Latvia Population: 2,178,443


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The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia 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 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Area: total: 64,589 sq km
land: 62,249 sq km
water: 2,340 sq km

Size comparison: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land Boundaries: total: 1,382 km
border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, 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: 17.96%
permanent crops: 0.11%
other: 81.93% (2011)
Irrigated land: 8.3 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 (2007)
Current Environment 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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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)
Languages: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Religions: Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
Population: 2,178,443 (July 2013 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14% (male 155,549/female 148,811)
15-24 years: 11.9% (male 131,766/female 126,419)
25-54 years: 44.6% (male 481,365/female 489,405)
55-64 years: 12.6% (male 120,212/female 153,390)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 120,788/female 250,738) (2013 est.)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 50.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 22.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 27.9 %
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2013)
Median age: total: 41.2 years
male: 38.2 years
female: 44.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.61% (2013 est.)
Birth rate: 9.91 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Death rate: 13.6 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population: RIGA (capital) 711,000 (2009)
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.4 (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 8.08 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.19 years
male: 68.13 years
female: 78.53 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (2013 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 67.8% note: percent of women aged 18-49 (1995)
Health expenditures: 6.7% of GDP (2010)
Physicians density: 2.99 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density: 6.4 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source: improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 96% of population
total: 99% of population

urban: 0% of population
rural: 4% of population
total: 1% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access: improved:
urban: 82% of population
rural: 71% of population
total: 78% of population

urban: 18% of population
rural: 29% of population
total: 22% of population (2000 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,600 (2009 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.9% (2008)
Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2010)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2011 est.)
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 29.1%
male: 29.6%
female: 28.6% (2011)
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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: name: Riga
geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
Administrative divisions: 110 municipalities (novadi, singular-novads) and 9 cities municipalities: 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 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, Jaunpiebalgas Novads, Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgavas Novads, Kandavas Novads, Karsavas Novads, Keguma Novads, Kekavas Novads, Kocenu Novads, Kokneses Novads, Kraslavas Novads, Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Lielvardes Novads, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads, Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads, Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Mersraga 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, Rezeknes Novads, Riebinu Novads, 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, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils Novads, Viesites Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads cities: Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Valmiera, Ventspils
Independence: 4 May 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its 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 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since
Legal system: civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch: chief of state: President Andris BERZINS (since 8 July 2011)

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 2 June 2011 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament

election results: Andris BERZINS elected president; parliamentary vote - Andris BERZINS 53, Valdis ZATLERS 41
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 17 September 2011 (next to be held in October 2014)

