Evening star., 1941-06-29

The country's other outstanding
characteristics are its forests. The i'm
portance of these is reflected IN imports
Of timber and paper products. There
are also many small industries which en-
ploy about 13 per cent of the population.
Before the World War Latvia was ore
Of the most induStrialZed sections OF
Russia and the factories Of the city Of
Riga alone employed about 100000 in
dustrial workers
Latvian industries are the more re-
markable for the reason that during the
first World War most Of the factories
were destroyed. and approximately 40
per cent of the country's $500 900 popu-
latlOn forced TO leave. In recent wears,
however. the countrys varied industries
have been greatly revived. fostered
largely by nationwide building boom.
Not the least among Latvia's important
industries is the making OF rubber over
shoes, the production Of which could
supply the United States demand for
that product
The territory of Latvia embraces the
former Russian province of Courland.
the four southern districts Of the former
Russian province Of Livonia. and three
northwestern districts OF the former
Russian province of Bitebsk. and some
parishes Of the former Russian province
Of Kovno and Pskov. The combined area
makes section of country larger than
Denmark, Estonia, Switzerland, Holland.
Belgium or Albania.
Riga, Latvias S capital of some 385 900
inhabitants, is also its important com.
mercial and industrial center. Riga was
founded in 1901 and has a most inter-
estlng history. The quaint old city with
lis Gothic buildings is living witness to
Rlga's medieval glory as an important
Hanseatic city. Among its notable and
historic buildings are the old Dome
Church. St. Peters Church and historic
City Hall
Riga is not saltwater port. but is sit
uated on the Daugaya River about 10
miles from the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic
Sea. 1t Is closed TO navigation for a few
weeks IN winter. Latvia has four ice
breakers capable of plowing through
three feet of ice. The Baltic now seldom
freezes over as in past centuries when
trading caravans crossed the Baltic
Sea over temporary highroads of ice.
Fairs were held on the ice and armies
and artillery as we'll as packs of wolves
crossed over.
The Latvian constitution. adopted in
1922, declared the country to be an in.
dependent democratic republic with the
sovereign power of the people expressed
through their Parliament of 100 repre-
sentatives, this body electing the Presi-
dent OF the nation for three years. In
1884 Latvia changed to an authoritarian
government under the leadership of tho
president of the cabinet of ministers.
with full legislative and executive power.
When Latvia became an associated Rus
sian state in 1910 officials became state
officers under the Communistic regime.
LatVia lays claim to being about 5000
years old. Back in the 9th century
there was a Latvian culture and ROYALTY.
fortified settlements and ancient weapons
and engines of war. 1t was not until the
introduction of Christianity into the
country that any authentic records we're
kept, and 1901, according to these
records, Riga was founded. The city soon
became an influential member of the
HanSeatlc League, powerful among the
Baltic countries at that time.
After the German rule of the Middle
Ages, Latvia was divided between Po-
land and Denmark and a part became
Swedish domain in the 18th GEN.
tury. In 170l, when there was another
widespread division Of territory in that
section of Europe, Latvia was given to
Russia. 1t was sliced off by action
of the League of Nations and given the
status of an independent republic and
remained such until the summer OF
l94O
The Latvian people are rich in folk
lore songs and fol Tuhl;ebaL