> Located in the north of Europe, the Baltic States. It
shares borders with Estonia to the north, the east - by Russia, south-east
- with Belarus and the south - with Lithuania. From the west and
north-western Latvia are washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga. P>
majority of the population - the Latvians (55.1%), whose language
belongs to the Baltic group of Indo-European family. In addition, there
live Russian (32.6%), Belarusians (4%), Ukrainians (2.9%), Poles (2.2%),
etc. On the territory of the country is allocated a few historical and
cultural regions (Latgale, Kurzeme , Vidzeme, Zemgale, and etc.), specific
features which are manifested primarily in the traditional culture. Many
elements of everyday life, such as trade, housing, food, customs and
ceremonies, kept the features formed over centuries.
As in the past century, to modern Latvia typical odnodvornye
settlements - viensetas, and only in the east Latvians living villages.
Farm everywhere consists of a dwelling house (usually a log house on a
foundation of rough stone) and outbuildings. But their position on the
estate, as well as planning the home, varies by region. In the western
parts of residential premises located on both sides of the hall, and there
were focus, and open. This also came out the mouth of the furnace, heated
room. It only baked bread, cooked the same food on the open hearth. East
Property - Latgale istaba close to the Russian and Belarusian cottages,
has the form of two separate log cabins connected by a cold hallway. The
furnace, a similar Russian, put in the room. If the traditional dwelling
places in the villages still to be found, then this can not be said about
people's clothes. Nevertheless, it is not entirely disappeared. Latvians
usually wear it on holiday songs used in amateur performances. In
addition, national traditions can be traced to the ornaments that adorn
modern clothes, in its color scheme. Traditional women's costume - a long
tunic shirt, a striped or plaid skirt, shoulder cape villayne. Local
differences are in the cut, colors and can decorate. For example, in
Vidzeme shirts decorated with openwork, gowns - white headdress girls -
red beaded garland, married - white embroidered cap. In Zemgale shirt
decorated with a white embroidered skirt - a special flower, and a cape -
woven pattern; headdress is a silk handkerchief. Kurzeme suit different
metal belt, a bright blue cape with ornaments. Latgale costume consists of
shirt with a red pattern, a plaid skirt, white cape with a blue-green
embroidered linen bedspreads shoulder mount. Headwear girls - red beaded
garland of married women - polotenchaty.
Mens Clothing folk less diverse. It consists of a shirt, linen or wool
pants, long coat, sash. At the head wearing a hat or cap with the fields.
National traditions are preserved and Latvians in the food. Its basis
consists of flour, cereals, dishes of beans and peas. They love this soup
from cereals (Putra) and vegetables (kaposti), porridge, dumplings peas
and beans. The holidays are preparing Shpyg cakes, biscuits, meat dishes.
For example, at Christmas and New Year's baked pig's head with sauerkraut,
dyed Easter eggs and cook jelly, on Midsummer's Day (it is called in
Latvian Ligo) - Jani cheese curds. Traditional drinks - sbiten from rye
flour, beer, birch and maple juice.
widespread woodwork. Carvings adorn the backs of chairs and sleighs,
spinning, eaves, gables and trim houses. Works of folk artists is
constantly displayed at exhibitions and fairs.
varied folklore Latvians, including tales, legends, jokes, riddles,
proverbs, short quatrains - daynas. Rich in folk songs. C. are regularly
held festivals songs. The main musical instruments - kokle (type of
dulcimer), smuygas (bagpipe), violin, reed.
Latvia's capital Riga is situated on both banks of the Daugava River,
at its confluence with the Gulf of Riga. This is the largest industrial
and cultural center of the country. Here are all the major government
agencies, businesses, and 9 theaters (including the National Opera), 7
high schools, university, 21 museums (the Museum of Latvian History, the
Museum of city history and Navigation, Art Museum, museums, nature,
foreign art, etc. ).
first written mention of the town belongs to. In the Middle Ages,
being at the crossroads of land and waterways, he prospered as a center of
trade and crafts. This is evidenced by the names of streets of Old Riga:
Kaleju (Blacksmith), Audeju (Weaving), Mutsinieku (cooper), Aldar
(Pivovarov), etc.
