[18 november] Happy Independence Day Latvia!

Day 3,651, 01:22 • Published in Latvia Romania • by VampireA
Latvia


General information


Population : 2 milion people (148th in the World,38th in Europe)
Total Area : 64,589 km^2 (122nd in the World,25th in Europe)
Official languages : Latvian
Official currency : Euro(EUR)
Capital : Riga
Population density : 34 people/km^2 (166th in the World,44th in Europe)
Top 5 biggest cities : Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Jurmala

Latvia is a unitary state, currently divided into 110 one-level municipalities and 9 republican cities with their own city council and administration: Daugavpils, Jēkabpils, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Rēzekne, Riga, Valmiera, and Ventspils. There are four historical and cultural regions in Latvia – Courland, Latgale, Vidzeme, Zemgale, which are recognised in Constitution of Latvia. Selonia, a part of Zemgale, is sometimes considered culturally distinct region, but it is not part of any formal division.



National sport : Ice Hockey



National animal : White wagtail (Motacilla alba)



National Plant : Oak (Quercus)



Linden (Tilia)




National Instrument: Kokle





The significance of the 18th of November

The Independence of Latvia was proclaimed on 18 November 1918, right after WW1. Even though there were no borders set, a group of dedicated nationalists proclaimed an independent Latvian state on this date in 1918. Several months after this courageous step had been made, military interventions still went on the main reason being that the Russian Empire did not want to lose this important territory.


*Coat of arms



Story time is back! All can I say before you read it is: Pay atention to the names and the action.. you can get confused pretty easy.
Lāčplēsis


Lāčplēsis is a well knwon latvian poem inspired by a local legend.

The poem recounts the life of the legendary hero Lāčplēsis, chosen by the gods to become a hero of his people. His name means "Bear-slayer", because as a young man, living as the adopted son of the Lord of Lielvārde, he kills a bear by ripping its jaws apart with his hands. At the castle of Lord Aizkrauklis, he spies on the activities of the witch Spīdala, who is under the control of the Devil, and the holy man Kangars, who is in reality a traitor plotting with crusaders to replace the old gods with Christianity. Spīdala tries to drown Lāčplēsis by throwing him into the whirlpool of Staburags in the Daugava, but he is rescued by the goddess Staburadze and taken to her underwater crystal castle. There Lāčplēsis meets and falls in love with the maiden Laimdota. Shortly afterwards, Lāčplēsis becomes friends with another hero, Koknesis ("Wood-bearer").

Kangars provokes a war with the Estonians, and Lāčplēsis sets out to fight the giant Kalapuisis , to win the hand of Laimdota. He defeats the giant, and the two make peace and decide to join forces to fight their common enemy, the German missionaries, led by the priest Dietrich . Lāčplēsis performs another heroic deed by spending the night in a sunken castle, breaking the curse and allowing the castle to rise into the air again. Laimdota and Lāčplēsis get engaged.

Laimdota and Koknesis are kidnapped and imprisoned in Germany. Spīdala convinces Lāčplēsis that Laimdota and Koknesis are lovers. Lāčplēsis returns home to Lielvārde, then sets sail for Germany. His ship becomes lost in the Northern Sea, and he is welcomed by the daughter of the North Wind. In the meantime, Dietrich and the Livonian prince Caupo of Turaida meet with the Pope in Rome to plan the Christianization of Latvia. Lāčplēsis begins his dangerous journey home from the Northern Sea. He fights monsters with three, six, and nine heads on the Enchanted Island. Finally, he encounters Spīdala on the island, and frees her from her contract with the Devil. Lāčplēsis is reunited with Laimdota and Koknesis, who escaped from Germany but were then trapped on the Enchanted Island. Koknesis declares his love for Spīdala, and the four friends return to Latvia.

A double wedding is celebrated during the Jāņi (Midsummer festivities), but the heroes soon set off to fight the German crusaders. After several battles, the Germans are pushed back, and their leader, Bishop Albert, brings reinforcements from Germany, including the Black Knight. At Dietrich's bidding, Kangars finds out the secret of Lāčplēsis' strength and treacherously reveals it to the Germans: Lāčplēsis' mother was a she-bear, and his superhuman strength resides in his bear ears. The German knights come to Lielvārde offering to make peace. Lāčplēsis organizes a friendly tournament, during which he is goaded into fighting the Black Knight. The knight cuts off Lāčplēsis' ears. Lāčplēsis, still, having not yet completely lost his strength, explodes in anger and lifts the Knight, to throw him in the river from a cliff. But the two combatants fall into Daugava river, because the Knight, when thrown, grabs Lāčplēsis, and they both disappear into the water. In the same moment Laimdota's life ends.







