Russia 292 km
Coastline:
498 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:
low plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
Natural resources:
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 28.19%
permanent crops: 0.45%
other: 71.36% (2005)
Irrigated land:
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 (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
49.9 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%)
per capita: 108 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
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:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, 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:
most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with
some hills in the east
People ::Latvia
Population:
2,217,969 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.3% (male 152,472/female 145,161)
15-64 years: 69.6% (male 756,469/female 797,505)
65 years and over: 17% (male 124,432/female 255,464) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.4 years
male: 37.4 years
female: 43.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.602% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
Birth rate:
9.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Death rate:
13.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Net migration rate:
-2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Urbanization:
urban population: 68% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.59 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 161
male: 10.41 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.42 years
country comparison to the world: 121
male: 67.27 years
female: 77.84 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.31 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups:
Latvian 59.3%, Russian 27.8%, Belarusian 3.6%, Ukrainian 2.5%,
Polish 2.4%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.1% (2009)
Religions:
Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%,
unspecified 63.7% (2006)
Languages:
Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3%
(2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.7% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 17 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 67
Government ::Latvia
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:
name: Riga
geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
109 municipalities (novadi, singular-novads) and 9 cities*: Adazu
Novads, Aglonas Novads, Aizkraukles Novads, Aizputes Novads,
Aknistes Novads, Alojas Novads, Alsungas Novads, Aluksnes Novads,
Amatas Novads, Apes Novads, Auces Novads, Babites Novads, Baldones
Novads, Baltinavas Novads, Balvu Novads, Bauskas Novads, Beverinas
Novads, Brocenu Novads, Burtnieku Novads, Carnikavas Novads, Cesu
Novads, Cesvaines Novads, Ciblas Novads, Dagdas Novads, Daugavpils*,
Daugavpils Novads, Dobeles Novads, Dundagas Novads, Durbes Novads,
Engures Novads, Erglu Novads, Garkalnes Novads, Grobinas Novads,
Gulbenes Novads, Iecavas Novads, Ikskiles Novads, Ilukstes Novads,
Incukalna Novads, Jaunjelgavas Novads, Juanpiebalgas Novads,
Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils*, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgava*, Jelgavas
Novads, Jurmala*, Kandavas Novads, Karsavas Novads, Keguma Novads,
Kekavas Novads, Kocenu Novads, Kokneses Novads, Kraslavas Novads,
Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Lielvardes
Novads, Liepaja*, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads,
Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads,
Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Nauksenu Novads, Neretas Novads,
Nicas Novads, Ogres Novads, Olaines Novads, Ozolnieku Novads,
Pargaujas Novads, Pavilostas Novads, Plavinu Novads, Preilu Novads,
Priekules Novads, Priekulu Novads, Raunas Novads, Rezekne*, Rezeknes
Novads, Riebinu Novads, Riga*, Rojas Novads, Ropazu Novads, Rucavas
Novads, Rugaju Novads, Rujienas Novads, Rundales Novads, Salacgrivas
Novads, Salas Novads, Salaspils Novads, Saldus Novads, Saulkrastu
Novads, Sejas Novads, Siguldas Novads, Skriveru Novads, Skrundas
Novads, Smiltenes Novads, Stopinu Novads, Strencu Novads, Talsu
Novads, Tervetes Novads, Tukuma Novads, Vainodes Novads, Valkas
Novads, Valmiera*, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas
Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils*, Ventspils Novads, Viesites
Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads
Independence:
18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was
the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4
May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August
1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the
Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991;
multiple amendments since
Legal system:
based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions
and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12
March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
appointed by Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 May 2007
(next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the
president, confirmed by Parliament
election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary
vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members elected by
proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 October 2010 (next to be held in October
2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Unity bloc 31.2%, SC
26%, ZZS 19.7%, National Alliance 7.7%, For a Good Latvia bloc 7.7%;
seats by party - Unity Coalition 33, SC 29, ZZS 22, National
Alliance 8, For a Good Latvia 8
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament);
Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by
parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
All For Latvia! [Irnants PARADNIEKS, Raivis DZINTARS]; Civic Union
[Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]; First Party of
Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS]; For a Good Latvia
(alliance of TP, LPP/LC); For Human Rights in a United Latvia or
PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS, Tatjana ZDANOKA]; For the Fatherland and
Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts
ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis
URBANOVICS]; National Alliance (alliance of TB/LNNK, All For
Latvia!); New Era Party or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS];
People's Party or TP [Andris SKELE]; Society for Different Politics
or SCP [Aigars STOKENBERGS; Artis PABRIKS]; The Union of Latvian
Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]; Unity bloc
(alliance of Civic Union, New Era, SCP)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS],
Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament
[Juris LAZDINS]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO,
NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen
Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS
chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Judith G. GARBER
embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510
mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE
09723
telephone: [371] 670-36200
FAX: [371] 678-20047
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and
maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world; a
medieval chronicle mentions a red standard with a white stripe being
used by Latvian tribes in about 1280
National anthem:
name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS
note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; the song was first performed in
1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; the anthem was banned during
the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Economy ::Latvia
Economy - overview:
Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year
during 2006-07 but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of
an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure
amid the softening world economy. GDP plunged 18% in 2009 - the
three former Soviet Baltic republics had the world's worst declines
that year - and another 1.8% in 2010. The IMF, EU, and other donors
provided assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the
currency's peg to the euro and reduce the fiscal deficit to about 5%
of GDP over time. DOMBROVSKIS' government enacted major speding cuts
to reduce the fiscal deficit to 7.8% of GDP in 2010, and plans to
cut the deficit further in 2011. 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$32.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
$32.79 billion (2009 est.)
