Latvia was under foreign rule from the 13th until the 20th century, but managed to keep its unique language and rich cultural and especially musical traditions alive. After World War 1, it declared independence from Russia, which recognised it in 1920.

Two decades later, following a pact between Stalin and Hitler, Soviet troops invaded in 1940 and Latvia was absorbed into the Soviet Union. Nazi forces pushed the Soviets back in 1941 but the Red Army returned in 1944 and remained for half a century.

During the Soviet period Latvia underwent heavy industrialisation, and experienced a big influx of immigrants from other parts of the USSR, mainly Russia.

Many ethnic Latvians maintain that this wave of immigration was part of a deliberate Soviet policy to dilute Baltic culture and destroy local national sentiment.

More than a quarter of the population is Russian-speaking and the rights of this section of society have been a thorny issue since independence. Reforms in 2004 restricting the use of the Russian language in schools remain controversial.

Under tighter citizenship rules adopted in 2006, candidates who fail a Latvian language test three times will be denied citizenship.

People without citizenship are entitled neither to vote nor to obtain an EU passport.

Economy

Like its Baltic neighbours, in the decade after independence Latvia made a rapid transformation to embrace the free market.

Latvia’s economy grew by 50% between 2004 and 2007, but the global financial crisis of 2008-9 hit the country hard

The former Baltic tiger endured one of the worst recessions in the EU, triggering widespread social unrest and bringing down a government.

Subsequent deep public spending led to further discontent, but earned Latvia an IMF/European Union 7.5bn euro ($10bn) bailout.

This helped recovery and Latvia returned to growth in 2011, and by late 2012, its economic revival was the EU’s strongest.

The country joined the eurozone at the start of 2014. Previously wary as a result of the tough austerity needed to prepare for membership, Latvians now largely support the currency.

Despite a relatively successful economic transition, unemployment remains persistently high, and in recent years many young Latvians have left to seek opportunities abroad. Between 2000 and 2011, the population fell by about 13%.