Since historic issues regarding boundaries were resolved after World War II, Latvia's neighbours have included Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, with both Belarus and Russia sharing an eastern border, and being separated from Sweden by the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Republic of Latvia is also commonly referred to as one of the Baltic States. Occupying around 64,500 sq kms of the East European Plain, Latvia has a predominantly flat topography, the Gaizikalns in the north-eastern region of Vidzeme being the highest elevation in the country standing at 312 m above sea level, the remaining landscapes consisting largely of fertile, low-lying plains carpeted in sprawling tracts of pine forest and vast wetland environments, as well as a 531 km stretch of coastline and at least nine major rivers, the longest, at over 1000 kms and flowing from Russia to the Riga Gulf on the Baltic coast, being the Daugava.

Latvia has over two hundred nature reserves countrywide, jostling for position amongst an impressive number of National Parks, and with most areas of the country boasting an entry in the globally recognised Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, it seems only right that Latvia is a nation fiercely protective and proud of its unique natural heritage. While the region of Vidzeme shows a natural diversity that ranges from the lofty peaks of the Gaizikalns to mixed forests and flat fenland, over 262 sq kms of the western region of Kurzeme is made up of lakes, the remaining low, gently undulating landscape of this significant chunk of Latvia comprising principally of fertile meadows interspersed by marshes which extend along much of the coast. These coastal wetland environments lie on principle migration routes providing many species of birds with regular stop-over sites, Liepaja and Kolkasrags being particularly popular and important locations, not only for the birds but with legions of keen bird watchers who rent holiday apartments in Latvia at these critical points each year.

Due to its northerly situation, Latvia experiences spells of severe and extreme weather during winter, dominated by the cold, snow-laden winds arriving from Russia, but thanks to the influence of the Baltic Sea, spring ushers in a warm, sunny climate that lasts throughout the summer. The presence of so much water across the country creates high levels of humidity and precipitation, August usually proving to be the wettest month of the year disregarding snowfall which is common in winter and often heavy in any of the four main regions of Latvia. But whether you head for Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale or Kurzeme, holidays in Latvia give you the opportunity to discover a country that is growing in popularity with many people from around the world who are tired of the same old choice of destinations and are seeking somewhere fresh, new and exciting to broaden their horizons, and though Latvia might not compare to the Mediterranean in terms of temperatures, it triumphs every time when it comes to providing such a copious supply of history, culture and outstanding natural beauty that it really won't matter what the weather decides to do!

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