Quick Data on Latvia
Short Name | Latvia |
Capital | Riga |
Long Name | Republic of Latvia |
Country Code | LG |
Continent | Europe |
Total Area | 64,589 sq km |
Population | 1,881,232 |
Language | Latvian |
Nationality | Latvian(s) |
Geography of Latvia
As a country in Europe, with coordinates at 57 00 N, 25 00 E, Latvia neighbors Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km. The terrain in Latvia is described as low plain, with an average elevation point of 87 m. The climate of Latvia: maritime; wet, moderate winters.
Surface Total | 64,589 sq km |
Land Surface | 62,249 sq km |
Water Surface | 2,340 sq km |
Land Boundaries | 1,370 km |
Neighbor Countries | Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km |
Coastline | 498 km |
Lowest Elevation Point | Baltic Sea 0 m |
Highest Elevation Point | Gaizina Kalns 312 m |
Resources of Latvia
The country enjoys many types of natural resources, with the main ones being peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land. The agricultural land occupies 29.20% of Latvia, while the land covered with forests is estimated at 54.10%.
Percent of Total Land | Surface Sq km | Data | |
Agricultural Land | 29.20% | 18,177 sq km | 2011 est. |
Irrigated Land | 12 sq km | 2012 | |
Forest Land | 54.10% | 33,677 sq km | 2011 est. |
Other Land | 16.70% | 10,396 sq km | 2011 est. |
Population of Latvia
The population of the country is estimated at 1,881,232 people, with the biggest urban area having 631,000 RIGA (capital) (2020). Known as Latvian(s), the people from Latvia come from diversified ethnic groups such as Latvian 62.2%, Russian 25.2%, Belarusian 3.2%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2.1%, Lithuanian 1.2%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.3% (2018 est.). The official language is Latvian. Religions: Lutheran 36.2%, Roman Catholic 19.5%, Orthodox 19.1%, other Christian 1.6%, other 0.1%, unspecified/none 23.5% (2017 est.).
Population | 1,881,232 |
Nationality | Latvian(s) |
Official Language | Latvian |
Other Languages | Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.) |
Birth Rate | 9.2 births / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Death Rate | 14.6 deaths / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Urban Population | 68.30% of total population (2020) |
Physicians Density | 3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
Hospital Beds Density | 5.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
Governing Type of Latvia
Latvia is a parliamentary republic. The legal system makes use of civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices.
Governing Type | parliamentary republic |
Citizenship by Birth | no |
Citizenship by Descent | at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia |
Dual Citizenship | no |
Residency Requirement for Naturalization | 5 years |
Suffrage Vote | 18 years of age; universal |
Economy of Latvia
From a population total of 1,881,232, the labor force is 990,000 (2017 est.). The main products in agriculture are: grain, rapeseed, potatoes, vegetables; pork, poultry, milk, eggs; fish. Among the main industries considerable for the economy are: processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics. Its exports cover foodstuffs, wood and wood products, metals, machinery and equipment, textiles. The main import products are: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, fuels, vehicles.
Exports | $12.84 billion (2017 est.) |
Imports | $15.79 billion (2017 est.) |
Export Partners | Lithuania 15.8%, Russia 14%, Estonia 10.9%, Germany 6.9%, Sweden 5.7%, UK 4.9%, Poland 4.3%, Denmark 4.1% (2017) |
Import Partners | Lithuania 17.6%, Germany 11.7%, Poland 8.7%, Estonia 7.6%, Russia 7.1%, Netherlands 4.2%, Finland 4.2%, Italy 4% (2017) |
GDP / Capita | $27,700 (2017 est.) |
Electricity Production | 6.241 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
Electrification Rate | electrification – total population: 100% (2016) |
Internet Users | 1,570,374 |
Internet Penetration Rate | 79.90% (July 2016 est.) |
For latest imports and exports data we recommend checking the website for the National Bank of Latvia, statistics sectio