Difference between revisions of "Latvia"

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|capital = [[Riga]]
 
|capital = [[Riga]]
 
|pop = 2,261,100
 
|pop = 2,261,100
|currency = Lats (LVL)
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|currency = Euro (EUR)  
|hitch = {{good}}
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|BW = LV
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|hitch = <rating country='lv' />
 
}}
 
}}
'''Latvia''' is a Baltic country. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]]. There are a lot of hitchhikers and hitchhiking is fairly easy. Even in the middle of nowhere, along important routes, even along the [[E67]] (''Via Baltica''), it's quite easy to get a ride.
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'''Latvia''' is a Baltic country. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]]. It borders [[Estonia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Russia]] and [[Belarus]]. There are a lot of young people just hitchhiking around the country, to their hometowns, festivals, etc., especially during summer, so you'll probably meet someone on the road as well. People are used to hitchhikers and it is fairly easy to get a lift, whether along important routes such as the [[E67]] (''Via Baltica'') or in the middle of nowhere.  
  
 
=== Legality ===
 
=== Legality ===
It is allowed to hitchhike in Latvia (at least there are no laws which forbid that), but of course in places where you do not danger road safety. Very, very rarely (but still) people expect you to pay for a ride. It is a common practice here to use signs of the cities, countries where you want to get a ride to, but thumb also works fine.
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It is allowed to hitchhike in Latvia (at least there are no laws which forbid that), but of course in places where you do not danger road safety. It is a common practice here to use signs of the cities or countries where you want to get a ride to, but thumb also works fine.
  
 
=== Cities ===
 
=== Cities ===
* [[Riga]], Latvia's capital
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<!-- Please keep in alphabetic order (after Riga) -->
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* [[Riga]], the capital of Latvia
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* [[Balvi]]
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* [[Cēsis]]
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* [[Gulbene]]
 
* [[Jelgava]]
 
* [[Jelgava]]
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* [[Limbaži]]
 
* [[Rēzekne]]
 
* [[Rēzekne]]
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* [[Saulkrasti]]
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* [[Sigulda]]
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* [[Talsi]]
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* [[Valdemārpils]]
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* [[Valmiera]]
  
 
=== Language ===
 
=== Language ===
If you don't speak Latvian, Russian is often a good way to communicate with people who don't speak English. Just ask if someone speaks English by asking ''Vai jus runajat angliski?'' in Latvian. Then people are able to choose which language they prefer to communicate in.
 
  
;in English
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The Latvian population is divided into Latvian speakers and Russian speakers. Most of adult Latvians will know both languages. If you know some Russian, feel free to use it here. Most of young people will speak English as well. If they don't, they will at least try to communicate in it if they see you are a foreigner who needs help. Some people might speak German as well.
:Hi!  Thanks for stopping! I don't speak any Latvian and I am trying to hitchhike to [[Lithuania]]. I need to stay on this same motorway until I reach Siauliai, Lithuania. From there I will go East toward Radviliskis. If you are not going that way, please drop me off in a good spot to continue hitchhiking along the way.
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To catch some phrases you can also check [[Eastern Europe phrasebook]].
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=== Border crossings ===
  
;in Latvian
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'''Towards''' [[Russia]]
:Sveiki! Paldies, ka apstajatiesEs nerunaju Latviski, es stopeju uz lietuvu. Man jabrauc pa so celu (E77), kamer tiksu lidz sauliem. Es dodos austrumu virziena uz radviliskis pec tam. Ja jus nebraucat uz turieni, ludzu izlaidiet mani tada vieta, kur es varetu turpinat stopet!
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[[Terehova-Zasitino border crossing|Terehova-Zasitino]], for direction [[Moscow]]<br>
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[[Grebnova-Gavry border crossing|Grebnova-Gavry]], for direction [[Pskov]], [[St. Petersburg]]
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'''Towards''' [[Belarus]]
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[https://www.google.com/maps/place/55%C2%B043'06.5%22N+26%C2%B052'27.4%22E/@55.718463,26.8721013,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d55.7184603!4d26.8742901?hl=en Urbany (BLR) / Silene (LV)] (bel. Урбаны, rus. Урбаны) – located on [[P68]] some 35 km to the south-east from [[Daugavpils|Daugavpils]] on the way to [[Braslaŭ|Braslaŭ]].<br>
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[https://www.google.com/maps/place/55%C2%B049'14.4%22N+27%C2%B037'32.0%22E/@55.820655,27.6233543,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d55.8206521!4d27.6255431?hl=en Ryhoraŭščyna (BLR) / Paternieki (LV)] (bel. Рыгораўшчына, rus. Григоровщина) – located on [[A6]] some 75 km to the east from [[Daugavpils|Daugavpils]] and 35 km from [[Krāslava|Krāslava]] on the way to [[Vierchniadzvinsk|Vierchniadzvinsk]], [[Polack|Polack]], [[Navapolack|Navapolack]], [[Viciebsk|Viciebsk]].
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Because of Schengen agreement, there are are '''no border control points''' between Latvia and Lithuania / Estonia.
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=== Roads ===
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Roads are getting better but don't expect European standards, especially in winter and early spring when temperature fluctuations destroy asphalt pretty easily. Be careful on dirt roads in countryside regions. Not only you get dust in your face from vehicles, but sometimes you can be hit by stones. On the other hand, traveling those roads usually offer the most beautiful and authentic scenery.
  
