Latvia

Europe
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania.

57 00 N, 25 00 E

President Valdis Zatlers	Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis

Capital
Riga

Government
Parliamentary republic

Religion
Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7%.

Population
2,217,969

Ethnic group
Latvian 59.3%, Russian 27.8%, Belarusian 3.6%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Polish 2.4%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.1%.

National Language                     
Latvian
            
National Day
18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia)

Anthem
"God bless Latvia"  

Currency
Lats (Ls)

Attractions
Abavmuiža Cross Stone,  Bīriņi Palace,  Cesis medieval castle,  Dauģēni Big Cave,  Old Riga,  Riga Dom Cathedral 

Website     

Art & Cultural

The ICON

Riga Cathedral      Riga Cathedral (Latvian: Rīgas Doms) is the Protestant cathedral in Riga, Latvia. Built near the River Daugava in 1211 by Albert of Riga, it is considered the largest medieval church in the Baltic states. It has undergone many modifications in the course of its history. David Caspari was rector of the cathedral school in the late 17th century. His son Georg Caspari also served at the cathedral. It is often known in English as the Riga Dom Cathedral (although it has no dome, the nickname comes from the Latvian Doms and German Dom meaning "cathedral") Certainly one of the most recognisable landmarks in Latvia, the Cathedral is featured in or the subject of paintings, photographs and television travelogues.

Rundale Palace