Latvia 17514 225616273 2008-07-14T15:57:42Z RussBot 279219 Robot-assisted fix [[WP:DPL|links to disambiguation page]] Liberal {{otheruses1|the European country}} {{Infobox Country | native_name = ''Latvijas Republika'' | conventional_long_name = Republic of Latvia | common_name = Latvia | image_flag = Flag of Latvia.svg | image_coat = Coat of Arms of Latvia.svg | image_map = Latvia location in Europe.jpg | map_caption = {{map_caption|location_color=dark green|region=[[Europe]]|region_color=dark grey|subregion=the [[European Union]]|subregion_color=light green|legend=Latvia location in Europe.jpg}} | national_motto = "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai"{{spaces| 2}}<small>([[Latvian language|Latvian]])<br/>"For Fatherland and Freedom"</small> | national_anthem = ''[[Dievs, svētī Latviju!]]''{{spaces| 2}}<small>(Latvian)<br/>"God, bless Latvia!"</small> | official_languages = [[Latvian language| Latvian]] | ethnic_groups = 60.0% [[Latvians]]<br/>27.3% [[Russians]]<br/>{{spaces| 2}}3.7% [[Belarusians]]<br/>{{spaces| 2}}2.5% [[Ukrainians]]<br/>{{spaces| 2}}6.5% others | ethnic_groups_year = | demonym = Latvian | capital = [[Image:Coat of Arms of Riga.svg||20px]] [[Riga]] | latd=56 | latm=57 | latNS=N | longd=24 | longm=6 | longEW=E | largest_city = capital | government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]] | leader_title1 = [[List of Presidents of Latvia|President]] | leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Latvia|Prime Minister]] | leader_name1 = [[Valdis Zatlers]] | leader_name2 = [[Ivars Godmanis]] | accessionEUdate = [[May 1]], [[2004]] | area_rank = 124th | area_magnitude = 1 E10 | area_km2 = 64,589 | area_sq_mi = 24,937 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> | percent_water = 1.5 | population_estimate = 2,270,700 <!--UN WPP--> | population_estimate_rank = 143rd | population_estimate_year = December 2007 | | population_census = 2 375 000 | population_census_year = 2000 | population_density_km2 = 36 | population_density_sq_mi = 93 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> | population_density_rank = 166th | GDP_PPP = $41,108 billion <!--IMF--> | GDP_PPP_rank = 92th | GDP_PPP_year = 2007 | GDP_PPP_per_capita = $18,103 <!--IMF--> | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 46th | GDP_nominal = $27,301 billion | GDP_nominal_rank = 83th | GDP_nominal_year = 2007 | GDP_nominal_per_capita = $11,958 | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 47st | sovereignty_type = [[History of Latvia|Independence]] | sovereignty_note = from [[Russian SFSR|Russia]] and [[German Empire|Germany]] | established_event1 = Declared | established_date1 = [[November 18]], [[1918]] | established_event2 = Recognized | established_date2 = [[January 26]], [[1921]] | established_event3 = Proclaimed<sup>2</sup> | established_date3 = [[May 4]], [[1990]] | established_event4 = Completed | established_date4 = [[September 6]], [[1991]] | HDI = {{increase}} 0.855 | HDI_rank = 45th | HDI_year = 2007 | HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> | Gini = 37.7 | Gini_year = 2003 | Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> | currency = [[Latvian lats| Lats]] (Ls) | currency_code = LVL | country_code = LVA | time_zone = [[Eastern European Time| EET]] | utc_offset = +2 | time_zone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time| EEST]] | utc_offset_DST = +3 | cctld = [[.lv]] <sup>3</sup> | calling_code = 371 | footnotes = <sup>1</sup> Latvia is continuous with the first republic.<br/><sup>2</sup> [[Secession]] from [[Soviet Union]] begun.<br/><sup>3</sup> Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states. }} '''Latvia''', officially the '''Republic of Latvia''' ({{lang-lv|'''Latvija''' or '''Latvijas Republika'''}}) is a [[country]] in [[Northern Europe]] in the [[Baltic region]]. It is bordered to the north by [[Estonia]] (343 km), to the south by [[Lithuania]] (588 km), and to the east both by [[Belarus]] (141 km) and the [[Russia|Russian Federation]] (276 km).<ref>[https://cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lg.html CIA Factbook: Latvia], {{En_icon}}</ref> Across the [[Baltic Sea]] to the west lies [[Sweden]]. The territory of Latvia covers 64,589 km² and is influenced by a [[Temperate climate|temperate seasonal climate]]. The [[Latvians]] are a [[Baltic peoples|Baltic people]] closely related to the [[Lithuanians]], with the [[Latvian language]] sharing many similarities to [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]. Today the Latvians and Lithuanians are the only surviving members of the Baltic peoples and [[Baltic languages]] of the [[Indo-European]] family. The modern name of Latvia is thought to originate from the ancient [[Latvian]] name [[Latvija|Latvji]], which may have originated from the word [[Latve]] which is a name of the river that presumably flowed through what is now eastern Latvia.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} Latvia is a [[democratic]] [[parliamentary republic]] and is divided into 26 [[Districts of Latvia|districts]]. The capital and largest city is [[Riga]]. Latvia has been a member of the [[United Nations]] since [[17 September]] [[1991]], of the [[European Union]] since [[1 May]] [[2004]] and of [[NATO]] since [[29 March]] [[2004]]. == History == {{main|History of Latvia}} {{See also|List of museums in Latvia}} The territory of Latvia has been populated since over 9000 BC with the proto-Baltic ancestors of the Latvian people settling on the eastern coast of the [[Baltic Sea]] around the third millennium BC (3000 BC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/msr/Ethno/dategen1.html|title=Data: 3000 BC to 1500 BC |publisher=The Ethnohistory Project|work=The European Ethnohistory Database|accessdate=2006-08-06}}</ref> By 900 AD, four Baltic tribal cultures had developed: [[Couronians]], [[Latgallians]], [[Selonians]], [[Semigallians]] (in Latvian: ''kurši'', ''latgaļi'', ''sēļi'' and ''zemgaļi''), as well as the [[Livonians]] (lībieši) speaking a Finno-Ugric language. ===Prehistory=== Across Europe, Latvia's coast was known for its [[amber]]. The ancient [[Balts]] [[Amber Road|traded Latvian amber]] with [[Ancient Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]]. Even today it is frequently used in traditional Latvian jewellery. [[Image:LivoniaKnight.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A knight (on the right) of The [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword]].]] At the end of the 12th century, traders from Western Europe often visited Latvia, setting out on trading journeys along Latvia's longest river, the [[Daugava]], to Russia. ===The Middle Ages period=== [[Christian]] [[Missionary|missionaries]] arrived in 1180. As the Balts did not readily convert and strongly opposed the christening, German [[Crusaders]] were sent into Latvia to convert the pagan population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balticsworldwide.com/Crusaders.htm|title=The Crusaders|publisher=City Paper|accessdate=2007-07-28|date=2006-03-22}}</ref> By 1211, Christianity had effective control with the foundation stone for the Dome Cathedral in Riga laid. In the 1200s, a confederation of feudal nations called [[Livonia]] developed under German rule. Livonia included today's Latvia and Southern Estonia. In 1282, Riga and later the cities of [[Cēsis]], [[Limbaži]], [[Koknese]] and [[Valmiera]] were included in the [[Hanseatic League]]. From this time, Riga became an important point in west-east trading. Riga, being the centre of the eastern Baltic region, formed close cultural contacts with Western Europe. ===The Reformation period=== The 1500s were a time of great changes for the inhabitants of Latvia, notable for the reformation and the collapse of the Livonian state. After the [[Livonian War]] (1558&ndash;1583) today's Latvian territory came under [[Polish-Lithuanian]] rule. The [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] faith was accepted in [[Kurzeme]], [[Zemgale]] and [[Vidzeme]], but the [[Roman Catholic]] faith maintained its dominance in [[Latgale]] and continues to do so today.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} The seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries saw a struggle between [[Poland]], [[Sweden]] and [[Russia]] for supremacy in the eastern Baltic. Most of [[Polish Livonia]], including Vidzeme, came under Swedish rule with the [[Truce of Altmark]] in 1629. Under the Swedish rule, [[serfdom]] was eased and a network of schools was established for the peasantry. ===Latvia in the Russian Empire=== The [[Treaty of Nystad]] ending the [[Great Northern War]] in 1721 gave Vidzeme to Russia (it became part of the [[Riga Governorate]]). The Latgale region remained part of Poland as [[Inflanty]] until 1772, when it was joined to Russia. The [[Duchy of Courland]] became a Russian province (the [[Courland Governorate]]) in 1795, bringing all of what is now Latvia into [[Imperial Russia]]. The promises [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]] made to the Baltic German nobility at the fall of Riga in 1710, confirmed by the Treaty of Nystad and known as "the Capitulations," largely reversed the Swedish reforms. The emancipation of the serfs took place in Courland in 1817 and in Vidzeme in 1819. In practice, the emancipation was actually advantageous to the nobility because it dispossessed the peasants of their land without compensation. The social structure changed dramatically, with a class of independent farmers establishing itself after reforms allowed the peasants to repurchase their land, landless peasants numbering 591 000 in 1897, a growing urban [[proletariat]] and an increasingly influential Latvian [[bourgeoisie]]. The [[Young Latvians]] ([[Latvian language|Latvian]]: ''Jaunlatvieši'') movement laid the groundwork for [[nationalism]] from the middle of the century, many of its leaders looking to the [[Slavophile]]s for support against the prevailing German-dominated social order. [[Russification]] began in Latgale after the Polish led [[January Uprising]] in 1863 and spread to the rest of what is now Latvia by the 1880s. The Young Latvians were largely eclipsed by the [[New Current]], a broad [[leftist]] social and political movement, in the 1890s. Popular discontent exploded in the [[Russian Revolution of 1905|1905 Revolution]], which took on a nationalist character in the Baltic provinces. ===Declaration of independence=== {{main|United Baltic Duchy}} [[Image:Poland & The New Baltic States.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[United Baltic Duchy]] (light brown).]] [[World War I]] devastated the country. Demands for [[self-determination]] were at first confined to [[autonomy]], but full independence was proclaimed in Riga on [[November 18]], [[1918]], by the [[Tautas Padome|People's Council of Latvia]], [[Kārlis Ulmanis]] becoming the head of the provisional government. The [[Latvian War of Independence|War of Independence]] that followed was a very chaotic period in Latvia's history. By the spring of 1919 there were actually three governments &mdash; Ulmanis' government; the [[Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic|Soviet Latvian government]] led by [[Pēteris Stučka]], whose forces, supported by the [[Red Army]], occupied almost all of the country; and the [[Baltic German]] government of "Baltic Duchy" headed by [[Andrievs Niedra]] and supported by [[Baltische Landeswehr]] and German [[Freikorps]] unit [[Iron Division]]. [[Estonia]]n and Latvian forces defeated the Germans at the [[Battle of Cēsis]] in June 1919, and a massive attack by a German and Russian force under [[Pavel Bermondt-Avalov]] was repelled in November. Eastern Latvia was cleared of [[Red Army]] forces by [[Poles|Polish]], Latvian, and German troops in early 1920. [[Image:Latvia1925physical.