After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It 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 (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Country profile: Latvia
Situated in north-eastern Europe with a coastline along the Baltic Sea, Latvia is geographically the middle of the three former Soviet Baltic republics.
It has language links with Lithuania to the south and historical and ecumenical ties with Estonia to the north.
Not much more than a decade after it declared independence following the collapse of the USSR, Latvia was welcomed as an EU member in May 2004. The move came just weeks after it joined Nato. These developments would have been extremely hard to imagine in not-so-distant Soviet times.
For centuries Latvia was primarily an agricultural country, with seafaring, fishing and forestry as other important factors in its economy.
Latvia was under foreign dominion from the 13th until the 20th century. After the first world war it declared independence which Russia recognised in 1920.
Two decades later, following a pact between Stalin and Hitler, Soviet troops invaded in 1940 and Latvia was absorbed into the Soviet Union. Nazi forces pushed the Soviets back in 1941 but the Red Army returned in 1944 and remained for half a century.
During the Soviet period, which ended in 1991, Latvia underwent heavy industrialisation, and experienced a big influx of immigrants from other parts of the USSR, mainly Russia.
About a quarter of the population is Russian-speaking and the rights of this section of society have been a thorny issue since independence. Government reforms introduced in 2004 to restrict the use of the Russian language in schools remain controversial.
Legislation on citizenship was toughened up in 2006. Candidates who fail a Latvian language test three times will be denied citizenship. People without citizenship are entitled neither to vote nor to obtain an EU passport.
There are tensions between Latvia and Russia over border issues. The two countries have yet to sign a treaty formally delineating the border.
Like its Baltic neighbours, in the 10 years since independence Latvia has made a rapid transformation to embrace the free market.
- Full name:Republic of Latvia
- Population: 2.3 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Riga
- Area: 64,589 sq km (24,938 sq miles)
- Major languages: Latvian, Russian
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 66 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 lats = 100 santims
- Main exports: Timber and wood products, fish and fish products
- GNI per capita: US $6,760 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .lv
- International dialling code: + 371
President: Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Prime minister: Aigars Kalvitis
The ruling centre-right coalition led by Aigars Kalvitis of the centre-right People's Party became Latvia's first government to win re-election in October 2006. It was the country's fifth post-independence general election and the first since Latvia joined the EU and Nato.
The People's Party won 23 seats, while coalition partners the Union of Greens and Farmers took 18 and the First Party 10, giving the coalition 51 seats in the 100-seat parliament. Soon after the election, the government moved to strengthen its position in the legislature by inviting the conservative For Fatherland and Freedom Party with eight MPs to join too.
At the time of the election, Latvia was the poorest country in the EU but had its fastest growing economy. Mr Kalvitis pledged to continue to pursue policies designed to boost the free market.
One of the key challenges lies in keeping inflation down. Latvia aims to join the eurozone in 2008, although the prime minister has indicated that there is some flexibility over the target date.
He was first asked to form a government - the twelfth since independence - when the short-lived minority coalition led by his predecessor, Indulis Emsis of the Greens' and Farmers' Union, collapsed in October 2004.
A former agriculture and economy minister, he has promised to strive for political stability.
Latvia's TV market is dominated by the commercial LNT, two networks operated by the national public broadcaster, commercial TV3 Latvia and the Baltic variants of the main Russian networks.
Dozens of stations sprang up after independence, but their numbers fell back after a broadcasting law was introduced in 1995.
Public radio and TV are financed by state subsidies and advertising revenue.
The media operate freely, with few legal restrictions on their work. A law provides prison terms for libel and incitement of racial hatred. A wide range of political viewpoints are represented by some 140 newspapers.
The press
Television
Radio
News agencies
Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. A growing perception that many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the country's vibrant financial sector.
Latvian natural resources include peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Latvian religion is Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox.
Natural hazards in Latvia include NA.
Travel Advice on Latvia
SUMMARY
- The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- If you visit to forested areas you should seek medical advice about inoculations against rabies and tick-borne encephalitis.
- Around 75,000 British tourists visit Latvia every year. Most visits to Latvia are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Latvia is for lost/stolen passports.
- Road-hauliers should be prepared for severe delays at all Lithuania-Latvia border crossing points.
- There have been a number of reports recently of foreign tourists being charged extortionate prices for drinks in bars in Riga. Check the price of drinks before you order, especially if a stranger asks you to buy a drink for them.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
There has been an increase in the number of incidents relating to muggings of foreign nationals (some have had drinks spiked in casinos and clubs before being mugged). When walking you should be alert to the threat of pickpocketing and other forms of theft. Always avoid unlit streets and parks at night, and be extra vigilant if walking alone.
There have been a number of reports recently of foreign tourists being charged extortionate prices for drinks in bars. Some have then been assaulted or forced to withdraw money from a cashpoint to pay for the bill. You can help avoid situations like this by ensuring that you check the price of drinks before ordering, pay for one round at a time and seek recommendations for bars from trustworthy sources like your hotel or other holidaymakers. A search of the internet can also reveal good and bad feedback on individual bars and clubs.
Car theft is rife. Wherever possible guarded car parks should be used and valuables kept out of sight.
Political Situation
Local Travel
Road-hauliers should be prepared for severe delays at all Lithuania-Latvia border crossing points.
Road Safety
Drivers should carry original vehicle registration documents, when crossing the border into Latvia (including for motorcycles). Those who do not have these documents will not be allowed to take their vehicle back out of Latvia.
Road traffic accidents are common. Drivers should not attempt to move a vehicle, which has been involved in an accident, even if it is blocking the road, until the police give permission. In winter, equip your car for severe conditions.
Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is 0.5promille. Those found over the limit face a fine and immediate imprisonment.
Winter tyres are required between 1 December and 1 March. Local law states that drivers must use their headlights at all times, including during daylight hours.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
Tick-borne encephalitis is a problem in Latvia, especially during the summer months from May to August. The incidence of mumps is on the increase and rabies is endemic in the region.
Following a recent outbreak of meningitis in the Latgale region, travellers are advised to seek medical advice before travelling to that region. Visitors should take precautions such as avoiding crowded places.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (also known as Bird Flu) in Latvia during the current series of outbreaks. But The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.
GENERAL