Latvia

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

41 (2001)

Internet country code

.lv

Internet users

312,000 (2001)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

1.76 million (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)

Telephones - main lines in use

734,693 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular

401,263 (2000)

Television broadcast stations

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

1.22 million (1997)

Agriculture - products

grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish

Budget

revenues: $2.4 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

Currency

Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency code

LVL

Debt - external

$3.4 billion (2000 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32 (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$96.2 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years continues as a top foreign policy goal. The high current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns.

Electricity - consumption

5.16 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports

500 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports

2.59 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production

3.301 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 33% hydro: 67% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates

lati per US dollar - 0.6384 (January 2002), 0.628 (2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997)

Exports

$2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Germany 17%, UK 16%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8%, Russia 6% (2001 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $20 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 5% industry: 26% services: 70% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.5% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 26% (1998) (1998)

Imports

$3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports - partners

Germany 17%, Russia 9%, Lithuania 8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 7% (2001 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

5.7% (2002 est.)

Industries

buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2002 est.)

Labor force

1.1 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

7.6% (2001 est.)

Area

total: 64,589 sq km water: 1,000 sq km land: 63,589 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline

531 km

Elevation extremes

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

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, and 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, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note

most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east

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 (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,150 km border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

Land use

arable land: 29.01% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 70.51% (1998 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, wood, arable land, minimal; amber

Terrain

low plain

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, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Capital

Riga

Constitution

the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms

Country name

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510 mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 703-6200 FAX: [371] 781-4088

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785 telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214 chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

Executive branch

chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed to produce a clear winner); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%

Flag description

three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)

Legal system

based on civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Andris BERZINS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Background

After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It 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 continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$87 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.2% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 591,592 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 464,843 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 19,114 (2002 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.8% (male 191,116; female 182,692) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 775,481; female 847,261) 65 years and over: 15.6% (male 120,304; female 249,661) (2002 est.)

Birth rate

8.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate

14.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups

Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.12% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

36 (15 January 2002)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,792 (15 January 2002)

Infant mortality rate

14.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages

Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69 years female: 75.17 years (2002 est.) male: 63.13 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate

-1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population

2,366,515 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.77% (2002 est.)

Religions

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.18 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international

the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern

Airports

25 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (2002)

Highways

total: 59,178 km paved: 22,843 km unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,119 GRT/30,572 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.) ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4

Pipelines

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

Ports and harbors

Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Railways

total: 2,412 km broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2001)

Waterways

300 km (perennially navigable)