Latvia country profile

27 August 2006
by eub2 -- last modified 03 January 2008

Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.

Latvijas Republika

Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Situated on the Baltic coast, Latvia is a low-lying country with large forests that supply timber for construction and paper industries. The environment is rich in wildlife. Latvia also produces consumer goods, textiles and machine tools. The country attracts tourists from all over Europe.Ethnically, the population is 59% Latvian and 29% Russian, and more than a third live in the capital Riga. Founded, in 1201, Riga is the largest city in the three Baltic states with a population of 730 000. Its Freedom Statue is one of the highest in Europe, at 43 metres.

The 100-seat unicameral Latvian Parliament, the Saeima, is elected by direct, popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the Parliament, also every four years.

Among the best-known Latvians are the expressionist painter Mark Rothko and the contemporary composer Peteris Vasks.

Characteristic specialities of Latvian cuisine are speķa pīrādziņi (bacon pies) and a refreshing, cold sour cream soup.

Area: 64 597 km²
Population: 2.3 million
Capital city: Riga
Currency: 1 lats = 100 santims, 1 euro = 0.70 lats (LVL) (dec. 2006)
National day: 18 November
EU-membership: 1 May 2004

Head of State: President Valdis Zatlers
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis
Foreign Minister: Māris Riekstiņš
Government: Coalition: People's Party, Latvia First Party/Latvian Way, Green Party/Farmers' Union, For Fatherland and Freedom
Parliament: Unicameral: Saeima, 100 members, elections every 4 years

GDP: € 12.7 billion (2005)
GDP per capita in PPS: € 5 506 (2005)
Economic growth in real terms: + 10.2% (2005)

Links:
Head of State: http://www.president.lv
Head of Government: http://www.mk.gov.lv
Foreign Minister: http://www.am.gov.lv
Parliament: http://www.saeima.lv

Map of Latvia

Source: European Commission, Slovenia EU Presidency