Latvia

Republic of LatviaLatvijas Republika

republicIndependence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Latvia as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 87 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalRiga

Position57 00 N, 25 00 E

Area64,100 sq km

LocationEastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between

Populationas each edition published it

2.47 million July 1996 est. · 2.73m in 1992

Population growth% a year

-1.39% 1996 est. · 0.5% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 39 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

66.91 years 1996 est. · 69.23 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.62 children per woman 1996 est. · 2.1 in 1992

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

21.2 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 19 in 1992

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$5,300 $4,810 in 1994

GDP real growth% a year

-1.5% 1995 est. · -30% in 1993

Geography

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between | Estonia and Lithuania

14 fields

Land useshare of 64,100 sq km

arable land 27%permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 13%forest and woodland 39%other 21%irrigated 160 sq km (1990)

Area

64,100sq km

land area: 64,100 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia

Coastline

531km

exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Land boundaries

1,078km

border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

International disputes

the Abrene/Pytalovo section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944; the maritime borders with Lithuania and Estonia

Terrain

low plain

lowest point:: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point:: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Natural resources

minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite

Environment

current issues:: 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
natural hazards:: NA
international agreements:: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Ozone Layer Protection

People

15 fields

Population

2,468,982

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: -1.39% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

10.94Death

15.19Net migration

-9.69

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years66.91

60.84 · 73.27

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy100%

100% · 99%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Latvian 51.8%Russian 33.8%Byelorussian 4.5%Ukrainian 3.4%Polish 2.3%other 4.2%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 20% (male 254,664; female 244,502)
15-64 years:: 66% (male 775,690; female 848,128)
65 years and over:: 14% (male 108,814; female 237,184) (July 1996 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.46 male(s)/female
all ages:: 0.86 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate

21.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Latvian(s)
adjective:: Latvian

Religions

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Languages

Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Government

Republic; President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) was elected by Parliament (Saeima) in the third round of balloting; Prime Minister Andris SKELE (since 21 December 1995) was appointed by the president

21 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

18%

Saimnieks 18%LC 17%For Latvia 16%TB 14%LNNK 8%Unity 8%LSZ/LKDS 7%Harmony 6%Socialist 6%

Legislature, 100 seatsone dot, one seat

Saimnieks 18LC 17For Latvia 16TB 14LNNK 8Unity 8LSZ/LKDS 7Harmony 6Socialist 6

Name of country

conventional long form:: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form:: Latvia
local long form:: Latvijas Republika
local short form:: Latvija
former:: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code

Type of government

republic

Capital

Riga

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, 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

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 November (1918)

Constitution

newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933 constitution

Legal system

based on civil law system

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: 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)
head of government:: Prime Minister Andris SKELE (since 21 December 1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet:: Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Supreme Council

Legislative branch

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed by the Saeima

Political parties and leaders

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

International organization participation

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)

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS
chancery:: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone:: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX

[1] (202) 726-6785

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission:: Ambassador Larry C. NAPPER
embassy:: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga
mailing address:: PSC 78, Box R, APO AE 09723
telephone:: [371] (2) 210-005

FAX

[371] (2) 226-530

Flag

two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle, narrower than other two bands)

Economy

21 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$5,300

(1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

Real growth rate

-1.5%

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: -9.5% (1994 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

20%

(1995 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.5%

(1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector(1994 est.)

agriculture 9%industry 31%services 60% (1994 est.)

Installed generating capacity, 2,080,000 kW

Electricity production

5.5 billionElectricity consumption per capita

1,864 (1993)

Economic overview

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.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)

Labor force

1.407 million; by occupation: industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, other 43% (1990)

Budget

revenues:: $NA
expenditures:: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries

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

Agriculture

grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables;
meat, milk, eggs;
fish

Illicit drugs

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

Exports

$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)

commodities:: timber, textiles, dairy products
partners:: Russia, Germany, Sweden, UK, Lithuania

Imports

$1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)

commodities:: fuels, cars, chemicals
partners:: Russia, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, Lithuania, Finland

External debt

$NA

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $122 million (1993) note: commitments from the West and international institutions, $525 million (1992-95)

Currency

1 lat = 100 cents; introduced NA March 1993

Exchange rates

lats per US$1 - 0.544 (January 1996), 0.528 (1995), 0.560 (1994), 0.675 (1993), 0.736 (1992)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Transportation

7 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 50 in all

2 438 to 3 047 m

1 524 to 2 437 m

914 to 1 523 m

under 914 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

66,718Railways

2,412Waterways

300

Highways: paved: 12,076 km · unpaved: 54,642 km (1992 est.) · Railways: broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992) · narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)

Railways

total:: 2,412 km
broad gauge:: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)
narrow gauge:: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)

Highways

total:: 66,718 km
paved:: 12,076 km
unpaved:: 54,642 km (1992 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)

Ports

Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Merchant marine

total:: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 519,859 GRT/678,987 DWT
ships by type:: cargo 7, oil tanker 24, refrigerated cargo 18, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7 (1995 est.)

Communications

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, | Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)

9 fields

Fixed lines

660,000

(1993 est.)

Defense expenditures

176million rubles

3% to 5% of GDP (1994); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the prevailing exchange rate could produce misleading results

Telephone system

service is better than in most of the other former Soviet republics

domestic:: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network covers 75% of Latvia's population
international:: 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

males age 15-49:: 583,134
males fit for military service:: 457,067
males reach military age (18) annually:: 16,180 (1996 est.)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Latvia.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/latvia/1996.

How to cite ← 1995 edition 1997 edition →