2003 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, 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.1% (male 180,976; female 172,988) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 774,133; female 844,856) 65 years and over: 16% (male 122,850; female 252,981) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

38 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total

22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m

12 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m

10 (2002) Military Latvia

Area

land

63,589 sq km

total

64,589 sq km

water

1,000 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 and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Geography Latvia

Birth rate

8.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

revenues

$2.4 billion

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

former

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Latvijas Republika

local short form

Latvija

Currency

Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency code

LVL

Death rate

14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$3.4 billion (2000 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON

embassy

7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510

mailing address

American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

telephone

[371] 703-6200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Aivis RONIS

Disputes - international

the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32 (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$96.2 million (1995)

Economy - overview

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. 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. Preparing for EU membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. 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.

Electricity - consumption

6.046 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

703 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

2.69 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

4.365 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

29.1%

hydro

70.9%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Gaizinkalns 312 m

lowest point

Baltic Sea 0 m

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, and 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, 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

Ethnic groups

Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%

Exchange rates

lati per US dollar - 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000), 0.59 (1999), 0.59 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament

chief of state

President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

election results

Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast

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

head of government

Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002)

Exports

$2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

UK 21.6%, Sweden 13.1%, Germany 12.5%, US 6.4%, Lithuania 5.9%, Russia 4.6%, Estonia 4.2%, Denmark 4% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 726-6785

[371] 781-0047

chancery

4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone

[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Latvia

Flag description

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

GDP

purchasing power parity - $20.99 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

4.5%

industry

26%

services

69.5% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6.1% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note

most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east People Latvia

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Highways

paved

28,256 km

total

73,202 km

unpaved

44,946 km (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

5,000 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

25.9% (1998)

lowest 10%

2.9%

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; money laundering remains a concern despite changes to banking legislation This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports - partners

Germany 17.9%, Russia 15.1%, Finland 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Sweden 5.5%, Italy 4.8%, Estonia 4.8% (2002)

Independence

21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

5.7% (2002 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 and raw materials

Infant mortality rate

female

12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

16.74 deaths/1,000 live births

total

14.59 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.lv

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

41 (2001)

Internet users

312,000 (2001) Transportation Latvia

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 (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)

Labor force

1.1 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

total

1,150 km

Land use

arable land

29.01%

other

70.51% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0.48%

Languages

Latvian (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)

election results

percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7

elections

last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

75.45 years (2003 est.)

male

63.46 years

total population

69.31 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2003 est.) Government Latvia

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

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

Median age

female

42.1 years (2002)

male

35.5 years

total

39 years

Merchant marine

convenience

Greece 3 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1

total

8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 52,607 GRT/35,650 DWT

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$87 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.2% (FY01) Transnational Issues Latvia

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

592,562 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

465,788 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

19,477 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Nationality

adjective

Latvian

noun

Latvian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land

Net migration rate

-1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

gas 1,097 km; oil 412 km; refined products 421 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Janis NAGLIS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

2,348,784 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

-0.73% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

1.76 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified)

narrow gauge

33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)

total

2,347 km

Religions

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.85 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Telephone system

domestic

expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications

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

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

734,693 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular

401,263 (2000)

Television broadcast stations

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

1.22 million (1997)

Terrain

low plain

Total fertility rate

1.2 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.6% (2001 est.)

Waterways

300 km (perennially navigable)