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Latvia - GENERAL INFORMATION
 
Population - Local time - Languages - Religion - Political system - Climate - Tourism - Food



Population



Main Cities Population
Riga   806  
Daugavpils   117  
Liepaja   96  
Jelgava   71  
Jurmala   66  
Ventspils   50  



Total population (millions): 2.3
Source: World Bank 2004

Urban population: 66%
Source: World Bank 2004

Average annual population growth: -0.8%
Source: World Bank 2004

Surface area (km²) : 64,6


Population origin

Origin of the population% Of the population
Lett52
Russian37.2
Byelorussian4.2
Ukrainian2.9
Polish2.4
Lithuanian1.3


Local time


It is %T:%M %A in Riga


GMT+2 in winter, GMT+3 in summer


Languages


Official language: Lettish.
Russian is usually understood by most people.
Business language: Lettish, Russian and English.

Free translation tools in Latvia :
Latvian Dictionary
Free English-Latvian-English dictionary

Ectaco
Free English-Latvian-English dictionary



Religion


Religious practises : Catholics 49.2%
Protestants 29.8%
Orthodox 14.5%
Jews 3.9%
Anglicans 1.8%
Others 0.8%.


Political system


The 1922 Constitution has been restored. The Republic of Latvia is an independent and democratic State. The Saeima (Parliament) is the legislative authority and is elected by universal proportional suffrage. The Head of State is the president of the Republic and he/she is elected by the parliament. The president appoints the Prime Minister who leads the government (Cabinet of Ministers).
President: Vaira Vike-Freiberga, re-elected as President of the Republic of Latvia for another four-year term on June 20, 2003.
Prime Minister: Indulis Emsis since March 9, 2004.


Climate

 


Tourism

Number of visitors in Latvia 2002 2003 2004 World rank
Number of visitors (1000) 848   971   1080   n.a.
Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005

 

Tourist sites


-Riga (capital): its old city and the "new city"
-Liepaja
-Jurmala (palges).
We also suggest you to buy road or city maps of the places you would like to go to.

For more information about tourism in Latvia , check out the following web site(s) :
Informations portal on tourism in Latvia


Food


Traditional dishes


In Latvia, the best part of the meal is usually the starter. Indeed, there is a large variety of appetizers.
Among Lettish specialties:
Kotletes: lamb ribs
Skabu kapostu zupa: vegetable soup
Smoked fish: salmon, trouts.
Smetana: cream dessert, yoghurt-based.
Drinks: The Riga Black Balsam is a famous liquor in Latvia which was first produced in 1700.
Bauskas Tumsais: stout
Gaisais: white beer
Kvass: soft drink which is served in the summer.

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Last modified in October 2005
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