About Latvia

This page is under continual development.  Also see the Latvia links for Web sites with more information about Latvia.


Vital Statistics
(from City Paper)

Latvian population:  2.5 million; 57% Latvian; 40% Russian-speaking; 2% Lithuanian; 1% Polish.
Riga population:  850,000.
Other large cities:  Daugavpils 125,000; Liepaja, 100,000.
Total Latvian territory:  64,600 sq. km.; a little smaller than Ireland, a little larger than West Virginia.
Climate:  July is the warmest month, with temperatures near 20°C (68°F); the coldest month is February, with temperatures around 0°C (32°F).

Daylight in Latvia  Chart documenting the changes in the length of the day throughout the year.


Slice of life in Latvia

May, 2001.  While getting some lettuce from my neighbor and colleague Gunta at her little greenhouse, I noticed a patch of asparagus growing in her flower bed. It was a circular patch about a foot and a half in diameter.  There were five or six spears big enough to eat, and more pushing up through the dirt.  I have seen similar patches in other people's gardens, and also noticed that they didn't seem to eat the asparagus, just let it go to seed.  I asked Gunta about it, and she said that she has never eaten it, that they grow it for the baby's breath-like flowers to use in bouquets.  She graciously offered to let me harvest a few spears.  While we were talking, another neighbor and colleague (we have a lot of teachers living in our building), Maria, walked up and joined the discussion.  To their amazement, I broke off the tough end of one of the spears and took a bite of the tender, delicious stalk.  It was so lovely:  the first taste of asparagus I've had since coming to Latvia.  Both of them agreed to try a bit.  Maria said it tasted all right—a bit like fresh, raw peas—but that she'd rather eat peas.  Gunta said it was interesting, but that she would continue to think of it as a flower, not a vegetable.

More slices.


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