This article is about the European country. For other uses see Latvia (disambiguation). "LVA" redirects here. For other uses see LVA (disambiguation). Republic of Latvia Latvijas Republika Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Dievs svt Latviju!   God Bless Latvia! Location of  Latvia  (dark green)  on the European continent  (green & dark grey)  in the European Union  (green)    Legend Capital (and largest city) Riga 5657N 246E / 56.95N 24.1E / 56.95; 24.1 Official language(s) Latvian Ethnic groups (2011) 59.5% Latvians 27.4% Russians 3.5% Belarusians 2.4% Ukrainians 2.3% Poles 1.3% Lithuanians 3.6% others and unspecified1 Demonym Latvian Government Parliamentary republic  -  President Valdis Zatlers  -  Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis Independence from Russia   -  Declared1 November 18 1918   -  Recognized January 26 1921   -  Soviet occupation August 5 1940   -  Nazi German occupation July 10 1941   -  Soviet occupation 1944   -  Announced May 4 1990   -  Restored August 21 19912  Area  -  Total 64589 km2 (124th) 24938 sq mi   -  Water (%) 1.57% (1014 km2) Population  -  2010 estimate 22453571 (143rd)  -  2000 census 2377383   -  Density 34.3/km2 (166th) 89.0/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate  -  Total $32.513 billion3   -  Per capita $144603  GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate  -  Total $24.045 billion3   -  Per capita $106943  Gini (2003) 37.7 (medium)  HDI (2010) 0.7694 (high) (48th) Currency Lats (Ls) (LVL) Time zone EET (UTC+2)  -  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code LV Internet TLD .lv Calling code +371 1 Latvia is de jure continuous with its declaration November 18 1918.

Latvia (i /ltvi/; Latvian: Latvija) officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika) is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia (border length 343 km) to the south by Lithuania (588 km) to the east by the Russian Federation (276 km) and to the southeast by Belarus (141 km).5 Across the Baltic Sea to the west lies Sweden. The territory of Latvia covers 64589 km2 (24938 sq mi) and it has a temperate seasonal climate.

The Latvians are Baltic people culturally related to the Estonians and Lithuanians with the Latvian language having many similarities with Lithuanian but not with the Estonian language (a Finnic language). Today the Latvian and Lithuanian languages are the only surviving members of the Baltic languages of the Indo-European family. The modern name of Latvia is thought to originate from the ancient Latvian name Latvji which like the name of Lithuania may have originated from the river named Latuva.citation needed The country is also the home of a large Russian minority of whom many are non-citizens.

Latvia is a unitary parliamentary republic and is divided into 118 municipalities (109 counties and 9 cities). The capital and largest city is Riga. With a population of 2.22 million Latvia is one of the least-populous members of the European Union and its population has declined 15.1% since 1991.6 Latvia has been a member of the United Nations since September 17 1991; of the European Union since May 1 2004; and of the NATO since March 29 2004.

Following a period of being part of the Soviet Union after World War II Latvia declared its independence in 1991. After years of economic stagnation in the early 1990s Latvia posted Europe-leading GDP growth figures during the 19982006 period. In the global financial crisis of 20082010 Latvia was the hardest hit of the European Union member states with a GDP decline of 26.54% in that period.78 Its per capita GDP is 49% of the EU average in 2009 making it the third poorest member-state.9 Contents 1 History 1.1 The Medieval period 1.2 The Reformation period 1.3 Latvia in the Russian Empire 1.4 Declaration of Independence 1.5 Latvia in World War II 1.6 Soviet era 1.7 Restoration of independence 2 Geography 2.1 Administrative divisions 2.2 Climate 2.3 Biodiversity 3 Politics 3.1 Foreign relations 3.2 Human rights 3.3 Military 4 Economy 4.1 Economic contraction 4.2 Infrastructure 5 Demographics 5.1 Ethnic groups 5.2 Language 5.3 Religion 5.4 Education 5.5 Health 6 Culture 6.1 Sports 7 See also 8 References 9 External links History Main article: History of Latvia See also: List of museums in Latvia History of Latvia This article is part of a series Ancient Latvia Kunda culture Narva culture Corded Ware culture Amber Road and Aesti Baltic Finns: Livonians Vends Latgalians Curonians Selonians Semigallians Middle ages Principality of Jersika Principality of Koknese Livonian Crusade Livonian Brothers of the Sword Livonian Order Archbishopric of Riga Bishopric of Courland Terra Mariana Early modern period Livonian War Kingdom of Livonia Duchy of Livonia Duchy of Courland and Semigallia PolishSwedish war (1600-1629) Second Northern War Swedish Livonia Inflanty Voivodeship Great Northern War Governorate of Livonia Courland Governorate Modern Latvia Latvian National Awakening New Current German occupation Latvian Riflemen United Baltic Duchy Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic War of Independence Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany Occupation of Latvia by Soviet Union 19441945 Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Popular Front of Latvia Singing Revolution Restoration of Independence Republic of Latvia Chronology Latvia Portal v d e

Around the beginning of the third millennium BC (3000 BC) the proto-Baltic ancestors of the Latvian people settled on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.10 The Balts established trade routes to Rome and Byzantium trading local amber for precious metals.11 By 900 AD four distinct Baltic tribes inhabited Latvia: Curonians Latgalians Selonians Semigallianscitation needed (in Latvian: kuri latgai si and zemgai) as well as the Livonians (lbiei) speaking a Finnic language. The Medieval period

Although the local people had had contact with the outside world for centuries they were more fully integrated into European society in the 12th century.12 The first missionaries sent by the Pope sailed up the Daugava River in the late 12th century seeking converts.13 The local people however did not convert to Christianity as readily as hoped.13 German crusaders were sent into Latvia to convert the pagan population by force of arms.14

In the beginning of the 13th century large parts of today's Latvia were occupied by Germans.13 Together with Southern Estonia these conquered areas formed the crusader state that became known as Terra Mariana or Livonia. In 1282 Riga and later the cities of Csis Limbai Koknese and Valmiera were included in the Hanseatic League.13 Riga became an important point of east-west trading.13 and formed close cultural contacts with Western Europecitation needed. The Reformation period

The 16th 17th and 18th centuries were a time of great change for the inhabitants of Latvia including the reformation the collapse of the Livonian state and the time when the Latvian territory was divided up among foreign powers.

