Quick Facts about Latvia
Languages: Latvian is the official language, and English is increasingly common in international business. The Latvian alphabet has 33 letters, including special ones like ā, ē, ī, ū, ģ, ķ, ļ, ņ, š, ž. Latvian belongs to the Baltic language group, closely related to Lithuanian but very different from Estonian (a Finno-Ugric language, closer to Finnish and Hungarian).
Digital strength: Latvia ranks among the top countries worldwide for internet speed, making it a hub for start-ups, IT companies, and remote work.
Architecture gem: Riga, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to one of the largest Art Nouveau collections in Europe.
Traditions: Every June, Latvians celebrate Jāņi (summer solstice) with bonfires, oak wreaths, folk songs, and cheese with caraway seeds – one of the most important holidays of the year.
Nature: Over half of Latvia is covered by forests, with more than 12,000 rivers and 3,000 lakes. Mushroom picking and berry foraging are everyday hobbies.
Weather: Latvia has a four-season climate – snowy winters, colorful autumns, warm summers, and blossoming springs. Summer can reach +30°C, while winter may drop to –20°C.
Fun Facts about Latvia
Known as the “Land that sings” – the Song & Dance Festival gathers over 40,000 performers every five years;
Free Wi-Fi almost everywhere – even in public parks and forests;
Latvians are among the tallest people in the world;
The national drink is Riga Black Balsam, a strong herbal liqueur from the 18th century;
Latvia has 500 km of sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea;
Ice hockey is the number one sport;
Latvia is home to the rare blue cow, a symbol of uniqueness;
First Latvian Words to Know
Hello – Sveiki
Goodbye – Uz redzēšanos
Thank you – Paldies
Please – Lūdzu
Yes – Jā / No – Nē
Cheers – Priekā
Useful Phrases for Travelers
My name is … – Mani sauc …
How are you? – Kā jums klājas?
I like reading/traveling/music – Man patīk lasīt/ceļot/mūzika
Would you give me a cup of coffee? – Vai jūs varētu iedot man tasi kafijas?
Where is the hotel/restaurant? – Kur ir viesnīca/restorāns?
How much does it cost? – Cik tas maksā?
Language Tips and Misunderstandings
Latvian has long and short vowels – the meaning of a word can change with pronunciation. Example: saka (“says”) vs. sāka (“started”);
Many Latvians switch between Latvian, Russian, and English, but not all older people speak English;
Latvians may seem quiet at first – silence in conversation is not impolite, just part of the culture;
Using first names immediately may feel too informal. Begin with formal address (surnames, titles), then move to first names once trust is built;
Doing Business with Latvians
Be punctual – meetings start on time
Communicate directly – polite, honest, and to the point
Trust takes time – reliability is valued highly
Formal introductions first – surnames and titles are used at the beginning
Quality over speed – thorough, precise work is respected
Useful Links
Latvia Travel – Official Tourism Site: https://www.latvia.travel/
UNESCO World Heritage in Riga: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/852
Fun Latvia Facts: https://www.latvia.eu/
