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Latvia, located in the Baltic area of Northern Europe, has a population of around 1.9 million individuals. Located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, Latvia holds a key location in Northern Europe, acting as a conduit between Eastern and Western Europe. This little yet dynamic nation spans 64,589 square kilometers (24,938 square miles), rendering it marginally larger than West Virginia in the United States or almost equivalent to the size of Ireland.
Latvia, one of the three Baltic states, shares its northern border with Estonia and its southern border with Lithuania. It is bordered by Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast. Despite lacking a terrestrial boundary, Latvia possesses a marine border with Sweden to the west, separated by the Baltic Sea. This geographic location has significantly influenced Latvia’s history, culture, and economic progress.
Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia, is a metropolis renowned for its exquisite Art Nouveau architecture, dynamic cultural landscape, and historical importance. Riga functions as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural center, drawing both visitors and enterprises with its amalgamation of medieval allure and contemporary facilities.
Latvia’s climate is categorized as temperate seasonal, including four distinct seasons. Summers are often temperate and agreeable, however winters may be frigid and snowy, particularly in the eastern regions of the nation. This climatic fluctuation fosters Latvia’s various ecosystems, encompassing verdant woods, marshes, and sandy beaches along its Baltic coastline.
The Latvian populace is part of the ethnolinguistic group referred to as the Balts, with cultural and linguistic connections with the Lithuanians. The Latvian language, the official language of the nation, belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family. It is a distinctive and old language that has retained several archaic characteristics, rendering it very intriguing to linguists and language aficionados.
Although Latvians constitute the bulk of the population, the nation also hosts a substantial Russian minority, representing almost one-fourth of the total populace. This demographic mix stems from historical events, notably immigration during the Soviet period. Approximately 37.7% of Latvia’s population speaks Russian as their first language, highlighting the nation’s intricate linguistic diversity and multicultural legacy.
The contemporary Republic of Latvia was established following World War I, proclaiming its independence on November 18, 1918. This proclamation occurred when the German Empire, which had seized the territory, was disintegrating. The nascent state encountered several problems in its initial years, including the necessity to develop governmental institutions and secure its frontiers from both Soviet and German armies.
Latvia’s trajectory as an independent nation shifted in 1934 when Kārlis Ulmanis orchestrated a coup that instituted an authoritarian administration. This dictatorial regime was brief, as Latvia’s independence was quickly disrupted by the chaotic occurrences of World War II.
The onset of World War II had significant repercussions for Latvia. In 1940, the nation was compelled to join the Soviet Union due to the clandestine agreements of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The Soviet occupation was momentarily disrupted by the Nazi German invasion in 1941, which introduced its own array of horrors and crimes. In 1944, as the war progressed, Soviet forces re-occupied Latvia, instituting the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (Latvian SSR), which endured for the subsequent 45 years.
The Soviet era significantly changed Latvia’s population composition. Substantial immigration from various regions of the Soviet Union, especially Russia, markedly elevated the percentage of ethnic Russians in Latvia. The inflow of Russian-speaking communities has significantly impacted Latvia’s social and political dynamics, shaping discussions on citizenship, language policy, and national identity in the post-Soviet period.
The winds of transformation started in the Baltic area in the late 1980s with the initiation of the Singing Revolution. This tranquil movement, marked by large-scale rallies and the impactful use of song as a protest medium, proliferated across the Baltic Soviet republics, including Latvia. The Singing Revolution was essential in galvanizing popular sentiment and cultivating a feeling of national cohesion against Soviet domination.
Latvia’s endeavors to reclaim independence reached a climax on August 21, 1991, when it formally reinstated both its de facto and de jure sovereignty. This significant incident happened during the unsuccessful August Coup in Moscow, which sought to maintain the disintegrating Soviet Union. Latvia’s declaration of independence was promptly acknowledged by the world community, signifying the commencement of a new era for the nation.
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