After the Livonian War (15581583) Livonia (Latvia) fell under Polish and Lithuanian rule.13 The southern part of Estonia and the northern part of Latvia were ceded to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and formed into the Ducatus Ultradunensis (Prdaugavas hercogiste). Gotthard Kettler the last Master of the Order of Livonia formed the Duchy of Courland and Semigalliacitation needed. Though the duchy was a vassal state to Poland it retained a considerable degree of autonomy and experienced a golden age in the 17th century. Latgalia the easternmost region of Latvia became a part of the Polish district of Inflanty. The 17th and early 18th centuries saw a struggle between PolishLithuanian Commonwealth Sweden and Russia for supremacy in the eastern Baltic. After the PolishSwedish War (16001611) northern Livonia (including Vidzeme) came under Swedish rule. Fighting continued sporadically between Sweden and Poland until the Truce of Altmark in 1629citation needed. In Latvia the Swedish period is generally remembered as positive; serfdom was eased a network of schools was established for the peasantry and the power of the regional barons was diminishedcitation needed. Several important cultural changes occurred during this time. Under Swedish and largely German rule western Latvia adopted Lutheranism as its main religioncitation needed. The ancient tribes of the Couronians Semigallians Selonians Livs and northern Latgallians assimilated to form the Latvian people speaking one Latvian language. Throughout all the centuries however no such thing as a Latvian state existed so the borders and definitions of who exactly fell within that group are largely subjective. Meanwhile largely isolated from the rest of Latvia southern Latgallians adopted Catholicism under Polish/Jesuit influence. The native dialect remained distinct although it acquired many Polish and Russian loanwordscitation needed. Latvia in the Russian Empire The Capitulation of Estonia and Livonia in 1710 and the Treaty of Nystad ending the Great Northern War in 1721 gave Vidzeme to Russia (it became part of the Riga Governorate)citation needed. The Latgale region remained part of the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth as Inflanty Voivodeship until 1772 when it was incorporated into Russia. The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia became an autonomous Russian province (the Courland Governorate) in 1795 bringing all of what is now Latvia into the Russian Empire. All three Baltic provinces preserved local laws the local official language and their own parliament the Landtagcitation needed. During the Great Northern War (17001721) the Baltic area was once again the scene of great devastation with Peter the Great's scorched-earth policy famine and plague being responsible for catastrophic loss of human life: as much as 40% of the population in Latvian lands were killed.15 In 1710 the plague reached Riga where it was active until 1711 and claimed the lives of about half the population.16 The promises Peter the Great made to the Baltic German nobility at the fall of Riga in 1710 confirmed by the Treaty of Nystad and known as "the Capitulations" largely reversed the Swedish reformscitation needed. The 18th century was one of the hardest for the peasantry who were virtually treated as chattels and had no rights or educationcitation needed. Peasants were obliged to work on feudal lords' lands as many as six days per week leaving one day to look after their own farmscitation needed. As a solution to their problems many of the peasants turned to alcohol which the local barons willingly provided hoping to addict and exploit the peasantry for further economic gaincitation needed. The emancipation of the serfs took place in Courland in 1817 and in Vidzeme in 1819citation needed. In practice however the emancipation was actually advantageous to the landowners and nobilitycitation needed as it dispossessed peasants of their land without compensation forcing them to return to work at the estates "of their own free will". During the 19th century the social structure changed dramaticallycitation needed. A class of independent farmers established itself after reforms allowed the peasants to repurchase their land but many landless peasants remainedcitation needed. There also developed a growing urban proletariat and an increasingly influential Latvian bourgeoisie. The Young Latvian (Latvian: Jaunlatviei) movement laid the groundwork for nationalism from the middle of the century many of its leaders looking to the Slavophiles for support against the prevailing German-dominated social ordercitation needed. The rise in use of the Latvian language in literature and society became known as the First National Awakening. Russification began in Latgale after the Polish led the January Uprising in 1863: this spread to the rest of what is now Latvia by the 1880scitation needed. The Young Latvians were largely eclipsed by the New Current a broad leftist social and political movement in the 1890s. Popular discontent exploded in the 1905 Russian Revolution which took a nationalist character in the Baltic provinces. Declaration of Independence Poland & The New Baltic States map from a British atlas in 1920 showing still-undefined borders after the treaties of Brest and Versailles and before the Peace of Riga. Krlis Ulmanis World War I devastated the territory of what would become the state of Latvia along with other western parts of the Russian Empire. Demands for self-determination were at first confined to autonomy but the Russian 1917 Revolution treaty with Germany at Brest-Litovsk and allied armistice with Germany on November 11 1918 created a power vacuum. The People's Council of Latvia proclaimed the independence of the new country in Riga on November 18 1918 with Krlis Ulmanis becoming the head of the provisional governmentcitation needed. The War of Independence that followed was part of a general chaotic period of civil and new border wars in Eastern Europe. By the spring of 1919 there were actually three governments Ulmanis' government; the Soviet Latvian government led by Pteris Stuka whose forces supported by the Red Army occupied almost all of the country; and the Baltic German government of the United Baltic Duchy headed by Andrievs Niedra and supported by the Baltische Landeswehr and the German Freikorps unit Iron Division. Estonian and Latvian forcescitation needed defeated the Germans at the Battle of Wenden in June 1919 and a massive attack by a predominantly German force the West Russian Volunteer Army under Pavel Bermondt-Avalov was repelled in November. Eastern Latvia was cleared of Red Army forces by Latvian and Polish troops in early 1920 (from the Polish perspective the Battle