Flag of Latvia

🎨 What the flag means

Latvia's flag is a deep carmine red with a thin white stripe across the middle. The law describes the colours but does not give them an official meaning. An old legend tells of a white sheet whose edges turned red, with only the middle staying white. The flag is first mentioned in a chronicle from the 1200s, making it one of the oldest flags in the world.

📊 Quick facts

👥 Population

1.8 million (2026)

🏙️ Capital

Riga588.9 thousand people (2026)

🗣️ Main language

Latvian

✨ 3 fun facts

1. Latvia's national bird is the white wagtail, a small black-and-white bird that wags its long tail up and down.
2. Latvia has held a giant Song and Dance Festival since 1873, usually every five years, with thousands of singers and dancers.
3. The Old Town of Riga, Latvia's capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of old churches and colourful buildings.