schengen visa

Hi
i have a question regarding schengen visa.
i know that schengen visa is valid throughout
the schengen area,but if i get a schengen visa
let's say from latvian authorities,am i obliged to travel
to latvia at first and after latvia any of the schengen countries,or simply i can travel any schengen countries rather than latvia once i have a visa ?
thanks

You are supposed to apply for a visa from the first country you visit or the one where you will stay the longest, but I think in practice once you have the visa you can go anywhere you want in the Schengen area and no-one will stop you.

One thing though: the Latvian embassy will not entertain a visa application if you don't show them you intend to travel to Latvia.