General 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.
Area comparative: Slightly larger than West Virginia
Climate: Maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain: Low plain
Population: 2,366,515 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%,
Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian
1.4%, other 2%
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian
Orthodox
Language: Latvian (official), Lithuanian,
Russian, other
Government type: Parliamentary democracy
Capital: Riga
Legal system: Based on civil law system
Economic overview: 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. Latvia officially joined the World
Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic
state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU
Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in
early 2000. Preparing for EU membership over the next
few years remains a top foreign policy goal. The high
current account deficit remains a major concern.
Communication/Telephone system: Inadequate, but
is being modernized to provide an international capability
independent of the Moscow international switch; more
facilities are being installed for individual use.
Places of interest: Riga, its vibrant coastal
capital, is a chief visitor magnet.
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