Latvia is not only cherished architectural masterpieces and folk traditions, but also warm the Baltic Sea coast, dozens of modern resorts, lakes, mineral springs and picturesque landscapes.
The main tourist center in Latvia - Riga, and in the summer - Jurmala, known for its health features. In winter, we can recommend a trip to Sigulda - "Latvian Switzerland" with the prepared slopes.
Geography
A state in north-eastern Europe. It has borders with Estonia, on the east by Russia, on the south by Belarus and Lithuania. On the west by the Baltic Sea. The total area of 64.5 square kilometers
Climate
The climate is transitional from maritime to continental. Average January temperatures range from 2 C to 7 C, in July from +16 C to +18 C. The precipitation is 500-800 mm per year, mostly in winter.
Capital
Riga
Population
Around 2.65 million people. Letts (1388 thousand), Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Polish, etc.
Language
Latvian (official), Russian
Currency
Latvian Lats (Ls), equal to 100 centimes. Banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 armor, coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes and 1 and 2 lats.
Time zone
Coincides with the Kiev
Religion
The majority of the population - Protestant (Lutheran) and Catholic (in the east). There is also the Russian Orthodox minority.
Political Structure
Latvia - a democratic republic. The head of state - the president. Head of Government - Prime Minister. Legislature - unicameral Supreme Council or the Diet.
Customs regulations
Personal filing. May feed on the notarized power of attorney. Require an invitation when going not through travel agency. For citizens of Ukraine visa free.
The amount of exchange is not limited to, the presentation is made without documents. Limited export amber and artistic values.
Link
Call anywhere in the world can be street payphones "Lattelekom" that work on phone cards. which are sold at newsstands, and credit cards.
For a call to Latvia, dial 8 - 10 - 371 - area code - phone number. Code Riga - 2 or 7
Emergency Telephone: Fire and Rescue - 01, the police - 02, first aid - 03
Electricity
Electrical supply - 220V, frequency - 50 Hz. Plugs and sockets used the European model.
Shops
Shops are generally open on weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, Saturdays - 10:00 to 16:00, many grocery stores and supermarkets are open around the clock.
Transport
In Riga trams, trolleybuses, buses and taxis. Metro no. Cost of travel in all modes (including "bus") is the same - 20 centimes (sometimes 25). Payment at the entrance from the conductor. After 23:00, transport is extremely rare, on some routes go on duty all night buses or trams (every hour). The fare to the taxi after 22:00 two times higher than during the day.
The cost of travel on public transport in Riga - Ls20, in a taxi - Ls30 for 1 km. Rates for all taxi firms identical, taxis are everywhere, waiting for you with open arms and work on the counter, can even write a check (if you ask). Taxis can also be on the phone with the call itself is not paid, and the car comes in for 5-10 minutes.
In Riga pending catch "privateers." They are there, but not so common, and will cost slightly cheaper taxi. Stopped the taxi, not customary to ask "you go - you will not go" and immediately negotiate a price (unless this is not just about a place known to both). You sit down, call the place, a taxi driver enables the counter.
Daily rate (06:00-24:00) - 0,40 Ls for landing and 30 Ls per kilometer (from the center to the outskirts can be reached in 4-10 Ls). Night - about half as much - 0,60 Ls Landing and 0.40 per kilometer.
Not so often, but still can not do without "tricks." The most common is the inclusion of the night tariff afternoon. How to avoid it? On the counter to the left off the figure indicating the rate (1 - Day 2 - a night), if you can not see , have shown (sometimes stick with it yourselfers).
Tip
In restaurants, hotels and taxi tips are included in cost of services. But you have the right to encourage the staff for good service in addition.
