Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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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.
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Location:
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Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
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Geographic coordinates:
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57 00 N, 25 00 E
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Map references:
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Europe
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Area:
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total: 64,589 sq km
land: 63,589 sq km
water: 1,000 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly larger than West Virginia
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Land boundaries:
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total: 1,368 km
border countries: Belarus 167 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 282 km
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Coastline:
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531 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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Climate:
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maritime; wet, moderate winters
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Terrain:
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low plain
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
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Natural resources:
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peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
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Land use:
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arable land: 28.19%
permanent crops: 0.45%
other: 71.36% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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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 (2003)
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Natural hazards:
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NA
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Environment - current issues:
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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, as well as 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
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note:
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most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
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Population:
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2,274,735 (July 2006 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 14% (male 162,562/female 155,091)
15-64 years: 69.6% (male 769,004/female 815,042)
65 years and over: 16.4% (male 121,646/female 251,390) (2006 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 39.4 years
male: 36.3 years
female: 42.4 years (2006 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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-0.67% (2006 est.)
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Birth rate:
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9.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Death rate:
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13.66 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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-2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 9.35 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.31 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 71.33 years
male: 66.08 years
female: 76.85 years (2006 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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1.27 children born/woman (2006 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.6% (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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7,600 (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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less than 500 (2003 est.)
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Nationality:
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noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
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Ethnic groups:
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Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
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Religions:
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Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
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Languages:
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Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
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Government type:
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parliamentary democracy
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Capital:
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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
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Administrative divisions:
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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
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Independence:
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18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia)
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 is the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
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Constitution:
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15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since
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Legal system:
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based on civil law system
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament
elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by July 2007); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists across five districts through direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held October 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 7%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
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Political parties and leaders:
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First Party of Latvia or LPP [Ainars SLESERS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Janis URBANOVICS, Nils USAKOVS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS, Ainars BERZINS]; New Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE, Krisjanis KARINS]; People's Party or TP [Aigars KALVITIS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Indulis EMSIS]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
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International organization participation:
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Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Maris SELGA
chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine Todd BAILEY
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] 782-0047
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Flag description:
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three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
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Economy - overview:
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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.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$35.08 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$16.13 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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10.2% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$15,400 (2006 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 3.7%
industry: 26.3%
services: 70% (2006 est.)
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Labor force:
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1.136 million (2006 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 13%
industry: 19%
services: 68% (2005 est.)
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Unemployment rate:
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6.5% (December 2006 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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NA%
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 26.1% (1998)
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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35 (2003)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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6.8% (December 2006 est.)
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Investment (gross fixed):
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31.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues: $6.172 billion
expenditures: $6.45 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)
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Public debt:
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11% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Agriculture - products:
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grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
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Industries:
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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
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Industrial production growth rate:
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8.5% (2006 est.)
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Electricity - production:
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4.55 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - consumption:
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6.329 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - exports:
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707 million kWh (2005)
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Electricity - imports:
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2.855 billion kWh (2005)
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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47,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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0 bbl/day (2004)
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Oil - imports:
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0 bbl/day (2004)
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Natural gas - production:
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0 cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption:
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1.91 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - imports:
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1.91 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Current account balance:
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$-2.538 billion (2006 est.)
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Exports:
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$6.98 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
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Exports - partners:
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Lithuania 11%, Estonia 10.8%, Germany 10.2%, UK 10.2%, Russia 7.9%, Sweden 7.8%, Denmark 5.3%, Poland 5.3% (2005)
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Imports:
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$10.33 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
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Imports - partners:
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Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 13.6%, Russia 8.6%, Estonia 7.9%, Poland 6.4%, Finland 5.9%, Belarus 5.8%, Sweden 5.1% (2005)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$2.61 billion (2006 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$18.9 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$96.2 million
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Currency (code):
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Latvian lat (LVL)
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Exchange rates:
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lati per US dollar - 0.5597 (2006), - 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Airports:
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46 (2006)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 13 (2006)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 19 (2006)
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Pipelines:
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gas 1,097 km; oil 82 km; refined products 415 km (2006)
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Railways:
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total: 2,303 km
broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2005)
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Roadways:
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total: 69,532 km
paved: 69,532 km (2004)
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Waterways:
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300 km (2005)
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Merchant marine:
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total: 21 ships (1000 GRT or over) 250,559 GRT/336,136 DWT
by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 105 (Antigua and Barbuda 5, Bahamas 1, Belize 6, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 4, Dominica 1, Gibraltar 2, Liberia 14, Malta 40, Marshall Islands 7, Panama 3, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18) (2006)
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Ports and terminals:
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Riga, Ventspils
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Military branches:
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Latvian Republic Defense Force: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) (2005)
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Military service age and obligation:
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19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers; plans are to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an all-professional force by 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2004)
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 19-49: 517,713
females age 19-49: 519,631 (2005 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 19-49: 361,098
females age 19-49: 422,913 (2005 est.)
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males age 18-49: 19,137
females age 19-49: 18,505 (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1.2% (2005 est.)
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Disputes - international:
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Russia refuses to sign the 1997 boundary treaty due to Latvian insistence on a unilateral clarificatory declaration referencing Soviet occupation of Latvia and territorial losses; Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
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Illicit drugs:
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transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
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This page was last updated on 8 March, 2007
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