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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. 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 will join the EU in May
of 2004 and NATO in the summer 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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Map references:
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Europe |
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Area:
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total:
64,589 sq km
water: 1,000 sq km
land: 63,589 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:
1,150 km
border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km,
Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km |
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Coastline:
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531 km |
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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:
29.01%
permanent crops: 0.48%
other: 70.51% (1998 est.) |
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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 (1998 est.) |
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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, 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 |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent
Organic Pollutants |
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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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2,306,306 (July
2004 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years:
15% (male 177,223; female 169,241)
15-64 years: 69.2% (male 772,496; female 823,410)
65 years and over: 15.8% (male 118,035; female 245,901)
(2004 est.) |
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Median age:
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total:
38.8 years
male: 35.6 years
female: 41.9 years (2004 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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-0.71% (2004
est.) |
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Birth rate:
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8.87 births/1,000
population (2004 est.) |
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Death rate:
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13.73
deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-2.23 migrant(s)/1,000
population (2004 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 (2004 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total:
9.67 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 11.45 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 70.86 years
male: 65.91 years
female: 76.09 years (2004 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.4% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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5,000 (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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less than 100
(2001 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), Lithuanian, Russian, other |
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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 short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form: Latvijas Republika |
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Government type:
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parliamentary
democracy |
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Capital:
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Riga |
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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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21 August 1991
(from Soviet Union) |
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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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the 1991
Constitutional Law, which supplements the 1922 constitution,
provides for basic rights and freedoms |
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Legal system:
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based on civil
law system |
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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 Indulis EMSIS (since
9 March 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; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be
held by June 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
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 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court
(judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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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 [Janis NAGLIS]; 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] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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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 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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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] 781-0047 |
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Economy - overview:
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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, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a
few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World
Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU
membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. The current
account and internal government deficits remain major
concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency
in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power
parity - $23.77 billion (2003 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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6.8% (2003 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power
parity - $10,100 (2003 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture:
4.5%
industry: 20.9%
services: 74.6% (2002) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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2.8% (2003 est.) |
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Labor force:
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1.1 million (2001
est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 15%,
industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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8.7% (2003 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues:
$2.4 billion
expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (2002 est.) |
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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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5.7% (2002 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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4.365 billion kWh
(2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel:
29.1%
hydro: 70.9%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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6.046 billion kWh
(2001) |
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2001
est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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44,000 bbl/day
(2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - production:
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0 cu m (2001
est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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1.7 billion cu m
(2001 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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Exports:
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$3 billion f.o.b.
(2003 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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Germany 15.3%, UK
14.4%, Sweden 10.4%, Lithuania 8.2%, Estonia 5.9%, Russia
5.8%, Denmark 5.6%, US 4.3% (2002) |
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Imports:
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$4.921 billion
f.o.b. (2003 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 17.2%,
Lithuania 9.8%, Russia 8.8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 6.4%, Estonia
6.2%, Poland 5%, Italy 4.2% (2002) |
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Debt - external:
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$6.6 billion
(2003 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$96.2 million
(1995) |
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Currency:
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Latvian lat (LVL) |
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Currency code:
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LVL |
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Exchange rates:
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lati per US
dollar - 0.57 (2003), 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000),
0.59 (1999) |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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701,200 (2002) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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917,200 (2002) |
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Telephone system:
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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: country code - 371; international
connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth
station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls
(1998) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 8, FM 56,
shortwave 1 (1998) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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44 (plus 31
repeaters) (1995) |
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Internet country code:
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.lv |
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Internet hosts:
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35,492 (2002) |
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Internet users:
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312,000 (2002) |
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Railways:
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total:
2,347 km
broad gauge: 2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km
electrified)
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) |
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Highways:
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total:
73,202 km
paved: 28,256 km
unpaved: 44,946 km (2000) |
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Waterways:
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300 km
(perennially navigable) |
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Pipelines:
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gas 1,097 km; oil
412 km; refined products 421 km (2003) |
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Ports and harbors:
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Liepaja, Riga,
Ventspils |
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Merchant marine:
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total: 11
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT
foreign-owned: Germany 1, Greece 1, Ukraine 1
registered in other countries: 96 (2003 est.)
by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated
cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea/passenger 1 |
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Airports:
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51 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 27
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 16 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 24
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 20 (2003 est.) |
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Military branches:
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Ground Forces,
Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) |
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Military manpower - military age:
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18 years of age
(2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - availability:
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males age
15-49: 594,596 (2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - fit for military service:
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males age
15-49: 466,659 (2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
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males:
19,209 (2004 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$87 million
(FY01) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1.2% (FY01) |
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Disputes - international:
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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 |
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Illicit drugs:
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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; vulnerable to
money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascent
enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of
offshore companies, exchange firms, and the gaming industry;
organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption,
extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most
laundered proceeds |
This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004
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