Flag of Latvia

Though officially adopted in 1922, the Latvian flag was in use as early as the 13th century. The red colour is sometimes described as symbolizing the readiness of the Latvians to give the blood from their hearts for freedom and their willingness to defend their liberty. An alternative interpretation, according to one legend, is that a Latvian leader was wounded in battle, and the edge of the white sheet in which he was wrapped were stained by his blood. The white stripe may stand for the sheet that wrapped him. This story is similar to the legend of the origins of the flag of Austria.

Sender: Skilla,  Sent on: 13 May, 2014, Received on: 13 Jun, 2014, Travel time: 30 days

Historic Centre of Riga, Latvia (UNESCO)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/852

The Three Brothers are situated in Riga, Latvia, and is the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. The houses are situated at the addresses 17, 19 and 21 Maza Pils Street, and each represents various periods of development of dwelling house construction in the Middle Ages.

Sender: Ziecha71, Sent on: 3 Nov, 2013, Received on: 19 Nov, 2013, Travel time: 16 days

Historic Centre of Riga (House of Blackheads), Latvia (UNESCO WH Site)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/852

Riga was a major centre of the Hanseatic League, deriving its prosperity in the 13th–15th centuries from the trade with central and eastern Europe. The urban fabric of its medieval centre reflects this prosperity, though most of the earliest buildings were destroyed by fire or war. Riga became an important economic centre in the 19th century, when the suburbs surrounding the medieval town were laid out, first with imposing wooden buildings in neoclassical style and then in Jugendstil . It is generally recognized that Riga has the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe.

Sender: Alona, Received on: 17 Feb, 2013, Travel time: 21 days

Coats of Arms of Latvian Towns and Regions - Smiltene (2006)

Latvian Wild Animals - Marten (2008)