Latvia

National name: Latvijas Republika

Government Parliamentary democracy.

Geography
Latvia borders Estonia on the north, Lithuania in the south, the Baltic Sea with the Gulf of Riga in the west, Russia in the east, and Belarus in the southeast. Latvia is largely a fertile lowland with numerous lakes and hills to the east.

Historical Background
Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in 2004.

Name

 Republic of Latvia

Capital

Riga

Government

Parliamentary republic -  President Valdis Zatlers -  Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis

Area

Total 64,589 km2 (124th) 24,938 sq mi 

Population

July 2010 estimate decrease 2,217,969 [3] (143rd) -  2000 ppl census 2,377,383

GDP (PPP)

2010 estimate -  Total $31.173 billion[4] 

GDP (nominal)

2010 estimate Total $23.955 billion[4]

Currency

Lats (Ls) (LVL)

Time zone

EET (UTC+2) -  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)