1. Hills

2. Gaiziņkalns
The highest peak of Latvia the Gaizins is located here (311,6 m above the sea level). Beautiful scenery of hilly countryside, steep slopes, glens, a wide variety of scenery and plants, places radiating energy. Guided tours.
The most romantic descent of Gaizins, Damu paradize, got its name thanks to the skiers of the gentler sex who have preferred this terrace type side of the hill for ages.
The name Gaizins originated from the name Gaiszinis, because the hill is still considered to be a reliable weather predictor. If it is wrapped in fog or if foggy mist is rising from it, then no later than on the third day there will be rainfall.
Already since 1957 this is a protected nature territory in which agroactivity was terminated, whereas in 1969 Gaizinkalns country park was established with the area of 53 ha, and in 1999 the area of the park was enlarged to 2026 ha.

3. Looking over the descent of Damu paradize, a view opens to Blazu hill behind which rises the hillocks of Bolenu and Tomenu. Those who are lucky may see on the left side of the descent distant towers of the Cesvaine castle or the hillocks of Madona City.
Looking over the Rietumu nogaze one may see Vestiena village in the distance, and in the hill valley between clumps of trees - little Avosina lake.
Earlier, when the trees on the top of Gaizins haven’t bushed out yet, in clear weather one could see six churches’ towers: in Ergli, Vestiena, Berzaune, Kalsnava, Lazdona and even Cesvaine, but in winter evenings candlelight in the windows of 9 municipalities could be seen.
On the top of the hill there is an eight-edged concrete post with a cross on it. It is a “benchmark”- a height mark or an adjustment to geodetic surveying.
A story tells that once upon a time the Curonians and Latgale’s Latvians lived in Vidzeme too, but here around Gaizins there was the Vidus land of which the name Vidzeme (Middle Land) originated.
The weather conditions of Gaizinkalns are characteristic with that here, a winter begins two weeks earlier and ends two weeks later than elsewhere in Latvia.
Golgats - descent of the northern side that has been used for skiing for the longest time. The first ski lift in Golgata was set up in 1965, but before that the skiers got up the hill on their own. And not only up the hill but to Gaizins itself people used to travel by foot or by skis from distances of 20 km.

4. Dēliņkalns
Delinkalns - in translation something like - Son's Mountain.
This restricted area protects the highest hillock in the Alūksne highlands – Dēliņkalns Hill – as well as the biotopes on its hillsides. The local landscape is also protected. Downhill ski trails are on the mountain, and its southern side offers lovely views.
Here is a very typical spring/summer scene you would expect to see in the Baltics.

5. Mākoņkalns
Mākoņkalns-in translation something like- Cloudy Mountain. Mākoņkalns is one of highest hills in Latvia (248m). In 13 century there was the Volkenbergas palace. From Mākoņkalns you can see Rāznas lake, which looks like a see, it is wonderful landscape.
There is beautiful plains in Latvia This picture was taken from Heart hill.

6. Sirdskalns
In translation Sirdskalns is Heart mountain .Heart mountain is the second highest mountain in Latvia (297m) It is just a little bit below than Gaizinkalns, which is the highest mountain in Latvia.
There is terrific fir trees woods, which you can see from Heart hill.

7. Amber

8. Amber in Latvia
What is the significance of the Latvian word for amber – dzintars?
Our choral music is brought to audiences abroad by the Dzintars Choir;
Dance is presented by the children's dance ensemble Dzintariņš;
The name of our main perfumery company is Dzintars;
We love to put Dzintars cheese spread on our bread at breakfast;
We all have somebody called Dzintars or Dzintra among our friends.

9. Some Facts About Amber
The most widespread use of amber is in jewellery. Amber is mentioned in lists compiled by Assyrian jewellers around 1000 BC.
The earliest written evidence regarding Baltic amber may be found in the writings of Tacitus.
Already in distant antiquity, the people living along the shore of the Baltic Sea not only collected amber for trade, but also made practical use of it as a decorative, curative and religious material.
99,8% of Baltic amber is succinite.
There is a Riga school of amberworking, where metallic elements are also important, and a Liepaja school, where the unique character of the amber itself is highlighted.
The richest collection of Baltic amber is kept at Palanga Amber Museum.

10. The Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Oresund, the Great Belt and the Little Belt. The Baltic Sea is artificially linked to the White Sea by the White Sea Canal and to the North Sea by the Kiel Canal. The Baltic is bordered on its northern edge by the Gulf of Bothnia, on its northeastern edge by the Gulf of Finland, and on its eastern edge by the Gulf of Riga.

11. Latvia – the Baltic Sea State
Latvia is situated on the East Coast of the Baltic Sea.
The length of Latvia's Baltic coastline is 490 km - comprising 182 km of Baltic Sea coast to the Lituanian border and 308 km coastline of the Gulf of Riga to the Estonian border.
The Gulf of Riga and the Irbe Straight are internationally important wintering sites for waterbirds, where the total number in autumn and winter can exceed 2,000,000 birds.
For Latvia the Baltic Sea is important for fishery, transportation and trading routes.
Baltic Sea creates favorable conditions for recreation, tourism and scientific research.
Ventspils, Riga and Liepaja are the biggest ports in Latvia.