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Map of Latvia 1920-1940]] A freely elected [[Constituent Assembly]] was convened on [[May 1]], [[1920]] and adopted a [[Liberalism|liberal]] [[constitution]], the ''[[Satversme]]'', in February 1922. This was partly suspended by Ulmanis after his coup in 1934, but reaffirmed in 1990. Since then it has been amended and is the constitution still in use in Latvia today. With most of Latvia's industrial base evacuated to the interior of Russia in 1915, radical [[land reform]] was the central political question for the young state. In 1897, 61.2% of the rural population had been landless; by 1930 that percentage had been reduced to 23.2%. The extent of cultivated land surpassed the pre-war level already in 1923. Innovation and rising productivity led to rapid growth of economy, but it soon suffered the effects of the [[Great Depression]]. Though Latvia showed signs of economic recovery and the electorate had steadily moved toward the centre during the parliamentary period, Ulmanis staged a bloodless [[Coup d'état|coup]] on [[May 15]], [[1934]], establishing a nationalist [[dictatorship]] that lasted until 1940. ===Latvia in World War II=== Most of the Baltic Germans left Latvia by agreement between Ulmanis' government and [[Nazi Germany]] after the conclusion of the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact]]. On [[October 5]], [[1939]], Latvia was forced to accept a "mutual assistance" pact with the [[Soviet Union]], granting the Soviets the right to station 25,000 troops on Latvian territory. On [[June 16]], [[1940]], [[Vyacheslav Molotov]] presented the Latvian representative in [[Moscow]] with an ultimatum accusing Latvia of violations of that pact, and on [[June 17]] great numbers of Soviet forces [[Occupation of Latvia|occupied the country]]. Еlections for the "People's Saeima" were held, and a puppet government headed by [[Augusts Kirhenšteins]] led Latvia into the USSR.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} The annexation was formalised on [[August 5]], [[1940]]. The Soviets dealt harshly with their [[Enemy of the people|opponents]] &mdash; prior to [[Operation Barbarossa|the German invasion]], in less than a year, at least 27,586 persons were arrested; most were deported, and about 945 persons were shot. While under German occupation, Latvia was administered as part of ''[[Reichskommissariat Ostland]]''. Latvian paramilitary and [[Arajs Commando|Auxiliary Police]] units established by occupation authority actively participated in the [[Holocaust]] as well. More than 200,000 Latvian citizens died during World War II, including approximately 70,000 Latvian [[Jews]] murdered during the Nazi occupation. Latvian soldiers fought on both sides of the conflict, including in the [[Latvian Legion]] of the [[Waffen-SS]], most of them conscripted by the occupying Nazi and Soviet authorities. Refusal to join the occupying army resulted in imprisonment, threats to relatives, or even death. [[Image:Lettland riga freih statue.jpg|thumb|200 px|right|The statue of Liberty atop the [[Freedom Monument (Riga)|Freedom Monument]] in Riga]] ===Soviet occupation=== The Soviets reoccupied the country in 1944&ndash;1945, and further mass deportations followed as the country was forcibly [[Collectivisation in the USSR|collectivised]] and [[Russification|Sovietised]]; 42,975 persons were deported in 1949. Influx of labourers, administrators, military personnel and their dependents from Russia and other Soviet republics started, and by 1959 the ethnic Latvian population had fallen to 62%. During the [[Khrushchev Thaw]], attempts by national [[communists]] led by [[Eduards Berklavs]] to gain a degree of autonomy for the republic and protect the rapidly deteriorating position of the [[Latvian language]] were suppressed. ===Restoration of independence=== In 1989 the [[Supreme Soviet]] of the USSR adopted a resolution on the "Occupation of the Baltic States," in which it declared that the occupation was "not in accordance with law," and not the "will of the Soviet people". A national movement coalescing in the [[Popular Front of Latvia]] took advantage of [[glasnost]] under [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], opposed by the [[Interfront]]. On [[May 4]], [[1990]], the [[Supreme Soviet]] of the Latvian SSR adopted the [[Declaration of the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia]], subject to a transition period that came to an end with Latvian independence on [[August 21]], [[1991]], after the failure of the [[Soviet coup attempt of 1991|August Putsch]]. The [[Saeima]], Latvia's parliament, was again elected in 1993, and Russia completed its military withdrawal in 1994. The major goals of Latvia in the 1990s, to join [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]], were achieved in 2004. Language and citizenship laws have been opposed by many [[Russophone]]s, although a majority have now become citizens. ([[Citizenship]] was not automatically extended to former Soviet citizens who settled during the Soviet occupation or to their subsequent offspring. Children born to non-nationals after the reestablishment of independence are automatically entitled to citizenship.) The government denationalised private property confiscated by the Soviet rule, returning it or compensating the owners for it, and [[privatization|privatised]] most state-owned industries, reintroducing the [[Latvian lats|prewar currency]]. After a difficult transition to a liberal economy and its re-orientation toward Western Europe, though its economy has one of the highest growth rates.