Latvia

General information

°Capital – Riga °Area – 65 589 km2

°Population in 2010 – 2 248 374 °Currency – Lats (LVL)

There are four historical and cultural regions in Latvia - Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme, Zemgale

President – Valdis Zatlers

Coat of arms

Flag

History

Latvia proclaimed independence shortly after the end of World War I – on November 18, 1918

Soviet troops occupied the country on June 17, 1940

Nazi Germany occupied Latvia on July 7, 1941Occupation of Latvia by Soviet Union 1944-1945On September 6, 1991 Latvian independence

was once again recognised by the Soviet Union

Landmarks

The Daugava – one of the most beautiful and symbolical rivers

Freedom Monument – the symbol of Latvia’s independence and nationhood.

Old Riga – the heart of Riga

The Latvian Song and DanceFestival is an important eventin Latvian cultural and social life that takes place every 5 years in Riga. Includes about 30 000 participants.

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Nature

Latvia is located near the Baltic SeaThe average temperature is 5.2 degreesThe area of protected land is 19%There are 2 256 lakes larger than 1 ha

Traditions

 Easter - celebrating the day when Jesus resurrected from being dead

Jāņi - the biggest national holiday, Midsummer`sDay. The celebration consists of a lot of traditional elements - eating Jāņu cheese, drinking beer, singing special Līgo songs.

Miķeļi - the holiday associated with the godsMiķelis and Jumis (September 22–September 24)

Mārtiņi – celebrated on November 10,

marking the end of the fall and the beginning of winter.

CELEBRITIES

Raimonds Pauls - composer

Laima Vaikule – singer

Jānis Streičs – film director

Band „Prāta Vētra”(Brainstorm)In Eurovision 2000 got 3rd placehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoI2dM8b5s

Rēzija Kalniņa - actress

Vija Artmane – actress

Sport

Hockey:‘’Dynamo’’ Riga – the best and most popular hockey club in Latvia 

BMX cycling: Māris Štrombergs – the Olympic (2008) and

the world champion (2008 and 2010)   

Track and field: Ineta Radeviča – European champion in long jump (2010)Vadims Vasiļevskis - silver medalist of 2004 Summer Olympics in javelin throwingAinars Kovals - silver medalist of 2008 Summer Olympics in javelin

throwing

Skeleton:Martins Dukurs – finished second at 2010 Winter Olympics, won the gold medal at the World Championship (2011) and the World Cup two times (2010 and 2011)

 

Luge:Mārtiņš Rubenis - won the bronze medal at 2006 Winter Olympics in TurinJuris Šics and Andris Šics - won the silver medal in the men's doubles event in Vancouver in 2010

Music

Marija Naumova – Latvian pop singer, won 2002 Eurovision Song Contest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4GOSw7v0N0

Vestards Šimkus – pianist, won many important awards in international piano competitions

Elīna Garanča - Latvian opera megastar (mezzo-soprano)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXs2VAfy4ew&feature=related

Problems

Bad quality of roads

Urbanization

Unarranged system of eduacation

That’s all, folks

Thanks for watching ;)