Latvia
[ lat-vee-uh, laht- ]
/ ˈlæt vi ə, ˈlɑt- /
noun
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). Capital: Riga.
Latvian
Lat·vi·ja
[laht-vi-yah] /ˈlɑt vɪˌyɑ/.
Example sentences from the Web for latvia
British Dictionary definitions for latvia
Latvia
/ (ˈlætvɪə) /
noun
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)
Cultural definitions for latvia
Latvia
[ (lat-vee-uh, laht-vee-uh) ]
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.
notes for Latvia
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.