Latvia

Latvia ( /ˈlætviə/ (help·info); Latvian: Latvija), officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika) is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia (343 km), to the south by Lithuania (588 km), to the east by the Russian Federation (276 km), and to the southeast by Belarus (141 km).^[4] Across the Baltic Sea to the west lies Sweden. The territory of Latvia covers 64,589 km² (24,938 sq mi) and it has a temperate seasonal climate.

The Latvians are Baltic people culturally related to the Estonians and Lithuanians, with the Latvian language having many similarities with Lithuanian, but not with the Estonian language. Today the Latvian and Lithuanian languages are the only surviving members of the Baltic languages of the Indo-European family. The modern name of Latvia is thought to originate from the ancient Latvian name Latvji, which, like the name of Lithuania, may have originated from the river named Latuva.^{[citation needed]}

Latvia is a unitary parliamentary republic and is divided into 26 districts. The capital and largest city is Riga. Latvia has been a member of the United Nations since September 17, 1991; of the European Union since May 1, 2004 and of the NATO since March 29, 2004.

Contents

• 1 History
  • 1.1 The Medieval period
  • 1.2 The Reformation period
  • 1.3 Latvia in the Russian Empire
  • 1.4 Declaration of independence
  • 1.5 Latvia in World War II
    • 1.5.1 See also
  • 1.6 Soviet era
  • 1.7 Restoration of independence
• 2 Geography
  • 2.1 Fauna
  • 2.2 Climate
• 3 Districts
  • 3.1 Regions and cities
• 4 Government and politics
  • 4.1 Foreign relations
• 5 Military
• 6 Economy
  • 6.1 Economic contraction 2008
  • 6.2 Infrastructure
• 7 Education
• 8 Demographics
  • 8.1 Ethnic and cultural diversity
  • 8.2 Religion
• 9 Culture and arts
• 10 International rankings
• 11 See also
• 12 References
  • 12.1 Notes
  • 12.2 Bibliography
• 13 External links

Republic of Latvia Latvijas Republika
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: "God bless Latvia!" (Latvian: Dievs, svētī Latviju!)
Location of Latvia (dark green) – on the European continent (light green & dark grey) – in the European Union (light green) — [Legend]
Capital (and largest city)		Riga 56°57′N 24°6′E / 56.95°N 24.1°E / 56.95; 24.1
Official languages		Latvian
Ethnic groups		59.2% Latvians 28.0% Russians 3.7% Belarusians 2.5% Ukrainians 6.6% others [1]
Demonym		Latvian
Government		Parliamentary republic
-	President	Valdis Zatlers
-	Prime Minister	Valdis Dombrovskis
Independence		from Russia and Germany
-	Declared1	November 18, 1918
-	Recognized	January 26, 1921
-	Soviet occupation	August 5, 1940
-	Nazi German occupation	July 10, 1941
-	Soviet re-occupation	1944
-	Announced2	May 4, 1990
-	Restored	September 6, 1991
EU accession		May 1, 2004
Area
-	Total	64,589 km2 (124th) 24,938 sq mi
-	Water (%)	1.5
Population
-	July 2009 estimate	2,231,503 [2] (143rd)
-	2000 ppl census	2,375,000
-	Density	36/km2 (166th) 93/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$38.764 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$17,071[3]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$34.054 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$14,997[3]
Gini (2003)		37.7 (medium)
HDI (2008)		▲ 0.863 (high) (44th)
Currency		Lats (Ls) (LVL)
Time zone		EET (UTC+2)
-	Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.lv 3
Calling code		371