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Europe :: Latvia

- ## Introduction :: LATVIA

- Background:
  The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia 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 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014.

- ## Geography :: LATVIA

- Location:
  Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
  Geographic coordinates:
  57 00 N, 25 00 E
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 64,589 sq km
  land: 62,249 sq km
  water: 2,340 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Area - comparative:
  slightly larger than West Virginia
  Area comparison map:
  Land boundaries:
  total: 1,370 km
  border countries (4): Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km
  Coastline:
  498 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
  continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
  Climate:
  maritime; wet, moderate winters
  Terrain:
  low plain
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
  highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m
  Natural resources:
  peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 29.2%
  arable land 18.6%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 10.5%
  forest: 54.1%
  other: 16.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  8.3 sq km
  note: land in Latvia is often too wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (2007)
  Total renewable water resources:
  35.45 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.42 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)
  per capita: 177.9 cu m/yr (2007)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; improvements have occurred in drinking water quality, sewage treatment, household and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east

- ## People and Society :: LATVIA

- Nationality:
  noun: Latvian(s)
  adjective: Latvian
  Ethnic groups:
  Latvian 61.1%, Russian 26.2%, Belarusian 3.5%, Ukrainian 2.3%, Polish 2.2%, Lithuanian 1.3%, other 3.4% (2013 est.)
  Languages:
  Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%
  note: percentages represent lanugage usually spoken at home (2011 est.)
  Religions:
  Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
  Population:
  1,986,705 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 14.86% (male 151,296/female 143,968)
  15-24 years: 10.47% (male 107,301/female 100,779)
  25-54 years: 42.25% (male 414,648/female 424,745)
  55-64 years: 13.44% (male 117,851/female 149,063)
  65 years and over: 18.98% (male 122,507/female 254,547) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 52.2%
  youth dependency ratio: 22.7%
  elderly dependency ratio: 29.5%
  potential support ratio: 3.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 42.9 years
  male: 39.2 years
  female: 46.3 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  -1.06% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 231
  Birth rate:
  10 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Death rate:
  14.31 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Net migration rate:
  -6.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 67.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: -0.67% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  RIGA (capital) 621,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 4.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 74.23 years
  male: 69.62 years
  female: 79.07 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Total fertility rate:
  1.5 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Health expenditures:
  5.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  Physicians density:
  3.58 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  5.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 99.8% of population
  rural: 98.3% of population
  total: 99.3% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0.2% of population
  rural: 1.7% of population
  total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 90.8% of population
  rural: 81.5% of population
  total: 87.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 9.2% of population
  rural: 18.5% of population
  total: 12.2% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: intermediate
  vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  25.6% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Education expenditures:
  4.9% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 99.9%
  male: 99.9%
  female: 99.9% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 15 years
  male: 15 years
  female: 16 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 28.4%
  male: 27.6%
  female: 29.3% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28

