Latvia
Republic of LatviaLatvijas Republika
parliamentary democracyIndependence 18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia)
Latvia as the 2010 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 136 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
20 fieldsLand useshare of 64,589 sq km
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)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%)
- per capita:
- 108 cu m/yr (2003)
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
Geography - note
most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
People
23 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2010 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2009)
Religions(2006)
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.)
Major infectious diseases
- degree of risk:
- intermediate
- food or waterborne diseases:
- bacterial diarrhea
- vectorborne diseases:
- tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Government
Parliamentary democracy; President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007); Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009)
19 fieldsParliament or Saeima, 92 seats, elected 2 October 2010one dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Latvia
- conventional short form:
- Latvia
- local long form:
- Latvijas Republika
- local short form:
- Latvija
- former:
- Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Capital
- 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
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
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
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
Legal system
based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- 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
- election results:
- Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Legislative branch
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 2 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014)
- 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
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament)
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]
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS
- chancery:
- 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 328-2840
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 328-2860
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Judith G. GARBER
- embassy:
- 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510
- mailing address:
- American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723
- telephone:
- [371] 670-36200
- FAX:
- [371] 678-20047
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
National anthem
- 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
Economy
49 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2010 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
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.
Central bank discount rate
4% (31 December 2009) · 6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75
Commercial bank prime lending rate
16.23% (31 December 2009 est.) · 11.85% (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Stock of narrow money
$5.769 billion (31 December 2010 est) · $5.893 billion (31 December 2009 est) country comparison to the world: 84
Stock of broad money
$11.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $11.46 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Stock of domestic credit
$27.59 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $27.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Industries
pharmaceuticals, plastics, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, soaps, paints, rubber, processed foods, textiles
Current account balance
$1.62 billion (2010 est.) · $2.53 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$7.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $6.907 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Debt - external
$37.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $41.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$11.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $11.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$1.097 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $1.037 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Exchange rates
lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.5422 (2010), 0.5056 (2009), 0.4701 (2008), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006)
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- 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 exceeds 125 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)
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)
Transportation
9 fieldsMerchant marine, 13 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Railways
- total:
- 2,298 km
country comparison to the world: 68
- broad gauge:
- 2,265 km 1.520-m gauge
- narrow gauge:
- 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Military
6 fieldsMilitary 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 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)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - 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
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Latvia.” The World Factbook 2010. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/latvia/2010.