Climate and Geography
The climate of Latvia is humid and temperate due to its latitude and proximity to the Baltic Sea. There is some form of precipitation approximately 180 days of the year with an annual accumulation of over 600 millimeters. The yearly temperate fluctuations of Latvia are less severe than continental countries with a range from about -3°C in winter to 22°C in summer. That being said, the temperature in July and August can easily reach 30°C and the winter may bring coldness as low as -20°C.
Average High temperatures in Riga, Latvia shown in °C
Average Year Based Temperature in Riga
These differentiating temperatures and propensity for snow means Latvia experiences a distinct separation of all four seasons. There are ample opportunities for outdoor activities including skiing in the winter and swimming in the summer. Furthermore, the diverse seasons come with drastic changes to the amount of sunlight. Because Latvia is at a latitude of 57°N, it has long days in the summer and short days in the winter. During the summer solstice, the sun rises at 4:30am and sets at 10:30pm with faintly visible light beyond the horizon all night. Contrarily, on the winter solstice, the sun rises at 9:00am and sets at 3:40pm meaning a day lasting only 6 hours and 40 minutes. The biggest change from the daylight is in the attitude of the people because the summer mood is vibrant and cheerful, but the winter months bring gloominess.
Location, Topology and Ecology
Latvia borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. The city of Riga is situated at the mouth of the River Daugava which opens up into the Bay of Riga. The topography in the country is relatively flat especially near the coastal areas. However, there are some upland areas scattered throughout the landscape. The highest point in the country is located north and east of Riga at Gaizinkalns with an elevation of 312 meters. The lowest points are naturally located on the coastline where the elevation is 0.
There is an abundance of lakes and rivers throughout the country with the most prevalent concentrations in the east. Clean water has been a major priority for Latvia since it regained independence in 1991. They strive to keep their water pollution minimized by restricting the use of power boats on many lakes and discouraging industrial construction near major waterways.
The landscape is very green with almost half of Latvia covered in dense pine forests. The floor of the wooded areas are a perfect place to find wild berries and mushrooms. Many people gather these crops from the forest and sell them in roadside stands. It is best to drive just outside of the city to find the freshest food from the woods. Another 10% of the land is dominated by bogs, swamps and other wetlands. The natural environments provide Latvia with a wide range of wildlife that is more abundant than many other European countries.