Latvia

American  

[lat-vee-uh, laht-] / ˈlæt vi ə, ˈlɑt- /

noun

1. a republic in N Europe, on the Baltic, S of Estonia, an independent state 1918–40; annexed by the Soviet Union 1940; regained independence 1991. 25,395 sq. mi. (63,700 sq. km). Riga.

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Latvia British  

/ ˈlætvɪə /

noun

1. a republic in NE Europe, on the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea: ruled by Poland, Sweden, and Russia since the 13th century, Latvia was independent from 1919 until 1940 and was a Soviet republic (1940–91), gaining its independence after conflict with Soviet forces; it joined the EU in 2004. Latvia is mostly forested. Official language: Latvian. Religion: nonreligious, Christian. Currency: lats. Capital: Riga. Pop: 2 178 443 (2013 est). Area: 63 700 sq km (25 590 sq miles)

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Latvia Cultural  

1. Republic on the Baltic Sea, bordered by Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Belarus to the southeast, and Lithuania to the south. Its capital and largest city is Riga.

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Nationalist sentiments brewing since the mid-nineteenth century erupted at the time of the Russian Revolution; after the collapse of Russia and Germany in World War I, Latvia was able to proclaim its independence. After twenty years of political instability, however, Latvia was forcibly integrated into the Soviet Union in 1940, along with Estonia and Lithuania. The collapse of the Soviet Union enabled Latvians to reassert their national identity, and they declared their country independent in August 1991.

Example Sentences

Nestled between Latvia and Russia, Estonia was early to put the internet in classrooms with its “Tiger Leap” in the 1990s, just after gaining independence from the Soviet Union.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Latvia is to install a new government on Thursday, weeks after the previous coalition collapsed in a row over stray Ukrainian drones.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

A similar incursion was reported by Estonia and Latvia in March.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

The group, which primarily produces its liquor in Latvia, bought up the depleted Cedar Creek Quarry in Bardstown, Ky., and planned to redevelop it into the Kentucky Owl Park.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and others were divided between Hitler and Stalin.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys