Latvia

Founded in 1201, Riga has to this day grown to be the largest city of the Baltic states and the home to over one third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava. Riga's historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture and 19th century wooden architecture.

Latvia

I'm such a big fan of this Latvian set depicting Latvian landscape. Thanks, Zane, for expanding my collection :) 

Latvia

This beautiful sunset comes from Latvia. Do you know that Latvia adopted the euro on 1 January 2014? The previous currency was the Latvian lats. Zane sent the postcard on the last day when it was possible to use stamps in the lats. To commemorate this, there's also a special postmark. Thanks a lot, Zane!

The 500th Post - Latvia

I learned just a few seconds ago that this is actually the 500th post on the blog! Wow! Since this hit me a bit unexpectedly, I haven't prepared anything special for this occasion, but this Latvian card will be great as well. I'd like to thank all of you with whom I've been exchanging postcards, and to my dear postcard-pals who keep sending me amazing cards. And to the readers of my blog, of course. It sometimes seems to me that not many people actually read the updates I make here, but the number of visitors at the bottom of my blog homepage proves me wrong. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time for blogging and doings swaps lately, and this will not change any time soon, but I'l try to catch up every now and then. Now enjoy beautiful Latvian landscape!

Svetlana sent me this foggy view from my favourite Latvian set of postcards. You simply must love this card. She used colorful stamps, also depicting Latvia's natural beauties. Thank you! 

Latvia

Dietrich sent me a postcard from the wonderful Latvian postcard set that I like so much. The card is pretty simple, but beautiful at the same time. The nature is just amazing! Would love to visit Latvia some day for sure. Thanks, Dietrich!

Latvia

I am not completely sure, but my guess would be that this Latvian postcard shows Venta Rapid, a rapid on the Venta River in Kuldīga. It is the widest rapid in Europe – 249 metres and up to 270 metres during spring floods It also features the widest waterfall in Europe,110 m wide, but only two metres high. In the stone, canals are carved. They were used to catch salmon and sturgeon. The fish that didn't make the jump up the river were swept by the current back into the canals where they were caught in hanging baskets. 

Many thanks to Oleska!

Latvia

Isn't that view gorgeous? I'd love to take a walk ther! Oleska sent mt very first card from this Latvian set that I have just started collecting. If you have another card from this sent, I'd be more than happy to swap with you. Here are some information about Latvian nature and enviorment...

Most of the country is composed of fertile lowland plains and moderate hills. A typical Latvian landscape is a mosaic of vast forests alternating with fields, farmsteads, and pastures; amid arable land are birch groves and wooded clusters, which afford a habitat for numerous plants and animals. Latvia has hundreds of kilometres of undeveloped seashore lined by pine forests, dunes, and continuous white sand beaches.

Latvia has the 4th highest proportion of land covered by forests in the European Union, after Finland, Sweden and Slovenia.

Latvia has over 12,500 rivers that stretch for 38,000 km. Major rivers include the Daugava River, Lielupe, Gauja, Venta, and Salaca, the largest spawning ground for salmon in the eastern Baltics. There are 2,256 lakes that are bigger than 1 ha, with a collective area of 1,000 km2. Mires occupy 9.9% of Latvia's territory. 70% percent of the mires are untouched by civilisation, and they are a refuge for many rare species of plants and animals

Approximately 27,700 species of flora and fauna have been registered in Latvia. Common species of wildlife in Latvia include deer, wild boar, moose, lynx, bear, fox, beaver and wolves.

We're talking about Latvian nature and biodiversity, so the bird stamp really fits. Ačiu, Oleksa ;)

Latvia

Riga is the capital city of Latvia. Riga has a population of approximately 650 000 inhabitants which makes it the biggest city in Latvia, the biggest city of the Baltic states and one of the biggest cities in the Northern Europe at all. Riga lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of river Daugava.

The old town center of Riga is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site as well.

                                              

I am very thankful to Liene for sending me such a great postcard. I was absolutely shocked when I saw the mark on the stamp. The card was sent on April, 2 and it reached my mailbox just three days after. I wish that all the cards travel so fast, but I'm afraid that my wish will never come true :) Thanks, Liene!