SURVIVALGUIDE

Full country name: Republic of LatviaLatvia borders with Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and BelarusFounded: November 18, 1918Area: 64,589 sq kmPopulation: 2.24 million Capital city: Riga (pop 874,100)People: Latvian 57%, Russian 30%, Belarusian 4%, Ukrainian 3%, Polish 3%, other 3%Language: The official language is Latvian. It is an Indo-European, non-Slavic and non-Germanic language and is similar only to Lithuanian.Religion: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian OrthodoxGovernment: parliamentary democracyPresident: Andris Bērziņš (since 8 July, 2011)

Major industries: Wood industry, pharmaceutical, food, textiles, agricultureHighest point: Gaizins- 311.50mLongest river: Daugava - 1 020km (367km within Latvia)International code: LVCurrency: Lats (LVL), 1 lats = 100 santimi (1 EUR = 0,70 LVL)Time: GMT +2. When it`s noon 12:00 in Riga it`s: 11:00 in Paris, 10:00 in London & 05:00 in New YorkInternational telephone code: +371Electricity supply: 220 volts, 50 Hz European-style 2-pin plugsEmergency phone numbers: 112

Over 30,000 different Latvian folk songs have been created over the last few thousands years.

Before the economic crisis of 2008, Latvia had one of the fastest growing economies in Europe.

Now Latvia has the highest prevalence of women in Europe. Latvian per 1000 men 1139 women

Who are we?

Riga

Distances from Riga to:

.BE

The Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918. I t has been continuously recognized as a sovereign state since 1920 despite occupations and rule by the Soviet Union (1940-1941, 1945-1991) and Nazi Germany (1941-1945). On August 21, 1991 Latvia declared the restoration of its de facto independence, re-established international diplomatic ties, and joined the United Nations. Latvia joined the WTO in 1998 and in 2004 became a member of the European Union and NATO.

Riga is the capital of Latvia, located on the banks of Daugava River. Riga is one of the oldest and the most beautiful cities of Europe.In 2011, Riga celebrated 810th anniversary of its foundation. Every year we have lots of events in entertainment industry (concerts, shows, parties etc.).....so party never stops here. To know more about our beautiful city of inspiration, just come & discover it by yourself and be ready for smiley people, narrow and romantic streets of Old Riga, picturesque squares, green parks, party spirit and much more!

Patras – 2 900kmTrondheim – 1 330kmBelgrade – 1 900kmTurin – 2 350kmBerlin - 840kmHelsinki - 369kmCopenhagen - 720kmOslo - 840kmStockholm - 440kmTallinn - 280km Vilnius - 260km

History in brief

This is fairly simple. Or, at least, it should be!

You can exchange money in banks, but we recommend you to do it in exchange points (working also on holidays) - ask us which ones are the BEST ones.

The largest restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.

Latvian currency unit is 1 Lats (Ls) = 100 santimsEUR 1 = LVL 0.7028

What you can get for your money:

2 santims - a box of matches5 santims – big envelope35 santims – ice-cream on a wood stick,50 santims- wood tooth cleaners1 Ls - 24,7 seconds of an exclusive private strip dance;))2 Ls – 2 bottles of Apinitis (4l of the most awesome beer of Latvia)50 Ls - an old Zaparozhetc (a Soviet era car)100 Ls - 5000 boxes of matches;))

Some prices at shops:

Coffee - 0.50-1.00 Ls

Warm tea: 0.70LsBeer: bottle – 0.40 - 0.70 Ls; in a pub – 0.90 – 1,5 Ls

Lunch - 1,5 - 2,5 Ls

In January 2014 euro will be official currency in Latvia, so maybe it’s the last timeyou can see our beautiful lats. Don’t miss this chance!

Currency and prices

.

Shops are usually open Mon - Fri 10:00 - 20:00 and Sat - Sun 10:00 - 17:00.

There are some shops open 24 hours. In the centre of Riga you will mostly find small shops and little supermarkets, again looking at the prices is a universal advice, remember that VAT (in Latvian called PVN) is always included in the showed price.

