Overview
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, situated alongside Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. Latvia shares land borders with Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast, and it has a maritime border with Sweden across the Baltic Sea to the west. The country covers an area of 64,573 square kilometers (24,932 square miles) and is home to a population of approximately 1.83 million people.
Geography and Climate
Latvia's location on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea gives it a temperate seasonal climate, with distinct changes across the four seasons. Its landscape is shaped by its coastal position and its place within the broader Baltic region, bordered by fellow Baltic states, Russia, Belarus, and the sea itself.
Capital and Major Cities
Riga serves as both the capital and the largest city of Latvia. As the country's principal urban center, Riga plays a central role in Latvian political, cultural, and economic life.
People and Language
Latvians are the titular nation of the country, making up 65.5% of the total population. They belong to the ethnolinguistic group known as the Balts and speak Latvian, the official language of the country.
Russians form the most prominent minority group in Latvia, accounting for nearly a quarter of the population. Reflecting this demographic makeup, 37.7% of the population speaks Russian as their native language, making it a significant linguistic presence alongside Latvian.
Regional Context
As one of the three Baltic states, Latvia shares historical, cultural, and geopolitical ties with its neighbors Estonia and Lithuania. Together, these nations form a distinct sub-region of northern Europe along the Baltic Sea, known for their shared experiences of independence, statehood, and integration into broader European institutions.
- Location: Baltic region, northern Europe
- Borders: Estonia (north), Lithuania (south), Russia (east), Belarus (southeast), and a maritime border with Sweden (west)
- Area: 64,573 km² (24,932 sq mi)
- Population: Approximately 1.83 million
- Capital: Riga
- Main ethnic group: Latvians (65.5%)
- Largest minority: Russians (nearly a quarter of the population)