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World > Europe > Latvia

   flag of Latvia
   Latvia

Introduction:
After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. 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 joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.


Official name: Republic of Latvia
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
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Population: 2,259,810 (July 2007 est.)
Languages: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Official Currency: Latvian Lats (LVL)

Current Latvian Lats Exchange Rates
Historical Latvian Lats Exchange Rates
Chart Latvian Lats Exchange Rates
Currency code: LVL
Area: total: 64,589 sq km
land: 63,589 sq km
water: 1,000 sq km
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters


Map of Latvia
map of Latvia


Facts at a Glance: Geography - People - Government - Economy - Communications - Transportation - Military - Climate - Current Time - Ranking Positions - Latvian Lats Exchange Rates
Notes and Commentary: People - Economy - Government and Political Conditions - Historical Highlights - Foreign Relations - Relations with U.S.



Facts at a Glance
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
Climate
Current Time
Ranking Positions
Latvian Lats Exchange Rates


Notes and Commentary
People
Economy
Government and Political Conditions
Historical Highlights
Foreign Relations
Relations with U.S.





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