LATVIA

Latvia: Travel Facts

Location
Latvia is situated on the coast of the Baltic Sea : Area 64,600 sq km. Coastline 494 km. Land borders with Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania.
Population
Population 2.3 mln.
Capital
Riga ( 800,000 ).
Major cities
Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Jurmala, Ventspils, Rezekne.
Climate
Moderate climate with four distinctive seasons. The average temperature in summer +17.5C, in winter –4.9C.
Time
Local time is GMT +2 hrs( GMT +3 hrs, from April to November ).
Currency and Credits Cards
Latvian currency is the Lat ( 1Lat = 100 santims)The current rate is EUR 1.00 = LVL 0.678. All convertible currencies can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange offices. Most transactions are made in cash. Most establishment accept major credit cards including Globus, Euro Card, Master Card, Visa Eloctron and American Express. Travellers’ cheques  are rarely accepted by retailers and can only be changed in banks and currency exchange offices.
Ressport and Visa Regulations
You can find information at: www.mfa.gov.lv

Arrival and Transportation

It is possible to enter Latvia directly through ports, airports or one of the neighbouring countries. The capital of Latvia is Riga, which has the largest seaport, railway terminal and international airport in the Baltic States.
By Air
There is an international airport in Latvia at Riga. Information at www.riga.comAir Baltic ( National Airline ) www.airbaltic.com.
By sea
Regular ferry runs from Sweden to Riga three times a week. Regular ferry line with car and bus transportation facilities links Riga to Lubeck four times a week. Regular ferry line with car and bus transportation facilities links Liepaja to Karlshamm Liepaja to Rostock form Ventspils to Nynashamn from Ventspils to Travemunde.
By car
There are good road connections from Riga to all parts of the country. Local and international filling stations are found all over Latvia. Online road wearther conditions www.balticroads.net. .
By Coach
Riga has good bus connections with all major European cities. Info : www.autoosta.lv,www.eurolines.lv .
By train
Trains offer convenient connections with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, as well the Baltic countries.

Latvia – the land that sings

In Latvia, it isn’t just people that make music. The entire country is a symphony of sights, sounds and experiences. Forests and fields brimming with birds and wildlife. An almost endless sea shore where gentle winds are always harmonizing with rustling pines and cascading waves. And a spectacular capital – Riga- that hums with culture and pulses with the business and excitement of modern life.

Riga – the hottest city in the north.
Riga – is one of the oldest, largest and most culturally diverse capitals in the Baltic Sea region. Founded 800 years ago at a strategic point on the Daugava River, it has been built and shaped by many, including Germans, Swedes, Poles, Russians and Latvians. All have left a living imprint on its architecture, infrastructure, style and personality.Riga’s historical centre made the UNESCO World Heritage List because its remarkable range and concentration of architecture spans several centuries of styles and various European cultural influences. Can visit a 13^th century Teutonic castle (now the Presidential Palace). From there you can walk into the historic Old Town and wander through a maze of medieval buildings and churches. As you step out into Riga’s canal, park and boulevard zone, you encounter the near surrealistic splendor of Riga’s Jugendstil masterpieces.