Latgale is the easternmost region of Latvia. It is separated from Vidzeme by the Aiviekste and Pededze rivers and from Zemgale by the Daugava River. Latgale is bordered on the east by Russia, and Belarus. Present-day Latgale is smaller than it was 100 years ago because Latgalian territory has twice been taken by Russia. First in 1920 the borders agreed to by Latvia and the R.S.F.S.R left the Latgalian districts of Dryssa and Sebezha in Russia. Then in 1946 Latgale lost additional territory when Stalin forced Latvia to cede Abrene to the USSR.

Latgale is known for its lakes. It is popularly known as "The Land of Blue Lakes". It contains about a thousand lakes including Lake Razna which is the largest in all of Latvia. Other important lakes are Luban, Rusona, and Ezezer. Much of Latgale lands lies in the Latgale Highlands while southern Latgale is located in the Eastern Latvian Lowlands. It contains considerable forests (about 30% of the land is forested) and has numerous peat bogs and marshes. Its largest river, the famed Daugava, flows through southern Latgale. Its tributaries are the Aiviekste, the Rezekne, the Dubna, and the Malta.