About country Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northen Europe. Next to Latvia there are countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus and more. It’s territory is about 64,600 km2 and there are about 2 000 000 latvians living in Latvia. Latvia is democratic parliamentary republic established in 1918. Latvia lies in Northen Europe, on the eastern shores of the Baltic sea. Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial, cultural and financial centre of the Baltic Sea region. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava. Riga is popular with it’s Art Nouveau/Jugendstil and 19th century wooden architecture. Riga is a member of Eurocities, the Union of the Baltic Cities and Union of Capitals of the European Union. In 2014 Riga has been declared as European Capital of Culture. http://www.bdforum.org/cmsystem/wp-content/uploads/Summit-2013-OLD_Riga.jpg Sport Maris Strombergs is 26 years old professional BMX racer. In the 2008 Summer Olympics he became the first Olympic champion in BMX cycling. In 2012 he prolonged his Olympic title by winning the gold medal in the London Olympics. http://foto.delfi.lv/album/111688/?view=blog&page=2 Martins Dukurs and Tomass Dukurs Martins won silver at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but he also has won two consecutive FIBT World Championships and four Skeleton World. His older brother Tomass is also a skeleton racer. Both he and his brother qualified for the 2014 Winter olympics. http://www.diena.lv/uploads/thumbnails/705x457/article/1392/ 13918701/4162179_ORIGINAL_1322909343.jpg.jpg Hockey Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Latvia. The favorite hockey team is Riga ‘ Dinamo ’. Sample team games take place in Arena Riga. In all games there are thousands of fans and supporters. Almost in all major cities of Latvia there is an ice hall, where trainers prepare new players. Music Raimonds Pauls is one of the most famous composers in Latvia. He is popular in all Europe . Raimonds Pauls has written songs for more than 50 movies, 6 musicals and 3 ballets. http://spoki.tvnet.lv/upload/articles/31/310742/images/_origin_Raimonds-Pauls-1.jpg Brainstorm (Latvian: Prata Vetra) is a Latvian pop/rock band with soloist Renars Kaupers. The band became popular internationally in 2000, when they finished third in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "My Star". The band received three awards at the 2012 Annual Latvian Music Recording Awards. http://www.pratavetra.lv/files/brainstorm_19_07_2010_%2808%29_1_bw_small.jpg Festivals Latvian Song and Folk dance festival is the biggest festival in Latvia which takes place every 5th year in the middle of the summer and is held for one week in Riga, the capital of Latvia. All week there are a lot of concerts, you can hear music everywhere, bet there are 2 main concerts, which are in the end of this week. It’s the Choir concert and the Folk dance concert. In every of them, there are about 10 000- 15 000 participants from all Latvia and Baltica. The next festival is going to be in 2015. http://spoki.tvnet.lv/upload/articles/22/220501/images/_origin_Dziesmu-svetki-2.jpg http://www.culture.lv/files/r2013/dejuuzvedumsdaugavastadions.jpg Positivus is a music festival which takes place every year 3 days in Salacgriva. It’s a city next to the sea. This is a music festival for youth. In this festival there are music for everyone. Positivus is the biggest music festival in Latvia and Baltica. http://www.latvia.travel/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-photo/21268-positivus_0.jpg http://www.eufest.com/userfiles/image/accommodation/Positivus/PO1001%20Merrild %20Campsite/rsz_1positivus_3_b89ec.jpg Attractions http://www.aerodium.lv/user_uploads/Aerodium_fotoRenarsKoris_RKI5667.jpeg Aerodium Latvia is a company based in Sigulda, Latvia, which owns and runs the first vertical wind tunnel in Eastern Europe and it is the most visited tourist area in Latvia. The tunnel blows a wind stream of 200 km/h within a diameter of 3.7 meters. http://www.bebaltic.lv/lv/event_place/livu-akvaparks-jurmala/ Many tourist families are already familiar with the Līvu aquapark located in Jurmala by the Lielupe Bridge. It is the largest indoor aquapark in the Baltic States, worth a visit even in winter when beaches are covered in snow. Inventions Joint Stock Company Olainfarm is one of the largest companies in the Baltic States with almost 40 years of experience in production of medicaments and chemical pharmaceutical products. Products of JSC Olainfarm are exported to more than 35 countries, including the Baltic States, Russia, other CIS countries, Scandinavian, Western European and Asian countries, as well as North America and Australia. Currently, nearly 800 highly qualified experts are employed by JSC Olainfarm in Latvia. http://sparks.lv/images/portfolio/olainfarm/poster_01.jpg Latvian design The legacy of a ancient Latvian lifestyle is reflected in the timeless symbols used in the designs of folk costumes as well as in everyday objects and buildings. From antique Latvian national costumes to very fashionable designer outfits Latvia is famous for its traditional ornaments, graphic and brands. Some of the most popular modern Latvian designer brands - QooQoo, Natalija Jansone, Amoralle, Narciss, Elina Dobele (ZOFA) and more. A lot of Latvian designers use our folk ornaments. http://www.anii.lv/home/freakart/anii.lv/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/570x379xQooqoo- RFW_foto-Aiga-Redmane_anii_009.jpg.pagespeed.ic.0aQGXDUHSZ.jpg http://www.mfa.gov.lv/data/washington/vestnieciba_2228_26405359.jpg http://dace-puzuri.blogspot.com/2010/04/puzuri.html Foods Sklandu rauši is a bun that is made out of rye flour with carrots, potatoes, apples and cottage cheese pies. Its border holds the filling in place. http://unity.lv/newsimgs/782/891/782 891/main/2.jpg Rupjmaize is a dark bread made from rye, and is considered a national staple. It is used to make Sweet Rye Trifle (Rupjmaizes kartojums), a traditional Latvian dessert. http://www.saimnieks.lv/upload/articl e_img/article_11332.jpg A traditional Latvian cheese is Jāņu siers (caraway cheese). This is traditionally served during the celebration of Jani or midsummer. http://spice.ucoz.lv/_pu/5/89128548. jpg The women of Northen Latvia make sutnes – a steamed mixture (also called porridge) of grains. This dish is served with fresh or curdled milk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porri dge.jpg Riga Black Balsam is a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur made with many different natural ingredients mixed in pure vodka, giving a 45% abv (90 proof) drink. http://i.pilseta24.lv/upload/news/2012-07- 04/original/13414079282410.jpg Laima is the most famous confectionery brand name in the Baltic, representing the history of Latvian sweets industry throughout several centuries. Laima is the Latvian sweets legend, successfully combining historical heritage with innovations. Nowadays Laima is the largest manufacturer of sweets in the Baltic with export to more than 25 countries. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/- 8TTTl4NKlfk/UTDQ0ppKGBI/AAAAAAAACw s/-QUQLwtFRAU/s800/laimamodern.png Many tourists are favored Lāči bakery products. This company include a lot kind of eko breads, sweets, cakes, cookies, jams, marmalade and toasts. http://www.sievietespasaule.lv/img/atteli/xma s2012/laci.jpg .