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Travel facts
LocationLatvia is the central country of the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). On the world map Latvia is to be found in North-eastern Europe, on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. The landscape of the country is marked by lowland plains and rolling hills. Most of the countryside is less than 100 metres above sea level. There are thousands of rivers and lakes in Latvia. Length of Latvia's Baltic coastline is around 494 km. Latvia borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. HistoryThe territory known today as Latvia has been inhabited since 9000 BC. In the first half of 2000 BC, the proto-Balts or early Baltic peoples arrived. They are the forefathers of the Latvian people. At the beginning of this era the territory known today as Latvia became famous as a trading crossroads. In the 900s AD, the ancient Balts began to establish specific tribal realms. Gradually, four individual Baltic tribal cultures developed: Couronians, Latgallians, Selonians, Semigallians (in Latvian: kurši, latgaļi, sēļi and zemgaļi). Because of its strategic geographic location, Latvian territory was frequently invaded by neighbouring nations, largely defining the fate of Latvia and its people. By the late 1100s, Latvia was increasingly visited by traders from western Europe who used Latvia’s longest river, the Daugava, as a trade route to Russia. At the close of the 12th century, German traders arrived, bringing with them missionaries who attempted to convert the pagan Baltic and Finno-Ugrian tribes to the Christian faith. The Germans founded Rīga in 1201, establishing it as the largest and most powerful city on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. As the German Crusaders seized control of the region, the development of separate tribal realms in ancient Latvia came to an end. In the 1200s, a confederation of feudal nations was developed under German rule and named Livonia. The territory included today’s Latvia and Estonia. The 1500s were a time of great changes for the inhabitants of Latvia, notable for the reformation and the collapse of Livonia. After the so-called Livonian War (1558 – 1583) today’s Latvian territory, divided into regions, came under Polish-Lithuanian rule. In 1621, during the Polish-Swedish war (1600 – 1629), Rīga came under Swedish rule, overshadowing Stockholm as the largest and most developed city in the Swedish Kingdom. Consolidation of the Latvian nation occurred in the 1600s. With the merging of the Couronians, Latgallians, Selonians, Semigallians and Livs (Finno-Ugrians) a culturally unified nation that spoke a common language developed – the Latvians. At the beginning of the 1700s, the Great Northern War broke out, largely as a result of the Russian Empire’s desire to expand its territorial claims to the strategically important lands of Latvia. Latvia’s independence was proclaimed shortly after the end of the First World War – on November 18, 1918. Latvia’s longstanding strategic importance to the USSR was underlined with the signing of the so-called ‘Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact’ on August 23, 1939. In concordance with this unlawful secret agreement, the Soviet army occupied Latvia on June 17, 1940. A major step toward restoration of independence was taken on May 4, 1990, when the Latvian SSR parliamentary body known as the Supreme Council adopted a declaration calling for the restoring independence following a transition period. On August 21, 1991 the parliament voted to end to this transition period, thus restoring Latvia’s pre-war independence. VisaVisitors entering the country must have a valid passport. A visa is not required of citizens from: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Swiss Confederation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, USA and Vatican City/ The Holy See. Please note that visa regulations can change, and we suggest you contact the Latvian consulate or embassy for up to date visa rules or look at Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ web site http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/ ClimateThe climate in Latvia is temperate, characterised by warm summers and fairly severe winters. The weather is often breezy and humid due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea. Average temperatures range from 20° C in summer (usually July is the hottest month) to - 8°C in winter. Although occasionally the temperature may rise to 30°C and above in summer or sink below - 23°C in winter, it is very usual at our latitude. Bring your umbrella and a light raincoat in case of occasional showers. HolidaysBanks, offices and shops are closed on the following public holidays:
MoneyThe national currency of Latvija is called the Lats and was introduced in June 1993. The Lats is abbreviated as LVL. The smaller unit is called the Santim, 1 lats = 100 santims. The Lats is pegged to the EURO at 1 EUR = appr. 0,7028 LVL. Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged in banks and exchange offices. There are exchange offices in several hotels, in the port of Riga, at the airport, the railway station and many other places. Credit cards Traveller’s Cheques Banking Hours Banks are open from Monday to Friday between 9.00 and 17.00. Most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Currency exchange offices are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 hours; on Saturdays from 09.00 to 15.00 hours. Some are also open on Sundays. ElectricityThe electricity supply in Latvia is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use. Post & telephone servicesPost Offices and Postal Charges Postage on postcards within Latvia is LVL 0.15, letters within Latvia is LVL 0.22; postcards within Baltic countries is LVL 0.22, letters - LVL 0.31; postcards within Europe is LVL 0.36, letters - LVL 0.45; to other countries postcards is LVL 0.40, letters - LVL 0.55 Telephone Services Calls from Latvia: Dial 00 + the country code + area code + the subscriber's number. Local calls: Pay phones accept phone cards. If you wish to make a call within Latvia, first dial the area code and the number. Phone cards may be purchased from hotel reception desks, tourist information offices, post offices, newsstands and some shops. Some area codes: City Code City Code (*) for call to Riga and Jurmala within Latvia, just dial the number as described above, without area code. First aidEmergency Telephone Number 112 Emergency numbers are the same from all phones, including mobiles, anywhere in Estonia. For police, dial 112 No vaccinations or health certificates are required upon entering Estonia, though health insurance is advisable. Ordinary over the counter medicaments are available in pharmacies in every town. However, for the convenience of the traveler we suggest you bring along your own supply. Back.
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