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} == Geography == {{main|Geography of Latvia}} [[Image:Un-latvia.png|right|thumb|299px|Map of Latvia showing cities]] Located on the eastern shore of the [[Baltic Sea]], Latvia lies on the [[East European Plain]]. It consists of fertile, low-lying plains, largely covered by [[forest]], mostly [[pine]]s, the highest point being the [[Gaiziņkalns]] at 311.6&nbsp;m (1,020&nbsp;ft). [[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Latvia is shared between the Central European and Eastern European provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]], the territory of Latvia belongs to the [[ecoregion]] of [[Sarmatic mixed forests]]. Common species of wildlife in Latvia include [[deer]], [[wild boar]], [[fox]], [[beaver]] and [[wolves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latvijas.daba.lv/scripts/db/saraksti/saraksti.cgi?l=en&s=en|title=List of species|publisher=Nature of Latvia|accessdate=2007-03-07}}</ref> The major rivers include the [[Daugava]], the [[Lielupe]], the [[Gauja]], the Venta, and the [[Salaca]]. An inlet of the [[Baltic Sea]], the shallow [[Gulf of Riga]] is situated in the northwest of the country. Latvia's coastline extends for 531 kilometers. === Climate === The Latvian [[climate]] is [[Humid continental climate|humid, continental]] and [[temperate climate|temperate]] owing to the maritime influence of the Baltic Sea. Summers are warm and the weather in spring and autumn fairly mild, however, the winters can be extreme due to the northern location. Precipitation is common throughout the year with the heaviest rainfall falling in August. During severe spells of winter weather in Latvia is dominated by cold winds from the interior of Russia and severe snowfalls are common. == Districts == {{main|Districts of Latvia}} Latvia is divided into 26 [[Districts of Latvia|districts]] (''rajoni''). There are also seven cities (''lielpilsētas'') that have a separate status. Latvia is also divided into five planning regions.<ref>[http://backweb.signalera.se/documents/43525081-11AC-45F4-ADA6-6AF3BB5DB9DB.pdf Microsoft Word - Denmark - decentralization.doc]</ref> {| border="0" | <ol> <li>[[Aizkraukle District]] <li>[[Alūksne District]] <li>[[Balvi District]] <li>[[Bauska District]] <li>[[Cēsis District]] <li>[[Daugavpils District]] <li>[[Daugavpils]] (city) <li>[[Dobele District]] <li>[[Gulbene District]] <li>[[Jēkabpils District]] <li>[[Jelgava District]] <li>[[Jelgava]] (city) <li>[[Jūrmala]] (city) <li>[[Kraslava District|Krāslava District]] <li>[[Kuldīga District]] <li>[[Liepaja District|Liepāja District]] <li>[[Liepāja]] (city) </ol> |style="vertical-align: top;"| <ol start=18> <li>[[Limbaži District]] <li>[[Ludza District]] <li>[[Madona District]] <li>[[Ogre District]] <li>[[Preili District|Preiļi District]] <li>[[Rezekne District|Rēzekne District]] <li>[[Rēzekne]] (city) <li>[[Rīga District]] <li>[[Rīga]] (city) <li>[[Saldus District]] <li>[[Talsi District]] <li>[[Tukums District]] <li>[[Valka District]] <li>[[Valmiera District]] <li>[[Ventspils District]] <li>[[Ventspils]] (city) </ol> |width="365" style="vertical-align: middle;"| {{Image with scale |image= [[Image:Latvia districts numbered.png|none|350px|Map of the districts of Latvia in alphabetical order.]] |float=right |scale=350 |x=0.05 |y=0.05 |high=500 |width=299 |bl=0.087 |bw=1px |bc=black |fc=black |text=<small>50km</small> }} |} *[[Abrene district|Abrene District]] (1919&nbsp;&ndash; 1940), the eastern part of which was annexed to [[Russia]] in 1944.<br/>The legal status of the annexed portion is disputed&nbsp;&mdash; the western part of the former district is now in Balvi District. === Regions and cities === {{main|Regions of Latvia|Subdivisions of Latvia}} {{See also|List of cities in Latvia}} [[Latvia]] is divided into several historical and cultural regions. *Kurzeme *Latgale *Riga *Vidzeme *Zemgale ==Government and politics== {{main|Politics of Latvia}} {{main|Parliament of Latvia}} {{main|Government of Latvia}} The 100-seat [[unicameral]] Latvian [[parliament]], the ''[[Saeima]]'', is [[General Election|elected]] by direct popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the ''Saeima'' in a separate election, also held every four years. The president appoints a [[prime minister]] who, together with his [[cabinet]], forms the [[executive branch]] of the government, which has to receive a confidence vote by the ''[[Saeima]]''. This system also existed before the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Constitution">{{Lv icon}}[http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?mode=DOC&id=57980 Constitution of the Republic of Latvia with amendments and revisions] [http://www.saeima.lv/LapasEnglish/Constitution_Saturs.htm (Official english translation)] (Retrieved on 24 December 2006)</ref> Highest civil servants are sixteen [[Secretaries of state]]. ===Foreign relations=== {{main|Foreign relations of Latvia}} Membership of the EU and NATO were major policy goals during the 1990s. In a nation-wide [[referendum]] on [[September 