election results: percent of vote by party - SC 28.4%, Reform 20.8%, Unity 18.8%, National Alliance 13.9%, ZZS 12.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party - SC 31, Unity 20, Reform 16, National Alliance 14, ZZS 13, unaffiliated 6
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 27 judges and Supreme Court of Chambers with 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: district (city) and regional courts
Political parties and leaders: Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Raimonds VEJONIS] Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS] National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS] Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA] Reform Party or RP [Valdis ZATLERS]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS] Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Vitalijs GAVRILOVS] Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]
International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
National symbol(s): white wagtail (bird)
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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andris RAZANS
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 Mark PEKALA
embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510
mailing address: Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510, Latvia
telephone: [371] 6710-7000
FAX: [371] 6710-7050
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Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing nearly a third of GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality. 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. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged 18% in 2009. The economy has not returned to pre-crisis levels despite strong growth, especially in the export sector in 2011-12. The IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency''s peg to the euro in exchange for the government''s commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011. The government of Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS remained committed to fiscal prudence and reducing the fiscal deficit from 7.7% of GDP in 2010, to 2.7% of GDP in 2012. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 99.8% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia intends to join the euro zone in 2014.
GDP (purchasing power parity): GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.88 billion (2012 est.) $35.88 billion (2011 est.) $34.02 billion (2010 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): GDP (official exchange rate): $28.38 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.6% (2012 est.) 5.5% (2011 est.) -0.9% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): GDP - per capita (PPP): $18,600 (2012 est.) $17,300 (2011 est.) $16,000 (2010 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving: 25.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 25.2% of GDP (2011 est.) 22.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62%
government consumption: 15.5%
investment in fixed capital: 23%
investment in inventories: 4%
exports of goods and services: 59%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: household consumption: 62%
government consumption: 15.5%
investment in fixed capital: 23%
investment in inventories: 4%
exports of goods and services: 59%
Agriculture - products: grain, rapeseed, potatoes, vegetables; pork, poultry, milk, eggs; fish
Industries: processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
Industrial production growth rate: 7.8% (2012 est.)
Labor force: 1.012 million (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8.8%
industry: 24%
services: 67.2% (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate: 14.3% (2012 est.) 12.8% (2011 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 35.2 (2010) 32 (1999)
Budget: revenues: $9.765 billion
expenditures: $9.727 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 34.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
Public debt: 39.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 42.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Fiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)
Current account balance: -$462.9 million (2012 est.) -$363 million (2011 est.)
Exports: $12.49 billion (2012 est.) $12.03 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities: food products, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles
Exports - partners: Russia 18.3%, Lithuania 15%, Estonia 12%, Germany 7.2%, Poland 5.6%, Sweden 4.8% (2012)
Imports: $16.08 billion (2012 est.) $14.83 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners: Lithuania 18.9%, Germany 11.5%, Russia 9.3%, Poland 8.1%, Estonia 7.5%, Italy 4.6%, Finland 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.925 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.383 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external: $39.81 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $38.06 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $13.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $12.11 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.037 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $887 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares: $1.076 billion (31 December 2011) $1.252 billion (31 December 2010) $1.824 billion (31 December 2009)
Exchange rates: lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5467 (2012 est.) 0.5012 (2011 est.) 0.5305 (2010 est.) 0.5056 (2009) 0.4701 (2008)
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Electricity - production: 6.46 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - consumption: 6.215 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports: 3.1 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - imports: 3.973 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 2.164 million kW (2009 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 27.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 71% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 31,340 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 3,126 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 33,730 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 1.52 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 1.52 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: 9.066 million Mt (2010 est.)
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Telephones in use: 516,300 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 97
Cellular Phones in use: 2.309 million (2011)
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 roughly 150 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 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: 359,604 (2012)
Internet users: 1.504 million (2009)
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Airports: 42 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 101
Airports (paved runways): total 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 7 (2013)
Airports (unpaved runways): total 24

under 914 m: 24 (2013)
Heliports: 1 (2013)
Pipelines: gas 928 km; refined products 415 km (2013)
Railways: total 2,239 km
broad gauge: 2,206 km 1.520-m gauge
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways: total 73,074 km
paved: 14,459 km
unpaved: 58,615 km (2010)
Waterways: 300 km (navigable year round) (2010)
Merchant marine: total 11

by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 3 (Estonia 3)

registered in other countries: 79 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 9, Comoros 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Liberia 5, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 19, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)
Ports and terminals: Riga, Ventspils
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Military branches: National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2011)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2012)
Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 546,090
females age 16-49: 540,810 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 401,691
females age 16-49: 447,638 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 10,482
female: 9,858 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
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 Transnational Issues
Disputes - International: Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
stateless persons: 280,759 (2012); note - individuals who were Latvian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants were recognized as Latvian citizens when the country's independence was restored in 1991; citizens of the former Soviet Union residing in Latvia who have neither Latvian nor other citizenship are considered non-citizens (officially there is no statelessness in Latvia) and are entitled to non-citizen passports; children born after Latvian independence to stateless parents are entitled to Latvian citizenship upon their parents' request; non-citizens cannot vote or hold certain government jobs and are exempt from military service but can travel visa-free in the EU under the Schengen accord like Latvian citizens; non-citizens can obtain naturalization if they have been permanent residents of Latvia for at least five years, pass tests in Latvian language and history, and know the words of the Latvian national anthem
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
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   Source: CIA - The World Factbook

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