of Daugavpils was a part of the Polish-Soviet War)citation needed. A freely elected Constituent assembly convened on May 1 1920 and adopted a liberal constitution the Satversme in February 1922.17 The constitution was partly suspended by Krlis Ulmanis after his coup in 1934 but reaffirmed in 1990. Since then it has been amended and is still in effect in Latvia today. With most of Latvia's industrial base evacuated to the interior of Russia in 1915 radical land reform was the central political question for the young state. In 1897 61.2% of the rural population had been landless; by 1936 that percentage had been reduced to 18%.18 By 1923 the extent of cultivated land surpassed the pre-war level. Innovation and rising productivity led to rapid growth of the economy but it soon suffered from the effects of the Great Depression. Latvia showed signs of economic recovery and the electorate had steadily moved toward the centre during the parliamentary periodcitation needed. On May 15 1934 Ulmanis staged a bloodless coup establishing a nationalist dictatorship that lasted until 1940.19 After 1934 Ulmanis established government corporations to buy up private firms with the aim of "Latvianising" the economy.20 By 1940 Latvia's economy under Ulmanis ranked second in Europe.21 Latvia in World War II See also: Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany The Holocaust in Latvia Latvian partisans and Latvian resistance movement "TWO WORLDS": Anti-Sovietism propaganda board Latvia Summer 1941. Early in the morning of August 24 1939 the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed a 10-year non-aggression pact called the MolotovRibbentrop Pact. The pact contained a secret protocol revealed only after Germany's defeat in 1945 according to which the states of Northern and Eastern Europe were divided into German and Soviet "spheres of influence".22 In the North Latvia Finland and Estonia were assigned to the Soviet sphere.22 Thereafter Germany and the Soviet union invaded their respective portions of Poland. Most of the Baltic Germans left Latvia by agreement between Ulmanis' government and Nazi Germany after the conclusion of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.23 In total 50000 Baltic Germans left by the deadline of December 1939 with 1600 remaining to conclude business and 13000 choosing to remain in Latvia.23 Most of those who remained subsequently left for Germany in the Summer of 1939 when a second resettlementcitation needed scheme was agreed.24 On October 5 1939 Latvia was forced to accept a "mutual assistance" pact with the Soviet Union granting the Soviets the right to station between 25000 and 30000 troops on Latvian territory.25 On 5 October 1939 the Latvian government under pressure from the USSR permitted the building of Soviet military bases intended to defend Latvia from possible aggression by Germany. On 16 June 1940 the government of the USSR handed the Latvian ambassador in Moscow a note in which Latvia was accused of breaching the articles of the agreement of 5 October 1939 and demands were made to send in additional Soviet troops and to change the government. The Latvian government obeyed and resigned. On 17 June Soviet troops entered Latvian territory. In his address by radio the dictator of Latvia Krlis Ulmanis announced: Soviet forces are marching into our land this very morning. This is happening with the knowledge and consent of the government which in turn stems from the amicable relations that exist between Latvia and the Soviet Union. It is therefore my wish that the residents of our country also show friendship towards the advancing military units The government has resigned. I shall remain in my place you remain in yours. No opposition was shown towards the Soviet forces; on the contrary part of the population accepted the news of their arrival with enthusiasm which was evidenced by the crowded pro-Soviet demonstrations. Observing them the well known Russian lawyer and public figure of Latvia Pyotr Yakobi wrote: Taken from the German model the authoritarian beginning in our country has turned into a government of national bureaucracy having satisfied a limited circle of citizens who have adapted themselves to the state pie. Clearly any hardship is not in vain. And so now the down-trodden have raised their voice and demand a return of their rights that have been trampled on . Among those unhappy with the regime of Krlis Ulmanis were not only the national minorities but also many Latvians who were anxious about the deteriorating economic situation and who had no desire to end up under the rule of Nazi Germany. State administrators were liquidated and replaced by Soviet cadres26 in which 34250 Latvians were deported or killed.27 Elections were held with single pro-Soviet candidates listed for many positions; the resulting people's assembly immediately requested admission into the USSR which was granted by the Soviet Union.26 Latvia then a puppet government was headed by Augusts Kirhenteins.28 Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union on August 5 1940 as The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Soviets dealt harshly with their opponents prior to the German invasion in the course of less than a year at least 27586 persons were arrested; most were deported and about 945 persons were shotcitation needed. While under German occupation Latvia was administered as part of Reichskommissariat Ostland. Latvian paramilitary and Auxiliary Police units established by the occupation authority participated in the Holocaust as well.19 More than 200000 Latvian citizens died during World War II including approximately 75000 Latvian Jews murdered during the Nazi occupation.19 Latvian soldiers fought on both sides of the conflict including in the Latvian Legion of the Waffen-SS most of them conscripted by the occupying Nazi and Soviet authoritiescitation needed. Soviet era Main articles: Occupation of Latvia by Soviet Union 19441945 Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic and Stalinism In 1944 when the Soviet military advances reached the area heavy fighting took place in Latvia between German and Soviet troops which ended with another German defeat. During the course of the war both occupying forces conscripted Latvians into their armies in this way increasing the loss of the nation's "live resources". In 1944 part of the Latvian territory once more came under Soviet control. The Soviets immediately began to reinstate the Soviet system. After the German surrender it became clear that Soviet forces were there to stay and Latvian national partisans soon to be joined by German collaborators began their fight against another occupier the Soviet Union.29 Anywhere from 120000 to as many as 300000 