Latvia Flag

The flag is representative of the blood shed by an ancient tribe leader who was physically hurt at war and covered in white sheets. Blood soiled the sheets' sides, leaving the part where he was lying white. The design of this flag was inspired by this story, which is known as the "Legend of the Wounded Leader".

From 25 August 1940, Latvia's flag was red with the golden mallet and sickle appearing at the left angle. Included above these two symbols were the letters LPSR which are Latin for Latvijas Padomju Sociālistiskā Republika. This inscription is done with the golden color and in a special font. The Soviet era flag was formally ousted on the 27th of February, 1990. Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms initiatives in the Communist Party influenced the restoration of the flag of independent Latvia on 27 February 1990 just a year before the official restoration of independence in Latvia.

Although a red and white flag of Latvia was first mentioned in the year 1279, the flag as we know it today was designed in 1917 by an individual called Ansis Cīrulis. This design, alongside other potential designs, were discussed at an art event. There were other proposals during the meeting with several incorporating red in it. Finally, the current design, color and measurements of the flag was accepted. The approved Latvian national flag became official on the 15th of June, 1921.

In 1989-1991, there was opposition in the Baltics countering the Soviet rule where a medium shade of red was used for the flag of Latvia as opposed to the current Carmine red striped flag. The difference in color came about due to the inadequacy of the right cloth and also a lack of understanding on the right particulars of the 1921-1937 Latvian flag. These versions were quickly replaced with the previously used flag.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Riga
Languages	Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%
Ethnic Groups	Latvian 61.8%, Russian 25.6%, Belarusian 3.4%, Ukrainian 2.3%, Polish 2.1%, Lithuanian 1.2%, other 3.6% (2016 est.)
Religion	Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
Government	Parliamentary republic
Independance	4 May 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
Area	64,589.00 km²
Water Area	2,340.00 km²
Land Area	62,249.00 km²
Population	1,965,686.00 Largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country
Location	Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
No. Bordering Countries	4
Bordering Countries	Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km
GDP(PPP)	$50,650,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$25,700.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Lithuania, Russia, and Estonia.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are foodstuffs, wood and wood products, and metals.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Lithuania, Germany, and Poland.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, and fuels.
Climate	Maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain	Low plain
Learn More	Latvia

Latvia Flag

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