University of Latvia University of Latvia The University of Latvia (LU) () is a state-run university located in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1919. The university is ranked 701st–750th in the world, as well as 4th in the Baltic states after the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, and Vilnius University. The University of Latvia, initially named as the Higher School of Latvia () was founded on September 28, 1919 on the basis of the former Riga Polytechnic (founded in 1862). The first rector of the university was chemist Paul Walden. In 1923, the school received its current name with the
Culture of Latvia Orthodox Christian minorities. Latvia is divided into several cultural and historical regions: Vidzeme, Latgale, Courland and Zemgale. Sometimes, Sēlija and Maliena are also distinguished. Latvians have the rich heritage of traditional folklore, especially folk songs. Dating back well over a thousand years, more than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies of folk songs have been identified. A form of traditional architecture in Latvia is log houses. The position of houses differs among regions. In western Latvia, single farms are more popular and in villages, the houses are positioned in a circle around a central square. In eastern Latvia, villages are