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Country Guide > Europe > Latvia | |
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General Information Area 64,589 sq km (24,938 sq miles). Population 2,311,480 (official estimate 2003). Population Density 35.8 per sq km. Capital Riga. Population: 739,232 (2003). Geography Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast and borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Russian Federation in the east and Belarus in the southeast. The coastal plain is mostly flat but, inland to the east, the land is hilly with forests and lakes. There are about 12,000 rivers in Latvia, the biggest being the River Daugava. The ports of Riga, Liepaja and Ventspils often freeze over during the winter. Government Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State: President Vaira Vike-Freiberga since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Indulis Emsis since 2004. Language Latvian is the official language. It is an Indo-European, non-Slavic and non-Germanic language and is similar only to Lithuanian. Russian is the mother tongue of over 30 per cent of the population and is understood by most people. English and German may also be understood. Religion Predominantly Protestant (Lutheran) with 19 per cent of the population being Roman Catholic. There is also a Russian Orthodox minority. Time GMT + 2. (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October.) Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use. Communications Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 371. Outgoing international code: 00. Directory enquiries: 09. International calls can be made from telephone booths. Payphones are operated by phonecards which can be purchased at kiosks, post offices and in some shops. Mobile telephone GSM 900 and 1800 networks operated by LMT GSM (website: www.lmt.lv) and Tele2 (website: www.tele2.lv). Roaming agreements exist. It is illegal to use a mobile telephone while driving. Fax Facilities are available in the main post office in Riga (for address, see below). Internet Main ISPs include Apollo. There are many Internet cafes in Riga and some in other towns. Telegram Services are available from all post offices and the hotel service bureau. For services from public phones, dial 06. Post The main post office is at Brivibas bulvaris 19 (open 24 hours). Postboxes are yellow. Airmail to Western Europe takes five to seven days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800 and Sat 0900-1300. Press There are Latvian and Russian newspapers – Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize and Vakara Zinas being the most popular Latvian titles. The Baltic Times is an English-language paper published weekly. Rigas Balss is a popular daily, available in both Latvian and Russian. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |