The
History of Latvia began around 9000 BC with the end of the last glacial period in northern Europe. Ancient
Baltic peoples appeared during the second millennium BC, and four distinct tribal realms in Latvia's territories were identifiable towards the end of the first millennium AD. Latvia's principal river, the
Daugava River, was at the head of an important mainland route from the
Baltic region through Russia into
southern Europe and the
Middle East that was used by the
Vikings and later
Nordic and
German traders.