2005 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: 14.4% (male 169,284/female 161,648) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 770,839/female 819,309) 65 years and over: 16.1% (male 120,306/female 248,851) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

24 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.) 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 joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Geography Latvia

Birth rate

9.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$4.504 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$4.231 billion

Capital

Riga

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline

531 km

Constitution

15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution

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 (code)

Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency code

LVL

Current account balance

$-1.251 billion (2004 est.)

Death rate

13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$7.368 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Catherine TODD-BAILEY

embassy

7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510

FAX

[371] 782-0047

mailing address

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

telephone

[371] 703-6200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

chief of mission

Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINS

FAX

[1] (202) 726-6785

telephone

[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

Disputes - international

the Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned and unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second World War and other issues; 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 must implement the strict Schengen border rules

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 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, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. 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. A growing perception that many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the country's vibrant financial sector.

Electricity - consumption

5.829 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

1.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

2.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

4.547 billion kWh (2002)

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, 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, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)

Exchange rates

lati per US dollar - 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002), 0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000)

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 Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December 2004)

Exports

$3.569 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

UK 12.8%, Germany 12%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 9.1%, Estonia 8%, Russia 6.4%, Denmark 5.4% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Latvia

Flag description

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

4.4%

industry

24.8%

services

70.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.6% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.53 billion (2004 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

57,206 km

total

60,472 km

unpaved

3,265 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.6% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,600 (2001 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; vulnerable to money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$5.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports - partners

Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 12.2%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 7%, Finland 6.3%, Sweden 6.1%, Poland 5.4%, Belarus 4.8% (2004)

Independence

21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Industrial production growth rate

8.5% (2004 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

7.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

11.55 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9.55 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.lv

Internet hosts

51,758 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

41 (2001)

Internet users

936,000 (2003) Transportation Latvia

Investment (gross fixed)

26.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

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

1.17 million (2004 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

29.67%

other

69.86% (2001)

permanent crops

0.47%

Languages

Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)

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 - JL 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, TP 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - JL 26, PCTVL 24, TP 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

76.6 years (2005 est.)

male

65.78 years

total population

71.05 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

Manpower available for military service

males age 19-49: 517,713 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 19-49: 361,098 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

19,137 (2005 est.)

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

42.15 years (2005 est.)

male

35.95 years

total

39.12 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1

registered in other countries

86 (2005)

total

19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$87 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.2% (FY01) Transnational Issues Latvia

Military service age and obligation

19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers; Latvia plans to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an all-professional force by 2007 (August 2004)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 is the date of de facto 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

-2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

First Party of Latvia or LPP [Juris LUJANS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Tatjana ZDANOKA, Jakovs PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; Harmony Center or SC [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS]; Latvian Green Party or LZP [Indulis EMSIS, Viesturs SILENIEKS, Raimonds VEJONIS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS]; New Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; People's Harmony Party or TSP [Aivars DATAVS]; People's Party or TP [Atis SLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV]

Population

2,290,237 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Population growth rate

-0.69% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Riga, Ventspils

Public debt

11.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

1.76 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)

narrow gauge

33 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

total

2,303 km

Religions

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.65 billion (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population

0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

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

country code - 371; 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

653,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1,219,600 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

1.22 million (1997)

Terrain

low plain

Total fertility rate

1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.8% (2004 est.)

Waterways

300 km (2004)