Protected Nature Areas
Latvia has a long tradition of nature conservation. The first laws and regulations concerning the use of forests were passed as early as the 1500s and 1600s. However, in the 1800s an effort was made to reforest the Baltic coastal dunes and the Gulf of Riga. In the 1900s proposals for conservation areas were initiated. The first protected area in Latvia was in the Kurzeme region - an island - Moricsala in the Usma Lake.
At present 6.8 % of Latvian natural territories are protected by law. There are five nature reserves, two national parks, and 240 protected areas (nature parks, protected landscape areas, restricted areas and biosphere reserves). Together, these places make up Latvia's natural heritage, which awaits the visit of the keen eco-tourist, and offers a wealth of experience.
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Kemeri National Park - wetland forest paradise in Latvia. |
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Tirelpurvs and many other Latvian marshes are accessible only to the most adventurous visitors. |
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The Primeval Gauja Valley and the Gauja National Park - the most popular tourist site in Latvia. |
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Early morning by the riverside. Imagine the song of the nightigale's trill! |
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Sandstone cliffs - a hint of "mountainous" elements in Latvia's otherwise largely level landscape. |
Text: Valdis Pilats, The Gauja National Park
Photographers: A.Linarts, V.Pilats, J.Zalans
© The Latvian Institute, 1999-2000
This fact sheet can be freely printed from homepage of the Latvian Institute, distributed and cited, on condition that the Latvian Institute is acknowledged as the source. The Latvian Institute is a non-profit organisation (a State Corporation with limited liability) established to promote knowledge about Latvia abroad. It produces publications, in several languages, on many aspects of Latvia.