 
=== Gallery ===
 
=== Gallery ===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Image:DSCF5026-1.jpg|[[User:Whisperingofthestars|Jason]] thumbing in Northern Latvia
 
Image:DSCF5026-1.jpg|[[User:Whisperingofthestars|Jason]] thumbing in Northern Latvia
Image:IMG 7303.JPG|[[Tiziano]] hitching in Latvia
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Image:IMG 7303.JPG|[[User:Tiziano|Tiziano]] hitching in Latvia
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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=== Useful things ===
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Free internet is available in public and university libraries. Also almost all of Latvian cities and even villages will have free internet in the town's center - it is now a prestige thing.
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There exist Facebook groups for ridesharing where you can often get a ride from Riga to other parts of Latvia for little money.. Group names are in form "Riga - (city/town name) - Riga". Use Facebook search to find them. For example, for Liepaja direction use https://www.facebook.com/groups/840988475937147/  These groups are mostly used by young people and they are very likely to speak good English. http://www.blablacar.com is also popular.
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Weather in Latvia can change pretty fast so don't lose hope if rain comes. Hide and wait. Sometimes it's over in 15-20 minutes.
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== Personal Experiences ==
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Pls add info
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== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
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{{nomadwiki}}
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__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
 
{{IsIn|Northern Europe}}
 
{{IsIn|Northern Europe}}
 
{{Template:Europe/countries}}
 
{{Template:Europe/countries}}
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[[Category:Latvia| ]]
 
[[Category:Latvia| ]]
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[[de:Lettland]]
 
[[de:Lettland]]
 
[[fi:Latvia]]
 
[[fi:Latvia]]
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[[ru:Латвия]]

Revision as of 16:30, 20 April 2021

Flag of Latvia Latvia
Information
Language: Latvian
Capital: Riga
Population: 2,261,100
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Hitchability: <rating country='lv' />
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots or BeWelcome
<map lat='57.029' lng='24.599' zoom='6' view='3' country='Latvia' />

Latvia is a Baltic country. It is a member state of the European Union as well as the Schengen Agreement. It borders Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus. There are a lot of young people just hitchhiking around the country, to their hometowns, festivals, etc., especially during summer, so you'll probably meet someone on the road as well. People are used to hitchhikers and it is fairly easy to get a lift, whether along important routes such as the E67 (Via Baltica) or in the middle of nowhere.

Legality

It is allowed to hitchhike in Latvia (at least there are no laws which forbid that), but of course in places where you do not danger road safety. It is a common practice here to use signs of the cities or countries where you want to get a ride to, but thumb also works fine.

Cities

Language

The Latvian population is divided into Latvian speakers and Russian speakers. Most of adult Latvians will know both languages. If you know some Russian, feel free to use it here. Most of young people will speak English as well. If they don't, they will at least try to communicate in it if they see you are a foreigner who needs help. Some people might speak German as well.

To catch some phrases you can also check Eastern Europe phrasebook.

Border crossings

Towards Russia

Terehova-Zasitino, for direction Moscow
Grebnova-Gavry, for direction Pskov, St. Petersburg


Towards Belarus

Urbany (BLR) / Silene (LV) (bel. Урбаны, rus. Урбаны) – located on P68 some 35 km to the south-east from Daugavpils on the way to Braslaŭ.
Ryhoraŭščyna (BLR) / Paternieki (LV) (bel. Рыгораўшчына, rus. Григоровщина) – located on A6 some 75 km to the east from Daugavpils and 35 km from Krāslava on the way to Vierchniadzvinsk, Polack, Navapolack, Viciebsk.


Because of Schengen agreement, there are are no border control points between Latvia and Lithuania / Estonia.

Roads

Roads are getting better but don't expect European standards, especially in winter and early spring when temperature fluctuations destroy asphalt pretty easily. Be careful on dirt roads in countryside regions. Not only you get dust in your face from vehicles, but sometimes you can be hit by stones. On the other hand, traveling those roads usually offer the most beautiful and authentic scenery.

Gallery

Useful things

Free internet is available in public and university libraries. Also almost all of Latvian cities and even villages will have free internet in the town's center - it is now a prestige thing.


There exist Facebook groups for ridesharing where you can often get a ride from Riga to other parts of Latvia for little money.. Group names are in form "Riga - (city/town name) - Riga". Use Facebook search to find them. For example, for Liepaja direction use https://www.facebook.com/groups/840988475937147/ These groups are mostly used by young people and they are very likely to speak good English. http://www.blablacar.com is also popular.


Weather in Latvia can change pretty fast so don't lose hope if rain comes. Hide and wait. Sometimes it's over in 15-20 minutes.

Personal Experiences

Pls add info

Nomadwiki & Trashwiki

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)