2001 Edition

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, Leipaja*, 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036) 15-64 years: 68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908) 65 years and over: 15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish

Airports

25 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (2000 est.) Latvia Military

Area

total: 64,589 sq km land: 64,589 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Background

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 continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions. Latvia Geography

Birth rate

8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

revenues: $1.33 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Capital

Riga

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline

531 km

Constitution

the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms

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

Currency

Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency code

LVL

Death rate

14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

$800 million (2000 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 721-0005

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

Disputes - international

draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)

Economic aid - recipient

$96.2 million (1995)

Economy - overview

In 2000, Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal.

Electricity - consumption

4.316 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

400 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

1 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

3.996 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 31.78% hydro: 68.22% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Environment - current issues

air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Latvia People

Ethnic groups

Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%

Exchange rates

lati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%

Exports

$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities

wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999)

FAX

[1] (202) 726-6785

[371] 782-0047

Fiscal year

calendar year Latvia Communications

Flag description

three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon Latvia Economy

GDP

purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 5% industry: 33% services: 62% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.5% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Highways

total: 59,178 km paved: 22,843 km unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.11% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,250 (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)

Illicit drugs

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; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export

Imports

$3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels

Imports - partners

Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999)

Independence

18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

6.3% (2000 est.)

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, raw materials, and intermediate products

Infant mortality rate

15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2000)

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Internet country code

.lv

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

42 (2000)

Internet users

234,000 (2000) Latvia Transportation

Irrigated land

160 sq km (1993 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)

Labor force

1.4 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,150 km border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

Land use

arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 46% other: 14% (1993 est.)

Languages

Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Legal system

based on civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 68.7 years male: 62.8 years female: 74.9 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 99% (1989 est.) Latvia Government

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Merchant marine

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$60 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.9% (FY99) Latvia Transnational Issues

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 590,784 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 463,944 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 19,114 (2001 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Nationality

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land

Net migration rate

-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)

Political parties and leaders

Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

2,385,231 (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

-0.81% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

1.76 million (1997)

Railways

total: 2,412 km broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)

Religions

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Telephone system

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: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)

Telephones - main lines in use

748,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

77,100 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

1.22 million (1997)

Terrain

low plain

Total fertility rate

1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.8% (2000 est.)

Waterways

300 km (perennially navigable)