Weekends and holidays
January 1 - New Year
March 25 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Communist Terror
May 1 - Spring Day, calling the Constitutional Assembly of Latvia
May 4 - Independence Day Latvia
May 8 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Second World War
June 14 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Communist Terror
23-24 June - Midsummer (summer solstice)
July 4 - Day of Remembrance of the Jewish genocide
August 11 - Memorial Day Latvian Freedom Fighters
September 22 - Day of Unity of Baltic
November 11 - Lacplesis Day (Memorial Day heroes)
November 18 - Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia
December 25 - Christmas Day
All holidays in Latvia celebrated in grand style. The most striking of these is St. John's Day, it is accompanied trips out of almost the entire population of the country, cooking special dishes and, of course, song festivals across the country. Interest of the national song festival, which takes place on the eve of Midsummer every 5 years. Big fair of folk arts and crafts "Gadatirgis" takes place in Riga in the first weekend of June, here is satisfied with the International Festival of Organ Music in other cities - Opera Music Festival (Sigulda, July), Early Music Festival in the castle Bauska (July), the annual international rock festival "Liepajas Dzintars" (Liepaja, mid-August), the beer festival and the Festival of rural chapels (Cesis, mid-July), in late July - early August, held in Jurmala festival for young singers "New Wave", a humorous festival "Wailing KiViN "and" Jurmalina. "
Main Attractions
Latvia is not only cherished architectural masterpieces and folk traditions, but also warm the Baltic Sea coast, dozens of modern resorts, lakes, mineral springs and picturesque landscapes. The main tourist center in Latvia - Riga, and in the summer - Jurmala, known for its health features. "Blue Flag" beaches marked Ventspils and Liepaja, the mark of quality in the beach raises them above many other hierarchies. In winter, we can recommend a trip to Sigulda - "Latvian Switzerland" with the prepared slopes.
Among the attractions of Riga - Riga Cathedral (1211) in the Old City (Old Riga, Swedish Gates, Freedom Monument, the Residence of Peter I, near the Duomo, the symbol of Riga - 137-meter high tower of the church of St. Peter, the Church of St. Jacob, the Powder Tower ( Pulvertornis) Viesturs from Alexandrovsky Garden Gate at the entrance, set to commemorate Russia's victory over Napoleon, located in the Castle History Museum of Latvia, Latvian Museum of Medicine, Museum of Foreign Art, National Art Gallery of Latvia, Riga Motor Museum, opened Latvian Ethnographic Museum, which contains buildings across the country, from wooden churches to windmills 16-19th centuries.
Natural attractions - the Baltic resort of Jurmala, consisting of 12 small villages built on the shore of the Gulf of Riga, with a great choice of hotels and resorts. Healthy climate, pine trees, many tennis courts, swimming pools and entertainment, water park, excellent fishing.
Resort Sigulda - National Park and Castle Turaida (XIII-th century.) Sculpture park. In Rundāle fine summer residence of the Duke of Courland, created by the architect Rastrelli. Magnificent palace and surrounding park. Near Kuldiga, on the banks of the River Venta is the highest waterfall in Latvia. Popular tourist and scenic area Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale with hundreds of small picturesque villages and pastoral landscapes. Reserves: Green, Moricsala, Slitere etc.
Daugavpils - second largest city in Latvia. It is located 200 km from Riga on the border with Lithuania and Belarus. It begins with the story of 1275. The Old City is Daugavpils fortress (the only fortress in the Baltic States, which has been preserved without significant changes), the Orthodox Cathedral, the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church and Unity House. The facades of the houses here are made of red bricks, which are called "Latgale baroque".
In architecturally interesting city of Liepaja, which is in Courland on the Baltic Sea. The first mention of the town belong to 1253. These days it is and resort, and a major port. Since the early 20th century, there was a naval port of the Russian Empire in the Baltic Sea. The main attraction is the Liepaja Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas. It was built in 1900-1903 at a military port, and the first stone in its foundation laid Tsar Nicholas II. There is also an Orthodox church of St. Anne, the oldest in Liepaja, mention of which are even more in 1508. In the church you can see a very beautiful altar of the late 17th century.
The city has many plants - there's even a Rose Square, its from 1911 decorated with numerous rose bushes. In Liepaja is the largest park in Latvia - Seaside. The park area of more than 50 hectares, there are growing more than 140 different species of trees and shrubs.
Tourists in Liepaja also invited to participate in the pageant show. The old port is left garrison prison, where you can feel as a prisoner. It met all the realities of prison life - physical, interrogation, photo with number in hand, and even prison rations, if you wish you can stay in jail for the night.
