The Republic of Latvia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Located in Northeastern Europe, Latvia borders Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Belarus. Latvia is a republic with an unicameral parliament, called the Saeima, with elections occurring every four years. The population of Latvia is 2,165,165 people. Currently, Latvia is the fastest growing economy in the European Union.


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General Information
Official Name: 
Republic of Latvia, Latvijas Republika
Capitol: 
Riga
Population: 
2,165,165
Languages: 
Latvian, Russian
Geographic Region: 
Europe
Northern Europe
Geographic Size (km sq): 
64,559
Year of UN Membership: 
1991
Year of Present State Formation: 
1990
Current UN Representative: 
Jānis Mažeiks
Online Profiles
CIA World Factbook Country Profile: Latvia
BBC Country Profile: Latvia
U.S. Department of State Country Profile: Latvia
U.S. Library of Congress Country Profile: Latvia
Law Library of Congress Country Profile: Latvia
Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade County Profile: Latvia
Australia Department of Foreign Affairs Countries, Economies and Regions: Latvia
National Geographic Country Profile: Latvia
Lonely Planet Country Profile: Latvia
Key Statistics & Indicators
Gross Domestic Product (GDP, Nominal): 
$38.870 Billion
Per Capita Income (PPP Adjusted): 
$19,100 (CID)
GDP Growth: 
4.00 (%)
Human Development Index (HDI): 
0.81
Gini Index (Income Inequality): 
35.20
Unemployment: 
10.90%
Economic Grouping: 
Developed Country
History
History of Latvia: A Timeline
The Three Occupations of Latvia: 1940-1991
The Last Prisoners of the Cold War
OECD Country Profile: Latvia
International Relations
UN Voting Blocs & Caucuses: 
Eastern European Group
European Community
Nordic Group
Major International & Regional Organizations: 
Australia Group
BA: Baltic Assembly
BIS: Bank for International Settlements
CBSS: Council of the Baltic Sea States
CD: Community of Democracies
CoEu: Council of Europe
EAPC: Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
EBRD: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
EIB: European Investment Bank
EU: European Union
ICC: International Chamber of Commerce
ICRM: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
IFRCS: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IHO: International Hydrographic Organization
IMSO: International Mobile Satellite Organization
Interpol: International Criminal Police Organization
IOC: International Olympic Committee
IOM: International Organization for Migration
IPU: Inter-Parliamentary Union
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
ITUC: International Trade Union Confederation
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NIB: Nordic Investment Bank
NSG: Nuclear Suppliers Group, aka London Group
OAS: Organization of American States
OIF: Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
OSCE: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
PCA: Permanent Court of Arbitration
Schengen Convention
WCO: World Customs Organization
UN Specialized Agencies & Organizations: 
CTBTO: Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency
IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization
ICSID: International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
IDA: International Development Association
IFC: International Finance Corporation
ILO: International Labor Organization
IMF: International Monetary Fund
IMO: International Maritime Organization
ITU: International Telecommunications Union
MIGA: Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
OPCW: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UPU: Universal Postal Union
WBG: World Bank Group
WHO: World Health Organization
WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization
WMO: World Meteorological Organization
WTO: World Trade Organization
Bilateral Relations
Security Council: 
U.S. Department of State Fact Sheets: US-Latvia Bilateral Relations
U.K. Gov.UK Worldwide Activities: UK-Latvia Bilateral Relations
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development: France-Latvia Bilateral Relations
P.R. of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China-Latvia Bilateral Relations
Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs: News, Statements, Speeches and Documents
Asia (E/S/SE): 
Japan-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
South Korea-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs
India-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Government of India Ministry of External Affairs Briefs
Vietnam-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Africa & Middle East: 
Turkey-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Armenia-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Egypt-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs
South Africa-Latvia Bilateral Relations: South Africa International Relations & Cooperation
European Union: 
EU-Latvia Relations: E.U. External Action, European Union Around the Globe
Germany-Latvia Relations: Federal Foreign Office of Germany
Netherlands-Latvia Relations: Government of the Netherlands International Relations
Finland-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Greece-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Western (Non-EU): 
Canada-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Government of Canada International Gateway, Offices & Embassies
Australia-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Country Briefs
New Zealand-Latvia Bilateral Relations: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Switzerland-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Swiss Confederation Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Monaco-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Principauté de Monaco, Monaco Worldwide
Latin America & Caribbean : 
Cuba-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Cuba MinRex, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
Brazil-Latvia Bilateral Relations: Brasil Ministério das Relações Exteriores (in Portuguese)
United Nations Data
Permanent Mission to the UN: Latvia
UNHCR Regional Operations Profile-Northern,Western, Central, and Southern Europe
Latvian Statement at the 57th Session of UN Women
UNDP Human Development Report: Latvia
Latvian Statement at the 69th Plenary Session at the UN General Assembly Plenary Session
News Sources
BBC News Country Media Profile: Latvia
The Guardian World News Stories: Latvia
New York Times Countries & Regions News: Latvia
The Economist Topics Index: Latvia
World News Report: Latvia
Topix Real Time News and Updates: Latvia
ABYZ Newspapers and Media Guide: Latvia
Government Sources
The Latvian Institute
Latvia's Role in the UN
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia: Foreign Policy
UN Mission
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Latvia to the United Nations
333 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 838-8877
(212) 838-8920
mission.un-ny@mfa.gov.lv

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