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Travel Tips
Currency
Latvian Lat (Ls) = 100 santimi.
Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, JCB, MasterCard and Visa are accepted
by most hotels and petrol stations. Some shops in Riga also accept credit cards.
Tipping
Taxi fares and restaurant bills usually include a tip. It is customary to give
a little extra for good service.
Useful Numbers
Country code: 371
Riga area code: 2
Police - 02
Electricity
220 volts. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.
Health Risks
We suggest drinking bottled water, of which there are many varieties sold.
Also, never eat an unwashed fruit or vegetable bought from the street or
market.
Time Zone
GMT +2 (GMT + 3 in summer).
Climate
The maritime influence from the Atlantic Ocean results in mild winters and cool summers, as well as
high air humidity (80%) compared to inland areas. July is the rainiest month,
and March is the driest. Snow cover is normally sustained for a short period
but in recent winters it has been thicker than normal - up to 20 cm. Autumn is
the most windy season. Average temperature is minus 4.9C in January and plus
16.9C in July. The air temperature is usually 2-3 C higher in the centre of Riga than in the suburbs.
Clothing
The summers are mild, but often rainy. Take light clothes and a pullover for
the evening. We also suggest carrying a light raincoat or umbrella for spring,
summer and autumn months.
Government
parliamentary democracy
Geography
Riga is situated on a sandy plain 15km
(9 miles) from the mouth of the River Daugava. Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast and
borders Estonia in the North, Lithuania in the South, the Russian Republic in the East and Byelorussia in the Southeast.
Population
Latvia: 2.34 million
Riga: 889,500
Ethnic Groups
Latvian 57%, Russian 30%, Belarusian 4%, Ukrainian 3%, Polish 3%, other 3%
Languages
Latvian is the official language. It is an Indo-European, non-Slavic and
non-Germanic language and is similar only to Lithuanian. Russian, English and
German are widely spoken.
Religion
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox.