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| Independence Year : 1991 Population : 2424200 Life Expectancy : 68.4 Capital : 2434 GNP : 6398.00 GNP Old : 5639.00 Local Name : Latvija Government Form : Republic Location : Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Terrain : Fertile low-lying plains predominate in central Latvia, highlands in Vidzeme and Latgale to the east, and hilly moraine in the western Kurzeme region. Forests cover one-third of the country, with over 3 000 small lakes and numerous bogs. Climate : Temperate, maritime; wet, with four seasons of almost equal length. January temperatures average -5°C (23°F); July 17°C (63°F). Ethnic Group : Latvian 58.5%, Russians 29%, Belarusians 3.9%, Ukrainians 2.6%, Poles 2.5%. Religions : Lutheran, Orthodox, Roman Catholic Official Website :www.president.lv | 
Genral Information - Latvia
Background
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 continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions. Since May 2004 Latvia is a member of the European Union. |
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