Biggest shopping malls in the center: Galerija “Centrs” - Audēju str. 16, in the old part of the city “Stockmann” - 13. janvāra str. 8, next to the bus station “Origo” - Stacijas laukums (station square) 2, next to the train station (malls are open every day from 10:00 – 22:00).

Among Latvia's traditionally most popular national foods are caraway cheese, grey peas with bacon, bacon-filled pastries and a special rye bread prepared to ancient recipes.

Latvian rye bread is a staple for most of the population and is one of Latvia's most popular food „souvenirs''.

As for drinks, Latvia is know for it's herbal teas and of course beer.

The best souvenir is Latvian Moka or Riga Black Balsam.

Shops

Latvian food and drinks

Latvian is a Baltic language that belongs to the Indo-European language family. Its only linguistic relative is Lithuanian, and is considered to be among the oldest and least changed of all living Indo-European languages in the world. It is estimated that 1,5 million people worldwide use Latvian as their primary language. English and Russian are widely spoken throughout Latvia, while German, French and the Scandinavian languages are also frequently heard.

ČAVINJĀĀĀS! – Hey, hello! (in local BEST group Riga)SVEIKI! – Hey, hello! (official)PALDIES! – Thank you!LŪDZU! – Welcome/please!JĀ – yesNĒ – noLABRĪT! – Good morning!AR LABU NAKTI! – Good night!MANI SAUC … - My name is...VIENS, DIVI, TRĪS, ČETRI, PIECI, SEŠI, SEPTIŅI, ASTOŅI, DEVIŅI, DESMIT, SEŠDESMIT DEVIŅI – 1-10, 69ES ESMU MAZA ZEMENE, APĒD MANI! – I'm a little strawberry, eat me!

PRIEKĀ! – Cheers!ALUS – BeerŠŅABIS – VodkaMOKA AR PIENU – Moka with milkŪDENS – WaterGLĀZE- GlassES ESMU PIEDZĒRIES/PIEDZĒRUSIES – I'm drunkMAN IR POHAS – I have hangoverES ESMU SKAIDRĀ – I'm sober

MEITENE – A girlPUISIS - A boyBUČA – A kissSALDS – SweetTEV IR SKAISTAS ACIS! – You have beautiful eyes!TU MAN PATĪC – I like you!EJAM PASTAIGĀTIES!? – Let's go for a walk!ES GRIBU TEVI NOBUČOT/APSKAUT – I want to kiss/hug youTU ESI SEKSĪGS/ SEKSĪGA – You are sexyMmmm, MAN PATĪK – Mmmmm, I like it!

Latvian language

IN GENERAL

ABOUT DRINKING

GIRLS, BOYS, ROMANCE

By plane – , , , and our own .By ferry – .By bus – , , .

You can reach Latvia also by car – Nissan, Audi, BMW, Belarus, Lada, Saab, by Bicycle - utility, mountain, racing, touring, hybrid , BMX, cruiser, Hitchhiching – Nissan, Audi, BMW, Belarus, Lada, BMX, Swimming - butterfly stroke, free style, Running - Addidas, Nike, Protest, Puma, Converse, Slow walking, Fast walking, Crawling - on knees, on elbows, Rolling - clockwise , counterclockwise.

Ryanair Wizzair Aeroflot Turkishairlains airBalticTallink

Eurolines Ecolines Simple Express

YOU can never know what the weather will be, because weather is changing here all the time! You can find weather forecast here:

Latvia's weather features a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers,moderate winters and frequently high levels of humidity and precipitation.

Summer: June - August. Winter: December - February.

The average temperature In summer: 15.8°C. Last summer it reached 35°C.

In autumn: 10°C and less In winter: -10°C and less The warmest month: July The coldest month: January

http://www.yr.no/place/Latvia/Riga/Riga/

The weather in August is veryunpredictable:)

How can I get here?

Is it cold or hot?

get ongreenwheels

9.-22.09.2012.BEiga

The airport (RIX) (lidosta) is located approximately 8km south-west of the Riga city center. A queue of eager taxis will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, but nothing can be better & cheaper than the bus N°22. Here you can see schedule and the route map for bus N°22. Route runs every 10-15 min. And it takes 30-35 mins to get from Airport to the City center.

