Education

School education:
After nine years of basic education, secondary education is provided in general secondary schools (3 years), vocational schools (2 to 3 years), and vocational secondary schools (4 years). General secondary schools award the Certificate of General Secondary Education (Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību). Vocational schools (2-3 years) award Certificates of Vocational Education. Vocational secondary schools award a Diploma of Vocational Secondary Education which is also valid for university entrance.

Higher education:
There are four universities and a number of other higher education institutions in Latvia. The main split between university and non-university higher education is between the programmes rather than between the institutions since the law allows academic and professional programmes to be organised within the same institution. All universities and 17 other institutions are state run. In addition, there are a number of private institutions of which 10 are state-recognized. All the recognized institutions enjoy autonomy. Recognition of higher education institutions and programmes is based upon quality assessment, which is carried out as self-assessment followed by an evaluation visit with the participation of foreign experts. Higher education institutions confer academic degrees and professional higher education qualifications.



Economy

Latvia has been engaged in transforming the state-run economy, inherited from its years as a Soviet republic, into a market economy; reforms include the abolishing of price controls and the initiation of privatization. The country has encouraged foreign investment. Dairying and stock raising remain integral to the agricultural sector, which employs more than 15% of the labor force. Grain, sugar beets, potatoes, and vegetables are also important. The nation has valuable timber resources.

Latvia is an important industrial center, and this sector employs about 40% of the workforce. Its industries are extremely diversified and include the manufacture of motor vehicles, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, electronics, and textiles. Food and dairy processing, distilling, and shipbuilding are also significant, and tourism has developed as a source of foreign income. Trade is primarily with Russia and other former Soviet republics, as well as Germany, Sweden, and Great Britain. Latvia is a member of the European Union.



Climate

May to September (spring and summer) is the best time to visit, with daytime temperatures averaging 61°F (16°C), but July and August is the peak tourist season and accommodation can be fully booked during this time. The coldest months are January and February and winter can experience extreme temperatures, and averages 25°F (-4°C) during the day.

Riga has a moderate climate, influenced by its close proximity to the sea. Summers tend to be short and cool with cloud cover, and temperatures average around 64°F (18°C) in July. Winters are usually long, dark and cold, with temperatures averaging around 28°F (-2°C) in January. Snowfall is heavy and cover usually lasts from mid-December to mid-March. The city is overcast for roughly 40 percent of the year.



List of Universities in ITALY

• Daugavpils Pedagogical University

• Riga Stradina University

• Riga Technical University

• University of Latvia