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{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\latyia.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Latvia"}
{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Latvia, click {z,"16.938662,49.931908,35.196518,63.880768",here}{4}!
{2}Location:{4} Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 64,100 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 64,100 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than West Virginia
{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,078 km
{3}border countries:{4} Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
{2}Coastline:{4} 531 km
{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
{2}International disputes:{4} the Abrene/Pytalovo section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet
Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944; the maritime borders with Lithuania and Estonia
{2}Climate:{4} maritime; wet, moderate winters
{2}Terrain:{4} low plain
{3}lowest point:{4} Baltic Sea 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Gaizinkalns 312 m
{2}Natural resources:{4} minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite
{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 27%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 0%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 13%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 39%
{3}other:{4} 21%
{2}Irrigated land:{4} 160 sq km (1990)
{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} 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
{2}natural hazards:{4} NA
{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Ozone Layer Protection
{1}People{4}
{2}Population:{4} 2,468,982 (July 1996 est.)
{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 20% (male 254,664; female 244,502)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 66% (male 775,690; female 848,128)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 14% (male 108,814; female 237,184) (July 1996 est.)
{2}Population growth rate:{4} -1.39% (1996 est.)
{2}Birth rate:{4} 10.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{2}Death rate:{4} 15.19 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{2}Net migration rate:{4} -9.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.04 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 0.92 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.46 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 0.86 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 21.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 66.91 years
{3}male:{4} 60.84 years
{3}female:{4} 73.27 years (1996 est.)
{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 1.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)
{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Latvian(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Latvian
{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%, Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish
2.3%, other 4.2%
{2}Religions:{4} Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
{2}Languages:{4} Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 100%
{3}male:{4} 100%
{3}female:{4} 99%
{1}Government{4}
{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Latvia
{3}conventional short form:{4} Latvia
{3}local long form:{4} Latvijas Republika
{3}local short form:{4} Latvija
{3}former:{4} Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
{2}Type of government:{4} republic
{2}Capital:{4} Riga
{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 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, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas
Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons,
Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
{2}Independence:{4} 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
{2}Constitution:{4} newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933 constitution
{2}Legal system:{4} based on civil law system
{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal
{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) was elected by Parliament (Saeima)
in the third round of balloting; election last held 7 July 1993 (next to be held NA June 1996)
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister Andris SKELE (since 21 December 1995) was appointed by
the president
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Supreme
Council
{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
Parliament (Saeima): elections last held 30 September-1 October 1995 (next to be held NA
October 1998); results - Saimnieks 18%, LC 17%, For Latvia 16%, TB 14%, LNNK 8%, Unity
8%, LSZ/LKDS 7%, Harmony 6%, Socialist 6%; seats - (100 total) Saimnieks 18, LC 17, For
Latvia 16, TB 14, LNNK 8, Unity 8, LSZ/LKDS 7, Harmony 6, Socialist 6
{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed by the Saeima
{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Democratic Party "Saimnieks" (DPS), Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman;
Latvia's Way (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS; People's Movement For Latvia, Joachim SIEGERIST;
Fatherland and Freedom (TB), Maris GRINBLATS; Latvian Unity Party (LVP), A. KAULS; Latvian
National Conservative Party (LNNK), A. SEILE; Green Party (LSZ), O. BATAREVSK; Latvian
Farmers Union (LZS), A. ROZENTALS; Christian Democrat Union (LKDS), P. KLAVINS; National
Harmony Party (TSP), Janis JURKANS; Latvian Socialist Party (LSP), F. STROGANOVS; Latvian
Liberal Party (LLP), J. DANOSS; Political Association of the Underprivileged (MPA), B. PELSE, V.
DIMANTS, J. KALNINS; Latvian Democratic Labor Party (LDDP), J. BOJARS; Party of Russian
Citizens (LKPP), V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV; Popular Front of Latvia (LTF), Uldis AUGSTKALNS;
Political Union of Economists (TPA), E. KIDE; Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP), A.