$39.99 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$23.39 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-1.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
-18% (2009 est.)
-4.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$14,700 (2009 est.)
$17,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 20.6%
services: 75.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.178 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 25.8%
services: 61.8% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
19.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
17.1% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 84
32 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Public debt:
46.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
36.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
3.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 75
6% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.23% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
11.85% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$5.769 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 84
$5.893 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$11.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
$11.46 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$27.59 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$27.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.824 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 98
$1.609 billion (31 December 2008)
$3.111 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs;
fish
Industries:
pharmaceuticals, plastics, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery,
fertilizers, soaps, paints, rubber, processed foods, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
-1.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - production:
4.62 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Electricity - consumption:
6.822 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - exports:
2.123 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
4.643 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Oil - consumption:
40,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Oil - exports:
5,873 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Oil - imports:
43,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - consumption:
2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Natural gas - imports:
2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Current account balance:
$1.62 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$2.53 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$7.894 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$7.223 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles,
foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Lithuania 15.19%, Estonia 13.57%, Russia 13.17%, Germany 8.13%,
Sweden 5.7% (2009)
Imports:
$9.153 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$8.906 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners:
Lithuania 16.36%, Germany 11.34%, Russia 10.68%, Poland 8.11%,
Estonia 7.69% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$7.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$6.907 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$37.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$41.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$11.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$11.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.097 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
$1.037 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5422 (2010), 0.5056 (2009), 0.4701
(2008), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006)
Communications ::Latvia
Telephones - main lines in use:
644,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 91
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.243 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 128
Telephone system:
general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition
to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is
decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands
domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly
since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined
fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 125 per 100
persons
international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now
connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden
(2008)
Broadcast media:
several national and regional commercial TV stations are
foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly-owned; system
supplemented by privately-owned regional and local TV stations;
cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and
foreign broadcasts are available; publicly-owned broadcaster
operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations throughout the
country; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations
(2007)
Internet country code:
.lv
Internet hosts:
289,478 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 59
Internet users:
1.504 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 81
Transportation ::Latvia
Airports:
42 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 101
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 19
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 23
under 914 m: 23 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,298 km
country comparison to the world: 68
broad gauge: 2,265 km 1.520-m gauge
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 73,074 km
country comparison to the world: 65
paved: 14,459 km
unpaved: 58,615 km (2010)
Waterways:
300 km (navigable year round) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93
Merchant marine:
total: 13
country comparison to the world: 107
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum
tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 4 (Estonia 4)
registered in other countries: 90 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize
10, Cambodia 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 1,
Liberia 9, Malta 11, Marshall Islands 18, Panama 4, Saint Kitts and
Nevis 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Riga, Ventspils
Military ::Latvia
Military branches:
National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Ground Forces, Navy
(Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)),
Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Border Guard, Latvian Home
Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service;
conscription abolished January 2007; under current law, every
citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 554,943
females age 16-49: 550,700 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 406,592
females age 16-49: 456,071 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 11,536
female: 11,058 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Transnational Issues ::Latvia
Disputes - international:
Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in
Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with
Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification
documentation in preparation; 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 has implemented the
strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Illicit drugs:
transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs,
opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin
America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved
legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent
enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of
offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime
(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and
prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
page last updated on January 25, 2011
======================================================================
@Lebanon (Middle East)
Introduction ::Lebanon
Background: