LocationNorthern Europe.
Area64,589 sq km (24,938 sq miles).
Population2.3 million (2006 estimate).
Population Density35.6 per sq km.
CapitalRiga.
Population: 727,578 (2006 estimate).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
LanguageLatvian is the official language. Russian, English and German are widely spoken. Latvian belongs to the Baltic language group, part of the Indo-European language family. The language has three main dialects, with the
Latgallian dialect, spoken in the eastern part of Latvia, especially distinctive.
ReligionNon-religious 35%, Lutheran 24%, Catholic 18%, Orthodox 15%, others 8%.
TimeGMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Ivars Godmanis since 2007.
Head of StatePresident Valdis Zatlers since 2007.
Recent HistoryIvars Godmanis has led a new four-party center-right government since December 2007. This is Latvia’s 14th government in 16 years. An election was called when former prime minister Aigars Kalvitis resigned amid a series of scandals. Godmanis is not entirely new to the job: he was prime minister when Latvia secured independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
TelephoneCountry code: 371. Payphones are operated by phonecards which can be purchased at kiosks, post offices and in some shops.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.
InternetThere are many Internet cafes in Riga and some in other towns.
MediaPublic radio and TV are financed by state subsidies and advertising revenue. The media operate freely, with few legal restrictions on their work. There are laws against libel and incitement of racial hatred.
PostPostboxes are yellow. Mail delivery within Europe takes two to seven days, to America and Australia 10 to 14 days.
Riga Central Post Office is located at Stacijas laukums (next to the main railway station), opening hours: Mon-Fri 0700-2200, Sat 0800-2200; Sun 1000-2200.
Post office hours: (General, main)
Mon-Fri 0700/0800-1800/1900, Sat 0800-1600.
Press• A wide range of political viewpoints are represented by some 140 newspapers, with a mixture of Latvian- and Russian-language newspapers printed.
• The main daily is
Diena.
• Latvian-language papers include the broadsheet
Neatkariga Rita Avize (NRA), the business tabloid
Dienas Bizness and the evening tabloid
Vakara Avize Vakara Zinas.
• Russian-language publications include
Telegraf (the main daily),
Chas,
Vesti Segodnya and Biznes & Baltiya.
Radio• The public
Latvian Radio operates four national networks, while
Radio SWH,
Easy FM, and
Radio Skonto are commercial stations.
• Radio NABA is a public/university station.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
4 May Declaration of Independence Day.
23 Jun Ligo (Midsummer's Eve).
24 Jun Jani (Midsummer's Day/St John's Day).
18 Nov Latvian National Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
4 May Declaration of Independence Day.
23 Jun Ligo (Midsummer's Eve).
24 Jun Jani (Midsummer's Day/St John's Day).
18 Nov Latvian National Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
Contact Information:Embassy of Latvia in the UK45 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5LY, UK
Tel: (020) 7312 0040.
Website:
www.london.am.gov.lv Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1300 (consular section).
Latvian Tourism Bureau in London72 Queensborough Terrace, London W2 3SH, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 8271.
Website:
www.latviatourism.lv Embassy of Latvia in the USA2306 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 328 2840.
Website:
www.latvia-usa.org Opening hours: Mon 1400-1600 and Tues-Thurs 1000-1200.
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