Latvians took refuge from the Soviet army by fleeing to Germany and Sweden.30 Most sources count 200000 to 250000 refugees leaving Latvia with perhaps as many as 80000 to 100000 of them recaptured by the Soviets or during few months immediately after the end of war31 returned by the West.32 The Soviets reoccupied the country in 19441945 and further mass deportations followed as the country was forcibly collectivised and Sovieticised.19 On March 25 1949 43000 rich residents ("kulaks") and Latvian patriots ("nationalists") were deported to Siberia in a sweeping repressive Operation Priboi in all three Baltic states which was carefully planned and approved in Moscow already on January 29 1949.33 Between 136000 and 190000 Latvians depending on the sources were imprisoned repressed or deported to Soviet concentration camps (the Gulag) in the post war years from 1945 to 1952.34 Some managed to escape arrest and joined the partisanscitation needed. In the post-war period Latvia was forced to adopt Soviet farming methods and the economic infrastructure developed in the 1920s and 1930s was eradicatedcitation needed. Rural areas were forced into collectivisation.35 An extensive programme to impose bilingualism was initiated in Latvia limiting the use of Latvian language in official uses in favor of using the official language which was Russian. All of the minority schools (Jewish Polish Belorussian Estonian Lithuanian) were closed down leaving only two languages of instructions in the schools- Latvian and Russian.36 An influx of labourers administrators military personnel and their dependents from Russia and other Soviet republics started. By 1959 about 400000 persons arrived from other Soviet republics and the ethnic Latvian population had fallen to 62%.37 Because Latvia had still maintained a well-developed infrastructure and educated specialists it was decided in Moscow that some of the Soviet Union's most advanced manufacturing factories were to be based in Latvia. New industry was created in Latvia including a major machinery factory RAF in Jelgava electrotechnical factories in Riga chemical factories in Daugavpils Valmiera and Olaine as well as some food and oil processing plants.38 However there were not enough people to operate the newly built factoriescitation needed. In order to expand industrial production skilled workers were transferred into the republic from all over the Soviet Union decreasing the proportion of ethnic Latvians in the republic.39 Restoration of independence Barricade in Riga to prevent the Soviet Army from reaching the Latvian Parliament July 1991. In the second half of 1980s Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev started to introduce political and economic reforms in the Soviet Union called glasnost and Perestroika. In the summer of 1987 the first large demonstrations were held in Riga at the Freedom Monument- a symbol of independence. In the summer of 1988 a national movement coalescing in the Popular Front of Latvia was opposed by the Interfront. The Latvian SSR along with the other Baltic Republics was allowed greater autonomy and in 1988 the old pre-war Flag of Latvia was allowed to be used replacing the Soviet Latvian flag as the official flag in 1990. In 1989 the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a resolution on the "Occupation of the Baltic states" in which it declared that the occupation was "not in accordance with law" and not the "will of the Soviet people". Pro-independence Popular Front of Latvia candidates gained a two-thirds majority in the Supreme Council in the March 1990 democratic elections. On May 4 1990 the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR adopted the Declaration On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia Latvian SSR was renamed Republic of Latvia. However the central power in Moscow continued to regard Latvia as Soviet republic in 19901991citation needed. In January 1991 Soviet political and military forces tried unsuccessfully to overthrow the Republic of Latvia authorities by occupying the central publishing house in Riga and establishing a Committee of National Salvation to usurp governmental functionscitation needed. During the transitional period Moscow maintained many central Soviet state authorities in Latvia. In spite of this 73% of all Latvian residents confirmed their strong support for independence on March 3 1991 in a nonbinding advisory referendumcitation needed. A large number of ethnic Russians also voted for the propositioncitation needed. The Popular Front of Latvia had advocated that all permanent residents be eligible for Latvian citizenship. However universal citizenship for all permanent residents was not adopted subsequently; not all those who had voted in support of independence received citizenship in the new Latvian state and became non-citizens. (The majority of non-citizens have since become naturalized citizens.) The Republic of Latvia declared the end of the transitional period and restored full independence on August 21 1991 in the aftermath of the failed Soviet coup attempt.2 Latvia became a member of the European Union in 2004 and signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007. The Saeima Latvia's parliament was again elected in 1993 and Russia completed its military withdrawal in 1994. The major goals of Latvia in the 1990s to join NATO and the European Union were achieved in 2004. Language and citizenship laws have been opposed by many Russophones. (Citizenship was not automatically extended to former Soviet citizens who settled during the Soviet occupation or to their subsequent offspring. This resulted in a situation where people who have lived and worked in Latvia for over 50 years were nonetheless unable to vote which meant that Russian voice was largely excluded from the parliament and the government.citation needed Children born to non-nationals after the reestablishment of independence are automatically entitled to citizenship.) Approximately 72% of Latvian citizens are Latvian while 20% are Russian; less than 1% of non-citizens are Latvian while 71% are Russian.40 The government denationalised private property confiscated by the Soviet rule returning it or compensating the owners for it and privatised most state-owned industries reintroducing the prewar currency. Albeit having experienced a difficult transition to a liberal economy and its re-orientation toward Western Europe its economy had one of the highest growth rates until the 20082010 Latvian financial crisis.citation needed Geography Main article: Geography of Latvia Map of Latvia showing cities Latvia lies mostly between latitudes 55 and 58 N (a small area is north of 58) and longitudes 21 and 29 E (a small area is west of 