QUICK FACTS ABOUT LATVIA
| Capital: | Riga |
| Territory: | 64,589 sq km |
| Location: | Eastern Europe |
| Geographic coordinates: | 57 00 N, 25 00 E |
| Border countries: | Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km , Russia 217 km |
| Coastline: | 531 km |
| People in Latvia: |
Population: 2,366,515 (2002 est.) |
| Religion: | Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox |
| Languages: | Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian |
| Type of government: | Parliamentary democracy |
| Administrative divisions: | 26 counties and 7 municipalities: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgavas Rajons, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezeknes Rajons, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils Rajons, Daugavpils, Riga, Jelgava, Ventspils, Liepaja, Jurmala, Rezekne. |
| Climate: | The climate is maritime, wet. Winters are moderate. |
| Terrain: | Low plain. |
| Elevation extremes: | Lowest point: Baltic
Sea 0 m Highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m |
| Flag description: | Two wide red horizontal stripes separated by thinner white horizontal stripe. |
| National Emblem: | The National Coat of Arms combines symbols of Latvian national statehood as well as symbols of ancient historical districts. The sun in the upper part of the coat symbolizes the national statehood. Three stars above tell about the inclusion of historical districts into united Latvia. Culturally historic regions of Latvia are characterized by such heraldic figures as a lion and a winged silver griffon. |
| National holiday: | Independence Day, 18 November (1918) - independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August (1991) - independence from the Soviet Union |
| Constitution: | The 1991 constitutional law supplements the 1922 constitution and provides for basic rights and freedoms. |
| Legal system: | based on civil law system |
| Industries: | Synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, washing machines, vans, buses, cars, railroad cars, electronics, fertilizers, processed fertilizers, processed foods, pharmaceuticals. |
| Natural resources: | Limestone, peat, dolomite, wood, arable land, hydropower, amber. |
| Official currency: | Latvian lat (LVL) |