Latvia
sovereign state in northeastern Europe
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World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Climate
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain
low plain
Natural resources
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
People & Society
Religions
Lutheran 36.2%, Roman Catholic 19.5%, Orthodox 19.1%, other Christian 1.6%, other 0.1%, unspecified/none 23.5% (2017 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Independence
18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday
Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
Legal system
civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$72.516 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$38,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
-0.4% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.3% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
6.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Lithuania 18%, Germany 11%, Poland 10%, Estonia 8%, Finland 5% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Summary
Latvia is a sovereign state[1]. Latvia draws 139,853 Wikipedia views per month (sovereign state category, ranking #96 of 197).[2]
Key Facts
- Award received: Award of the Peace of Westphalia[3]
- Country: Latvia[4]
- Located in or next to body of water: Baltic Sea[5]
- Head of government: Evika Siliņa[6], Andris Kulbergs[7]
- Continent: Europe[8]
- Instance of: country bordering the Baltic Sea[9], country[10]
- Head of state: Edgars Rinkēvičs[11]
- Capital: Riga[12]
- Official language: Latvian[13]
- Currency: euro[14]
- Shares border with: Belarus[15], Estonia[16], Lithuania[17], Russia[18], Sweden[19]
- Top-level Internet domain: .lv[20]
- Anthem: Dievs, svētī Latviju![21]
- Basic form of government: parliamentary republic[22], republic[23]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Daugavpils[24], Jūrmala[25], Liepāja[26], Rēzekne[27], Riga[28], Ventspils[29], Alūksne Municipality[30], Gulbene Municipality[31], Līvāni Municipality[32], Olaine Municipality[33], Salaspils Municipality[34], Valka Municipality[35], Ventspils Municipality[36], Jelgava[37]
- Headquarters location: Riga[38]
- Flag: flag of Latvia[39]
- Legislative body: Saeima[40]
- Executive body: Government of Latvia[41]
- Highest judicial authority: Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia[42]
- Coat of arms: Coat of arms of Latvia[43]
Body
Cultural Significance
Things named for Latvia include Latvians[44], a human population[45]; Latvian Gambit[46], a chess opening[47]; and 1284 Latvia[48], an asteroid[49].
Why It Matters
Latvia has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[50] Latvia is known by 60 alternative names across languages and contexts.[51]
Entities named for Latvia include Latvians[44], a human population[45]; Latvian Gambit[46], a chess opening[47]; and 1284 Latvia[48], an asteroid[49].
FAQs
What awards did Latvia receive?
Honors received include Award of the Peace of Westphalia[3].