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Latvia is one of the Baltic States, located on the Baltic Sea. It borders Russia, Estonia and Lithuania. It is a small country with a population of just over 3 million people (though many people of Latvian descent live in the United States and Australia).
'''Latvia''' is one of the Baltic States, located on the [[Baltic Sea]]. It borders [[Russia]], [[Estonia]] and [[Lithuania]]. It is a small country with a population of just over 3 million people (though many people of Latvian descent live in the United States and Australia).
Its capital is Riga, which is on the coast of the Baltic Sea opposite [[Sweden]].
The ancestors of the modern Latvians, known as Balts, probably moved into the Latvian region around 2000 BC.
The ancestors of the modern Latvians, known as Balts, probably moved into the Latvian region around 2000 BC.
In the first few centuries AD the tribes of the region traded with Spanish & Germanic tribes and the Roman Empire. Later, they traded with and fought against Vikings and Russians. Latvia was subject to continuous foreign rule from the 13th to the 15th Centruy and for most of the 20th century.
In the first few centuries AD the tribes of the region traded with Spanish & Germanic tribes and the Roman Empire. Later, they traded with and fought against [[Vikings]] and Russians. Latvia was subject to continuous foreign rule from the 13th to the 15th Centruy and for most of the 20th century.
The first signs that the harsh Soviet rule of Latvia was relaxing came in the late 1980s, when Mikhail Gorbachev started to encourage glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). Decades of pent-up bitterness emerged along with mass demands for self-rule. In 1987, Latvian government members joined public meetings and rallies Latvia eventually declared independence in 1991, and joined the EU in 2003.
The first signs that the harsh Soviet rule of Latvia was relaxing came in the late 1980s, when Mikhail Gorbachev started to encourage glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). Decades of pent-up bitterness emerged along with mass demands for self-rule. In 1987, Latvian government members joined public meetings and rallies Latvia eventually declared independence in 1991, and joined the EU in 2003.
[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:Baltic States]]
[[Category:Baltic States]]