For Latvians, the land and environment are not something we merely inhabit—they are woven into our identity, our philosophy, our very way of being. From childhood, we learn to read the forest's seasons and to understand when birch sap rises. This deep connection shapes how we build our cities, how we live, and how we envision our future.
 

Latvia stands as Europe's environmental champion—not by accident, but by intention. Our capital Riga leads Europe with half its territory devoted to green space, while historic Sigulda nestles entirely within a national park. Every major city maintains forest access within 15 minutes, not as a luxury, but as essential to life.

Our cities are simultaneously ancient and cutting-edge, designed for people. Glass and steel office buildings rise alongside meticulously preserved 13th-century merchant houses, creating an urban fabric that honors the past while embracing innovation. The air you breathe here is noticeably different—ranked second-best globally for air quality, it proves that urban environment and clean air are not opposing forces.

This is a country where 500 kilometers of Baltic coastline stretch mostly wild, where 12,500 rivers flow through wetlands that have existed for millennia.

And this is what it means to be Latvian- to live within the rhythm of nature, to plant more than you harvest, and to create an environment built on respect, dignity, and a common goal—leaving a better place for the generations to come.

Our connection to nature is equally alive in our cuisines. Latvian contemporary gastronomy has now been recognized by the Michelin Guide. The chefs work in harmony with nature’s elements such as gathering, fermenting and creating to reflect our sea, fields and forests.