Country Guide • Latvia
Latvia is a former republic of the USSR. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the break up of the Soviet Union. Although there are still some 30% of the population who are Russian. It is bound by the Baltic Sea to the west, the Gulf of Riga and Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Belarus to the southeast and Lithuania to the south.
| Official Name | The Republic of Latvia |
|---|---|
| Area | 64,500km² (24,900mile²) |
| Population | 2,347,000 |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population per mile² | 93 |
| Capital City | Riga |
| Religions | Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Russian Orthodox |
| Language | Latvian but Russian and otrher ethnic languages are also spoken |
| Government | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Member of EU | No |
| Currency | Lats |
| GDP | $20 billion |
| GDP per Head | $8,300 |
| Natural Resources | Peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower and timber |
| Land Use | Arable Land 29% |
| Agriculture | Grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish |
| Industry | Motor vehicles, machinery, household appliances, pharmaceutical, food, textiles, fish Processing and canning and shipping |
| Tourism | |
| Natural Hazards | None |
| Health Risks | Tick-borne encephalitis (get vaccinated if you intend to spend a lot of time in forested areas); do not drink unboiled tap water |
| Climate | Latvia has a varied climate between the maritime climate of West Europe and the continental climate of Russia. Winters are long and cold while summers are warm with rainfall heaviest during summer and autumn. Average annual rainfall varies between 21 - 31 inches and average temperature ranges are from -1°C in January to 17°C in June |
| Time | GMT/UTC+2 hours |
| National Days | November 18 |
| Visas | Many nationalities require a visa but British nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. You are required to have health insurance on entering Latvia. Those who require visas for Latvia need to show policies upon arrival in Latvia |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
