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| CIA Background Information |
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.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Latvia is a stable democracy with a developing economy. Most tourist facilities found in a western European city are available in the capital city of Riga. However, some of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available in other parts of the country. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Latvia for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Latvia is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Latvia for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Latvian(s).
Population (2008): 2,270,894.
Annual growth rate (2007): -0.5%. Birth rate--10,2/1,000. Death rate--14,5/1,000. Migration rate--3541 immigrants, 4183 emigrants (2007). Net migration rate (2007): -642 migrants.
Density (2008): 35.2/1 sq. km (this figure is far lower in the rural parts of Latvia). Urban dwellers—67,9%.
Major ethnic groups (2008): Latvians 59,2%, Russians 28.0%, Belarusians 3.7%, Ukrainians 2.5%, Poles 2.4%.
Religions (2003): ... Read this Article
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Location: Latvia is Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania See Map
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
Currency (Code): lat (LVL) ...More
Area: total: 64,589 sq km , land: 63,589 sq km , water: 1,000 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly larger than West Virginia
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m , highest point: Galzina Kalns 312 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 2,245,423 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 5.7% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Religion: Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
Languages: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
More Statistics
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| History
By the 10th century, the area that is today Latvia was inhabited by several Baltic tribes who had formed their own local governments. In 1054, German sailors who shipwrecked on the Daugava River inhabited the area, which initiated a period of increasing Germanic influence. The Germans named the territory Livonia. ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Latvia : |
Geography
Area: 64,589 sq. km. (24,938 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia.
Cities (2008): Capital--Riga (717,371). Other cities--Daugavpils (105,958); Liepaja (85,050); Jelgava (65,635); Jurmala (55,580); Ventspils (43,299); Rezekne (35,883).
Terrain: Fertile low-lying plains predominate in central Latvia, highlands in Vidzeme and Latgale to the east, and hilly moraine in the western Kurzeme region. Forests cover one-third of the country, ... Read this Article
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