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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

11 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

1.76 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

748,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

175,348 (1999)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

74 (1998)

Televisions [time series]

1.22 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.33 billion expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Latvian lat (LVL) = 100 santims

Debt - external [time series]

$212 million (1998)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$96.2 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

In 1999 Latvia, a transitional economy, experienced zero GDP growth as it continued to feel the impact of the August 1998 Russian financial crisis. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - band was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment reached 9.6% in 1999, up from 9.2% in 1998 and 6.7% in 1997. Privatization of large state-owned utilities, especially the energy sector, faced more delays in 1999, but is expected to accelerate in the next two years. Latvia projects 3.5% GDP growth, 3% inflation, and a 2% fiscal deficit in 2000. Preparing for EU membership by 2003 remains a top foreign policy priority.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.882 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

400 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

850 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

4.766 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 29.58% hydro: 70.42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

lats (LVL) per US$1 - 0.583 (January 2000),0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996), 0.528 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 16%, UK 14%, Russia 12%, Sweden 10% (1998)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $9.8 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 8% industry: 29% services: 63% (1998)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.1% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 17%, Russia 12%, Finland 10%, Sweden 7% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-5% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.2% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.4 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture and forestry 16%, industry 41%, services 43% (1990)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.6% (1999 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 64,589 sq km land: 64,589 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Coastline [time series]

531 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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 [time series]

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Irrigated land [time series]

160 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 46% other: 14% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

low plain

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Capital [time series]

Riga

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 telephone: [371] 721-0005 FAX: [371] 782-0047

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (amended from a three-year term on 4 December 1997); election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 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); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms - amended from three-year terms on 4 December 1997) elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 8%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TSP 16, TB/LNNK 17, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 18 November (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Association of Latvian Social Democrats [Juris BOJARS, Janis ADAMSONS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP (formerly People's Front of Latvia or LTF) [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSK]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Janis BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Sergejs DIAMANIS]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; National Harmony Party or TSP [Janis JURKANS]; New Party [Raimonds PAULS]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party for the Defense of Latvia's Defrauded People [leader NA]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; Political Association of the Underprivileged or MPA [B. PELSE, V. DIMANTS, J. KALNINS]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Introduction

Background [time series]

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

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$60 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.9% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 590,236 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 463,254 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 18,239 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17% (male 212,483; female 203,417) 15-64 years: 68% (male 777,289; female 849,967) 65 years and over: 15% (male 116,575; female 245,195) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

7.8 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.88 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

15.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.41 years male: 62.48 years female: 74.62 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 99% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

2,404,926 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.84% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.13 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)

Illicit drugs [time series]

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; limited production of illicit amphetamines, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

50 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 36 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 27 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 58,699 GRT/64,043 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 6 (1999 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Railways [time series]

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)

Waterways [time series]

300 km perennially navigable