| LATVIA Updated 25 October 2012 |
Republic of Latvia is located in the east of the European Continent, with a population of 2,191,580, making it the
142nd largest national population. Its capital and largest city is Riga with a total population of 699,203. The country
encompasses 64,589 square kilometers making it the 124th largest country in total area. It shares boundaries with
Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga.
President Andris Berzins is recognized as the Chief of State and achieves that status through parliamentary election
and holds that position for four years. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis is recognized as the Head of Government
and achieves that status through presidential appointment and holds that position four years. Its form of
government is a Parliamentary Democracy and they celebrate the creation of their constitution on 15th of February
1922.
The languages commonly or officially spoken are Latvian, Russian, Lithuanian and other languages. It counts
among its major religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox. As sources of mass communication it
has 8 AM, 56 FM, 1 Short Wave and 44 Television stations.
Major geographical features are Gaizinkalns, its highest point at 312 meters and Baltic Sea, its lowest point at 0
meters. Its principal waterways are Baltic Sea, Gauja River, Lielupe River and Daugava River, which measure 300
kilometers.
Major industries providing for the bulk of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are buses, vans, street and railroad
cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals,
processed food and textiles. Its official currency is Latvian Lat.
Here’s something you may not know about Latvia. The first known incidence of decorating a Christmas tree was in
1510 by Pagans of northern Europe in Latvia, celebrating the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule.
142nd largest national population. Its capital and largest city is Riga with a total population of 699,203. The country
encompasses 64,589 square kilometers making it the 124th largest country in total area. It shares boundaries with
Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga.
President Andris Berzins is recognized as the Chief of State and achieves that status through parliamentary election
and holds that position for four years. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis is recognized as the Head of Government
and achieves that status through presidential appointment and holds that position four years. Its form of
government is a Parliamentary Democracy and they celebrate the creation of their constitution on 15th of February
1922.
The languages commonly or officially spoken are Latvian, Russian, Lithuanian and other languages. It counts
among its major religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox. As sources of mass communication it
has 8 AM, 56 FM, 1 Short Wave and 44 Television stations.
Major geographical features are Gaizinkalns, its highest point at 312 meters and Baltic Sea, its lowest point at 0
meters. Its principal waterways are Baltic Sea, Gauja River, Lielupe River and Daugava River, which measure 300
kilometers.
Major industries providing for the bulk of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are buses, vans, street and railroad
cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals,
processed food and textiles. Its official currency is Latvian Lat.
Here’s something you may not know about Latvia. The first known incidence of decorating a Christmas tree was in
1510 by Pagans of northern Europe in Latvia, celebrating the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule.
| Riga on the Daugava River- Latvia's capital and largest city |
| Gauja River- one of Latvia's principle waterways |
| Gulf of Riga- one of Latvia's principle waterways |
| Latvian Bacon Buns |
| Latvian kids |
| Lielupe River- one of Latvia's principle waterways |
| Abi's Home Page |
| Back to |
| Monument of Freedom |
| View from Gaizinkalns |
| Old Riga |
Read about human rights in Pax
Gaea World Post Report!
Gaea World Post Report!
| Ainazi- Latvia's border crossing with Russia |
| Black Sea from Liepaja |
| Ezeres on Latvia's border with Lithuania |
| Giazinkalns- Latvia's highest point |
| Latvia- Belarus- Russia tri-border point |
| Latvian folk dancers in traditional dress |
| Latvia's southernmost point on the border with Lithuania and Belarus |
| Daugavpils- Latvia's southernmost city on the border with Lithuania and Belarus |
| Footbridge over the Zilupe River- Latvia's easternmost point on the border with Russia |
| Rucava- Latvia's westernmost point on the Baltic Sea |
| Rujiena- Latvia's northernmost point on the border with Estonia |
| Adult Prevalence Rate: People Living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS Deaths: |
0.7% (2009 est.)
8,600
fewer than 1,000
8,600
fewer than 1,000
