Latvia is a resilient Baltic nation with a complex history of shifting borders and identities.

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Nestled along the Baltic Sea, Latvia is a land of undulating plains and dense forests. Once occupied by the Soviet Union, this nation reclaimed its sovereignty in 1991. Today, it stands as a unique cultural crossroads, balancing ancient Baltic traditions with modern European integration and a diverse, multilingual population.

Latvia’s geography is defined by its position between the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, bordered by Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania. The landscape is primarily an undulating plain, punctuated by the Central Vidzeme Upland, which reaches a maximum height of 1,020 feet. The country is rich in natural features, including numerous lakes and rivers like the Daugava, which stretches 222 miles within Latvian territory. Forests cover more than one-third of the land, serving as a habitat for diverse wildlife, including deer, elk, and reintroduced beavers.

The demographic makeup of Latvia has been profoundly shaped by 20th-century geopolitical upheavals. Before the Soviet occupation in 1940, ethnic Latvians made up about 75 percent of the population. Today, that figure is approximately 60 percent, with Russians comprising about 25 percent. The nation’s religious landscape is similarly varied; while many identify as Lutheran, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox, about 25 percent of the population considers themselves nonreligious. This diversity is mirrored in the linguistic sphere, where Latvian is the official language, yet nearly one-third of the populace speaks Russian.

Latvia’s path to modern statehood was marked by the declaration of independence on August 21, 1991, following decades of Soviet annexation. Sovereignty was recognized by the U.S.S.R. shortly thereafter in September 1991. Since then, the country has actively integrated into Western institutions, joining both NATO and the European Union in 2004. The nation’s economic transition has been significant, highlighted by the adoption of the euro in 2014, which replaced the lats. Despite a projected population decline, Latvia remains a distinct cultural entity, preserving its heritage through traditional feasts and a language that has evolved over centuries.

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