Latvia, country of northeastern Europe and the middle of the three Baltic states.Latvia, which was occupied and annexed by the U.S.S.R. in June 1940, declared its independence on August 21, 1991. The U.S.S.R. recognized its sovereignty on September 6, and United Nations membership followed shortly thereafter. Latvia was admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004. The capital and chief city is Riga.Latvia contains a multitude of rivers that drain into the Baltic Sea. The largest are the Western Dvina, locally called the Daugava (with a total length of 222 miles [357 km] in Latvia), the Gauja (Russian: Gauya), the Venta, and the Lielupe. Amid the hills, many of which are forested, are numerous lakes, some measuring up to about 12 square miles (30 square km).
Climate -The climate is influenced by the prevailing southwesterly winds coming from the Atlantic. Humidity is high, and the skies are usually cloudy; there are only about 30 to 40 days of sunshine per year. Average precipitation usually exceeds 20 inches (about 500 mm) on the lowlands and may approach or exceed 30 inches (about 760 mm) on the uplands. The frost-free season lasts about 125 to 155 days.
Area – 64,589 km2
Reason To Study In LATVIA
Higher education offered by 26 universities with over 655 study programs
About 218 Masters programs at 20 universities and 148 PhD programs at 17 universities
International universities in the country have English as their official language of instruction
Major local universities offer courses in English, if they have a large international student community
Festival-rich country with outdoor sports culture and history in every nook and corner
Dynamic economy with job opportunities in many service and tourism sectors
Students can work on part-time to support their education and other financial needs
Internships to gain practical exposure and experience