Latvia

Country in Northern Europe

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Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast, and shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west. Latvia covers an area of 64,589 km² (24,938 sq mi), with a population of 1.9 million. The country has a temperate seasonal climate. Its capital and largest city is Riga. Latvians belong to the ethnolinguistic group of the Balts and speak Latvian. Russians are the most prominent minority in the country, at almost a quarter of the population; 37.7% of the population speak Russian as their native tongue.

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1,000 candles lit in Tallinn and Riga in solidarity with Ukraine Latvia and Estonia mark Ukraine's 1,000th day of resistance with solidarity events, including candlelight vigils and workshops. Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:00Published 2 days ago

NATO completes first large-scale military exercise in Latvia Operation "Resolute Warrior" involved thousands of troops from 13 different countries. Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:44Published 1 week ago

Latvian mural features red cat named Peach Beloved by local residents in Latvia's capital city of Riga, Peach the cat was created by artist Eriks Caune. Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:00Published on September 27, 2024

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GB women lose to top seeds Slovakia at Worlds Great Britain lose 7-1 to Division 1 Group B leaders Slovakia in the Ice Hockey Women's World Championship in Riga, Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on April 3, 2024
Great Britain beat Italy at ice hockey Worlds Great Britain women beat Italy in their Ice Hockey World Championship Division 1 Group B opener in Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on March 31, 2024

UK and other NATO allies urged to consider conscription as Ukraine war enters third year Any move to introduce conscription by Britain and other NATO allies would make a difference to Europe's defences against Russia, Latvia's foreign minister has said. Sky News - Published on February 23, 2024
Baltic states ban vehicles with Russian number plates Estonia has joined fellow Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania in banning vehicles with Russian number plates from entering their territory. Sky News - Published on September 13, 2023
Wales goal 'special' after cancer ordeal - Brooks Wales star David Brooks' goal against Latvia was his first on the international stage since his recovery from cancer. BBC Sport - Published on September 12, 2023

Reaction to Wales win and Scotland v England build-up Wales beat Latvia 2-0 to boost their Euro 2024 qualification hopes, while Scotland face England on Tuesday night. BBC Sport - Published on September 12, 2023
Page 'proud' of Wales response to criticism Wales manager Robert Page is "proud" of the way his players responded to criticism after they beat Latvia to earn only a second win in 14 matches. BBC Sport - Published on September 11, 2023
Watch: Match of the Day Wales - Latvia v Wales Highlights Catrin Heledd and guests bring you highlights of Wales’s match against Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on September 11, 2023
Euro 2024 qualifying: Latvia v Wales - live radio and text Listen to BBC Radio Wales or BBC Radio Cymru commentary and follow text updates as Wales face Latvia in Euro 2024 qualifying. BBC Sport - Published on September 11, 2023

Inside the Wales camp with Ashley Williams Wales defenders Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham tell ex-captain Ashley Williams they are confident the team can still qualify for Euro 2024 before Monday's match with Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on September 11, 2023
Page under pressure for vital Wales tie in Latvia Wales face Latvia in need of a win to revive their ailing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and lift the pressure on manager Robert Page. BBC Sport - Published on September 10, 2023
Superb Gauff breezes into US Open semi-finals American teenager Coco Gauff storms into the US Open semi-finals for the first time with a dominant win over Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko. BBC Sport - Published on September 5, 2023	Wales recall Luton's Lockyer after heart surgery Wales recall Tom Lockyer for games against South Korea and Latvia following the Luton Town captain's recovery from heart surgery. BBC Sport - Published on August 30, 2023
European Union's first openly gay head of state sworn in The European Union's first openly gay head of state has been sworn in in Latvia. Sky News - Published on July 8, 2023	Ostapenko beats GB's Dart to reach Eastbourne last 16 Watch the best shots as Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia beats Great Britain's Harriet Dart to reach the quarter-finals of Eastbourne International. BBC Sport - Published on June 28, 2023
Could Putin be using the war in Ukraine to annex Belarus by stealth? The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are now members of NATO, so are probably beyond Russia's grasp - for now - but with the war in Ukraine dominating world headlines, Russia has been.. Sky News - Published on April 13, 2023	Euro 2024 qualifier reaction, including Scotland stunning Spain Looking back on a famous win for Scotland over Spain, plus Wales continue their strong start to the campaign by beating Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on March 29, 2023
Wales aim to meet expectations against Latvia Preview followed by live coverage of Tuesday's European Championship Qualifying game between Wales and Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on March 27, 2023	Ramsey's son to walk out with him for Wales v Latvia Aaron Ramsey says his son, Sonny, will join him as he leads Wales out to face Latvia in Cardiff on Tuesday. BBC Sport - Published on March 27, 2023
Build-up to Republic of Ireland v Latvia Live text commentary of the international friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Latvia at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. BBC Sport - Published on March 22, 2023	Teenage striker Ferguson to make first Republic start Teenage Brighton striker Evan Ferguson will make his first Republic of Ireland start in Wednesday's friendly international against Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on March 21, 2023
Tottenham defender Davies out of Wales squad Ben Davies withdraws from the Wales squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia because of injury. BBC Sport - Published on March 20, 2023	Johnston handed first Republic of Ireland call-up Celtic's Mikey Johnston is named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first Euro 2024 qualifier against France and friendly with Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on March 16, 2023
Johnson gives Wales injury worry Brennan Johnson has given Wales an injury worry before Tuesday's squad announcement for their forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on March 12, 2023	Latvia could join Ukraine in Paris 2024 boycott Latvia could join Ukraine in boycotting Paris 2024 Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete. BBC Sport - Published on February 1, 2023
Explosion hits gas pipeline between Lithuania and Latvia - nearby village set to be evacuated An explosion has hit a gas pipeline connecting Lithuania and Latvia. Sky News - Published on January 13, 2023	Watch: Latvia score three own goals in Northern Ireland defeat Latvia score a hat-trick of own goals as Northern Ireland beat the minnows 3-1 in their final World Cup qualifier. BBC Sport - Published on September 6, 2022
Women's World Cup qualifiers: NI struggle past lowly Latvia in final match Northern Ireland score two late goals to beat minnows Latvia 3-1 in a low-key end to their World Cup qualification campaign in Jurmala. BBC Sport - Published on September 6, 2022	Private plane crashes off coast of Latvia after NATO jets scrambled A private plane has crashed off the Latvian coast after NATO jets were scrambled to monitor its erratic journey. Sky News - Published on September 4, 2022
'Closing another painful page of history': Latvia takes down obelisk centrepiece of Soviet-era monument A concrete column in Latvia's capital which stirred controversy for years has been taken down as onlookers cheered and applauded. Sky News - Published on August 25, 2022	Winter Olympics: Sweden forward Max Friberg heads puck in ice hockey match Watch the brilliant moment Sweden's Max Friberg deliberately flicks the puck on with his head during their preliminary match against Latvia. BBC Sport - Published on February 10, 2022
England 20-0 Latvia: Ellen White sets goalscoring record Watch highlights as England thrash Latvia 20-0 to record their biggest-ever competitive victory and Ellen White becomes the Lionesses' record goalscorer. BBC Sport - Published on December 1, 2021