21). Located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea Latvia lies on the East European Plain. However its vegetation is much different than the rest of the plain and shares many similarities with the boreal biome. It consists of fertile low-lying plains largely covered by forest mostly pines the highest point being the Gaizikalns at 311.6 m (1022 ft). Phytogeographically Latvia is shared between the Central European and Northern European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the WWF the territory of Latvia belongs to the ecoregion of Sarmatic mixed forests. The major rivers include the Daugava River the Lielupe the Gauja the Venta and the Salaca. An inlet of the Baltic Sea the shallow Gulf of Riga is situated in the northwest of the country. Latvia's coastline extends for 531 kilometres. Administrative divisions Main article: Administrative divisions of Latvia See also: List of cities in Latvia Planning regions of Latvia and Historical regions of Latvia Since 2009 Latvia has one-level municipalities 9 republican cities (Latvian: republikas pilstas) (Daugavpils Jkabpils Jelgava Jrmala Liepja Rzekne Riga Valmiera Ventspils) and 109 municipalities (Latvian: novadi). There are four historical and cultural regions in Latvia Courland Latgalia Vidzeme Zemgale. Their borders usually are not explicit definite and in several sources may vary. To promote balanced development of all regions in 2009 five planning regions of Latvia (Latvian: plnoanas reioni) were created: Administrative divisions of Latvia Regions Largest city Area Population Riga Region Riga 10132 km 706000 (108.3/km) Kurzeme Region Liepja 13596 km 301621 (22.1/km) Latgale Region Daugavpils 14549 km 343646 (23.5/km) Zemgale Region Jelgava 10733 km 281928 (26.1/km) Vidzeme Region Valmiera 15246 km 235576 (15.4/km) Latvia Riga 64256 km 2248000 (34.9/km) Climate The Latvian climate is humid continental and temperate owing to the maritime influence of the Baltic Sea. Summers are warm and the weather in spring and autumn is fairly mild; however the winters can be extreme due to the northern location. Precipitation is common throughout the year with the heaviest rainfall in July. During severe spells of winter weather Latvia is dominated by cold winds from the interior of Russia and severe snowfalls are very common. Biodiversity View from atop the tower of Gaizinkalns Common species of wildlife in Latvia include deer wild boar moose lynx bear fox beaver and wolves.41 Non-marine molluscs of Latvia include 159 species. Latvia's national trees are oak (Quercus robur) Latvian: ozols and linden (Tilia cordata) Latvian: liepa. Oaks and Lindens are considered the national trees of Latvia. The oak and the linden tree are characteristic elements of the Latvian landscape. Both trees are still widely used for medical purposes. Medicinal infusions are made of linden blossoms as well as oak bark. Latvian dainas (folk songs) often reflect ethical and moral concepts of earlier times. Amongst other trees these folk songs most often mention the oak and linden tree. In traditional Latvian folk beliefs and folklore the linden tree is looked upon as a female symbol but the oak a male symbol. The nation's reverence for these trees which in earlier times were considered sacred can be witnessed for example in a landscape where in the middle of a cultivated field there still remains a lone large sacred oak or linden tree. The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia Latvia's national bird is the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) Latvian: balt cielava. This slender and graceful bird is found in Latvia from April till October. The White Wagtail can usually be seen running briskly along the ground wagging its tail up and down. This bird typically nests in the rafters and eaves of buildings woodpiles stone piles and birdhouses. During the winter it migrates to Southern Europe and North Africa. The White Wagtail was affirmed the national bird of Latvia in 1960 by the International Bird Protection Council. Latvia's national flower is the oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare also known as Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) Latvian: ppene.42 In Latvian conditions the common or wild daisy blossoms from June till September. Daisies are a very popular flower and are often used in flower arrangements or given as gifts. Latvia's national insect is the Two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) Latvian: mrte. The two-spot ladybird is familiar as a useful insect that protects plants from parasites. Although rather slow by nature it can defend itself well. Due to its appearance and behaviour it is widely known and liked throughout Latvia. The insect's Latvian name marite is a synonym for the ancient Latvian goddess Mara who embodies the power of the earth. The two-spot ladybird was designated the national insect of Latvia by the Entomological Society of Latvia. Politics Main articles: Politics of Latvia Parliament of Latvia and Government of Latvia The 100-seat unicameral Latvian parliament the Saeima is elected by direct popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the Saeima in a separate election also held every four years. The president appoints a prime minister who together with his cabinet forms the executive branch of the government which has to receive a confidence vote by the Saeima. This system also existed before World War II.43 Highest civil servants are sixteen Secretaries of State. Foreign relations Main article: Foreign relations of Latvia Latvia has a representation in the European parliament since 2004. Membership in the EU and NATO were major policy goals during the 1990s. In a nation-wide referendum on September 20 2003 66.9% of those taking part voted in favour of joining the European Union. Latvia became a member of the European Union on May 1 2004. Latvia has been a NATO member since March 29 2004. The Treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia was signed and ratified in 2007. Under the treaty the Abrene district passed to Russia; talks over maritime boundary disputes with Lithuania are ongoing (the primary concern is oil exploration rights). Human rights Main article: Human rights in Latvia Human rights in Latvia are generally respected by the government.4445 Latvia is ranked above-average among the world's sovereign states in democracy 46 press freedom47 privacy 48 and human development.49 The country has a large ethnic Russian community which was guaranteed basic rights under the constitution and international human rights laws ratified by the Latvian government.4450 However human rights organisations have reported multiple problems. Especially non-citizens including stateless persons suffer from limited or no access