Latvia

Latvia Journal

August 20, 2016

The past few days in Liechtenstein were fun. We flew to Latvia to spend the weekend. The most commonly spoken language here is Latvian, the official language with 56.3% of the population speaking it. If you happen to travel to the eastern of the country, you might hear people speaking Russian, the second most spoken language here, taking up 33.8%. This is because Estonia is right to the East of Latvia. Some other languages spoken in this coastal country includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian. Together, they take up 0.6% of the languages spoken. Adding up all the languages mentioned above, it takes up 90.7% of all languages used in Latvia. The other 9.3% are still unspecified.

Gauja National Park

After we arrived in Latvia, we went to Gauja National Park, the largest national park in Latvia. We noticed how most families consists of four or fewer members, two children with their parent, very few had three or more kids. This is because Latvian families were small. According to a survey targeting couples, it revealed that: on average, Latvian parents preferred two or fewer children. Families consisting of both parents with children under eighteen is 32 % of the population. 16% of the population is families with older children, unmarried. Young couples without children and live by themselves are 26% of the population. 8% are single-parent families with under-age children.

Later, we decided to look up what the government of Latvia does and what republic it is. After surfing through the online, we found out that the government of Latvia outlines the nation as a parliamentary republic, which operated under a parliamentary system where the executive branch obtains its legitimacy from and is responsible for the legislature branch. A unicameral parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers of Republic of Latvia, which forms the executive branch, represent it.

Latvia Newspaper

Latvia has a New Leader, as Fears of Russia and Migration Rise

February 12th, 2016

Maris Kucinskis, is the new prime minister of Latvia. He took the place of Latvia’s first female prime minister as she quit in frustration. He is the 13th prime minister of Latvia since it’s independence from Soviet rule in 1991. Maris Kucinskis is a 54-year-old man who was once the mayor of a town nearby. He is part of an unusual center-right party, to whom are against immigration. His inauguration has been leading fear for those who seek a safe home in Latvia because he is against immigration of any form. Even so, people are looking forward to Latvia under Maris Kucinskis leadership.

Latvian Airport Denies Ordering Hijab Removed

February 24th, 2016

On February 24th, Latvia’s main airport has been accused of demanding an Arab diplomat to remove her hijab during the security check. Even though the airport has been denying it, this still has already caused discomfort to the passenger and disrespect to Muslim traditions.

World Ice Fishing Champion

Aldis Varna of Latvia won third place in the World Ice Fishing competition on February 26. He beat the other 76 contestants apart from the first and second place. He captured a total of 3.2 kilograms of fish, approximately 7.04 pounds, losing the second place by one kilogram, and the champion by two kilograms.

Latvia Postcard

August 21, 2016

Dear Audrey,

After having a wonderful time in Liechtenstein, we packed our bags and moved onto our next stop: Latvia. Latvia is half covered with forests and nature. There are lots of national parks full of trees and natural resources. Yesterday, we went to the Kemeri National Park. The park is famous for its great biological diversity, clean mineral waters, and therapeutic mud. We walked along the trails of Lake Sloka and Lake Kanaris and cycled around the Green Dune cycling path in the national park. Then we went to Ragaciems Market and bought some fresh smoked fish for lunch. After that, we went to the Rundale Palace Museum. The palace museum had Latvia’s history, which displayed statues, sculptures, art, and many other historical exhibitions. We later saw people having a wedding ceremony and a concert in the White Hall, which is in the palace museum. After a long trip, we ended our lovely day by sitting on the edge of the deck, watching the sunset go deep into the ocean.

Kemeri National Park

Ragaciems Market

Best Wishes,

Kelly and Vivian