The population of Latvia is about 2,4 million, of which about 57% of Latvian, 40% Russian-speaking, 2% Lithuanian, 1% Polish.

Official language is Latvian.

Money: Latvian lat

Religions: most ethnic Latvians are Lutheran, with Catholics in eastern Latvia. Most Russians are Russian Orthodox.

Latvia is the middle Baltic State, is 63.700 sq km in area-a little smaller than the Irish Republic. A good half of Latvia's long, sweeping coast faces the Gulf of Riga, a deep inlet of the Baltic Sea, which is shielded from the open sea by the Estonian island of Saaremaa. Latvia borders Estonia in the north, Russia and Belarus in the east, and Lithuania in the south.

Latvia has 4 regions: Vidzeme-the northeast, Latgale-the southeast, Zemgale-the centre, Kurzeme-the west. The Vidzeme Upland in the east is the largest expanse of land with an elevation over 200 metres in the Baltic's, with Latvia's highest point, Gaizina kalns (311 metres), topping it. The Latgale Upland in southeast Latvia reaches 289 metres at Lielais Liepukalns. The Kurzeme Upland in southwest Latvia manages only 184 metres at Krievu kalns near Priekule.

Riga (population 800 000), the capital of Latvia, lies on Daugava River, just inland of the Gulf of Riga. It has always been the major metropolis of the Baltic States. The town sprawls either side of the Daugava River. The eastern bank holds almost all the interest. Old Riga, the historic heart of the city, stretches 1 km along this side of the river and 700 metres back from its banks. http://www.riga.lv/

Some other interesting towns are:

Daugavpils

(population 125 000)- Daugavpils is the second largest town in the Latgale region, on the north bank of Daugava River. It is the Russian centre of Latvia (only about 10% of its population is Latvian). http://www.daugavpils.lv/

Liepaja

(population 100 000)-Latvia's third biggest city in the Kurzeme region. http://www.liepaja.lv/

Jurmala The Seaside

Jurmala-is just 20 km from Riga-it is a string of small towns and resorts stretching 20 km along the coast west of Riga. Holiday-makers have been coming here since 19 th century. Jurmala's long, sandy beaches are backed by dunes and pine woods, its shady streets lined with low-rise wooden houses. The beautifully fresh air and relaxed atmosphere make it a pleasant change from the city of Riga. http://www.jurmala.lv/

Sigulda

Sigulda-about 50 km east of Riga with its lakes and dramatic hillscape is known as the Switzerland of Latvia. http://www.sigulda.lv/

Ventspils

Ventspils-the busiest port along the Baltic Sea.

http://www.ventspils.lv/