Republic of Latvia

Quick Facts: Who was Republic of Latvia?

Subject:

Republic of Latvia

Known for:

A Baltic nation in Northern Europe, known for its history and the city of Riga.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast and shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west.

Career & Major Achievements

Latvia covers an area of 64,573 km2 (24,932 sq mi), with a population of 1.83 million. The country has a temperate seasonal climate. Its capital and largest city is Riga.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Latvians, who are the titular nation and comprise 65.5% of the country's population, belong to the ethnolinguistic group of the Balts and speak Latvian. Russians are the most prominent minority in the country, at almost a quarter of the population; 37.7% of the population speak Russian as their native tongue. After centuries of Teutonic, Swedish, Polish-Lithuanian, and Russian rule, the independent Republic of Latvia was established on 18 November 1918 after breaking away from the Russian Empire in the aftermath of World War I. The country became increasingly autocratic after the coup in 1934 established the dictatorship of Kārlis Ulmanis.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1918: 1918 Milestone — After centuries of Teutonic, Swedish, Polish-Lithuanian, and Russian rule, the independent Republic of Latvia was established on 18 November 1918 after breaking away from the Russian Empire in the aftermath of World War I.
2. 1934: 1934 Milestone — The country became increasingly autocratic after the coup in 1934 established the dictatorship of Kārlis Ulmanis.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Republic of Latvia

True or False: “True or false: Latvia's population is composed entirely of titular Latvians, with no significant minority groups.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While Latvians are the titular nation, Russians constitute the most prominent minority group, making up nearly a quarter of the population.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Hamid II — Historical peer (Died in 1918) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Abraham Pais — Historical peer (Born in 1918) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Abdullah Ibrahim — Historical peer (Born in 1934) (1934): Pianist and composer, considered the leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz.
• Abimael Guzmán — Historical peer (Born in 1934) (1934): Peruvian Maoist revolutionary leader, founder of the Shining Path.

Frequently Asked Questions about Republic of Latvia