- ## Government :: LATVIA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
  conventional short form: Latvia
  local long form: Latvijas Republika
  local short form: Latvija
  former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
  Government type:
  parliamentary democracy
  Capital:
  name: Riga
  geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E
  time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  Administrative divisions:
  110 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 9 cities
  municipalities: Adazu Novads, Aglonas Novads, Aizkraukles Novads, Aizputes Novads, Aknistes Novads, Alojas Novads, Alsungas Novads, Aluksnes Novads, Amatas Novads, Apes Novads, Auces Novads, Babites Novads, Baldones Novads, Baltinavas Novads, Balvu Novads, Bauskas Novads, Beverinas Novads, Brocenu Novads, Burtnieku Novads, Carnikavas Novads, Cesu Novads, Cesvaines Novads, Ciblas Novads, Dagdas Novads, Daugavpils Novads, Dobeles Novads, Dundagas Novads, Durbes Novads, Engures Novads, Erglu Novads, Garkalnes Novads, Grobinas Novads, Gulbenes Novads, Iecavas Novads, Ikskiles Novads, Ilukstes Novads, Incukalna Novads, Jaunjelgavas Novads, Jaunpiebalgas Novads, Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgavas Novads, Kandavas Novads, Karsavas Novads, Keguma Novads, Kekavas Novads, Kocenu Novads, Kokneses Novads, Kraslavas Novads, Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Lielvardes Novads, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads, Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads, Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Mersraga Novads, Nauksenu Novads, Neretas Novads, Nicas Novads, Ogres Novads, Olaines Novads, Ozolnieku Novads, Pargaujas Novads, Pavilostas Novads, Plavinu Novads, Preilu Novads, Priekules Novads, Priekulu Novads, Raunas Novads, Rezeknes Novads, Riebinu Novads, Rojas Novads, Ropazu Novads, Rucavas Novads, Rugaju Novads, Rujienas Novads, Rundales Novads, Salacgrivas Novads, Salas Novads, Salaspils Novads, Saldus Novads, Saulkrastu Novads, Sejas Novads, Siguldas Novads, Skriveru Novads, Skrundas Novads, Smiltenes Novads, Stopinu Novads, Strencu Novads, Talsu Novads, Tervetes Novads, Tukuma Novads, Vainodes Novads, Valkas Novads, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils Novads, Viesites Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads
  cities: Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Valmiera, Ventspils
  Independence:
  4 May 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
  Constitution:
  several previous (preindependence); note - at independence in 1990, parts of the 1922 constitution were reinforced and fully reinforced 6 July 1993; amended several times, last in 2014 (2015)
  Legal system:
  civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Raimonds VEJONIS (since 8 July 2015)
  head of government: Prime Minister Laimdota STRAUJUMA (since 22 January 2014)
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
  elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 June 2015 (next to be held in 2019); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
  election results: Andris BERZINS (ZZS) elected president; Parliament vote - Raimonds VEJONIS 55 of 100
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 4 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2018)
  election results: percent of vote by party - SC 23%, Unity 21.9%, ZZS 19.5%, National Alliance 16.6%, NSL 6.8%, LRA 6.7%, other 5.5%; seats by party - SC 24, Unity 23, ZZS 21, National Alliance 17, LRA 8, NSL 7
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 27 judges and Supreme Court of Chambers with 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70
  subordinate courts: district (city) and regional courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Alliance of Regions or LRA [Martins BONDARS, Dainis LIEPINS]
  For Latvia from the Heart or NSL [Inguna SUDRABA]
  Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or SC [Janis URBANOVICS, Nils USAKOVS]
  National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Gaidis BERZINS, Raivis DZINTARS]
  Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS, Raimonds VEJONIS]
  Unity [Solvita ABOLTINA]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Vitalijs GAVRILOVS]
  Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]
  Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS]
  International organization participation:
  Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Andris RAZANS (since 27 July 2012)
  chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
  FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Sharon HUDSON-DEAN (since 2015)
  embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga LV-1510
  mailing address: Embassy of the United States of America, 1 Samnera Velsa St, Riga, LV-1510, Latvia
  telephone: [371] 6710-7000
  FAX: [371] 6710-7050
  Flag description:
  three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world; a medieval chronicle mentions a red standard with a white stripe being used by Latvian tribes in about 1280
  National symbol(s):
  white wagtail (bird); national colors: maroon, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
  lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS
  note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

