THE 4 REGIONS OF

LATVIA
Kurzeme p.13

Vidzeme p.15

Zemgale p.17

Latgale p.19

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 Nature
Kurzeme Nature takes a big part in attracting tourists in Kurzeme. Kurzeme
has the widest waterfall in all of Europe called Ventas Rumba.
Kurzeme is a very exciting and energetic region. It is known for The Kolka Horn is a
its white sand beaches good place to watch
and fishermens vil- birds, especially during
lages. In July there are their migration period,
huge annual fisher- and in Rieupe Nature
mens festivals. Kur- Park, the longest man-
zeme is located on the made caves in Latvia can
west side of Latvia. be found. Ventas Rumba waterfall
Map of Kurzeme
Culture Towns and Cities
The locals in Kurzeme have managed to preserve old traditions Some of the largest cit-
and values of culture from the ancient Livonian times. In some ies in Kurzeme include
country sides in Kurzeme, their ancient language Livonian is still Ventspils and Liepja.
spoken and annual Livonian Festivals are still celebrated. These cities are famous
Traditional Food for their beaches, ad-

Some of the main traditional dishes in Kurzeme include fish, venture parks, and an

Sklandraui (rye flour pies with potato or carrot filling), observatory where stars

Bukstiputra (pearl-barley with potatoes), and Biguzis (black

Liepja beach can be observed with

bread pudding with whipped cream). telescopes. Also there is a digital planetarium which is the most
modern in the Baltics and the only one in Latvia.
Kurzeme is also famous for its wine.
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 This park contains the
Vidzeme longest river in Latvia,
the Gauja river. On the
Vidzeme has the most ancient castles and manor houses in Latvia. shores of this river there
Located in the northern part of Latvia, Vidzeme provides many is a large cave called
activities that in- Gtmaala which is a fa-
volve enjoying na- mous tourist site.
Gtmaala cave
ture, such as riding Towns and Cities
cable cars, bungee
Sigulda and Csis are some of the most
jumping, partici-
well known cities in Vidzeme.
pating in adventure
Situated 40km from Rga, Sigulda is one
parks, visiting na-
of the most beautiful and most visited cit-
ture parks, etc. Map of Vidzeme
ies in Latvia. Sigulda is famous for its old
Nature
castle ruins with ancient architecture but it
Vidzemes beaches are more is also well known for its exciting adven- Csis Medieval Castle

rocky than other beaches in ture parks where several activities such as
Latvia. These are the only wall climbing and rope activities are pro-
beaches with boulders at its vided.
sea shores in Latvia.
Csis is filled with old medieval castles
Gauja National Park, one of and manor houses along with several an-
Gauja National Park the most visited national cient parks.
parks in Latvia, are located in Vidzeme.
Csis Medieval Castle

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 Castles in Zemgale
Zemgale Zemgales castle mounds, manor houses, and castles show the ev-
idence of the regions
Zemgale is a special region in Latvia. Unlike other regions that rich cultural history.
have uplands and deep river valleys, the majority of the land in Zemgale is an attractive
Zemgale is flat. place for people interest-
Zemgale has very ed in ancient art and ar-
fertile soil which chitecture.
makes it have one
Rundle Palace The Rundle Palace and
of the most fertile
the Jelgava Palace are the most famous castles in Zemgale.
grain fields in
Northern Europe. Many of the castles from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries
are still preserved.
Located in the Map of Zemgale

southern part of Latvia, Zemgale has several castles and manor Towns and Cities

houses that expresses the luxury and prosperity of ancient times. The most well

Nature known cities in

Zemgale are Jelga-
Zemgale has very fertile soil so there are a lot of grain and rape-
va and Bauska.
seed fields, windmills, and wind generators on Zemgales plains.
The old center of
Zemgale also has sections of the emeri National Park which is
Jelgava is the old-
known for healing mud and sulfur waters.
est part of the city Lielupe river
The Mmele river in Zemgale offers boat trips that shows great to survive World War II.
views of the river.
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 Latgale holds large amounts of fine clay resources that are used as
Latgale materials for craftsmen and artists. This is the main reason pottery
is famous in Latgale.
Latgale is the only region where their ancient language, Latgalian Culture
is still widely used. Latgale also has strong religious influences
In Latgale, the dialect of the old Latgalian language is still used.
from ancient times so many churches are still maintained and pre-
This language has its own alphabet. Characteristics of Latgalian
served from the an-
culture can also be seen in churches, cathedrals and manor hous-
cient times. Weavers
es.
and knitters in
Latgale are famous Latgale has strong religious traditions to the Roman Catholic
for making colorful Church which helped preserve and maintain many old churches
patterned blankets, built centuries ago. The churches in Latgale are not only im-
patch rugs, woolen portant to the religious life, but they attract many tourists across
gloves and woolen the globe.
Map of Latgale
socks. The Angola Basilica is one of the largest Catholic churches in
Nature Latvia. Every August,
thousands of pilgrims
Latgale is called the
come to this church.
Land of Blue Lakes
because Latgale has The language and re-
the largest number of ligion shows the
lakes gathered in one strong mentality and
area in Latvia. traditions of Latgali-

Angola Basilica
ans.
Lake at Latgale
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