Exit airport arrivals hall and walk across the parking lot to find the bus stop and timetable.

http://saraksti.rigassatiksme.lv/?a=p.frameset&direction_id=20171&stop_id=12882&t=xhtml&l=en

Route name Lidosta – Abrenes iela. There should be written Abrenes iela on bus front windshield electronic table. So take a bus, ticket costs from 0.5- 0.70Ls (You don't have to pay extra for your luggage on bus line N°22).

You can buy tickets at the ticket vending machine which is located at airport terminal. At ticket vending machine you can buy various types of tickets. Ticket for single trip costs 0.50 Ls. Buying ticket at the bus from bus driver is more expensive - 0.70 Ls (N.B. You can pay only with lats!!!).

The nearest stop to the city center ( Old Riga ) is named “11. Novembra krastmala”You may also prefer bus stop “Stockmann centrs” which is located next to bus terminal and train station. Stockmann shopping mall and bus stop (photo):

The bus terminal (autoosta) is located just a few hundred meters from the train station and is located next to the Old Town and Central market. To get to the center turn left, walk through the underpass and follow the signs 'Vecriga-Valnu iela' into Old Riga.

The train station (centrala stacija) consists of a big hall for international trains and a small one for local trains.

Once there you are right next to Old Riga.

The ferry terminal (osta) is located less than 1 km north of Old Riga, so justtake a 10 minute walk along the riverside to get to the city center ;).

Arriving to Riga

http://saraksti.rigassatiksme.lv/index.html#bus/22/b-a/en

Riga has 9 tram lines, 20 trolleys routes and 53 bus routes.

A single ride anywhere in the city costs 70 santims (approx. 1 Euro), if you buy a ticket at the bus driver.

You can buy single, 5, 10, 20 driving ticket in newsstand (“Narvesen”, “Pluss punkts”), most shops or ticket vending machines (then price is cheaper – 50 santims per one single ticket), and with this ticket you can use all kinds of public transportation (trams, trolley buses and buses). Trams, trolleys and buses run from 05:20 to 00:15 (timetable is aviable at the stop)

Ticket vending machine

Don’t forget to validate your e-ticket in the bus/tram/trolley! Some tips, how to do it :)

Public transport

Most important thing for you to do is to let us know ASAP if you need an invitation letter, so we would have time to send it to you! Or any other things considering your visa, if needed.

You have to keep in mind that it is OBLIGATORY to have insurance for illness and accidents during BEST events.

You will have to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage to go abroad. This includes full medical and dental insurance. Travel insurance to cover any accident or loss during the course is strongly recommended.

DONT 'T FORGET THIS!

We will pick you up.

Let us know as soon as possible the exact date and time of your arrival to Riga.

Please use our mailing list of the course (that will be created especially for the course).

You can always call the cell phones of organisers, we will immediately help you.

If you meet a beaver, ask him for help. Usually, they are very friendly.

Or call our nice participiants responsible Pēteris +371 26227623

Important stuff

Visa

Health insurance

Meeting point

If you get lost

Yourself and good mood

Passport, Tickets

Insurance (must have)!!!

International Student Identity card (ISIC)

Visa (optional)

Money (plastic or cash - pocket money)

Personal medication (also against allergies)

Swimming suit, towel (for sure)

Different small things that make your life cleaner and more cosy (e.g. tooth brush

and accessories or maybe your favourite house slippers or rubber duck

Warm clothes

Comfortable shoes for walking

Umbrella / raincoat

Your friends and family contact information (in case of emergency)

Don't forget your smile, singing voice, dancing rhythm

National food & drinks & songs for International Evening

Some good music from your country (in any form)

Any music instrument you can play (no pianos!)

Camera to make photos for memory

Something nice for the organizers ;)

What to bring

)

Main OrganizerJūlija Jurtajeva

E-mail: julija.jurtajeva@best.rtu.lvMobile: +371 28479749

Responsible for ParticipantsPēteris Brusovs

E-mail: peteris.brusovs@best.rtu.lvMobile: +371 26227623

Contacts

President of BEST-RigaLaura Lībiete

E-mail: laura.libiete@best.rtu.lvMobile: +371 29340989