Travel TipsLatvia

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area
64,589 sq km (24,938 sq miles).

Population
2,311,480 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density
35.8 per sq km.

Capital
Riga.
Population: 739,232 (2003).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Head of State: President Vaira Vike-Freiberga since 1999.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Indulis Emsis since 2004.

Language
Latvian is the official language. It is an Indo-European, non-Slavic and non-Germanic language and is similar only to Lithuanian. Russian is the mother tongue of over 30 per cent of the population and is understood by most people. English and German may also be understood.

Religion
Predominantly Protestant (Lutheran) with 19 per cent of the population being Roman Catholic. There is also a Russian Orthodox minority.

Time
GMT + 2. (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October.)

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Communications


Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 371. Outgoing international code: 00. Directory enquiries: 09. International calls can be made from telephone booths. Payphones are operated by phonecards which can be purchased at kiosks, post offices and in some shops.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks operated by LMT GSM (website: www.lmt.lv) and Tele2 (website: www.tele2.lv). Roaming agreements exist. It is illegal to use a mobile telephone while driving.

Fax
Facilities are available in the main post office in Riga (for address, see below).

Internet
Main ISPs include Apollo. There are many Internet cafes in Riga and some in other towns.

Telegram
Services are available from all post offices and the hotel service bureau. For services from public phones, dial 06.

Post
The main post office is at Brivibas bulvaris 19 (open 24 hours). Postboxes are yellow. Airmail to Western Europe takes five to seven days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800 and Sat 0900-1300.

Press
There are Latvian and Russian newspapers – Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize and Vakara Zinas being the most popular Latvian titles. The Baltic Times is an English-language paper published weekly. Rigas Balss is a popular daily, available in both Latvian and Russian.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Public Holidays

Jan 1 2005:    New Year’s Day.
Mar 25:    Good Friday.
Mar 28:    Easter Monday.
May 1:    May Day.
Jun 23:    Ligo Day.
Jun 24:    St John’s Day (Summer Solstice).
Nov 18:    National Day (Proclamation of the Republic).
Dec 25-26:   Christmas (Winter Solstice).
Dec 31:    New Year’s Eve.
Jan 1 2006:    New Year’s Day.
Apr 14:    Good Friday.
Apr 17:    Easter Monday.
May 1:    May Day.
Jun 23:    Ligo Day.
Jun 24:    St John’s Day (Summer Solstice).
Nov 18:    National Day (Proclamation of the Republic).
Dec 25-26:    Christmas (Winter Solstice).
Dec 31:    New Year’s Eve.

Special Events
For a complete list of events, contact the National Tourist Board or local Embassy (see General Info section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Latvia in 2005:

Jan:   
7:   14th Festival of Ancient Music, Valmiera.
Feb 5-6:    International Festival of Ice Sculptures, Jelgava.
Feb 18-20:    International Festival of Music Traditions, Riga.
Mar:    380th Anniversary of Liepaja City.
Mar 11-13:    Riga Fashion Week.
May 7:    May Fair, Riga.
Jun 7-12:    and
15-19:    8th Riga Opera Festival.
Jun 19:    Enchanting of John's Day, Riga.
Aug 5-7:    City Festival, Ventspils.
Sep 25:    Fair of Autumn Solstice, Riga.
Dec 18:    Traditional Latvian Christmas Celebrations.
Dec 26:    Winter Party, Riga.

Contact Information:

Location
Northern Europe.

Country dialing code
371.

Latvia Tourism Development Agency
Pils Lauqums 4, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia
Tel: 722 9945. Fax: 708 5393.
E-mail: tda@latviatourism.lv
Website: www.latviatourism.lv

Embassy of Latvia
45 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5LY, UK
Tel: (020) 7312 0040. Fax: (020) 7312 0042.
E-mail: embassy.uk@mfa.gov.lv
Website: www.london.am.gov.lv
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700; 1000-1300 (consular section).

British Embassy
J. Alunana Street 5, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
Tel: 777 4700. Fax: 777 4707.
E-mail: british.embassy@apollo.lv
Website: www.britain.lv

Embassy of Latvia
4325 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 8213. Fax: (202) 726 6785.
E-mail: Embassy@Latvia-USA.org or visa@Latvia-USA.org (consular section).
Website: www.latvia-usa.org

Embassy of the United States of America
Raina Blvd. 7, LV-1510 Riga, Latvia
Tel: 703 6200. Fax: 782 0047.
E-mail: pas@usembassy.lv (public affairs section) or AskConsular@USRiga.lv (consular section) or ambassador-riga@state.gov
Website: www.usembassy.lv

Embassy of Latvia
280 Albert Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G8, Canada
Tel: (613) 238 6014 or 238 6868 (consulate). Fax: (613) 238 7044.
E-mail: embassy.canada@mfa.gov.lv or consulate.canada@mfa.gov.lv (consular section).
Website: www.ottawa.mfa.gov.lv

Canadian Embassy
20/22 Baznicas Street, 6th Floor, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
Tel: 781 3945 or 3961 (visa section). Fax: 781 3960.
E-mail: riga@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/baltics