Latvia is the central Baltic state, with Riga's Art Nouveau old town, the long sandy coast of the Gulf of Riga, and forests covering more than half the country.
Geography & landscape
Latvia sits in Northern Europe, in the northern hemisphere of Europe. With an area of approximately 64,589 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the cold-temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Riga, lies near coordinates 57°, 25°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Europe, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Europe region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Latvia.
People & society
The population of Latvia is around 1.8M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Latvian, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Latvia is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Riga, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Latvia is the Euro (EUR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Riga and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Latvia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Latvia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Riga, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +371, and clocks are set to the EET (UTC+2) time zone. ISO standards identify Latvia as LV (alpha-2) and LVA (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇱🇻, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Riga | — |
| Continent | Europe | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Europe | — |
| Population | 1.8M | people |
| Area | 64,589 | km² |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | — |
| Calling code | +371 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | LV | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | LVA | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 57 | degrees |
| Longitude | 25 | degrees |
Did you know?
Latvia has Europe's largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture — over 800 buildings in Riga alone.
