Area of 64,589 sq km. Bordering countries are Estonia and Russia to the north and north-east; Belarus and Lithuania to the south-east and south. Some 500 km of coastline on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Rīga. Largest cities – Rīga (capital, population 713,0160), Daugavpils.
Main river is the Daugava, flowing from Belarus across the country to Rīga and the sea. Terrain: most of Latvia is flat plain, often wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; about 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage. There are extensive pine forests. Mountains: none - the highest point in Latvia is just over 300 m. |
![Coastal pine forest](http://www.citizensofeurope.org/resize.php?src=states-latvia/1299012541_pine_forest.jpg&w=125) |
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