Page last updated on January 31, 2014
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 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2014.
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
total: 64,589 sq km
country comparison to the world: 124
land: 62,249 sq km
water: 2,340 sq km
slightly larger than West Virginia
total: 1,382 km
border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
maritime; wet, moderate winters
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
arable land: 17.96%
permanent crops: 0.11%
other: 81.93% (2011)
8.3 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 (2007)
total: 0.42 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)
per capita: 177.9 cu m/yr (2007)
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
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
most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Latvian 59.3%, Russian 27.8%, Belarusian 3.6%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Polish 2.4%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.1% (2009)
Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
2,178,443 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
0-14 years: 14% (male 155,549/female 148,811)
15-24 years: 11.9% (male 131,766/female 126,419)
25-54 years: 44.6% (male 481,365/female 489,405)
55-64 years: 12.6% (male 120,212/female 153,390)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 120,788/female 250,738) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 50.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 22.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 27.9 %
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2013)
total: 41.2 years
male: 38.2 years
female: 44.1 years (2013 est.)
-0.61% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 227
9.91 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
13.6 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
-2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
urban population: 68% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
RIGA (capital) 711,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
34 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 121
total: 8.08 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 157
male: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 73.19 years
country comparison to the world: 123
male: 68.13 years
female: 78.53 years (2013 est.)
1.34 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
67.8%
note: percent of women aged 18-49 (1995)
6.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93
2.9 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
5.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
0.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
8,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
degree of risk: intermediate
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2013)
24.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 62
5% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 75
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2011 est.)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2011)
total: 28.4%
country comparison to the world: 29
male: 27.6%
female: 29.3% (2012)
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
name: Riga
geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
110 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 9 cities
municipalities: 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 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, Jaunpiebalgas Novads, Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgavas Novads, Kandavas Novads, Karsavas Novads, Keguma Novads, Kekavas Novads, Kocenu Novads, Kokneses Novads, Kraslavas Novads, Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Lielvardes Novads, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads, Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads, Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Mersraga 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, Rezeknes Novads, Riebinu Novads, 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, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils Novads, Viesites Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads
cities: Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Valmiera, Ventspils
4 May 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
several previous (preindependence); note - at independence, parts of the 1922 constitution were reinforced and fully reinforced 6 July 1993; amended several times, last in 2009 (2009)
civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
chief of state: President Andris BERZINS (since 8 July 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Laimdota STRAUJUMA (since 22 January 2014)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 June 2011 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
election results: Andris BERZINS elected president; parliamentary vote - Andris BERZINS 53, Valdis ZATLERS 41
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 September 2011 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - SC 28.4%, Reform 20.8%, Unity 18.8%, National Alliance 13.9%, ZZS 12.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party - SC 31, Unity 20, Reform 16, National Alliance 14, ZZS 13, unaffiliated 6
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 27 judges and Supreme Court of Chambers with 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: district (city) and regional courts
Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Raimonds VEJONIS]
Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS]
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Andris RAZANS (since 27 July 2012)
chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark A. PEKALA (since 10 July 2012)
embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510
mailing address: Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510, Latvia
telephone: [371] 6710-7000
FAX: [371] 6710-7050
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
name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
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
Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing nearly a third of GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality. 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. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged 18% in 2009. The economy has not returned to pre-crisis levels despite strong growth, especially in the export sector in 2011-12. The IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency''s peg to the euro in exchange for the government''s commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011. The government of Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS remained committed to fiscal prudence and reducing the fiscal deficit from 7.7% of GDP in 2010, to 2.7% of GDP in 2012. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 99.8% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia intends to join the euro zone in 2014.
$36.87 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
5.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$18,100 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
24.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
household consumption: 62.4%
government consumption: 15.3%
investment in fixed capital: 23.5%
investment in inventories: 2.8%
exports of goods and services: 61.6%
imports of goods and services: -65.5%
agriculture: 5%
industry: 25.7%
services: 69.3% (2012 est.)
grain, rapeseed, potatoes, vegetables; pork, poultry, milk, eggs; fish
processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
8.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
1.031 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
agriculture: 8.8%
industry: 24%
services: 67.2% (2010 est.)
11.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2008)
35.2 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
revenues: $9.999 billion
expenditures: $9.981 billion (2012 est.)
35.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
0.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
40.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
2.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
3.5% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
5.52% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
$9.099 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$12.09 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$18.39 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$1.076 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 106
$-473.4 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
$12.23 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
food products, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles
Russia 18.2%, Lithuania 14.9%, Estonia 12.1%, Germany 7.5%, Poland 5.6%, Sweden 4.8% (2012)
$15.15 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Lithuania 19.1%, Germany 11.6%, Russia 9.2%, Poland 8.2%, Estonia 7.6%, Italy 4.6%, Finland 4.4% (2012)
$7.523 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$39.43 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$14.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$1.992 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
lati (LVL) per US dollar -
6.412 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
6.56 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
2.764 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
4.009 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
2.166 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
27.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
70.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
1,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 152
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
31,340 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
6,146 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
35,930 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
1.52 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
1.58 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 158
8.475 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
501,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 97
2.31 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 139
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
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 roughly 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)
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 available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations throughout the country; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations (2007)
359,604 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 58
1.504 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 81
42 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 101
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 7 (2013)
gas 928 km; refined products 415 km (2013)
total: 2,239 km
country comparison to the world: 67
broad gauge: 2,206 km 1.520-m gauge
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
total: 72,440 km
country comparison to the world: 65
paved: 14,707 km
unpaved: 57,733 km (2013)
300 km (navigable year round) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93
total: 11
country comparison to the world: 113
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Estonia 3)
registered in other countries: 79 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 9, Comoros 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Liberia 5, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 19, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)
major seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils
National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2011)
18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2012)
males age 16-49: 546,090
females age 16-49: 540,810 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 401,691
females age 16-49: 447,638 (2010 est.)
male: 10,482
female: 9,858 (2010 est.)
0.92% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 302
Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; 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
stateless persons: 280,759 (2012); note - individuals who were Latvian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants were recognized as Latvian citizens when the country's independence was restored in 1991; citizens of the former Soviet Union residing in Latvia who have neither Latvian nor other citizenship are considered non-citizens (officially there is no statelessness in Latvia) and are entitled to non-citizen passports; children born after Latvian independence to stateless parents are entitled to Latvian citizenship upon their parents' request; non-citizens cannot vote or hold certain government jobs and are exempt from military service but can travel visa-free in the EU under the Schengen accord like Latvian citizens; non-citizens can obtain naturalization if they have been permanent residents of Latvia for at least five years, pass tests in Latvian language and history, and know the words of the Latvian national anthem
