Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

LANDSCAPES 23

Latvia

Eastern Latvia’s Gauja National

Park (see pp86–7) is dotted with

green hills, sandstone cliffs and

river side castles. High lights include

the wildlife reserve at Līgatne and

the Iron-Age Latvian village at

Lake Āraiši.

0 km

0 miles

250

250

Romania

With its heavy

concen tra tion of

marshes, lakes

and floodplains,

the reedy Danube

delta is a paradise

for flocks of migrat-

ing birds, while

attracting a small

population of fisher-

men and farmers.

Bulgaria

Some of Eastern Europe’s most

exhilarating hiking terrain is

found in the Rila Mountains,

where bare grey summits loom

over shimmering glacial lakes. At

2,925 m (9,596 ft), Mt Musala is

Eastern Europe’s highest peak.

Lithuania

Running parallel to the

Baltic coast, the Curonian

Spit (see pp62–3) is a thin

sliver of land formed by

wind-blown sand. Quaint

fishing villages, such as

Nida, are bordered by

striking golden dunes.

BLACK

SEA

BULGARIA

ROMANIA

ESTONIA

St Petersburg

LATVIA

Moscow

LITHUANIA

RUSSIAN

FEDERATION