LATVIA

The Republic of Latvia, international abbreviation LV

The Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918                                                                
Location: Latvia is situated in Northern Europe, on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
The Territory of Latvia: 64,589 square kilometers (24,938 square miles).
National anthem: 'Dievs, svētī Latviju!' (God Bless Latvia)
International code: LV

Constitution: democratic parliamentary republic
The parliament, called the Saeima consists of 100 elected MPs.

President: Valdis Zatlers (since 8 July, 2007)

Official language: Latvian       

Total population: 2 294 200 (January 2006)
Capital city: Riga (with 764,328 inhabitants)

Administrative organization: 7 cities, 65 towns, 26 regions, 11 districts, 467 parishes
Traditionally divided into 4 regions: Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale
Largest cities apart from Riga: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Ventspils
Major ports: Ventspils, Riga, Liepaja
Ethnic composition: Latvians - 57.7%, Russians - 29.6%, Byelorussians - 4.1%, Ukrainians - 2.7%, Poles- 2.5%, Lithuanians - 1.4%, Others - 2%
Religion: Non-religious - 35%, Lutheran - 24%, Catholic - 18%, Orthodox - 15%, Others - 8%
Currency: Lats (LVL), 1 lats = 100 santimi
Time: GMT +2, from April to November GMT +3
Internet domain: .lv
International telephone code: +371
Electricity supply: 220 volts, 50 Hz European-style 2-pin plugs