Latvia

The Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika) is a country in Northern Europe. Latvia has land borders with its two fellow Baltic states ? Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south ? and Russia and Belarus to the east. In the west Latvia shares a maritime border with Sweden. The capital of Latvia, Riga (Latvian: R?ga), is the largest city in the Baltic States.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Latvia

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Large parts of Latvia are covered by forests, and the country has over 12,000 small rivers and over 3,000 lakes. Most of the country consists of fertile, low-lying plains with some hills in the east, the highest point being the Gaizi?kalns at 312 m.

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An inlet of the Baltic Sea, the shallow Gulf of Riga is situated in the northwest of the country. The capital city Riga is located on the shores of this inlet, where the Daugava river flows into it. Other major cities include Daugavpils further upriver and Liep?ja along the Baltic coast.

Related Topics:
Gulf of Riga - Daugava - Daugavpils - Liep?ja

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The Latvian climate is maritime and temperate in nature, with cool summers and wet, moderate winters.

Related Topics:
Climate - Temperate

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Latvia is historically and culturally divided in four or five distinct regions, see regions of Latvia.

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