Nestled in the heart of the Baltic region of Northern Europe, Latvia, officially known as the Republic of Latvia, is a country with a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Known in Latvian as Latvija, in Latgalian as Latveja, and in Livonian as Leţmō, this vibrant nation stands as one of the three distinctive Baltic states.

Geographically, Latvia is strategically positioned, sharing land borders with Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. Its western flank opens up to the Baltic Sea, where it maintains a maritime border with Sweden. Spanning an area of 64,589 square kilometers (approximately 24,938 square miles), Latvia is home to a population of around 1.9 million people. The country experiences a temperate seasonal climate, offering distinct springs, summers, autumns, and winters. Its bustling capital and largest city, Riga, serves as a cultural, economic, and political hub, renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture and historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The people of Latvia, known as Latvians, belong to the unique ethno-linguistic group of the Balts. They speak Latvian, a language of ancient origins and one of only two surviving Baltic languages, the other being Lithuanian. While Latvian is the official language, the country is also characterized by its diverse population; Russians form the most prominent minority group, making up nearly a quarter of the total population, a demographic shift largely influenced by historical events.

A Journey Through Time: From Foreign Rule to Re-Independence

Latvia's history is a testament to its resilience, marked by centuries of foreign dominion before it finally claimed its place on the world stage. Over many generations, the territory now known as Latvia was shaped by the influences and rule of various powerful entities, including German crusaders and merchants, Swedish monarchs, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and most significantly, the Russian Empire. During much of this period, the local Baltic German aristocracy often served as the primary administrative and land-owning class, exerting considerable influence over the region.

A pivotal moment arrived on November 18, 1918, when, in the tumultuous aftermath of World War I and the collapse of the German Empire, the Republic of Latvia proudly declared its independence. This era, often referred to as the First Republic, saw the young nation establish its democratic institutions. However, by the 1930s, like many European countries of the time, Latvia faced political instability, leading to a coup in 1934 that established an authoritarian regime under the leadership of Kārlis Ulmanis, which lasted until the outbreak of World War II.

The country's hard-won independence was tragically interrupted at the very outset of World War II. In 1940, under the terms of the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Latvia was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union. This annexation was followed by a brutal invasion and occupation by Nazi Germany in 1941, and then the re-occupation by Soviet forces in 1944. For the subsequent 45 years, Latvia existed as the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (Latvian SSR), losing its de facto sovereignty. This Soviet period saw significant social and demographic changes, including extensive immigration from other parts of the Soviet Union, which contributed to ethnic Russians becoming the country's most prominent minority, now comprising almost a quarter of the population.

The late 1980s heralded a new dawn with the peaceful yet powerful movement known as the Singing Revolution. This remarkable period of non-violent resistance, which began in 1987 across the Baltic states, culminated in Latvia's restoration of de facto independence on August 21, 1991. Since regaining its freedom, Latvia has firmly established itself as a democratic, unitary parliamentary republic, committed to European values and international cooperation.

Latvia Today: A Thriving European Nation

Today, Latvia stands as a developed country with a high-income, advanced economy, consistently demonstrating strong performance on the global stage. It ranks very high on the Human Development Index (HDI), a testament to its progress in areas like health, education, and living standards. Furthermore, Latvia performs favorably in crucial measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, and internet freedom, underscoring its commitment to democratic governance and human rights. Its high living standards and peaceful societal environment further enhance its reputation.

Internationally, Latvia is a fully integrated member of the global community and a strong advocate for regional and international cooperation. It is a proud member of the European Union (EU) and has adopted the Euro as its currency, being part of the Eurozone. As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it plays a role in collective security. Beyond these key alliances, Latvia is also a member of numerous other significant international organizations, including the Council of Europe, the United Nations (UN), the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation format, the Nordic Investment Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). These memberships highlight its active role in promoting stability, economic development, and democratic values worldwide.

The Declaration of Restoration of Independence: A Pivotal Moment

One of the most defining moments in modern Latvian history is the adoption of the "Declaration On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" (Latvian: Deklarācija par Latvijas Republikas neatkarības atjaunošanu). This landmark document was adopted on May 4, 1990, by the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR, an act of immense courage and foresight. The declaration articulated a profound legal and historical argument: while Latvia had de facto lost its independence in 1940 when it was annexed by the Soviet Union, it had de jure remained a sovereign country. The annexation was firmly declared unconstitutional and against the will of the Latvian people, thus making the entire Soviet occupation illegitimate in the eyes of international law and the Latvian nation.

Central to the declaration was its unequivocal statement that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which secretly carved up Eastern Europe, and the subsequent Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 were illegal acts. It further asserted that the heavily rigged elections held in 1940 were unlawful and unconstitutional, rendering all actions of the so-called "People's Saeima" (the Soviet-installed parliament elected in those fraudulent elections) – including its request to join the Soviet Union on July 21, 1940 – ipso facto (by the fact itself) void. This effectively nullified the legal basis of Soviet rule from its very inception.

Building upon this foundational declaration, the Supreme Soviet, which was subsequently renamed the Supreme Council, took immediate steps to restore Latvia's sovereignty. It officially annulled the declaration on Latvia's accession to the Soviet Union and reinstituted the democratic Constitution of Latvia (Satversme) of 1922. Although initially partly suspended to allow for a transitional period, this marked the beginning of Latvia's journey back to full de facto independence, a process that would culminate with the first session of a newly elected Saeima (parliament).

During this transitional phase, it was ruled that the Constitution of the Latvian SSR and other existing laws would remain applicable, but only insofar as they did not contradict specific fundamental articles (1, 2, 3, and 6) of the reinstated 1922 Satversme, which were reinforced by the declaration. Provisions were also made for the creation of a committee tasked with elaborating a new, comprehensive edition of the Satversme. Significantly, the declaration ensured that social, economic, cultural, and political rights were granted to all citizens and residents of Latvia, in full accordance with international human rights standards. Furthermore, it explicitly stated that Latvia would establish its future relationship with the Soviet Union based on the principles of the Latvian-Soviet Peace Treaty of 1920, a treaty in which the Soviet Union had formally recognized Latvia's independence as inviolable "for all future time." This powerful declaration solidified Latvia's return to the family of independent nations, and fittingly, May 4th is celebrated annually as a national holiday in Latvia, commemorating this profound act of self-determination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Latvia

What is the official name of Latvia and where is it located?

Latvia is officially known as the Republic of Latvia and is situated in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea.

What are Latvia's neighboring countries?

Latvia shares land borders with Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast. It also has a maritime border with Sweden.

What is the capital city of Latvia?

The capital and largest city of Latvia is Riga, a historic hub known for its Art Nouveau architecture.

What language do Latvians speak?

Latvians speak Latvian, which is one of the only two surviving Baltic languages, making it a unique and ancient tongue.

When did Latvia first gain independence?

Latvia first declared its independence on November 18, 1918, in the aftermath of World War I.

What was the "Singing Revolution"?

The "Singing Revolution" was a peaceful, non-violent movement in the late 1980s that led to the restoration of independence for Latvia and other Baltic states from Soviet rule.

When did Latvia restore its independence from the Soviet Union?

Latvia restored its de facto independence on August 21, 1991, with the formal Declaration On the Restoration of Independence being adopted on May 4, 1990.

Is Latvia a member of the European Union and NATO?

Yes, Latvia is a proud and active member of both the European Union (EU), using the Euro as its currency, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Why is May 4th a national holiday in Latvia?

May 4th is celebrated as a national holiday in Latvia to commemorate the adoption of the "Declaration On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" by the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR in 1990, a crucial step towards regaining full sovereignty.