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| Country information - Latvia |
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Known originally as Livonia, the area that now constitutes Latvia was under the influence of the German Sword Brethren from the 13th century onward until the 16th century, when the institution of Livonia was terminated and sold by the local aristocracy to Poland.
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During several wars different regions of Latvia were occupied by Poland, Sweden and Russia. However, in the 18th century, during the Great Northern War, and later, following the Partitions of Poland, Russia gained control over Latvia and the neighboring regions.
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With Russia devastated by revolution and World War I, Latvia declared its independence on November 18, 1918.
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Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
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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.
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| Location |
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania |
| Area |
total 64,589 sq km |
| Land |
63,589 sq km |
| Water |
1,000 sq km |
| Land boundaries |
total: 1,150 km |
| Border countries |
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km |
| Coastline |
531 km |
| Climate |
maritime; wet, moderate winters |
| Terrain |
low plain |
| Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m |
| highest point |
Gaizinkalns 312 m |
| Natural resources |
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land |
| Land use |
arable land: 29.67% |
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| Population |
2,290,237 |
| Nationality |
noun: Latvian(s) |
| Adjective |
Latvian |
| Ethnic groups |
Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% |
| Religions |
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox |
| Languages |
Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% |
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| Country name |
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 |
parliamentary democracy |
| Capital |
Riga |
| Administrative divisions |
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 |
21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) |
| National holiday |
Independence Day, 18 November (1918) |
| Constitution |
15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution |
| Legal system |
based on civil law system |
| Suffrage |
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens |
| Executive branch |
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 |
| Legislative branch |
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 7 October 2006) |
| Judicial branch |
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) |
| Flag description |
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon |
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 came in May 2004. The Latvian government aspires to adopt the euro as the country's currency on January 1, 2008
| Labor force |
1.11 million |
| Labor force - by occupation |
agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% |
| Unemployment rate |
8.8% |
| Population below poverty line |
NA |
| Agriculture - products |
grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish |
| Industries |
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 |
| Currency (code) |
Latvian lat (LVL) |
| Airports |
50 |
| Airports - with paved runways |
total: 23 |
| Airports - with unpaved runways |
total: 24 |
| Pipelines |
gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km |
| Railways |
total: 2,303 km |
| Roadways |
total: 69,919 km |
| Paved |
69,919 km |
| Waterways |
300 km |
| Ports and terminals |
Riga, Ventspils |
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Copyright 2006 Eurobusinessonline.com |
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