Latvia the Baltic country of lovely lustrous landscapes

by Elmo Leonard

The national day of the Republic of Latvia was celebrated in Colombo, by Latvians and wellwishers, in November last. The honorary consul of Latvia, in Sri Lanka, Thomas F. Daetwyler accompanied by his lady, Nelum Daetwyler beckoned all those present on the occasion, including Sri Lankans to that new independent state in the heart of Europe.

Latvia borders the Baltic sea. Born into a new nation in 1918, Latvia counts independence in 1991, when it broke away from the Soviet Union. Latvia, also celebrated the second anniversary of its accession to the European Union.

At the celebrations in Colombo, it was made out that the Latvians were an oppressed people for centuries and is now expressing its pent up feelings, making use of its amalgamation with the European Union. In 2005, Latvia had the highest rate of economic growth in Europe and the fifth highest in the world.

The Latvians, were lavish in assisting pre-tsunami construction in Sri Lanka, and we bid these brave people well. Moreover, in 88 years, Latvia has experienced more calamity than good fortune than most other nations have weathered in centuries.

Following two decades of independence and growth, during World War II, Latvia was occupied by Nazi and Soviet forces. In 1991, Latvia emerged after 50 years of Soviet rule with a determination to recover and become a member of the European family. Now, part of NATO, the North Atlantic Summit was held in its capital city Riga (founded in 1201) in December, last.

Politics and economics apart, Latvia has many splendours to offer the world. The name Latvia originated from an ancient Baltic or Indo European tribe, the Latgalians, who formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people.

Latvia is the central country of the Baltic States, including Estonia and Lithuania and is found in North Eastern Europe in the north eastern coast of the Baltic sea. The landscape of the country is marked by lowland plains and rolling hills. Most of the countryside is less than 100 metres above sea level. There are thousands of rivers and lakes in Latvia.

Latvia, covers 64,589 square kilometres, is situated on a trading crossroad and has long since served as a bridge between Western Europe and Russia. Latvia lies on the fabled "route from the Vikings to the Greeks" mentioned in ancient chronicles.

This marvellous country stretches from Scandinavia through Latvian territory along the Daugava River to the ancient Russian and Byzatine Empire. Latvia is situated in a natural zone between the vegetation of northern and central Europe and is a country of splendid and diverse natural landscapes. Forests cover 44 per cent of the territory.

The largest forest tracts are to be found in the northern part of Kurzeme. Here, it is still possible to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of nature untouched by man. Latvia distinguishes itself with a large variety of flora and fauna of 27.7 thousand species.

Latvia's fauna is typical for a region with mixed forests. This nation has the largest Otter population in Europe, and there is much greater chance of seeing the rare black stork in Latvia's forests than in any other European country, the Latvians say.

The Latvian language is a Baltic and considered one of the oldest of Indo-European languages. It is non-Slavic and a non-Germanic language similar only to Lithuanian.Latvians are the indigenous people of Latvia.

The ethnic mix of the population of Latvia is largely the result of massive post-war immigration, which resulted in a decline in share of ethnic Latvians from 77 per cent in 1935 to 52 per cent in 1989.

Nearly a third of Latvia's population or 788 thousand live in the capital city of Riga, the oldest existing medieval city in Latvia, founded in 1201. The value of Riga's culture and historic significance has been recognised by the fact that its old city centre has been included in UNESCO's list of the world's most important cultural and natural sites.

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