Capital:
Riga (0.9 million)
Population:
2.2 million
Languages:
Latvian 59.3% (official); Russian 27.8%: Lithuanian and other 4.4%
Religions:
Lutheran 19.6%; Orthodox 15.3%; Other Christian 1%; Unspecified 63.7%
Time Zone:
UTC/GMT +2 hour (+3 hours with Eastern European Summer Time)
International Dialling Code:
+371
Location:
Eastern Europe
Neighbouring Countries:
Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia
Birth Rate:
9.90 per 1000
Death Rate:
13.60 per 1000
Life Expectancy at birth:
72.42 years (male 67.27; female 77.84)
Literacy:
99.7% (male 99.8%; female 99.7%)
Government Type:
Parliamentary Democracy
Climate:
Maritime; wet, moderate winters
Currency:
Lats (LVL)
Basic Facts Only