The pine tree has made its mark on Latvian history and culture. Photo by Nathan Greenhalgh.

RIGA — Latvia is one of the most forested countries in Europe, with 46 percent of its surface area wooded.

Many of these trees are large pine trees, and that’s one reason why the country’s main export is timber products and according to legend Riga was one of the first places in the world a Christmas tree was erected.

The “Live Riga” ad campaign has decided to hype this somewhat dubious tale for its promotion of Riga as a winter tourist destination, and the Latvian Museum of Natural History is running a family-friendly exhibition until Jan. 10 all about conifers.

Like their fellow Balts, Latvians are generally nature lovers, often heading out of the cities in the summer to relax at their family’s country retreat like they have for centuries. There are numerous Latvian folk songs about the beauty and mystery of the forests.

This exhibit, called “Skujkoki Pasaulē” (“Conifer World”) is a way to see this admiration for the forests without shivering in the frigid winter weather.

There will be examples of pine trees and branches not just from Latvia but from North America, Australia and other parts of the world. Activities for children include a “match the pine cone to the tree” game throughout, and on Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a special decoration of the trees event.

The exhibition runs until Jan. 10, and costs only 1.20 lats (€1.70) for adults, 35 santims (€0.50) for pensioners and college students and 25 santims (€0.35) for children.

While the exhibition is in Latvian and Russian, an English language guide can be arranged without extra charge by calling the museum one day in advance. The phone number is +371 6 7356023 and the museum is located at K. Barona 4 in Riga.