Latvia
Official Country Name
Latvia
Latvia Overview
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.
Latvia Economy
Latvia's economy experienced average GDP growth of more than 7.0% over the past several year. In 2005 it reached 10.2% real GDP growth. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account deficit - 24.2% as of the end of the third quarter of 2006 - and inflation remain major concerns.
Latvia Location
Latvia is located in Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Region
Latvia is located in Europe
Latvia Population
Latvia has population of 2,274,735 (July 2006 est.)
Latvia Climate
Latvia has maritime; wet, moderate winters
Latvia Terrain
low plain
Latvia Natural Resources
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Ethnic Groups in Latvia
Latvia has the following ethnic groups - Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Latvia Religions
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Latvia Languages
Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Latvia Capital
Latvia capital is Riga
Latvia Currency
Latvia currency is Latvian lat
Map of Latvia