20]], [[2003]], 66.9% of those taking part voted in favour of joining the [[European Union]]. Latvia became a member of the [[European Union]] on [[May 1]], [[2004]]. Latvia has been a [[NATO]] member since [[March 29]], [[2004]]. Treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has been signed and ratified in 2007, under the treaty the [[Abrene district]] passes to Russia; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights) == Military == {{main|Military of Latvia}} Latvia's defense concept is based upon the Swedish-Finnish model of a rapid response force composed of a mobilization base and a small group of career professionals. The armed forces consists of mobile riflemen, an air force, and a navy. Latvia cooperates with Estonia and Lithuania in the joint infantry battalion BALTBAT and naval squadron BALTRON which are available for peacekeeping operations. As of March 29, 2004, Latvia officially joined NATO. Currently, NATO is involved in the patrolling and protection of the Latvian air space as the Latvian army does not have the means to do so effectively. For this goal a rotating force of four NATO fighters, which comes from different nations and switches at two or three month intervals, is based in Lithuania to cover all three Baltic states (see [[Baltic Air Policing]]). == Economy == {{main|Economy of Latvia}} [[Image:Lv real gdp growth.svg|thumb|Real GDP growth in Latvia 1996-2006.]] Since the year 2000 Latvia has had one of the highest ([[GDP]]) growth rates in [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=sdi_ed&root=sdi_ed/sdi_ed/sdi_ed1000 |title=Growth rate of real GDP per capita|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|accessdate=2007-07-28}}</ref> In 2006, annual GDP growth was 11.9% and [[inflation]] was 6.2%. [[Unemployment]] was 8.5%&nbsp;&mdash; almost unchanged compared to the previous two years. However, it has recently dropped to 6.1%, partly due to active economic [[Human migration|migration]], mostly to [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. Some believe that Latvia's [[flat tax]] is responsible for its high growth rate, but this is not universally accepted. [[Privatization|Privatisation]] is mostly complete, except for some of the large [[State ownership|state-owned]] utilities. Latvia is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (1999) and the [[European Union]] (2004). The fast growing economy is regarded as a possible [[economic bubble]], because it is driven mainly by growth of domestic [[Consumption (economics)|consumption]], financed by a serious increase of private [[debt]], as well as a negative foreign [[Balance of trade|trade balance]]. The prices of [[real estate]], which were appreciating at approximately 5% a month, are perceived to be too high for the economy, which mainly produces low valued goods and [[raw materials]]. As stated by Ober-Haus, a real estate company operating in Poland and the Baltics, the prices of some segments of the real estate market have stabilised as of summer 2006 and some experts expect serious reduction of prices in the near future. The government has recently introduced a special program to reduce inflation and retain high growth rates.{{facts|date=July 2007}} The main points of the plan are: *To create a non-deficit country budget for the current 2007 year and a budget with a surplus for 2008 and beyond; *to tax any transaction concerning real estate that has been in a person's possession less than three years; *to increase control of credit; *to increase energy effectiveness in homes and business to guard against possible rises in energy costs, and *to increase work productivity and stimulate competition in business. Latvia plans to introduce the [[Euro]] as the country's currency but, due to the inflation being above [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union|EMU]]'s guidelines, this is unlikely to happen before 2010.{{facts|date=July 2007}} [[Privatisation]] in [[Latvia]] is almost complete. Virtually all of the previously state-owned small and medium companies have been successfully privatized, leaving only a small number of politically sensitive large state companies. Latvian privatization efforts have led to the development of a dynamic and prosperous private sector, which accounted for nearly 68% of GDP in 2000. Foreign investment in Latvia is still modest compared with the levels in north-central Europe. A law expanding the scope for selling land, including to foreigners, was passed in 1997. Representing 10.2% of Latvia's total foreign direct investment, American companies invested $127 million in 1999. In the same year, the United States exported $58.2 million of goods and services to Latvia and imported $87.9 million. Eager to join Western economic institutions like the [[World Trade Organization]], [[OECD]], and the [[European Union]], Latvia signed a Europe Agreement with the EU in 1995--with a 4-year transition period. Latvia and the [[United States]] have signed treaties on investment, trade, and intellectual property protection and avoidance of double taxation. === Infrastructure === {{main|Transportation in Latvia|National Roads in Latvia}} The transport sector is around 14% of GDP. Transit between Russia and the West is large.<ref name="wpt">[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/EXTECAREGTOPTRANSPORT/0,,contentMDK:20647605~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:571121,00.html Latvia], World Bank</ref> Key ports are in [[Riga]], [[Ventspils]], and [[Liepaja]]. Most transit traffic uses these and half the cargo is crude oil and oil producs.