What is the current situation in Latvia? Tell you a real Latvia

【Country Name】The full name of Latvia is the Republic of Latvia, which means "armor" and "metal clothing".

【Area】 64,589 square kilometers (of which 62,046 square kilometers are land area and 2,543 square kilometers are inland water), and the total length of the national border is 1,862 kilometers.

【Location】Located on the east coast of the Baltic Sea, it is bordered by Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. The Gulf of Riga penetrates like a fist into the hinterland of the country. We are accustomed to referring to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together as the three Baltic states. Geographically, the Baltic states are the geographical center of Europe.

【Topography】The landform is hilly and plain, with an average altitude of 87 meters, the highest point is 311 meters above sea level, three-quarters of the area is below 120 meters above sea level, there are many lakes and rivers in the territory, and the forest coverage area accounts for about 44% of the national area.

【Natural resources】The baltic sea coast amber production area is one of the more important production areas in the world, and the quality of amber here is excellent. It is also a representative commodity in Latvia.

【Climate】The climate belongs to the intermediate type of the transition from the ocean to the mainland, that is, the temperate broad-leaved forest climate, which is relatively cold overall, about half of the year is rainy and snowy, and the winter night is long.

As of June 2021, Latvia has a population of 1,893,700, 30.3 people per square kilometer, 62% of Latvians, 25.4% of Russians, 3.3% of Belarusians, 2.2% of Ukrainians, 2.1% of Poles, in addition to Jews, Estonians and other ethnic groups.

Latvia is a daughter country, with women accounting for 54 per cent of the population and the largest difference between men and women in the world.

The official language is Latvian, and although Latvia hates Russia for historical reasons, more than 95% of its residents understand Russian.

The capital, Riga, is the largest city and port in the country, and its strategic location is important, known as the "beating heart of the Baltic Sea" and the "Paris of the North". Underground in the eastern riga, there is an ancient sewer built 300 years ago.

【National Symbol】The national flag is composed of three parallel horizontal and wide strips of red, white and red from top to bottom, and red is a unique dark red, known as "Latvian red".

Most countries have only one style of national emblem, but Latvia's national emblem has three styles: large, medium and small, each of which represents a different meaning.

The national flower of Latvia is the chrysanthemum, and the flower language symbolizes friendship, sincerity and fraternity. On the streets of the capital Riga, shops selling chrysanthemums can be found everywhere.

[History] Like other Baltic states, the country's history is very bumpy, and it has been occupied by foreign enemies many times.

In the 10th century, an early feudal principality was established. At the end of the 12th century, it was invaded by the Germanic Crusaders. From 1583 to 1710, it was divided between the Duchy of Sweden and Poland-Lithuania. From 1710 to 1795, it was occupied by Tsarist Russia. From 1795 to 1918, the eastern and western parts of Latin America were divided between Russia and Germany, respectively. On 18 November 1918, Lak became an independent republic. In August 1939, the Soviet Union and Germany signed a secret treaty, and Lara was placed in the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1940 the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was established and incorporated into the Soviet Union. From 1941 to 1945, it was occupied by Germany. After the end of World War II, it was re-incorporated into the Soviet Union. On 22 August 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Lak announced the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia.

Latvia implements a parliamentary republic, the parliament (equivalent to China's National People's Congress) is the highest legislative body of the country, and the president is elected by the parliament.

【Economy】Latvia has a developed economy, the industry is the strongest among the three Baltic countries, and the electronic equipment and medical equipment industry is more famous. In Europe, its per capita wages, although not very high, are generally better in social welfare. There are two months of paid leave a year, universal medical care is free, primary schools to universities are free of charge, and the company provides free lunches for office workers.

In 2020, the per capita pre-tax wage was 1143 euros per month, 70.8 years for men and 79.9 years for women, and the total life expectancy was 75.6 years.

[Price] prices are generally higher, such as the fried shrimp in the picture below, the price of a pound ranges from 23-27 euros (1 euro is equivalent to 7 yuan), close to 200 yuan.

【Eating habits】 Latvians' food is relatively greasy, love sweets, like to drink beer, beer houses are all over the streets, the average annual consumption of beer is 80 liters. Latvians' eating habits can be seen in two of the country's most famous companies, the 130-year-old "Aldalis" brewery and the "Laima" chocolate factory.

There are many open-air beer drinking places on both sides of the streets and alleys, don't worry about the city management, you can enjoy the fun brought by beer with confidence.

Because he loves to drink, drunkards can be seen everywhere on the streets at night. The penalties for drunk driving in Latvia are very strict, and if caught, they will be jailed.

[Marriage Customs] Not only in the three Baltic countries, looking at Europe, Latvia is also the country with the lowest divorce rate, but women in this country generally marry later.

【Living Customs】Many of the roofs of Houses in Latvia have conical architectural decorations.

Latvia has a high urbanization rate, with two-thirds of the population having urban hukou, but most residents have a country house.

【Tourism】The ancient city of Riga is a famous historical attraction with a history of more than 800 years and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by the United Nations. Riga is regarded as the center of the most exquisite "Art Nouveau" architectural style in Europe.

Historically the residence of the lover of Empress Anna of the Russian Empire, Rondelle Palace is known as the Hermitage of St. Petersburg and is a must-visit attraction for foreign tourists to the country. The Royal Palace is surrounded by a rose garden, said to be the largest in the Baltic Sea region.

Look out over the Royal Palace

The gates of the Royal Palace

Inside the Royal Palace

Latvia also has the widest waterfall in Europe, ventas Rumba Waterfall.

【Social Customs】

Latvia encourages courage and courage to ask for help when confronted with others, and if they do not help, the lightest will be subject to community labor and the heaviest may face prosecution.

Urban young people like to go on a safari, love adventure, love to cook, love to drink.

Latvian cars are dirty and must be cleaned quickly, otherwise they will be fined.

From the perspective of historical origin and social background, Latvia's foreign policy is to "return to Europe", and it has joined NATO and the European Union successively. However, there are still traces of the history of the Soviet period, and some are difficult to change, such as the tallest building in Latvia, dubbed "Stalin's birthday cake", originally built to celebrate Stalin's birthday, planned by Stalin to participate in the unveiling ceremony, the building was only completed in 1961, and Stalin died in 1953. Also due to the influence of the Soviet Union, driving habits are difficult to change, and Latvian vehicles drive on the right, unlike most capitalist countries.

【Foreign Relations】

Latvia is a member of the Schengen Pact, joined the European Union and NATO in 2004, joined the eurozone in 2014, and what many people don't know is that the Baltic state has also joined the Mediterranean Union.

With russia at odds and discord with China, Latvia lists China as a "major threat" alongside Russia and cisophilia countries.

【Other Trivia】

There is a girl named Alicia in Latvia who, in order to set a Guinness Record, did not cut her hair for 21 years, and has now grown to 2.4 meters long.

The jeans that swept the world were not invented by American cowboys, and the first creator was a Latvian - Jacob Davis.

Uncle McDonald's at the entrance of the McDonald's restaurant is a Latvian circus actor who was photographed by McDonald's for his clown performance and became an image spokesperson.