has been added to throughout the centuries, resulting in a fascinating blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical styles. The cathedral's organ, with nearly 7000 pipes, is recognised as one of the world's greatest musical instruments and concerts are regularly performed here. The numerous other historical buildings in Riga bear witness to Latvia's chequered history. Since its restoration after World War I, the old quarter of the city has been a protected area. The one surviving town gate is the so-called Sweden Gate, whilst the symbol of Riga, the 137m (450ft) high tower of St Peter's Church, towers above the city. The St John's Church of the former Dominican monastery was built in the 14th century and is one of several interesting churches in this former episcopal seat. Most of the structure dates back to the 15th century and was constructed in a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The Catholic St Jacob's Church was built in 1226 and is a fine example of Gothic architecture. The delightful Viestura Garden is ideal for relaxation. Its foundations were laid by Peter the Great who planted the first tree, an event commemorated by a flagstone in the park. Alexander Gate, the entrance to the park, was erected to mark the Russian victory over Napoleon's army. It was in this park that the first Latvian Song Festival was held in 1873. At the end of the 18th century, Katharina II built the Peter and Paul Church north of the castle. Merchants' houses from the Middle Ages such as the Three Brothers and the 24 warehouses in the old quarter are also picturesque examples of Latvian architecture. The residence of Peter I near the Cathedral has been dramatically altered and rebuilt. Riga has several museums including the Historical Museum of Latvia (founded in 1896), housed in the castle, and the Latvian Museum of Medicine, as well as two art galleries - the Museum of Foreign Art, which contains Flemish masterpieces, and the state Art Gallery of Latvia. The Riga Motor Museum displays the history of motor-car engineering, with veteran cars including rarities such as Stalin's and Brezhnev's private cars. In central Riga the Freedom Monument (Brivibas Piemineklis) is a very significant site for Latvians. Built in 1935, the monument is a striking obelisk crowned by a female figure with upstretched arms holding three stars which represent the three historic regions of Latvia: Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale. Reminiscent of the famous Statue of Liberty in New York, though much smaller at 42m (138ft), the statue ranks among the most distinguished monuments in Europe. Another place of interest is the Warriors' Cemetery which was designed by the sculptor Zale, the architect Birznieks and the landscape gardener Zeidaks. Approximately 2000 graves from World War I are divided into three sections.
Not far from the city is the open-air Latvian Ethnographic Museum. With buildings from all over the country, ranging from wooden churches to windmills, it covers traditional rural architecture from the 16th-19th centuries.
Elsewhere
17km (11 miles) from the Latvian capital, the Baltic resort of Jurmala - consisting of 12 small villages - extends over 30km (19 miles) along the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the River Lielupe. Fresh pine forest-scented air, sun and endless sandy beaches make this stretch of coast a particularly attractive holiday destination for all age groups. Drivers entering Jurmala need to purchase a special ticket; the fee is used to sponsor ecological programmes in the area. The area is connected by roads and the commuter railway which takes about 15 minutes from Riga.
Another Latvian health resort is Sigulda, about 53km (33 miles) from Riga. Situated on the picturesque banks of the River Gauja, the town has been established since the 13th century and attractions here include the ruins of the castle and local caves. In the National Park that is situated here, Turaida Castle (13th century) and its museum can be visited, as well as a sculpture park where Latvian folk poetry has been captured in stone. There is good downhill skiing in winter, and in summer Sigulda is a popular boating spot.
The most important Baroque building is the Palace in Pilsrundale, about 77km (48 miles) south of Riga, near the Lithuanian border. This fine summer residence of the Dukes of Courland was designed by the Italian architect Rastrelli who also designed the Winter Palace in St Petersburg - an outstanding blend of Baroque architecture and Rococo decorative art, with gardens modelled on those of Versailles. The surrounding park is excellent for long walks.
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the rich flora and fauna in the regions of Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale, which are also favourites with hikers. Throughout the country, the landscape is dotted with picturesque villages such as Cesis, Kolka, Talsi and Bauska, where life generally follows a very relaxed pace amidst beautiful countryside. Nearby Kuldiga, situated on the banks of the River Venta, is Latvia's highest waterfall and a favourite picnic spot. | | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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