Latvia
Country in Europe
The Republic of Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It borders Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. Its area is approximately 64,589 km². The population is about 1.857 million people (2025). The capital is Riga.
The independent Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918, after the collapse of the Russian Empire. The country's independence was interrupted in June 1940 by its forced incorporation into the Soviet Union, after which it was restored in August 1991.
1991
Restoration of state independence
2004
The country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
2004
The state became a full member of the European Union
2007
The country joined the Schengen Agreement
2010
The country's economy successfully emerged from recession
2014
The state introduced the single European currency, the euro
2015
The country held the presidency of the Council of the European Union
2023
The country ratified the Istanbul Convention on preventing violence against women
2025
The country was elected to the UN Security Council
