Historical Dictionary of Latvia (Volume 60) (Historical Dictionaries of Europe (60))

Located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, Latvia did not emerge as an independent country until the twentieth century, having been occupied at different times in the past by its larger neighbors: Russia, Germany, Poland, and Sweden. In 1993, Latvia held its first parliamentary election and elected its first president after 50 years of a Communist dictatorship. With the entrance of Latvia in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union in 2004, the "post-Communist" era appears to be over.The first edition of the Historical Dictionary of Latvia was written shortly after the liberation of the country from the U.S.S.R. when much about the country's future seemed uncertain. The new edition details the changes the country has undergone since and tells the turbulent history of Latvia through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, an appendix, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places, and events.

The first edition of the Historical Dictionary of Latvia was written shortly after the liberation of the country from the U.S.S.R. when much about the country's future seemed uncertain. The new edition details the changes the country has undergone since and tells the turbulent history of Latvia through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, an appendix, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places, and events.

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Plakans (history, Iowa State U.) offers a first step toward the creation of a integrated history of his native Baltic country, which was independent in the 1920s and 1930s, annexed by the Soviet Union in the 1940s, and granted sovereignty again in 1991. He presents entries on political events and their players, agencies and organizations, regions and locations, movements, artists, writers, scientists, and other contributors to Latvian culture. He also includes a simple map, a chronology, and an introductory survey of the country's history. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, Latvia did not emerge as an independent country until the twentieth century, having been occupied at different times in the past by its larger Russia, Germany, Poland, and Sweden. In 1993, Latvia held its first parliamentary election and elected its first president after 50 years of a Communist dictatorship. With the entrance of Latvia in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union in 2004, the "post-Communist" era appears to be over. The first edition of the Historical Dictionary of Latvia was written shortly after the liberation of the country from the U.S.S.R. when much about the country's future seemed uncertain. The new edition details the changes the country has undergone since and tells the turbulent history of Latvia through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, an appendix, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places, and events. "Located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, Latvia has had a turbulent past. Its larger neighbors (Russia, Germany, Poland, and Sweden) all occupied this area of the Baltic at different times, but it was not until the 20th century that Latvia achieved independence. Almost two decades since the country's emergence on the international scene, its economy is growing, and it has attained membership into NATO and the European Union. This Historical Dictionary of Latvia tells the turbulent history of Latvia through a chronology, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on important people, places, and events."--BOOK JACKET