2010 Edition

Background

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 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Area

land

62,249 sq km

total

64,589 sq km

water

2,340 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline

498 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

108 cu m/yr (2003)

total

0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%)

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

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)

Land boundaries

border countries

Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km

total

1,382 km

Land use

arable land

28.19%

other

71.36% (2005)

permanent crops

0.45%

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

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

low plain

Total renewable water resources

49.9 cu km (2005)

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.)

Birth rate

9.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

13.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Latvian 59.3%, Russian 27.8%, Belarusian 3.6%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Polish 2.4%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.1% (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.8% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

10,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

6.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

10.41 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.59 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.84 years (2010 est.)

male

67.27 years

total population

72.42 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.7% (2000 census)

male

99.8%

total population

99.7%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

tickborne encephalitis (2009)

Median age

female

43.5 years (2010 est.)

male

37.4 years

total

40.4 years

Nationality

adjective

Latvian

noun

Latvian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

2,217,969 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.602% (2010 est.)

Religions

Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

17 years (2008)

male

14 years

total

15 years

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.)

Total fertility rate

1.31 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

68% of total population (2008)

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

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

56 57 N, 24 06 E

name

Riga

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Judith G. GARBER

embassy

7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510

FAX

[371] 678-20047

mailing address

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

telephone

[371] 670-36200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS

FAX

[1] (202) 328-2860

telephone

[1] (202) 328-2840

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)

election results

Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39

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

head of government

Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009)

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia)

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament)

Legal system

based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

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

elections

last held on 2 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014)

National anthem

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

name

"Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)

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

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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2009) 6% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

16.23% (31 December 2009 est.) 11.85% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$1.62 billion (2010 est.) $2.53 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$37.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $41.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36 (2005) 32 (1999)

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.

Electricity - consumption

6.822 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.123 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

4.643 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

4.62 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5422 (2010), 0.5056 (2009), 0.4701 (2008), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006)

Exports

$7.894 billion (2010 est.) $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)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

4.2%

industry

20.6%

services

75.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,500 (2010 est.) $14,700 (2009 est.) $17,800 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1.8% (2010 est.) -18% (2009 est.) -4.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$23.39 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.2 billion (2010 est.) $32.79 billion (2009 est.) $39.99 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 27.4% (2004)

Imports

$9.153 billion (2010 est.) $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)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.8% (2010 est.)

Industries

pharmaceuticals, plastics, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, soaps, paints, rubber, processed foods, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1.2% (2010 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

15.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.178 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

12.1%

industry

25.8%

services

61.8% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.824 billion (31 December 2009) $1.609 billion (31 December 2008) $3.111 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

40,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

5,873 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

43,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

46.2% of GDP (2010 est.) 36.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.907 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$11.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.46 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.097 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.037 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$11.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$27.59 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $27.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.769 billion (31 December 2010 est) $5.893 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

19.1% (2010 est.) 17.1% (2009 est.)

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)

Internet users

1.504 million (2009)

Telephone system

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

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

international

country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

644,000 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.243 million (2009)

Airports

42 (2010)

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)

Merchant marine

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)

total

13

Pipelines

gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Riga, Ventspils

Railways

broad gauge

2,265 km 1.520-m gauge

narrow gauge

33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)

total

2,298 km

Roadways

paved

14,459 km

total

73,074 km

unpaved

58,615 km (2010)

Waterways

300 km (navigable year round) (2010)

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

female

11,058 (2010 est.)

male

11,536

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 expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)

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)

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 ======================================================================