Sveiki! Welcome to one of the greenest countries in Europe—Latvia, a Baltic gem located between Estonia and Lithuania on the shores of the Baltic Sea. There are around 2 million people living here, and the capital is Riga, the largest city in the Baltic states, famous for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and its historic medieval center. The official language is Latvian, one of the oldest and most melodic languages in Europe.

Latvia covers about 64,589 square kilometers (24,938 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of West Virginia in the U.S., or about the same size as Lithuania. Over half of the country is covered by dense forests, and it boasts over 500 kilometers of sandy white beaches.

The most popular sport is Ice Hockey—Latvians are incredibly passionate about it, and the national team’s success is a source of massive pride—followed closely by Basketball. Their national animal is the White Wagtail, a slender and energetic bird, and the Two-spotted Ladybird is the national insect.

The flag consists of a dark red field with a thin white horizontal stripe in the middle, where the red represents the readiness of the people to give their blood for freedom and the white symbolizes purity and justice.

The food is rustic, seasonal, and deeply connected to the land and sea. You must try Grey Peas with Speck (fried onions and bacon), which is a traditional winter staple. Another favorite is Rye Bread (Rupjmaize), which is so central to the culture that it is often given as a gift. You should also try Latvian Smoked Fish and the famous Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal liqueur made from 24 different ingredients that has been produced since the 18th century.

Latvia is home to the Venta Rapid (Ventas Rumba) in Kuldīga, which is the widest waterfall in Europe. The country has a deep-rooted tradition of singing, culminating in the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, a massive event held every five years where tens of thousands of singers perform together in a single choir—it is even recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. If you visit the Central Market in Riga, you’ll find it housed in giant hangars that were originally built to hold Zeppelins. For nature lovers, Gauja National Park offers “Latvian Switzerland” with its sandstone cliffs, caves, and medieval castles.

From the quiet, mystical bogs of Kemeri to the vibrant, creative streets of the Spīķeri district, Latvia is a land of ancient forests and sophisticated culture. Paldies! That means “Thank you!”