to a broad range of rights. Also there were problems with police abuse of detainees and arrestees poor prison conditions and overcrowding judicial corruption discrimination against women incidents of violence against ethnic minorities and societal violence and incidents of government discrimination against homosexuals.445152 Military Main article: Military of Latvia Latvian Land Forces troops Naval Forces patrol boat P-03 Linga Latvia's defence concept is based upon the Swedish-Finnish model of a rapid response force composed of a mobilization base and a small group of career professionals. The armed forces consist of mobile riflemen an air force and a navy. Latvia cooperates with Estonia and Lithuania in the joint infantry battalion BALTBAT and naval squadron BALTRON which are available for peacekeeping operations. As of March 29 2004 Latvia officially joined NATO. Currently NATO is involved in the patrolling and protection of the Latvian air space as the Latvian army does not have the means to do so effectively. For this goal a rotating force of four NATO fighters which comes from different nations and switches at two or three month intervals is based in Lithuania to cover all three Baltic states (see Baltic Air Policing). Economy Main article: Economy of Latvia A high rise building Latvia is a member of the World Trade Organization (1999) and the European Union (2004). Since the year 2000 Latvia has had one of the highest (GDP) growth rates in Europe.53 However the chiefly consumption-driven growth in Latvia resulted in the collapse of the Latvian GDP in late 2008 and early 2009 exacerbated by the global economic crisis and shortage of credit. Latvian economy fell 18% in the first three months of 2009 the biggest fall in the European Union.5455 According to Eurostat data Latvian PPS GDP per capita stood at 56 per cent of the EU average in 2008.56 Real GDP growth in Latvia 19962006. This latest scenario has proven the earlier assumptions that the fast growing economy was heading for implosion of the economic bubble because it was driven mainly by growth of domestic consumption financed by a serious increase of private debt as well as a negative foreign trade balance. The prices of real estate which were at some points appreciating at approximately 5% a month were long perceived to be too high for the economy which mainly produces low-value goods and raw materials. Latvia plans to introduce the Euro as the country's currency but due to the inflation being above EMU's guidelines the government's official target is now January 1 2012. However in October 2007 with inflation above 11% the head of the National Bank of Latvia suggested that 2013 may be a more realistic date.57 Privatization in Latvia is almost complete. Virtually all of the previously state-owned small and medium companies have been successfully privatized leaving only a small number of politically sensitive large state companies. Latvian privatization efforts have led to the development of a dynamic and prosperous private sector which accounted for nearly 68% of GDP in 2000. Foreign investment in Latvia is still modest compared with the levels in north-central Europe. A law expanding the scope for selling land including to foreigners was passed in 1997. Representing 10.2% of Latvia's total foreign direct investment American companies invested $127 million in 1999. In the same year the United States exported $58.2 million of goods and services to Latvia and imported $87.9 million. Eager to join Western economic institutions like the World Trade Organization OECD and the European Union Latvia signed a Europe Agreement with the EU in 1995with a 4-year transition period. Latvia and the United States have signed treaties on investment trade and intellectual property protection and avoidance of double taxation. Economic contraction Main article: 20082010 Latvian financial crisis Latvia is part of the Schengen Area and the EU single market. The Latvian economy entered a phase of fiscal contraction during the second half of 2008 after an extended period of credit-based speculation and unrealistic appreciation in real estate values. The national account deficit for 2007 for example represented more than 22% of the GDP for the year while inflation was running at 10%.5 Latvia's unemployment rate rose sharply in this period from a low of 5.4% in November 2007 to over 22%.58 In April 2010 Latvia had the highest unemployment rate in the EU at 22.5% ahead of Spain which had 19.7%.59 Paul Krugman the Nobel Laureate in economics for 2008 wrote in his New York Times Op-Ed column for December 15 2008: "The most acute problems are on Europes periphery where many smaller economies are experiencing crises strongly reminiscent of past crises in Latin America and Asia: Latvia is the new Argentina " 60 However by 2010 commentators6162 noted signs of stabilisation in the Latvian economy. Rating agency Standard & Poor's raised its outlook on Latvia's debt from negative to stable.61 Latvia's current account which had been in deficit by 27% in late 2006 was in surplus in February 2010.61 Kenneth Orchard senior analyst at Moody's investors service argued that: "The strengthening regional economy is supporting Latvian production and exports while the sharp swing in the current account balance suggests that the countrys internal devaluation is working." 63 The IMF however warned that tax revenues were likely to be eroded due to price and wage decreases continuing until 201262 adding that: "The sharp economic downturn is starting to bottom out but recovery has not yet begun and sizable risks remain."62 Infrastructure Main articles: Transportation in Latvia and National Roads in Latvia Riga Airport terminal The transport sector is around 14% of GDP. Transit between Russia and the West is large.64 Key ports are in Riga Ventspils and Liepja. Most transit traffic uses these and half the cargo is crude oil and oil products.64 Riga International Airport is the largest airport with 3.7 million passengers in 2008. AirBaltic is the Latvian flag carrier airline and a low-cost carrier. Air Baltic Boeing 757-200 Latvia has 3 big hydroelectric power stations.