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Protected Areas in Latvia
The Nature Protection Board ensures implementation of unified nature protection policy in Latvia.
Specially protected natural areas are geographical territories that are under special state-level protection, in order to safeguard and maintain biodiversity of nature – rare and typical ecosystems, habitats for rare species, and landscapes that are peculiar, beautiful and characteristic for Latvia, geological and geomorphological formations, as well as territories significant for recreational and educational purposes.
Altogether in Latvia there are 633 specially protected natural areas certified by law or regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, including: 1 Biosphere Reserve, 3 National Parks, 4 Strict Nature Reserves, 9 Areas of Protected Landscapes, 43 Nature Parks, 278 Nature Reserves, 206 geological and geomorphological formations with protectable qualities, 89 dendrological planted areas, that makes 12% of the area of Latvia in total.
Most of these protected areas are established as Natura 2000 – protection areas of European level.
Sources: Nature Protection Board
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