Latvia

Latvia, or Latvija, is a country on the Baltic Sea next to Russia.
 * Previously part of the Russian Empire, It was invaded by the German army, becoming part of its Oerbefehlshabers Ost territory. For its issued stamps, see Postgebiet Ob. Ost.
 * With the end of World War I (November 1918), Latvia declared independence. Its first stamps soon followed, the famous Map Backs, that were printed on old German military maps. They were inscribed LATVIJA as would following issues.
 * In 1919, the same designs with now added values were issued on paper with blue lines. The lines are extremely thin and quite easy to miss.
 * Following that, the design was issued on plain paper, all imperf.
 * However, with 3 governments established, war continued, with a German paramilitary unit supporting the Niedra government issuing Germania stamps overprinted LIBAU.
 * Meanwhile, the Russian West Army overprinted the Russian Orthodox cross on Latvian or Russian stamps for their issues of 1919. See: West Army.
 * In 1940, Russia occupied Latvia, issuing a set of 13 stamps, inscribed LATVIJAS / PSR.
 * In 1941, Latvia was again invaded by Germany. Initially, Russian definitives overprinted LATVIJA / 1941 / 1. VII were used, followed by German stamps overprinted OSTLAND in August 1941. See: Ostland.
 * With German forces largely pushed out of the region by about 1944, Russia re-took Latvia.
 * Stamps were issued by German forces still in Kurland in 1945. See: Kurland.
 * In March 1990, Latvia once more declared independence. Stamps were once again issued beginning in October 1991 inscribed LATVIJA.

 File:Postgebiet Ob. Ost Mi. 5.jpg|Ob Ost occupation stamp. File:Latvia first issue.jpg|Perfed 5k value from the first issue. File:Latvia back of blk 4.jpg|Back of block of 4 imperfs from the first issue. File:Latvia 50pf LIBAU.jpg|LIBAU overprint; used stamps were favor cancelled. File:Latvia PSR B.jpg|1940 Russian occupation issue. File:Latvia 1941.jpg|German occupation issue. File:Latvia mushroom A.jpg|From the 2009 mushrooms issue. 

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