LATVIA AND RIGA

The area of Latvia is about 64 thousand square kilometers. The population of the Republic is 2,3 million people.

Riga - capital of Latvia is located on the Baltic Sea and a third of all Latvians live here (800 thousand inhabitants). Riga is more than 800 years old.

Riga was a major centre of the Hanseatic League, deriving its prosperity in the 13th–15th centuries from the trade with central and Eastern Europe.

Riga once was a fortified city, walled in by high ramparts with turrets and fortified gates. These walls were eventually torn down, though a few small sections remain with the so-called Swedish Gate being the oldest remaining portion and the Powder Tower.

Riga became an important economic centre in the 19th century, when the suburbs surrounding the medieval town were laid out, first with imposing wooden buildings in neoclassical style and then in Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). It is generally recognized that Riga has the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe.

In Latvia only Latvian lats can be used. You can change your currency in the airport, hotel or in banks. 1 EUR is approximately 0.70 LVL.

For the citizens of most of the European countries a valid passport is all that is required to enter Latvia. For more information please visit the web site of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is each participant’s responsibility to acquire the necessary traveling documents. Official invitations needed for a visa will be provided by the Conference Secretariat at the request of participants.

Participants are advised to arrange appropriate travel and health insurance before departing from their home country. The Conference Secretariat cannot accept any liability for personal accident, loss or damage to private property, belonging to Conference participants, either during or as a result of the event.

The climate in the beginning of September in general is very pleasant in Latvia. Full information about climatic conditions can be obtained from home page of Latvian Environment, geology and meteorology agency.