Top 5 visited places by tourists


Riga

Riga Old Town






As the capital, Riga is undoubtedly the most popular place to visit in Latvia. The Old Town, or Vecrīga, looks medieval, but much of the architecture was actually rebuilt in the 1990s. The part of the city known as Centrs, on the other hand, is home to more than 800 staggeringly intact Art Nouveau buildings. One of the best ways to explore Riga is on foot, stopping to snap pictures of incredible sites along the way. If you’re curious about Latvian history and culture, then the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum is an incredible choice. There is a collection of traditional homes, and people milling around in authentic dress only add to the scene. If you don’t believe what I say.. you can see it on your own.



Sigulda

Sigulda Medieval Castle


Turaida Castle

Krimulda Manor

In the Gauja River Valley is the historic town of Sigulda. Sigulda is nicknamed the Switzerland of Latvia thanks to its beautiful scenery, but it also offers some amazing architecture worth exploring. Krimulda Manor, built in the 19th century, is surrounded by gorgeous grounds and gardens, and it is open to the public. Sigulda is also home to some ruined castles like Krimulda Castle and the Sigulda Medieval Castle Ruins. While the medieval Sigulda Castle dates back to the 12th century and is now in shambles, the Sigulda New Castle stands next door and is in beautiful condition.


Gauja National Park






Gauja National Park is an example of a pristine environment where you can get back to nature. Caves, cliffs and other rock formations are a big draw to the park. If you’re a spelunker at heart, you can tour enormous caverns like Gutmanala. This cavern’s walls are covered in inscriptions, and legend says that its waters have healing powers. The Gauja River runs through the park, and it is lined with breathtaking cliffs. Getting active in the park is recommended, with hiking, mountain biking and canoeing all being great options.


Rundāle Palace





Latvia has its fair share of palaces, and Rundāle Palace is certainly one of the most beautiful. The Baroque building was constructed during the 18th century for the Dukes of Courland. Sculptors and painters from Germany and Italy were brought in to work on the palace, and the upscale details are still a highlight. Most of the rooms are still furnished in a period-appropriate way, and they are open to tours. You can see a fully restored suite that once belonged to a duchess, admire Gilt Hall and stroll through the Great Gallery. On site is the Rundale Palace Museum, which is also definitely worth a visit.


Jurmala



Located right on the Gulf of Riga, Jurmala is a coastal resort destination. It is the largest resort on the Baltic, and the stretch of sandy coastline is one of the longest in Northern Europe. In addition to the beach, Jurmala is known for its charming wood architecture. Specifically, many of the older buildings look similar to gingerbread houses. The resort was once a place where Russians would recuperate, so there are still riding therapy centers and traditional Russian sanatoriums dotting the coast.









Top 3 locations suggested by the locals

Ķemeri National Park


The Great Ķemeri Bog





Ķemeri National Park is a national park west of the city of Jūrmala, Latvia. Established in 1997, Ķemeri is the third largest national park in the country by area, covering an area of 381.65 km². The territory of the park is mostly occupied by forests and mires, the most significant of them being The Great Ķemeri Bog.




Tērvete Nature Park









The Tērvete Nature Park with its wooden sculptures, winding pathways, bridges and plankways spanning the valley of the Tervete River will take visitors to the fairytale world populated by the characters of the works by the renowned Latvian writer Anna Brigadere.



Cape Kolka





At the northeastern tip of Latvia is Slitere National Park. The jewel in the park’s crown is Cape Kolka, which is surrounded by water and offers spectacular views. Cape Kolka feels remote and pristine because of its history as well as its location. When Latvia was under Soviet rule, the cape was zoned off and used for the military, and some villages were completely abandoned. Now, Cape Kolka is a beautiful way to step back in time and explore a part of Latvia that few people have ever had the chance to experience. Plus, the white sand dunes and views over the water are remarkable in their own right.









Inventions Latvia gave to the world


*Jeans!
By Jacob W. Davies (born Jacob Youphes) in 1871





*3D Holograms!
By Juris Upatnieks in 1962





*Meldonium!
By Ivars Kalviņš in 1970





*Minox camera!
By Valters Caps in 1922





*JZ Microphones!
By Juris Zariņš in 2007








Famous people from Latvia

Kārlis Ulmanis - was one of the most prominent Latvian politicians of pre-World War II Latvia during the interwar period of independence from November 1918 to June 1940.
(1877-1942)

Mariss Jansons - is a Latvian conductor, the son of conductor Arvīds Jansons and the singer Iraida Jansone.Jansons has been awarded various Austrian and international honours for his achievements, including Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit from King Harald of Norway and memberships of the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (Society of Music Friends) in Vienna.
(born 1943)

Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga - is a Latvian politician who served as the sixth President of Latvia and the first female President of Latvia. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected for the second term in 2003.
(born 1937)

Kristaps Porziņģis - is a Latvian professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Knicks with the fourth overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft.
(born 1995)

Jeļena Ostapenko - is a Latvian professional tennis player. On 9 October 2017, she reached her best singles ranking of world number 7 in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Youngest in my series so far and just an advice, don’t take your eyes of her cause she will surely get to the top soon.
(born 1997)








Traditional food


Jāņi cheese



Jāņi cheese is a Latvian sour milk cheese, traditionally eaten on Jāņi, the Latvian celebration of the summer solstice. Its basic ingredients are raw quark and fresh milk, but other products may be used as well. Traditionally, caraway seeds are added during cooking as a spice.


Biezpiens



Cottage cheese, you can use it how ever you like.


Rupjmaize



Traditional dark bread made from rye and is considered to be the staple of the Latvian diet.

Pīrādziņi



Buns filled with bacon and onion.

Grey Peas with bacon



Just what it looks like, you can’t fail if you put bacon.

Riga sprats in Oil



All I can say is that latvians can do anything using Milk products, Soups, Bread and Mushrooms.


Traditional deserts

Sklandrausis



It is a sweet pie, made of rye dough and filled with potato and carrot paste and seasoned with caraway.


Curd Snack



The main part of a curd snack is made from milled and pressed curd, and ingredients such as sugar, sweetener or other products. They can also have a filling such as raisins, jam or other filling. They also sometimes have no filling and are glazed with chocolate or cream with berry or fruit flavours.

Gingerbread





Traditional drinks

Riga Black Balsam



This is directly from my fridge and trust me, it is all worth.










Interesting facts about Latvia:


1.The indigenous people of Latvia are known as Latvians and Livs.
2.A very old oak tree dating back to the times of Pharaoh (yes, you read it right), the ruler of Egypt, was found in Latvia during an excavation project. A small plaque near the Oak tree reads: “OAK TRUNK: Found during excavation work for Riga new Town Hall. It grew on the shore of Daugava 3500 years ago, at about the time when Pharaoh Tutankhamen was the ruler of Egypt.”
3.Latvia has 12,000 rivers and 3,000 small lakes – perfect if you like messing about in boats.
4.Around 54 per cent of Latvia is forest, making it one of Europe’s greenest countries, while 10 per cent is bog (so pack your wellies). Binoculars might be useful too – it’s home to black storks, lesser spotted eagles, otters, beaver, lynx, and wolves, and great concentrations of deer, wild boar, elk and red fox.
5.Latvia’s current flag design has been in use since 1280.
6.Latvia produces more female models per capita that almost any country in the world. Only Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania and Denmark rank higher.
7.Venta Rapid in Kuldīga is the widest waterfall in Europe – stretching up to to 270 metres depending on the season. It’s not as spectacular as it sounds, however, as it is just a couple of metres high.



8.Black Balsam is a traditional liquer made using 24 different plants, flowers, buds, juices, roots, oils and berries prepared in oak barrels. It is considered to be a good cold remedy and according to legend Catherine the Great became ill during a visit to Latvia – but was cured after drinking it.
9.Around 20 per cent of Latvia is protected. There are four national parks, 42 nature parks, 260 nature reserves, 355 nature monuments, seven protected marine areas, 24 micro reserves and a biosphere reserve. It topped the Environmental Performance Index in 2012.
10.Latvia’s internet speeds are among the fastest in the world, averaging 13.8MB/s, compared to 11.6 in the UK, 11.9 in the US, 7.5 in France, 3.4 in Brazil and 1.7 in Egypt.






My 5 words when I hear about Latvia:
#BlackBalsam,#Forests,#HotGirls,#BalticCountry,#cheese


What are your 5?




Special thanks to draivis, JankaSirmais and the latvian comunity and a message from them:


"eLatvija novēl visiem patīkamu uzturēšanos eRepublikā un daudz panākamu nākamajos 10 gados!"

”eLatvia wishes everyone a nice stay in the eRepublik and much success in the next 10 years.”


And now.. a little confesion from you very own, VampireA:

“My knowledge about this country when I started was that it is a Baltic country, was part of URSS and capital is Riga. But now I must admit that I became fond , main reason being the high number of parks and the way latvian people care for their forest and the nature. It should be something that concerns every country in the world, take care of your nature because it takes hundread of years to grow up back. Hope one day I will be able to visit the outstanding parks of this country.”



Waiting for feedback , comments , opinions and if there is anyone that thinks I missed something , I could do something better or just wants to help me with this project , PM me !

Special thanks to Kariky for the spacers !!



Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

P.S. Article 25/74!






P.S.2. Don't forget to push the flags !