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___ LatviaDestination Latvia, a virtual travel guide to Latvia. This page aims to give you a broad overview of Latvia's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government.Beside a country profile with facts and figures, the page contains links to sources which provide you with all the information you need to know about this North European nation, e.g.: official web sites of Latvia, addresses of Latvian and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, city- and country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on accommodation, tourist attractions, events and more like weather information, maps, statistics and local newspapers from Latvia. |
 Riga at Night © latviatourism.lv - Photo: Dafnis Leimanis | |
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Republic of Latvia | Latvijas Republika |
Country Profile |
 Flag of Latvia Background: 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 continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions. Since May 2004 Latvia is a member of the European Union. border countries: Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia |
 Official Name: Latvijas Republika short form: Latvija int'l long form: Republic of Latvia int'l short form: Latvia ISO Country Code: lv Time: Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) Local Time = UTC +2h Actual Time: Sat-Nov-7 23:48 DST from March - October (UTC+3) Capital City: Riga (pop. 1.15 million metro area) Other Cities: Daugavpils (113 000); Liepaja (87 000); Jelgava (66 000); Jurmala (55 000); Ventspils (44 000); Rezekne (38 000). Government: Type: Parliamentary Democracy. Constitution: The law "On the Republic of Latvia Status as a State," passed by Parliament on 21 August 1991, provided for the reinstatement of the 1922 constitution. Geography: Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania. Area: 64 100 sq. km. (25 640 sq. mi.) Terrain: Fertile low-lying plains predominate in central Latvia, highlands in Vidzeme and Latgale to the east, and hilly moraine in the western Kurzeme region. Forests cover one-third of the country, with over 3 000 small lakes and numerous bogs. Climate: Temperate, maritime; wet, with four seasons of almost equal length. January temperatures average -5°C (23°F); July 17°C (63°F). People: Nationality: Latvian(s). Population: 2.33 million. GNI per capita PPP: $ 12 886 (year) Major ethnic groups: Latvian 58.5%, Russians 29%, Belarusians 3.9%, Ukrainians 2.6%, Poles 2.5%. Religions: Lutheran, Orthodox, Roman Catholic. Languages: Latvian. Russian also is spoken by most people. Literacy: 99% Natural resources: Peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land. Agriculture products: Grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish. Industries: Automotive industry, railroad cars, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, electronics, synthetic fibers, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles. Exports partners: UK 22.1%, Germany 9.9%, USA 8.2%, Sweden 7.3%, France 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Estonia 5.2%, Denmark 4.2%, Russia 4.1% (2004) Imports partners: Germany 16.1%, Russia 14.4%, Lithuania 7.6%, Finland 6.5%, Sweden 5.6%, Estonia 5.1%, Italy 4.2%, Poland 4% (2004) Currency: Latvian Lat (LVL) |
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| Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of LatviaPresident of the Republic of LatviaThe Chancery of the President. Saeima The Latvian Parliament. Arlietu ministrija The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Diplomatic Missions Embassy of Latvia in the U.S. The Embassy in Washington D.C. Diplomatic and Consular Representations Addresses of Latvian diplomatic missions in other countries and foreign diplomatic missions in Latvia. Statistics Latvia Statistika Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Weather Latvijas Hidrometeorologijas agentura (LHMA) Latvian Hydrometeorological agency. Maps Map of Latvia Political map of Latvia.  Google
Earth LatviaZoomable satellite view of Latvia. Google
Earth RigaZoomable satellite view of Latvia's capital city. Map
of EuropePolitical Map of Europe. |
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Latvia NewsThe Baltic TimesNews from the Baltic Region. CITY PAPER - Baltics Worldwide Baltic Region news. Diena National news (in Latvian) Latvians Online International Latvian site with news reports, current affairs and interviews. LETA News Agency Latvian News Agency. |
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Arts & CultureMuseums in LatviaInformation on over 100 various Latvian museums by the Latvian Museum Association. Music in Latvia The Latvian music scene. Latvian National Opera Home of Latvia's National Opera and Ballet companies. National Library of Latvia Official site of the National Library. Hommage à Josef Elgurt The artist Josef Elgurt is living and working in Riga, Latvia. |
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Business & EconomyLatvijas BankaCentral Bank of Latvia. Riga Stock Exchange Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Transportation Airlines airBaltic Latvian Airline. Airport Riga International Airport RIX is Latvia's principal international airport. Railroad SJSC Latvijas Dzelzcelsh Latvian Railway. |
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Destination Latvia - Travel and Tour GuidesDiscover Latvia: Riga, Baltic Sea, Gauja River Valley, Valgums LakeAccommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, biking, hiking, cruising, boating, diving, tours and much more. Latvian Tourism Development Agency Official site with information on "The Land that sings". The Latvian Institute The web site offers background information, publications, e-presentations and videos about Latvia. Meeting.lv Latvia visitor's information. Nature Parks Gauja River Valley The Gauja National Park. Kemeri National Park Includes Kemeri Marsh, Kanieris Lake, the Slocene river valley, ancient dunes, and Valgums Lake. Teiãi Nature Reserve Teiãi Marsh is the largest mossy bog in the Baltic States. Tervete Nature Park Nature park of Tervete river valley. City-Guides __Riga Riga The City of Riga. Riga News from Riga. (in Latvian) Riga this week Official city guide to Latvias Capital. Riga Cultural Capital of Europe 2001. Jurmala The City of Jurmala is a popular vacation resort. Ventspils The City of Ventspils is famous for its beach and the Castle of the Livonian Order. Talsi One of the most beautiful small towns in Latvia. Hotels NEW Hotels in Latvia Find a Hotel in Latvia. |
 Rundale Baroque Palace © latviatourism.lv - Photo: Janis Vitins |
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EducationAcademic Information CentreInformation about higher education in Latvia. Institute of Astronomy University of Latvia Information about astronomical activities in Latvia. Latvian Academy of Sciences Latvijas Universitate University of Latvia, founded in 1919 on the basis of the former Riga Polytechnic (founded in 1862) Riga Technical University Official site of RTU. |
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Environment & NatureLatvijas valsts meziThe State Stock Company of "Latvia's State Forests" represents interests of the state in forest management. Latvian Fund for Nature Non-governmental nature conservation and research organisation. North Vidzme Biosphere Reserve Wood and coastal protective habitats at the basin of river Salaca including lake Burtnieku with its tributaries, as well as marine area of the Gulf of Riga. |
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HistoryHistory of LatviaArticle about Latvian history, from the first human settlements until now. Latvian History Comprehensive information on Latvia's history by The Latvian Institute. Latvijas Valsts Arhivs State Archives of Latvia. |
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SearchDelfiLatvian portal (in Latvian) Welcome to Latvia Comprehensive Latvian directory. Newsgroup of Latvia soc.culture.baltics Additional Information on LatviaBBC News Country Profile: LatviaCIESIN Baltics Regional Node: Latvia Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network, CIESIN Governments on the WWW: Latvia Open Directory Project: Latvia REENIC: Latvia Russian and East European Network Information Center on Latvia School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London: Latvia Wikipedia: Latvia WWW-VL History: Latvia The World Factbook -- Latvia |
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The Latvia page was last modified on: Friday, 24-Jul-2009 18:55:42 CEST |
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