Here preserved outstanding architectural monuments of different
epochs. By the unique architectural and historical values include the Dome
Cathedral (founded in.), Which is world-renowned authority, rich sound
range (6768 pipes), church of St. Peter from the original 120-meter-high
tower - a central element of the silhouette of Riga, Riga Castle, Powder,
or Sandy, tower, the church of John and others
Daugavpils - the second city in population, the largest industrial
center. It is the center of Latgale, located in the eastern part of the
country. It appeared in. as a fortress. Significant role in its prosperity
is advantageous transport-geographical location.
Liepaja is located in the west of Latvia, Kurzeme region, and occupies
a narrow strip of coastal lowlands, stretching from north to south between
the Baltic Sea and the coastal lakes and Liepajas Tosmares. Here, in this
major center of marine fisheries and the fishing industry, 4 the base of
the oceanic fishery fleet, there is a fishing port. Along the western city
limits stretched flat sandy beach. Ventspils is located on both sides of
the gates with its confluence with the Baltic Sea. The first mention of
him as a fishing village belongs to X. The end of XVIII century. it was
the main port of Kurzeme. His role as a trading port is great and now. One
of the attractions of the city - a unique museum of marine fisheries. P>
Territory as a whole plain and severe natural contrasts does not.
Scenic moraine ridges dotted with small lakes, alternating with sandy
plains and marshy lowlands. It Seashore, Eastern Latvia, Srednelatviyskaya
lowlands, plains and sandy Lubanskaya Ventsko-Usmenskaya depression, which
from the west, north and east borders the Kurzeme hill. Latgale and
Augshzemskaya Hills occupy the eastern part of the country. Of particular
charm of the landscape give the numerous rivers (main - Daugava) and the
lake. Climate - the transition from maritime to continental.
From XIII to the middle of the XVI century. territory of Latvia was a
part of Livonia, which was under German rule. In the middle of the XVI
century. Included in Rzeczpospolita, but. - Part of Russia. December. The
Government of the RSFSR recognized the independence of Latvia. In the
beginning. establish an independent Republic of Latvia. In. coup d'etat.
In. formed the Latvian SSR, which became part of the USSR. In May.
decision on a new name - the Republic of Latvia, as well as the
declaration of its independence. In September. USSR recognized the
independence of Latvia.
Believers mostly Protestant (Lutheran). They, according to official
data, there are 491 thousand people. The population of Latgale - mostly
Catholics.
in a pine forest on the shores of Lake Jugla in Riga is the open air
museum, founded in. It placed the traditional farmsteads, reflecting the
life and material culture of various historical and ethnographic regions
of Latvia. Buildings and interiors are reproduced in accordance with the
domestic situation XVII - XIX centuries. The museum organizes concerts
ethnographic ensembles, theatrical performances, fairs Handicraft. This is
one of those places of the country, where trying to save the historic
past. The natural wealth of Latvia is protected in a number of nature
reserves. Among them, Moritz-fat, Greene, Slitere - in western Latvia,
Krustkalni and Teich - on the East-Latvian lowland. The system of objects
of state protection of nature reserves also include the very different
nature: botanical, bog, cranberry, ornithological, geological (including
most large boulders), natural parks, protected landscapes, ponds, and the
age-old, rare and foreign trees.
Latvia - a democratic parliamentary republic. In. Revitalization of
the Constitution adopted. and suspended in. Head of state - the president.
Legislature - the Saeima (unicameral parliament). Executive power is
exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the president. The
government, formed in., - Coalition. It included representatives of the
following political entities: «For Fatherland and Freedom» (Movement for
Latvian National Independence), «Latvia's Way», Latvian Farmers' Union /
Union of Christian Democrats, the Latvian Green Party, the Party of
national reforms. The country is divided administratively into 26
districts.
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