FACTS

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Area (only Total) total: 64,589 sq km

Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters

Terrain: low plain

Population: 2,245,423 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Latvian

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital (Name): Riga

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2

Independence: 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

April 21 Good Friday

April 23 Easter

April 24 Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

May 4 Day of Restoration of Independence

June 23 Ligo Day

June 24 Janis Day

November 18 Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia/National Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 St Stephen's Day

December 31 New Year's Eve

In Addition:

2nd Saturday of July Festival of the Sea & Fisherman - Costal Areas

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday