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

Vinted expanded into Latvia, Estonia, and Slovenia in 2025, also adding sports and collectible goods to attract more customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Spending relative to GDP reflects the societal sacrifices to strengthen defense, and last year Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark and Norway spent a larger share than the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Latvia's Defence Minister, Andris Spruds, cut short a visit to Ukraine and returned to Latvia in the wake of the incident.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Jelena intends to change her travel plans by returning to Latvia after her trip to apply for a British passport from there, potentially facing a wait of several weeks or months for it to arrive.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Powers's new prison cell, which he shared with a political prisoner from Latvia, was even smaller than his previous one.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau