Overview of Latvia

Profile

Latvia is one of the Baltic States alongside Estonia and Lithuania, with over half of its approximately 65,000 km2 territory covered by forests. The trading city of Riga flourished as a key hub of the medieval Hanseatic League and still retains a wealth of Art Nouveau architecture. After regaining independence in 1991, Latvia joined the EU, NATO, and OECD, adopting the euro as its currency. It leverages advanced IT and logistics infrastructure along with multilingual human resources to develop as a business hub in northeastern Europe, while facing challenges of population decline and regional disparities.

Official name: Republic of Latvia
Common name: Latvia
Numeric code: 428
Alpha-3 code: LVA
Alpha-2 code: LV
Population: Approximately 1.89 million (2023)
Population density: About 29 people/km2
Primary languages: Latvian
Major religions: Christianity (Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox)
National anthem: Dievs, svētī Latviju! (God Bless Latvia!)
Calling code: +371
Internet TLD: .lv

History

After Livonian Order rule since the 13th century and subsequent Polish, Swedish, and Russian Empire governance, Latvia declared independence in 1918. It was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940 but regained independence in 1991.

During medieval times, Christianization progressed under German knight order rule, and commerce thrived as a Hanseatic League city. Through conflicts including the Great Northern War in the 17th-18th centuries, sovereignty changed hands multiple times before ultimately becoming part of the Russian Empire. The First Latvian Republic was established in November 1918 after World War I, but was incorporated into the USSR in 1940. After experiencing Nazi German occupation and Soviet re-annexation, the independence movement gained momentum during the perestroika-era "Singing Revolution." Independence was declared in May 1990 and internationally recognized in August 1991. Subsequently, Latvia pursued EU and NATO membership, economic reforms, and adopted the euro in 2014.

Geography & climate

Flat glacial plain dotted with forests, wetlands, and lakes, with the Daugava River flowing northwest through the center

Humid continental climate (transitional zone between oceanic and continental)

Area: Europe / 64589 km²
Capital: Riga
Largest city: Riga
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Lake Lubāns, Lake Rāzna, Lake Engure
Bordering countries: Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus

Natural resources

Forest resources, Amber, Peat, Limestone, Dolomite, Clay, Gypsum, Groundwater, Renewable biomass, Hydropower

Politics

Government: Republic and parliamentary democracy

Economy

Currency: Euro (EUR)

GDP (nominal): 44.4 billion USD (2023)

GDP (PPP): 75.2 billion USD (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Latvian

Time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), Eastern European Summer Time (EEST)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Latvians, Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Livs, Tatars, Germans

Life expectancy

74.6 years

Literacy rate

99.9%

National sports

Ice hockey, Basketball, Football, Bobsleigh, Athletics