MALINS; "Our Land" (MZ), M. DAMBEKALNE; Anticommunist Union (PA), P. MUCENIEKS;
Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP); Party for the Defense of Latvia's Defrauded
People; Latvian Independence Party (LNP), V. KONOVALOUS
{2}International organization participation:{4} BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO,
IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU
(associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS
{3}chancery:{4} 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
{3}telephone:{4} [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214
{3}FAX:{4} [1] (202) 726-6785
{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Larry C. NAPPER
{3}embassy:{4} Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga
{3}mailing address:{4} PSC 78, Box R, APO AE 09723
{3}telephone:{4} [371] (2) 210-005
{3}FAX:{4} [371] (2) 226-530
{2}Flag:{4} two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle, narrower than other two
bands)
{1}Economy{4}
{2}Economic overview:{4} Latvia's economic transformation to a modern market economy - rivaled only
by Estonia among the former Soviet states - faltered in 1995 as a result of banking and budget
crises. Latvia's largely unregulated financial sector suffered a series of bank failures, including the
collapse of the country's largest commercial bank - Bank Baltija - due largely to criminal activity by
the owners. The government's attempts to compensate depositors of failed banks exacerbated an
existing budget shortfall; poor revenue collection and a soft treasury bill market had already
caused the government to incur a larger than expected deficit early in the year. As a result of the
crises, Latvia's budget deficit for 1995 was $168 million, double that originally planned. In addition,
GDP growth came to a halt. The Central Bank maintained its tough monetary policies - severely
limiting credits to the state, despite the budget problems - helping to keep annual inflation the
lowest among the Baltic states, at about 20%. New Prime Minister SKELE wants to invigorate the
privatization of industry; agriculture already is mainly in private hands.
{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)
{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} -1.5% (1995 est.)
{2}GDP per capita:{4} $5,300 (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 9%
{3}industry:{4} 31%
{3}services:{4} 60% (1994 est.)
{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 20% (1995 est.)
{2}Labor force:{4} 1.407 million
{3}by occupation:{4} industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, other 43% (1990)
{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 6.5% (1995 est.)
{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $NA
{3}expenditures:{4} $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
{2}Industries:{4} buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery,
fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles;
dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products
{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} -9.5% (1994 est.)
{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 2,080,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 5.5 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 1,864 kWh (1993)
{2}Agriculture:{4} grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; meat, milk, eggs; fish
{2}Illicit drugs:{4} transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin
America to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption;
also produces illicit amphetamines for export
{2}Exports:{4} $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} timber, textiles, dairy products
{3}partners:{4} Russia, Germany, Sweden, UK, Lithuania
{2}Imports:{4} $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} fuels, cars, chemicals
{3}partners:{4} Russia, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, Lithuania, Finland
{2}External debt:{4} $NA
{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $122 million (1993)
{3}note:{4} commitments from the West and international institutions, $525 million (1992-95)
{2}Currency:{4} 1 lat = 100 cents; introduced NA March 1993
{2}Exchange rates:{4} lats per US$1 - 0.544 (January 1996), 0.528 (1995), 0.560 (1994), 0.675 (1993),
0.736 (1992)
{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year
{1}Transportation{4}
{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 2,412 km
{3}broad gauge:{4} 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 66,718 km
{3}paved:{4} 12,076 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 54,642 km (1992 est.)
{2}Waterways:{4} 300 km perennially navigable
{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
{2}Ports:{4} Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 519,859 GRT/678,987 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} cargo 7, oil tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 18, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7 (1995 est.)
{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 50
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 6
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 27
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways under 914 m:{4} 10 (1994 est.)
{1}Communications{4}
{2}Telephones:{4} 660,000 (1993 est.)
{2}Telephone system:{4} service is better than in most of the other former Soviet republics
{3}domestic:{4} an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network covers 75% of Latvia's population
{3}international:{4} international traffic carried by leased connection to the Moscow international
gateway switch, through the new Ericsson digital telephone exchange in Riga, and through the
Finnish cellular net; Sprint data network carries electronic mail
{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there are 25 radio broadcast
stations of unknown type
{2}Radios:{4} 1.4 million (1993 est.)
{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 30
{2}Televisions:{4} 1.1 million (1993 est.)
{1}Defense{4}
{2}Branches:{4} Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard,
Home Guard (Zemessardze)
{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 583,134
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 457,067
{3}males reach military age (18) annually:{4} 16,180 (1996 est.)
{2}Defense expenditures:{4} 176 million rubles, 3% to 5% of GDP (1994); note - conversion of defense
expenditures into US dollars using the prevailing exchange rate could produce misleading results