Country Facts:

• Tuition fees and living costs are generally lower than the costs in most "Western Countries".

• Universities are well known for producing high quality IT and engineering graduates.

• EU membership means that a degree from Latvia is equivalent to other EU countries, making it easier to get credentials recognized.

• You will have all the benefits of living in a European country with lower costs than many westernized EU nations

Why choose Latvia?

About Latvia:

Latvia is a small but very unique country that is located in Northern Europe, at the East shore of Baltic sea. Latvia is one of Baltic States. Latvia is very unique in many ways: it is a country with small area and low density of population, rich culture and various, virgin nature, clean air because forests cover the biggest part of this land, lakes and river valleys, different nature parks and ancient buildings-churches, castles, hotels and resorts, big malls. Latvia is described as calm life style in comparison with other countries and cities. There are unobtrusive and hospitable inhabitants and safe environment. Old Riga and its narrow streets, antique buildings in Old Riga, Jūrmala, long beach with white sands, competition "New Wave", Laima Vaikule and Raimonds Pauls, Melngalvju nams, Brain Storm, KVN, the castle of Riga, Riga balsam are things associated with Riga, Latvia.

Geographically exclusive location of Latvia provides many benefits because Latvia and Riga is at the centre of Europe that allows reaching every European city very easy and fast.

• Western Europe and Riga:

  • Flight from London takes 3 hours, from Belgium 1.5 hours that allows to reach your chosen city fast, cheaply and safe;

  • There are flights from Riga to 70 different destinations in Europe every day;

  • the airport is very close to Riga (just 15 km) and Jūrmala (just 20 km);

  • It takes just 15-20 min to get from the downtown of Riga to the closest spa towns (Jūrmala).

• Moscow - Riga:

  • It takes shorter time to get from Riga to Moscow than from Riga to St. Petersburg.

  • There are 3 flights every day;

  • two train trips and two regular bus trips to Moscow from Riga.

• Petersburg - Riga:

  • There is a trip by national airline AirBaltic every evening and regular bus trips as well as good car traffic on good European roads.

Important information about Latvia:

It was founded on 18th November 1918 as the Republic of Latvia.
Official country name: Republic of Latvia.
Location: North of the Eastern Europe at the Baltic Sea.
Territory of Latvia: 64 589 square kilometres.
Government: parliamentary republic.
Official language: Latvian.
Population: 2.02 million.
Capital: Riga (population - 692,000 from which 42,3% are Latvian, 41,1% - Russian, 4,2% - Belarusian, 3,9% - Ukrainian and 8,5% - other nationalities).
The biggest towns: Riga, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Rēzekne, Ventspils.
The biggest port towns: Ventspils, Riga, Liepāja.
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Church.
Head of the State: president elected by parliament for four years.
Legislative power: parliament (Saeima), 100 members of parliament elected for four years.
Currency: euro (EUR) established since 1st January 2014.
Time zone: GMT (Greenwich time) +2, from April to November - GMT +3 (1 hour difference in comparison with Moscow).
International telephone code: +371.
Borders with: Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Russia and bathed by Baltic Sea.
Membership in international organizations: member state of European Union (4th May 2004), NATO (29th March 2004), ANO (18th November 1991), member state of Schengen area, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Council of the Baltic Sea States etc.

About Riga:

Official name: Riga;
Population 702 000;
Area: 307,17 km2;
Location: at the Daugava river, bay of Riga at the shore of Baltic Sea in Northern
Europe; Riga in 2014: European Capital of Culture.
Riga is the centre of finances, transport and transactions in Baltic States. Riga is the capital of Latvia and the biggest city in Baltic States. The centre of Riga (Old Riga) has kept many cultural and historical evidence till nowadays that is disclosed by narrow streets of the Old Riga built in medieval times which still are covered with medieval pavement. Every guest of Riga can find an interesting way how to study this city. In 2014 Riga received a title to become European Capital of Culture. Riga can be proud of its rich life of culture because in every week there are different celebrations of culture, concerts, exhibitions and festivals.

Baltic sea front:

Latvia is surrounded by a seacoast of Baltic Sea that is almost 500 km long sand beach. There are modern port towns, unique spa towns, fishing villages, quit and virgin spots of nature at the shore of Baltic Sea where different leisure opportunities are developed. In Latvia seacoast is very diversified. In Kurland it is with virgin nature where civilization is rarity and then there is the biggest and most popular Baltic spa town Jūrmala and seacoast of Vidzeme where are different towns and villages offering different leisure opportunities.

Jūrmala is the Latvian spa town that is well known in Baltics, Russia and other countries. It is located at the Gulf of Riga 20 km from capital Riga. Jūrmala is characterized by its long, white sand beaches and vaunted hotels with a view at the sea and healing sanatoriums, rehabilitation centres, SPA, cafes and restaurants. Dzintari is the richest centre of culture in Jūrmala where is concert hall that creates unforgettable atmosphere where many concerts, international competition New Wave and humour festivals have taken place for many years. Jūrmala is described by its sea air, soft climate, sun, seas, pine forest and relaxation for every taste. These are things you will enjoy in Jūrmala.