THE 4 REGIONS OF LATVIA

THE 4 REGIONS OF
LATVIA
Kurzeme p.13
Vidzeme p.15
Zemgale p.17
Latgale p.19
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Nature
Kurzeme
Nature takes a big part in attracting tourists in Kurzeme. Kurzeme
has the widest waterfall in all of Europe called Ventas Rumba.
Kurzeme is a very exciting and energetic region. It is known for
The Kolka Horn is a
its white sand beaches
good
and fishermen’s vil-
birds, especially during
lages. In July there are
their migration period,
huge annual fisher-
and in Riežupe Nature
men’s festivals. Kur-
Park, the longest man-
zeme is located on the
made caves in Latvia can
west side of Latvia.
be found.
Map of Kurzeme
Culture
place
to
watch
Ventas Rumba waterfall
Towns and Cities
The locals in Kurzeme have managed to preserve old traditions
Some of the largest cit-
and values of culture from the ancient Livonian times. In some
ies in Kurzeme include
country sides in Kurzeme, their ancient language Livonian is still
Ventspils and Liepāja.
spoken and annual Livonian Festivals are still celebrated.
These cities are famous
Traditional Food
for their beaches, ad-
Some of the main traditional dishes in Kurzeme include fish,
venture parks, and an
observatory where stars
Sklandrauši (rye flour pies with potato or carrot filling),
Bukstiņputra (pearl-barley with potatoes), and Biguzis (black
bread pudding with whipped cream).
Kurzeme is also famous for its wine.
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Liepāja beach
can be observed with
telescopes. Also there is a digital planetarium which is the most
modern in the Baltics and the only one in Latvia.
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This park contains the
Vidzeme
longest river in Latvia,
the Gauja river. On the
Vidzeme has the most ancient castles and manor houses in Latvia.
shores of this river there
Located in the northern part of Latvia, Vidzeme provides many
is a large cave called
activities that in-
Gūtmaņala which is a fa-
volve enjoying na-
Gūtmaņala cave
ture, such as riding
Towns and Cities
cable cars, bungee
jumping,
Sigulda and Cēsis are some of the most
partici-
well known cities in Vidzeme.
pating in adventure
Situated 40km from Rīga, Sigulda is one
parks, visiting nature parks, etc.
mous tourist site.
of the most beautiful and most visited citMap of Vidzeme
Nature
ies in Latvia. Sigulda is famous for its old
castle ruins with ancient architecture but it
Vidzeme’s beaches are more
is also well known for its exciting adven-
rocky than other beaches in
ture parks where several activities such as
Latvia. These are the only
wall climbing and rope activities are pro-
beaches with boulders at its
vided.
sea shores in Latvia.
Gauja National Park
Cēsis Medieval Castle
Cēsis is filled with old medieval castles
Gauja National Park, one of
and manor houses along with several an-
the most visited national
cient parks.
parks in Latvia, are located in Vidzeme.
Cēsis Medieval Castle
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Zemgale
Castles in Zemgale
Zemgale’s castle mounds, manor houses, and castles show the evidence of the region’s
Zemgale is a special region in Latvia. Unlike other regions that
rich
have uplands and deep river valleys, the majority of the land in
Zemgale is an attractive
Zemgale is flat.
place for people interest-
Zemgale has very
ed in ancient art and ar-
fertile soil which
chitecture.
makes it have one
Rundāle Palace
of the most fertile
grain
fields
in
the
history.
The Rundāle Palace and
the Jelgava Palace are the most famous castles in Zemgale.
in
Many of the castles from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries
Northern Europe.
Located
cultural
are still preserved.
Map of Zemgale
southern part of Latvia, Zemgale has several castles and manor
Towns and Cities
houses that expresses the luxury and prosperity of ancient times.
The
Nature
known
Zemgale has very fertile soil so there are a lot of grain and rapeseed fields, windmills, and wind generators on Zemgale’s plains.
Zemgale also has sections of the Ķemeri National Park which is
known for healing mud and sulfur waters.
The Mēmele river in Zemgale offers boat trips that shows great
most
cities
well
in
Zemgale are Jelgava and Bauska.
The old center of
Jelgava is the oldest part of the city
Lielupe river
to survive World War II.
views of the river.
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Latgale holds large amounts of fine clay resources that are used as
Latgale
materials for craftsmen and artists. This is the main reason pottery
is famous in Latgale.
Latgale is the only region where their ancient language, Latgalian
is still widely used. Latgale also has strong religious influences
from ancient times so many churches are still maintained and preserved from the ancient times. Weavers
and
Map of Latgale
knitters
in
Culture
In Latgale, the dialect of the old Latgalian language is still used.
This language has its own alphabet. Characteristics of Latgalian
culture can also be seen in churches, cathedrals and manor houses.
Latgale are famous
Latgale has strong religious traditions to the Roman Catholic
for making colorful
Church which helped preserve and maintain many old churches
patterned
blankets,
built centuries ago. The churches in Latgale are not only im-
patch rugs, woolen
portant to the religious life, but they attract many tourists across
gloves and woolen
the globe.
socks.
The Angola Basilica is one of the largest Catholic churches in
Latvia. Every August,
Nature
thousands of pilgrims
Latgale is called the
come to this church.
Land of Blue Lakes
because Latgale has
The language and re-
the largest number of
ligion
lakes gathered in one
strong mentality and
area in Latvia.
traditions of LatgaliLake at Latgale
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Angola Basilica
shows
the
ans.
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