General information °Capital – Riga °Area – km 2 °Population in 2010 – °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, 1941 Occupation of Latvia by Soviet Union On 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 Latvias independence and nationhood.

Old Riga – the heart of Riga The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is an important event in Latvian cultural and social life that takes place every 5 years in Riga. Includes about participants..

Nature Latvia is located near the Baltic Sea The average temperature is 5.2 degrees The area of protected land is 19% There are lakes larger than 1 ha

Traditions Easter - celebrating the day when Jesus resurrected from being dead Jāņi - the biggest national holiday, Midsummer`s Day. The celebration consists of a lot of traditional elements - eating Jāņu cheese, drinking beer, singing special Līgo songs.

Miķeļi - the holiday associated with the gods Miķelis 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 place 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 throwing Ainars 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 Turin Juris 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 Vestards Šimkus – pianist, won many important awards in international piano competitions

Elīna Garanča - Latvian opera megastar (mezzo- soprano)

Problems Bad quality of roads Urbanization Unarranged system of eduacation

Thats all, folks Thanks for watching ;)