General information about Latvia

History

The territory of present-day Latvia has been inhabited from 9,000 years BC. Latvians are descended from Baltic tribes which arrived in around 2,000 BC. Due its important geographical position, Latvia has always been desired, fought over and occupied by various larger powers including Russia, Germany, Poland and Sweden. German traders established their first camp on the banks of the river Daugava in 1054. German archbishop Albert of Livonia founded the city of Riga in 1201. Later, the city became a key member of the famous European trading alliance called the Hanseatic League. Until the World War One Latvia was ruled by Sweden, Poland and Russia. By the end of the 19th century, Riga was the third biggest industrial city in the Russian Empire (after Moscow and St Petersburg) according the number of employees, and it was the fourth largest city (after Moscow, St Petersburg and Ivanova) according its produce. As a result of WWI and the revolution, Russia's influence was sufficiently weakened to give Latvia its chance to announce independence on the 18th November 1918. During its first twenty years as an independent state, Latvia experienced rapid growth in all spheres - economy, foreign affairs and culture. Germany (imports) and the United Kingdom (exports) became the main European trading partners. Latvia signed a non-aggression pact with Germany in 1939 in an effort to maintain its neutrality. The country's destiny was decided by the infamous Molotov-Ribentrop pact which was signed between Germany and the Soviet Union on 23 August, 1939. The secret protocol stipulated the spheres of interest of both countries. According to this protocol the Soviet Union re-occupied Latvia on 17 June, 1940. Latvia remained under Soviet rule until the communist system collapsed. The so-called 'Singing Revolution' of 1991 was followed by re-establishing Latvian independence on 21 August. Latvia became a full member of the European Union and NATO in 2004.

Facts

The Territory of Latvia: 64,589 square kilometers (24,938 square miles).

International code: LV

Constitution: democratic parliamentary republic

The parliament, called the Saeima consists of 100 elected MPs.

President: Valdis Zatlers (since 8 July, 2007)

Official language: Latvian

Total population: 2 274 700 (uz 07.2007)

Capital city: Riga (with 723931 inhabitants)

Ethnic composition: Latvians -59.0% (1348344) , Russians - 28.3% (646567), Belorussians - 3.7% (85434), Ukrainians - 2.5% (57794), Poles- 2.4% (54831), Lithuanians - 1.4% (31034), Others - 2.1%.

Religion: Non-religious - 35%, Lutheran - 24%, Catholic - 18%, Orthodox - 15%, Others - 8%

Currency: Lats (LVL), 1 lats = 100 santimi

Time: GMT +2, from April to November GMT +3

Internet domain: .lv

International telephone code: +371