(Paviu HES(825MW)Rgas HES(402 MW)eguma HES-2(192 MW) Latvia also has an underground gas station which is the 3rd largest underground gas station in Europe and the only underground gas station in the Baltic States. (Inukalns underground gas station) Demographics Main article: Demographics of Latvia Residents of Latvia by ethnicity65 Latvians   59.49% Russians   27.37% Belarusians   3.52% Ukrainians   2.45% Poles   2.31% Lithuanians   1.32% Others   3.54% Ethnic groups Main articles: Latvian people Latvian Russians Latvian Germans Latvian Jews Latgalians (modern) and Livonians Latvia's population has been multiethnic for centuries though the demographics shifted dramatically in the twentieth century due to the World Wars the emigration and removal of Baltic Germans the Holocaust and occupation by the Soviet Union. According to the Russian Empire Census of 1897 the Latvians formed 68.3% of the total population of 1.93 million; Russians accounted for 12% Jews for 7.4% Germans for 6.2% and Poles for 3.4%.66 Latvians and Livonians the indigenous peoples of Latvia now form about 59.49% of the population; 2737% of the inhabitants are Russians Belarusians 3.52% Ukrainians 2.45% Poles 2.31% Lithuanians 1.32% Jews 0.43% Roma people 0.38% Germans 0.2% Estonians 0.1% and others 2.43%.65 In some large cities e.g. Riga Daugavpils and Rzekne Russians and other minorities outnumber Latvians. Minorities from other countries such as Belarus Ukraine Poland Lithuania etc. also live in Latvia. The share of ethnic Latvians had fallen from 77% (1467035) in 1935 to 52% (1387757) in 1989.67 In 2005 there were even fewer Latvians than in 1989 though their share of the population was larger  1357099 (60.% of the inhabitants).citation needed Language Further information: Language policy in Latvia The sole official language of Latvia is Latvian which belongs to the Baltic language group of the Indo-European language family. Another notable language of Latvia is the nearly extinct Livonian language of the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family which enjoys protection by law; Latgalian  a dialect of Latvian  is also protected by Latvian law as a historical variation of the Latvian language. Russian which was widely spoken during the Soviet period and also during the Russian Imperial period is by far the most widely used minority language and is understood by virtually all Latvians who started their education during the period of Soviet rule. While it is now required that all school students learn Latvian most schools also include English and either German or Russian in their curricula. The English language is widely accepted in Latvia especially in business and tourism. Religion Main article: Religion in Latvia Riga Cathedral The largest religion in Latvia is Christianity5 though only about 7% of the population attends religious services regularly.68 The largest groups as of 2006 were: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia 45000069 Roman Catholic 43000069 Orthodox 35000069 In the Eurobarometer Poll 200570 37% of Latvian citizens responded that "they believe there is a god" while 49% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 10% stated that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit god or life force". Lutheranism was much stronger before the Soviet annexation when it was a majority religion. Since then Lutheranism has declined to a much greater extent than Roman Catholicism in all three Baltic states. The Evangelical Lutheran Church with an estimated 600000 members in 1956 was affected most adversely. An internal document of March 18 1987 spoke of an active membership that had shrunk to only 25000 in Latvia.71 The country's Orthodox Christians belong to the Latvian Orthodox Church a semi-autonomous body within the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2011 there were 9571 Jews and 182 Muslims living in Latvia. There are more than 600 Latvian neopagans Dievturi (The Godskeepers) whose religion is based on Latvian mythology.72 About 40% of the total population is not affiliated with a specific religion.citation needed Education Main article: Education in Latvia See also: List of universities in Latvia University of Latvia Riga Technical University and University of Latvia are two major universities in the country both been established on the basis of Riga Polytechnical Institute and located in Riga.73 Riga Stradi University was established in 1950 on the basis of the Faculty of Medicine of the State University of Latvia but nowadays covers a variety of various fields. Daugavpils University is another important center of education. Latvia closed 131 schools between 2006 and 2010 which is a 12.9% decline and in the same period enrollment in educational institutions has fallen by over 54000 people a 10.3% decline.74 Another well known university in Latvia is LLU(Latvias lauksaimniecibas universitate)(Latvian university of Agriculture). It is located in Jelgava.75 Health The Latvian healthcare system is a universal program largely funded through government taxation.76 It is among the lowest-ranked healthcare systems in Europe due to excessive waiting times for treatment insufficient access to the latest medicines and other factors.77 There were 59 hospitals in Latvia in 2009 down from 94 in 2007 and 121 in 2006.787980 The average life expectancy at birth is 72.7 years second lowest in the European Union.81 Corruption is relatively widespread in the Latvian healthcare system though the situation has improved since the early 1990s. It has been noted that an environment conducive to corruption has been promulgated by low salaries and poorly implemented systemic reforms.82 This also results in brain drain mostly to Western EU nations. As of 2007 there were approximately 10000 inhabitants of Latvia living with HIV/AIDS.5 There were 32376 (1.44%) individual instances of clinically reported alcoholism in Latvia in 2008 as well as cases of addictions to other substances.83 The annual number of births per 1000 adolescent women aged 15 to 19 has declined from 499 in 1990 to 179 in 2007.84 In 2005 Latvia had a suicide rate of 24.5 per 100000 inhabitants (down from 40.7 in 1995) the 7th highest in the world.85 Culture Main article: Culture of Latvia Latvian country scenery in Sabile Traditional Latvian folklore especially the dance of the folk songs date back well over a thousand years. More than 1.2 million texts and 30000 melodies of folk songs have been identified.86 Between the thirteenth and nineteenth century Baltic Germans many of whom were originally of non-German ancestry but had been assimilated into German culture formed the upper class.citation needed They developed distinct cultural heritage characterised by both Latvian and German influences. It has survived in German Baltic families to this day in spite of their dispersal to Germany the USA Canada and other countries in the early 20th century. However most indigenous Latvians did not participate in this particular cultural life.citation needed Thus the mostly peasant local pagan heritage was preserved partly merging with Christian traditions for example in one of the most popular celebrations today which is Ji a pagan celebration of the summer solstice celebrated on the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Caraway cheese is traditionally served on the Latvian