<ref name="wpt"/> [[Riga International Airport]] is the largest airport with 3.2 million passengers in 2007. == Education== {{seealso|List of universities in Latvia}} [[University of Latvia]] is the oldest [[university]] in Latvia and is located in [[Riga]]. [[Daugavpils University]] is the second largest university. == Demographics == {{main|Demographics of Latvia}} {| class="wikitable" align="right" |+ Residents of Latvia by ethnicity +|- |align="left"| [[Latvians]] || 60.0%</tr> |align="left"| [[Russians]] || 27.3%</tr> |align="left"| [[Belarusians]] || 3.7%</tr> |align="left"| [[Ukrainians]] || 2.5%</tr> |align="left"| [[Poles]] || 2.4%</tr> |align="left"| [[Lithuanians]] || 1.4%</tr> |align="left"| [[Ashkenazi Jews|Jews]] || 0.5%</tr> |align="left"| [[Roma people|Roma]] || 0.4%</tr> |align="left"| [[Baltic Germans|Germans]] || 0.2%</tr> |align="left"| [[Estonians]] || 0.1%</tr> |align="left"| ''Others'' || 1.5%</tr> |} === Ethnic and cultural diversity === {{Main|Latvian Russians|Latvian Germans|Latvian Jews|Latgalians|Livonians}} Latvia's [[population]] has been [[multiethnic]] for centuries, though the [[demographics]] shifted dramatically in the [[20th century|twentieth century]] due to the World Wars, the emigration and removal of [[Baltic Germans]], the [[Holocaust]], and occupation by the [[Soviet Union]].{{facts|date=July 2007}} [[Latvians]] and [[Livonians]], the indigenous peoples of Latvia, now form about 60% of the population; 28% of the inhabitants are [[Russians|Russian]].<ref name=nvalde>{{cite web|url=http://www.np.gov.lv/index.php?en=fakti_en&saite=residents.htm|title=The Breakdown of the Residents of Latvia as to Nationality |publisher=Latvia Board for Citizenship and Migration Affairs|accessdate=2007-07-28|date=2007-04-01}}</ref> Approximately 56% of the ethnic Russians living in Latvia are citizens of Latvia.<ref name=nvalde> People who arrived whilst Latvia was occupied by the [[USSR]], and their descendants born before 1991, must be [[naturalization|naturalised]] to receive Latvian citizenship. Over 100,000 persons have been naturalised in recent years.{{Facts|date=July 2007}} In some large cities, e.g., [[Daugavpils]] and [[Rēzekne]], Russians and other minorities outnumber Latvians. Minorities from other countries such as [[Belarus]], [[Ukraine]], [[Poland]], [[Lithuania]], etc., also live in Latvia. The share of ethnic Latvians had fallen from 77% (1,467,035) in 1935 to 52% (1,387,757) in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lka.edu.lv/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&topic=68|title=About Latvia|publisher= Latvian Academy of Culture|accessdate=2007-07-28}}</ref> In 2005 there were even fewer Latvians than in 1989, though their share of the population was larger&nbsp;&mdash; 1,357,099 (58.8% of the inhabitants).{{facts|date=July 2007}} {{Main|Languages of Latvia|Livonian language|Latgalian language}} The official language of Latvia is [[Latvian language|Latvian]], which belongs to the [[Baltic languages|Baltic language group]] of the [[Indo-European language family]]. Another notable language of Latvia is the nearly extinct [[Livonian language]] of the [[Baltic-Finnic languages|Baltic-Finnic]] subbranch of the [[Uralic languages|Uralic language family]], which enjoys protection by law; [[Latgalian language]]&nbsp;&mdash; a dialect of Latvian&nbsp;&mdash; is also protected by Latvian law as historical variation of Latvian language. [[Russian language|Russian]] which was official during the [[Soviet occupation of Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] is by far the most widespread minority language and also known by the majority of Latvians. In fact, knowledge of Russian is more widespread than knowledge of Latvian, 81% of all inhabitants know Russian, while only 79% know Latvian.<ref>[http://www.am.gov.lv/en/policy/4641/4642/FromSegregationToIntegration/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia] "The Russian language is robust in Latvia, as Russian-speakers are a majority or plurality in many cities, almost all Latvians speak Russian as well as Latvian and culture and media from Russia have a strong presence in Latvia. Indeed, the legacy of Soviet Russification policy was still evident in the results of the 2000 census in Latvia, which showed that knowledge of Russian is still more widespread than knowledge of Latvian in Latvia: 81% of all inhabitants know Russian, while only 79% know Latvian."</ref> == Culture and arts == {{Main|Culture of Latvia}} [[Image:Latvian regions and latvians.png|thumb|right|200 px|Historical regions of Latvia, together with Latvian cultural groups.]] Between the [[13th century|thirteenth]] and [[19th century|nineteenth century]], [[Baltic Germans]], many of whom were originally of non-German ancestry but had been assimilated into [[German culture]], formed the upper class.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} They developed a distinct cultural heritage, characterised by both Latvian and German influences. It has survived in German Baltic families to this day, in spite of their dispersal to Germany, the USA, Canada and other countries in the early 20th century. However, most indigenous Latvians did not participate in this particular cultural life.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Thus, the mostly peasant local [[pagan]] heritage was preserved, partly merging with Christian traditions, for example in one of the most popular celebrations today which is [[Jāņi]], a pagan celebration of the [[summer solstice]], celebrated on the feast day of St. [[John the Baptist]].{{facts|date=July 2007}} In the [[19th century|nineteenth century]] Latvian nationalist movements emerged promoting Latvian culture and encouraging Latvians to take part in cultural activities. The nineteenth century and beginning of the [[20th century|twentieth century]] is often regarded as a classical era of Latvian culture. Posters show the influence of other European cultures, for example, works of artists such as the Baltic-German artist [[Bernhard Borchert]] and the French [[Raoul Dufy]].{{facts|date=July 2007}} With the onset of World War II, many Latvian artists and other members of the cultural elite fled the country yet continued to produce their work, largely for a Latvian émigré audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latvianart.org/historical.html|title=Latvianart.org, "Historical Background"}}</ref> After incorporation into the [[USSR]], Latvian artists and writers were forced to follow the [[Socialist realism]] style of art. During the Soviet era, music became increasingly popular, with the most popular being songs from the 1980s. At this time, songs often made fun of the characteristics of Soviet life and were concerned about preserving Latvian identity. This aroused popular protests against the USSR and also gave rise to an increasing popularity of poetry. Since independence, [[theatre]], [[scenography]] and [[classical music]] have become the most notable branches of Latvian culture.{{facts|date=July 2007}} == Society == {{See also|Latvian humour}} === Religion === {{See also|Islam in Latvia}} The largest religion is [[Christianity]], although only 7% of population attend religious services regularly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/trust.in.religious.institutions.does.not.convey.to.church.attendance/1462.htm|title=Trust in Religious Institutions does not convey to Church Attendance|publisher=Christian Today|date=2004-09-23|accessdate=2007-07-28|author=Eunice K. Y. Or}}</ref> The largest groups in 2006 are: * [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia|Lutheran]]&nbsp;&mdash; 400,000{{Fact|date=October 2007}} * [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]&nbsp;&mdash; 450,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tm.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi/pi_info.html?news_id=1455|title=Reliģisko organizāciju locekļu skaits|language=Latvian|accessdate=2008-02-18}}</ref> * [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]]&nbsp;&mdash; 350,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ekai.pl/serwis/?MID=12767|title=Na Łotwie działa ponad 1,2 tys. wspólnot religijnych|language=Polish|accessdate=2007-07-28}}</ref> According to the most recent [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]] 2005,<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> 37% of Latvian citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 49% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 10% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". Lutheranism was much stronger before the Soviet occupation, when it was a majority religion, but since then Lutheranism in all the [[Baltic States]] has declined to a much greater extent than Roman Catholicism has. The country's Orthodox Christians belong to the [[Latvian Orthodox Church]], a semi-autonomous body within the [[Russian Orthodox Church]]. There are 182 known [[Islam in Latvia|Muslims]] living in Latvia though the total number is estimated to be much larger: from 500 to 5,000. There are also [[Judaism|Jews]] (9,743 in 2006) in Latvia.{{facts|date=July 2007}} There are more than 600 Latvian [[neopagan]]s, ''[[Dievturība|Dievturi]]'' (The Godskeepers), whose religion is based on [[Latvian mythology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bibelesbiedriba.lv/religiju-enciklopedija/statistika.html|title=Statistics of approved parishes in Latvia|date=2004-01-01|accessdate=2007-03-07|publisher=The Latvian Bible Society|work=Reliģiju Enciklopēdija|language=Latvian}}</ref> About 40% of the total population is not affiliated with a specific religion.{{facts|date=July 2007}} === International rankings === * [[Environmental Sustainability Index]]: 15/146 * [[Reporters Without Borders]] [[Reporters Without Borders#Worldwide press freedom index|World-wide press freedom index]]: 12/168 * [[Transparency International]] [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]: 49/163 * [[Heritage Foundation]]/[[The Wall Street Journal]] [[Economic Freedom of the World|Index of Economic Freedom]]: 39/157 == See also == {{portal|Latvia|Nuvola Latvian flag.svg}} {{col-begin}} {{col-3}} * [[Communications in Latvia]] * [[Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija|Scouting and Guiding in Latvia]] * [[Latvijas Televīzija]] {{col-3}} {{col-3}} * [[Tourism in the Baltics]] * [[LGBT rights in Latvia]] {{col-end}} ==Bibliography== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|first=Juris|last=Dreifelds|title=Latvia in Transition|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1996|isbn=978-0521555371}} * {{cite book|author=Rutkis, Jānis (ed.)|title=Latvia: Country & People|publisher=Latvian National Foundation|location=Stockholm|year=1967|oclc=457313}} * {{cite book|author=Arveds, Švābe|title=The Story of Latvia: A Historical Survey|publisher=Latvian National Foundation|location=Stockholm|year=1949|oclc=2961684}} * {{cite book|title=These names accuse : nominal list of Latvians deported to Soviet Russia in 1940-41 : with supplementary list|publisher=Latvian National Foundation in cooperation with the World Federation and Free Latvians|location=Stockholm|year=1982|oclc=10403023|edition=second edition|url=http://latvians.com/en/Reading/TheseNamesAccuse/ThNA-00-OurFamilies.php|accessdate=2007-07-30}} {{refend}} == References == {{reflist}} == External links == {{sisterlinks|Latvia}} <!