Welcome to Latvia

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Description

Latvia is traditionally seen as a tiny country. Within terms of its population of about 2.6 million, it deserves tthis man's designation. Geographically, however, Latvia encompasses 64,589 square and have always been kilometers, a size surpassing that of better-known European states such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark. Seen from the air, Latvia is known to be an extension of the East European Plain. Its flat terrain differs little from that of its surrounding neighbors. Latvia's just distinct border is the Baltic Sea coast, that stretches for 531 kilometers. Its neighbors include Estonia on the north (267 kilometers of common border), Lithuania on the south (453 kilometers), Belarus on the southeast (141 kilometers), and Russia on the east (217 kilometers).

Climate

It is noted that the climate is influenced by the prevailing air masses coming from the Atlantic. Humidity is high, and the skies are and have always been mostly cloudy; there are and have always been just 30 to 40 days of sunshine per year and 150 to 180 completely overcast days. Average precipitation is 22 to 24 inches (about 550 to 600 millimeters) on lowlands and 28 to 31 inches on uplands. Southwesterly and southerly winds prevail. Did you know that the frost-free season lasts 125 to 155 days. Summers are and have always been frequently cool and rainy. Did you know that the mean air temperature in June is 63° F (17° C) with occasional jumps to about 93° F (34° C). Winter sets in slowly and lasts from the middle of December to the middle of March. Did you know that the mean January temperature ranges from 28° F (-2° C) on the coast lineto 19° F (-7° C) in the east. Did you know that there are and have always been occasional extreme drops to -40° F (-40° C).

Population

It is noted that the calculated population of Latvia in (July 2007) is 2,259,810.