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This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005


Map of Latvia



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Latvia Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
   Geography    Latvia Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Europe
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 64,589 sq km
land: 63,589 sq km
water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1,150 km
border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
531 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
low plain
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 29.67%
permanent crops: 0.47%
other: 69.86% (2001)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
200 sq km
note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
   People    Latvia Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,290,237 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 14.4% (male 169,284/female 161,648)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 770,839/female 819,309)
65 years and over: 16.1% (male 120,306/female 248,851) (2005 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 39.12 years
male: 35.95 years
female: 42.15 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
-0.69% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
9.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
-2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.55 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 71.05 years
male: 65.78 years
female: 76.6 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.6% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7,600 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
   Government    Latvia Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Riga
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 is the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament
elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)
election results: percent of vote by party - JL 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, TP 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - JL 26, PCTVL 24, TP 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
First Party of Latvia or LPP [Juris LUJANS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Tatjana ZDANOKA, Jakovs PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; Harmony Center or SC [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS]; Latvian Green Party or LZP [Indulis EMSIS, Viesturs SILENIEKS, Raimonds VEJONIS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS]; New Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; People's Harmony Party or TSP [Aivars DATAVS]; People's Party or TP [Atis SLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINS
chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214
FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine TODD-BAILEY
embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510
mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723
telephone: [371] 703-6200
FAX: [371] 782-0047
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
   Economy    Latvia Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. A growing perception that many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the country's vibrant financial sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$26.53 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7.6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 4.4%
industry: 24.8%
services: 70.8% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.17 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.8% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
32 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
26.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $4.231 billion
expenditures: $4.504 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.5% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.547 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.829 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
1.1 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
2.7 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$-1.251 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.569 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
UK 12.8%, Germany 12%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 9.1%, Estonia 8%, Russia 6.4%, Denmark 5.4% (2004)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$5.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 12.2%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 7%, Finland 6.3%, Sweden 6.1%, Poland 5.4%, Belarus 4.8% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$1.65 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$7.368 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$96.2 million (1995)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Latvian lat (LVL)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
lati per US dollar - 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002), 0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Latvia Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
653,900 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,219,600 (2003)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use
domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications
international: country code - 371; international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.lv
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
51,758 (2004)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
936,000 (2003)
   Transportation    Latvia Top of Page
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 2,303 km
broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)
Highways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 60,472 km
paved: 57,206 km
unpaved: 3,265 km (2002)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
300 km (2004)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Riga, Ventspils
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT
by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 86 (2005)
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
50 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 26
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)
   Military    Latvia Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers; Latvia plans to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an all-professional force by 2007 (August 2004)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 19-49: 517,713 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 19-49: 361,098 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males: 19,137 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.2% (FY01)
   Transnational Issues    Latvia Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
the Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned and unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second World War and other issues; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; vulnerable to money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005


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