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Communications

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

41 (2001)

Internet country code [time series]

.lv

Internet users [time series]

312,000 (2001)

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]

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

734,693 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

401,263 (2000)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions [time series]

1.22 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

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

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Latvian lat (LVL)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

LVL

Debt - external [time series]

$3.4 billion (2000 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

32 (1999)

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

$96.2 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

5.16 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports [time series]

500 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports [time series]

2.59 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.301 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

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

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

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

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4.5% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports - partners [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5.7% (2002 est.)

Industries [time series]

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) [time series]

2% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.1 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.6% (2001 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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

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

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

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 [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: 29.01% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 70.51% (1998 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]

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

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, 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 [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 short form: Latvija former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Latvijas Republika

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

21 August 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, 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 [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) 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 [time series]

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 (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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

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, Border Guard, National Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$87 million (FY01)

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

1.2% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

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

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

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

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 19,114 (2002 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Death rate [time series]

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

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 [time series]

0.12% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

36 (15 January 2002)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1,792 (15 January 2002)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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

Languages [time series]

Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

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

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Population [time series]

2,366,515 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.77% (2002 est.)

Religions [time series]

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Sex ratio [time series]

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 [time series]

1.18 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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 [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; money laundering remains a concern

Transportation

Airports [time series]

25 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 [time series]

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)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

300 km (perennially navigable)