Latvia: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Latvia

Latvia is one of the three Baltic states, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It is a low, green country of forests, rivers, lakes and long sandy beaches. It is known for its song festivals and Art Nouveau architecture.

About Riga

Riga sits where the Daugava River meets the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic Sea. It is known for one of the world's largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings and its UNESCO-listed historic centre.

Fun facts about Latvia

1. Forests cover more than half of Latvia's land.
2. The Venta Rapid in Kuldīga, about 249 metres across, is often called the widest waterfall in Europe.
3. Riga has one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world, with at least 800 of them.
4. Latvia has more than 12,000 rivers and over 2,000 lakes.
5. Gaiziņkalns, the highest point in Latvia, is only about 312 metres tall.
6. The white wagtail, a small black-and-white bird that wags its tail, is Latvia's national bird.