The country of Latvia is one of the Baltic States, located on the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Its population is under two million people, approximately half of which live in the capital city or Riga and other cities. This makes the rural areas in Latvia sparsely populated and relatively undisturbed by industry. Add to this the fact that over 44.6% of the land is comprised of largely undisturbed forests with vast biodiversity encompassing micro-ecosystems (grassland meadows, seaside wetlands, etc) and you have a picture of a particularly green natural environment. The abundant flora of over 5396 plant species enjoy a temperate climate blessed with four distinct seasons. Nature and cultural tradition have coexisted in harmony here and Latvian culture is built upon a deep reverence for nature. 

The rural surroundings are the cornerstone of the meaning of pirts. Imagine… a country homestead away from everyday rush, the beauty of your favorite season, and the fresh, calm air, enhanced by a nearby forest (there is bound to be one wherever you are in Latvia). It is likely that there is a pond, lake or a river near the pirts, so you might imagine seeing the calm surface of the water and also hearing local birds chattering above. This is the environment Latvians associate with pirts and a part of its meaning.