festival Ji. In the nineteenth century Latvian nationalist movements emerged promoting Latvian culture and encouraging Latvians to take part in cultural activities. The nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century is often regarded as a classical era of Latvian culture. Posters show the influence of other European cultures for example works of artists such as the Baltic-German artist Bernhard Borchert and the French Raoul Dufy.citation needed With the onset of World War II many Latvian artists and other members of the cultural elite fled the country yet continued to produce their work largely for a Latvian migr audience.87 After incorporation into the Soviet Union Latvian artists and writers were forced to follow the Socialist realism style of art. During the Soviet era music became increasingly popular with the most popular being songs from the 1980s. At this time songs often made fun of the characteristics of Soviet life and were concerned about preserving Latvian identity. This aroused popular protests against the USSR and also gave rise to an increasing popularity of poetry. Since independence theatre scenography choir music and classical music have become the most notable branches of Latvian culture.citation needed Sports Main article: Sport in Latvia Arena Riga Ice hockey is the most popular sport. Famous latvian ice hockey club is Dinamo Riga. The 2006 IIHF World Championship was held in Latvia. Other popular sports include floorball basketball soccer tennis and cycling. The Latvia national football team were had a first time join in 2004 UEFA Euro. See also Latvia portal European Union portal Main article: Outline of Latvia Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrl Organizcija Scouting and Guiding in Latvia Latvijas Televzija Latvian Television LGBT rights in Latvia Sport in Latvia Telecommunications in Latvia Tourism in the Baltics References Notes a b Template:Http://data.csb.gov.lv/Dialog/Saveshow.asp a b "History Embassy of Finland Riga". 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Amnesty International. 2009. http://report2009.amnesty.org/en/regions/europe-central-asia/latvia. Retrieved 2009-06-08.  "Latvia: Investigate Attacks on Gay Activists". Human rights watch. 2006. http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2006/07/25/latvia-investigate-attacks-gay-activists. Retrieved 2009-06-08.  "Growth rate of real GDP per capita". Eurostat. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/pagepageid199639140985&dadportal&schemaPORTAL&screendetailref&languageen&productsdied&rootsdied/sdied/sdied1000. Retrieved 2007-07-28.  Eglitis Aaron (2009-05-11). "Latvian GDP Shrank 18% in First Quarter EUs Biggest Fall ". Bloomberg.com. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/newspidnewsarchive&sidao7qqF0UESqc. Retrieved 2010-10-16.  "Latvian economy in rapid decline". BBC News. 2009-05-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8043972.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-04.  "GDP per capita in PPS". Eurostat. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITYPUBLIC/2-25062009-BP/EN/2-25062009-BP-EN.PDF. 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Retrieved 2007-05-05.  "Latvia SOCIETY". Mongabay.com. 1987-03-18. http://www.mongabay.com/reference/countrystudies/latvia/SOCIETY.html. Retrieved 2010-08-12.  "Statistics of approved parishes in Latvia" (in Latvian). Reliiju Enciklopdija. The Latvian Bible Society. 2004-01-01. http://www.bibelesbiedriba.lv/religiju-enciklopedija/statistika.html. Retrieved 2007-03-07.  "Riga Polytechnical Institute Home Page". Rtu.lv. http://www.rtu.lv. Retrieved 2010-10-16.  "Latvijas Statistika". Csb.gov.lv. 2010-05-17. http://www.csb.gov.lv/csp/content/lnglv&cat2300. Retrieved 2010-06-06. dead link "Education". Csb.gov.lv. 2010-05-17. http://www.csb.gov.lv/csp/content/cat2302. Retrieved 2010-10-16. dead link "Latvia's Healthcare System is Funded by General Taxation and All Latvians and Foreign Residents Are Guaranteed Medical Care Business Wire Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. 2005-11-18. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mim0EIN/is2005Nov18/ain15860135/. 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Retrieved 2010-02-05.  "Latvijas Statistika". Csb.gov.lv. 2010-01-22. http://www.csb.gov.lv/csp/content/cat2316. Retrieved 2010-02-05. dead link "2010 Update for the MDG database:Adolescent birth rate". www.un.org. 2010-09-05. http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/2010MDGDatabase/2010UpdateMDGABR.xls. Retrieved 2011-02-06.  "WHO Country reports and charts available". Who.int. 2009-12-07. http://www.who.int/mentalhealth/prevention/suicide/countryreports/en/index.html. Retrieved 2010-02-05.  "Welcome to Latvia Folk Songs". Li.lv. 2006-05-01. http://www.li.lv/index.phpoptioncomcontent&taskview&id40&Itemid124. Retrieved 2010-10-16.  "Latvianart.org "Historical Background"". http://latvianart.org/historical.html.  Bibliography Bleiere Daina; Ilgvars Butulis; Antonijs Zunda; Aivars Stranga; Inesis Feldmanis (2006). History of Latvia : the 20th century.. Riga: Jumava. p. 155. ISBN 9984380386. OCLC 70240317.  Commercio Michele E. Russian Minority Politics in Post-Soviet Latvia and Kyrgyzstan (University of Pennsylvania Press; 2010) 248 Examines Russian minorities' responses to policies favoring Latvian majorities D'Amato Giuseppe Travel to the Baltic Hansa. The European Union and its enlargement to the East. Book in Italian. Viaggio nellHansa baltica. LUnione europea e lallargamento ad Est. Greco&Greco editori Milano 2004. ISBN 88-7980-355-7 Dreifelds Juris (1996). Latvia in Transition. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521555371.  Lumans Valdis O. (2006). Latvia in World War II. Fordham Univ Press. ISBN 0823226271. http://books.google.com/booksidIPv1gjLhtZ4C&printsecfrontcover.  Rutkis Jnis (ed.) (1967). Latvia: Country & People. Stockholm: Latvian National Foundation. OCLC 457313.  Arveds vbe (1949). The Story of Latvia: A Historical Survey. Stockholm: Latvian National Foundation. OCLC 2961684.  These names accuse : nominal list of Latvians deported to Soviet Russia in 194041 : with supplementary list (second edition ed.). Stockholm: Latvian National Foundation in cooperation with the World Federation and Free Latvians. 1982. OCLC 10403023. http://latvians.com/en/Reading/TheseNamesAccuse/ThNA-00-OurFamilies.php. Retrieved 2007-07-30.  External links Find more about Latvia on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks The President of Latvia Chief of State and Cabinet Members Historical maps online from Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. 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Coordinates: 5700N 2500E / 57N 25E / 57; 25