- ## Economy :: LATVIA

- Economy - overview:
  Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing nearly a third of GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality. Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07, but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the softening world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged 18% in 2009. The economy has not returned to pre-crisis levels despite strong growth, especially in the export sector in 2011-14. The IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro in exchange for the government's commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 99.8% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia joined the euro zone in 2014.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $48.19 billion (2014 est.)
  $47.07 billion (2013 est.)
  $45.16 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 110
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $31.97 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.4% (2014 est.)
  4.2% (2013 est.)
  4.8% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $23,700 (2014 est.)
  $23,200 (2013 est.)
  $22,200 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Gross national saving:
  20.8% of GDP (2014 est.)
  21.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
  22.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 61.1%
  government consumption: 16.2%
  investment in fixed capital: 20.9%
  investment in inventories: 1.6%
  exports of goods and services: 58.9%
  imports of goods and services: -58.7%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 4.8%
  industry: 24.8%
  services: 70.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  grain, rapeseed, potatoes, vegetables; pork, poultry, milk, eggs; fish
  Industries:
  processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
  Industrial production growth rate:
  1.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Labor force:
  1.014 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 8.8%
  industry: 24%
  services: 67.2% (2010 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  10.8% (2014 est.)
  9.9% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.7%
  highest 10%: 27.6% (2008)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  35.2 (2010)
  32 (1999)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Budget:
  revenues: $11.96 billion
  expenditures: $11.97 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  36.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  0% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Public debt:
  36.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  38.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
  note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  0.7% (2014 est.)
  0% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Central bank discount rate:
  3.5% (31 December 2011)
  3.5% (31 December 2010)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  6% (31 December 2014 est.)
  5.92% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Stock of narrow money:
  $10.15 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $10.24 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Stock of broad money:
  $12.88 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $13.41 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $15.98 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $18 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $1.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $1.076 billion (31 December 2011)
  $1.252 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Current account balance:
  -$996 million (2014 est.)
  -$249.6 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Exports:
  $13.38 billion (2014 est.)
  $13.06 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Exports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles
  Exports - partners:
  Lithuania 17.7%, Russia 14.7%, Estonia 11.2%, Germany 6.6%, Poland 6.2%, Sweden 5.1%, UK 4.7% (2014)
  Imports:
  $16.56 billion (2014 est.)
  $15.98 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
  Imports - partners:
  Lithuania 17%, Germany 11.7%, Poland 10.9%, Russia 7.7%, Estonia 7.7%, Finland 5.8%, Italy 4.1% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $7.507 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $7.893 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Debt - external:
  $38.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $38.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $17.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $16.62 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $2.731 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.431 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Exchange rates:
  lati (LVL) per US dollar -
  0.7489 (2014 est.)
  0.7634 (2013 est.)
  0.55 (2012 est.)
  0.5012 (2011 est.)
  0.5305 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: LATVIA

- Electricity - production:
  5.891 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Electricity - consumption:
  6.52 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Electricity - exports:
  3.65 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Electricity - imports:
  5.005 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  2.226 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  26.5% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  70.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  2.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Crude oil - production:
  1,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  33,670 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  6,146 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  35,930 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Natural gas - consumption:
  1.48 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Natural gas - imports:
  1.48 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  7.897 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112

- ## Communications :: LATVIA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 390,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 2.5 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as mobile-cellular telephone service expands
  domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 150 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)
  Broadcast media:
  several national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned; system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations; cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations throughout the country; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008)
  Television broadcast stations:
  37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008)
  Internet country code:
  .lv
  Internet users:
  total: 1.5 million
  percent of population: 76.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110

- ## Transportation :: LATVIA

- Airports:
  42 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 18
  over 3,047 m: 1
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
  914 to 1,523 m: 3
  under 914 m: 7 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 24
  under 914 m:
  24 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  gas 928 km; refined products 415 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 2,239 km
  broad gauge: 2,206 km 1.520-m gauge
  narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Roadways:
  total: 72,440 km
  paved: 14,707 km
  unpaved: 57,733 km (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Waterways:
  300 km (navigable year round) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Merchant marine:
  total: 11
  by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
  foreign-owned: 3 (Estonia 3)
  registered in other countries: 79 (Antigua and Barbuda 16, Belize 9, Comoros 2, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Liberia 5, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 19, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils

- ## Military :: LATVIA

- Military branches:
  National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Navy (Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)), Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2011)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 546,090
  females age 16-49: 540,810 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 401,691
  females age 16-49: 447,638 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 10,482
  female: 9,858 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  0.91% of GDP (2014)
  0.99% of GDP (2013)
  0.92% of GDP (2012)
  1.05% of GDP (2011)
  0.92% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 105

- ## Transnational Issues :: LATVIA

- Disputes - international:
  Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  stateless persons: 262,802 (2014); note - individuals who were Latvian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants were recognized as Latvian citizens when the country's independence was restored in 1991; citizens of the former Soviet Union residing in Latvia who have neither Latvian nor other citizenship are considered non-citizens (officially there is no statelessness in Latvia) and are entitled to non-citizen passports; children born after Latvian independence to stateless parents are entitled to Latvian citizenship upon their parents' request; non-citizens cannot vote or hold certain government jobs and are exempt from military service but can travel visa-free in the EU under the Schengen accord like Latvian citizens; non-citizens can obtain naturalization if they have been permanent residents of Latvia for at least five years, pass tests in Latvian language and history, and know the words of the Latvian national anthem
  Illicit drugs:
  transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

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