-- Notice: Wikipedia is not a web directory or a search engine. Please only post links that provide broad, non-trivial coverage of the article's topic. --> '''Government''' {{refbegin}} * [http://www.mk.gov.lv/index.php/en Cabinet of Ministers] * [http://www.saeima.lv/index_eng.html Latvian Parliament] — The website of [[Saeima|Latvijas Republikas Saeima]] * [http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=16&lng=en&p Latvian President's Chancery] * [http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs] *[http://web.cvk.lv/pub/public/28333.html Central Election Commission of Latvia] * [http://www.lvavp.lv/frameset.php?&lang_code=_eng National Agency of Latvian Language Training] * [http://www.csb.lv/avidus.cfm?lng=en National Statistics Agency] — Statistical information on economical, demographic, social, and environmental phenomena and processes of Latvia {{refend}} '''Country profiles''' {{refbegin}} * [http://www.apcelo.lv/index.php?lang=en Latvia travel info] * [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/lvtoc.html Latvia Country Study] from the [[United States]] [[Library of Congress]] * [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lg.html Latvia] from [[The World Factbook]] * [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/latvia/ Latvia Travel Profile] from [[Lonely Planet]] * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1106666.stm Latvia Country Profile] from [[BBC News]] * {{wikitravel|Latvia}} {{refend}} '''Other''' {{refbegin}} <!-- Notice: Wikipedia is not a web directory or a forum for advertising. Please only post links that provide broad, non-trivial coverage of the article's topic. --> * [http://www.latvija.lv/EN/WebLinks Latvija.lv] &mdash; The official portal of Latvia by the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Electronic Government Affairs * [http://latvia.lv/ Virtual World of Latvia (Latvian Institute)] * [http://www.latviatourism.lv Latvian Tourism Development Agency] &mdash; The official portal of the national tourism organization * [http://www.visiteuropes.com/ccm/vacation/downloads/?lang=en_US&33019=219 Latvia Tourism Brochures] &mdash; Official publications by the European Travel Commission * [http://www.li.lv The Latvian Institute] &mdash; Publications on Latvian society, economy, culture and history * [http://www.humanrights.lv/doc/latlik/satver~1.htm The Constitution of Latvia] — Translated by the Latvia Law Institute, published online by the Human Rights Institute of the [[University of Latvia]] * {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Latvia/}} {{refend}} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Nuvola filesystems www.png|23px]] Geographic locale |list = }} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Crystal Clear app browser.png|23px]] Geographic international |list = {{Countries of Europe}} {{Baltic states}} {{Countries bordering the Baltic Sea}} }} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Nuvola apps galeon.png|23px]] International membership |list = {{EU members}} {{NATO|state=collapsed}} {{WTO}} {{Council of Europe members}} }} {{coor title dm|57|00|N|25|00|E|type:country_scale:9000000_region:EN}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Latvia| ]] [[Category:Republics]] [[Category:Liberal democracies]] <!--Other languages--> [[af:Letland]] [[als:Lettland]] [[am:ላትቪያ]] [[ang:Lettland]] [[ar:لاتفيا]] [[an:Letonia]] [[arc:ܠܬܒܝܐ]] [[roa-rup:Letonia]] [[frp:Lètonie]] [[ast:Letonia]] [[gn:Letoña]] [[az:Latviya]] [[zh-min-nan:Latvia]] [[be:Латвія]] [[be-x-old:Латвія]] [[bs:Latvija]] [[br:Latvia]] [[bg:Латвия]] [[ca:Letònia]] [[cv:Латви]] [[ceb:Latvia]] [[cs:Lotyšsko]] [[co:Lettonia]] [[cy:Latfia]] [[da:Letland]] [[pdc:Lettlond]] [[de:Lettland]] [[dv:ލެޓުވިއާ]] [[dsb:Letiska]] [[et:Läti]] [[el:Λεττονία]] [[es:Letonia]] [[eo:Latvio]] [[eu:Letonia]] [[fa:لاتویا]] [[fo:Letland]] [[fr:Lettonie]] [[fy:Letlân]] [[fur:Letonie]] [[ga:An Laitvia]] [[gv:Yn Latvey]] [[gd:An Laitbhe]] [[gl:Letonia - Latvija]] [[hak:Lâ-thot-vì-â]] [[ko:라트비아]] [[hy:Լատվիա]] [[hi:लातविया]] [[hsb:Letiska]] [[hr:Latvija]] [[io:Latvia]] [[ilo:Latvia]] [[bpy:লাতভিয়া]] [[id:Latvia]] [[ia:Latvia]] [[ie:Latvia]] [[os:Латви]] [[is:Lettland]] [[it:Lettonia]] [[he:לטביה]] [[kl:Letlandi]] [[pam:Latvia]] [[ka:ლატვია]] [[csb:Łotewskô]] [[kk:Латуия]] [[kw:Latvi]] [[ky:Латвия]] [[sw:Latvia]] [[ht:Letoni]] [[ku:Letonya]] [[lad:Letonia]] [[la:Lettonia]] [[lv:Latvija]] [[lb:Lettland]] [[lt:Latvija]] [[lij:Lettònia]] [[li:Letland]] [[hu:Lettország]] [[mk:Латвија]] [[mr:लात्व्हिया]] [[ms:Latvia]] [[nah:Letontlān]] [[na:Latwia]] [[nl:Letland]] [[nds-nl:Letlaand]] [[ne:लात्भिया]] [[ja:ラトビア]] [[ce:Латви]] [[pih:Latwya]] [[no:Latvia]] [[nn:Latvia]] [[nrm:Lettonnie]] [[nov:Latvia]] [[oc:Letònia]] [[uz:Latviya]] [[ps:لاتويا]] [[pms:Letònia]] [[nds:Lettland]] [[pl:Łotwa]] [[pt:Letónia]] [[ro:Letonia]] [[rmy:Latviya]] [[rm:Lettonia]] [[qu:Litunya]] [[ru:Латвия]] [[se:Látvia]] [[sa:लाट्विया]] [[sc:Lettonia]] [[sco:Latvie]] [[sq:Letonia]] [[scn:Lettonia]] [[simple:Latvia]] [[sk:Lotyšsko]] [[sl:Latvija]] [[sr:Летонија]] [[sh:Letonija]] [[fi:Latvia]] [[szl:Uotwa]] [[sv:Lettland]] [[tl:Latvia]] [[ta:லாத்வியா]] [[kab:Liṭṭunya]] [[tt:Latvia]] [[tet:Letónia]] [[th:ประเทศลัตเวีย]] [[vi:Latvia]] [[tg:Латвия]] [[tpi:Latvia]] [[tr:Letonya]] [[udm:Латвия]] [[uk:Латвія]] [[vec:Łetonia]] [[vo:Latviyän]] [[fiu-vro:Läti]] [[vls:Letland]] [[war:Letonia]] [[wo:Letóoni]] [[wuu:拉脱维亚]] [[yi:לעטלאנד]] [[zh-yue:拉脫維亞]] [[diq:Letonya]] [[bat-smg:Latvėjė]] [[zh:拉脫維亞]]