Latvia:
A former Soviet satellite, Latvia is now asserting its uniqueness. Although there is a large Russian contingent, Russians have a hard time becoming Latvian citizens. In spite of this discrimination, there is not much ethnic tension. Ethnic Latvians, after all, make up only about 52 per cent of the population.
Latvia is a low-lying country on the Baltic Sea. The capital, Riga, is the most-visited tourist destination, as it has some old medieval buildings. Much of the country is boggy, and since a lot of peat has been removed for commercial purposes, this has contributed to the degradation of the environment. Air and water pollution have been a problem, too. But environmental concerns are on the agenda for the government. Latvia seems to be doing a little better than some of the other former Soviet republics, with a good education system, lower crime levels, and a free press.