View source for Latvia

{{Infobox Country or territory
|native_name              = ''Latvijas Republika''
|conventional_long_name   = Republic of Latvia
|common_name              = Latvia
|image_flag               = Flag of Latvia.svg
|image_coat               = Coat of Arms of Latvia.svg
|image_map                = EU location LAT.png
|map_caption              = {{map_caption |region=[[Europe]] |subregion=the [[European Union]] |legend=European location legend en.png}}
|national_motto           = "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai"{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Latvian language|Latvian]])<br/>"For Fatherland and Freedom"</small>
|national_anthem          = ''[[Dievs, svētī Latviju!]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>(Latvian)<br/>"God, bless Latvia!"</small>
|official_languages       = [[Latvian language|Latvian]]
|ethnic_groups            = 59.0% [[Latvians]]<br/>28.5% [[Russians]]<br/>{{spaces|2}}3.8% [[Belarussians]]<br/>{{spaces|2}}2.4% [[Poles]]<br/>{{spaces|2}}6.3% others
|capital                  = [[Riga]]
|latd=56 |latm=57 |latNS=N |longd=24 |longm=6 |longEW=E
|largest_city             = capital
|government_type          = [[Parliamentary democracy]]
|leader_title1            = [[List of Presidents of Latvia|President]]
|leader_title2            = [[Prime Minister of Latvia|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1             = [[Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga]]
|leader_name2             = [[Aigars Kalvītis]]
|accessionEUdate          = [[May 1]], [[2004]]
|area_rank                = 124th
|area_magnitude           = 1 E10
|area                     = 64,589
|areami²                  = 24,937 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water            = 1.5
|population_estimate      = 2,291,000 <!--UN WPP-->
|population_estimate_rank = 143rd
|population_estimate_year = January 2006
||population_census = 2 375 000 
|population_census_year = 2000
|population_density       = 36
|population_densitymi²    = 93 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank  = 166th
|GDP_PPP                  = $29.214 billion <!--IMF-->
|GDP_PPP_rank             = 95th
|GDP_PPP_year             = 2005
|GDP_PPP_per_capita       = $12,622
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = 53rd
|sovereignty_type         = [[History of Latvia|Independence]]<sup>1</sup>
|sovereignty_note         = from [[Russian SFSR|Russia]] and [[German Empire|Germany]]
|established_event1       = Declared
|established_date1        = [[November 18]], [[1918]]
|established_event2       = Recognized
|established_date2        = [[January 26]], [[1921]]
|established_event3       = Proclaimed<sup>2</sup>
|established_date3        = [[May 4]], [[1990]]
|established_event4       = Completed
|established_date4        = [[September 6]], [[1991]]
|HDI                      = {{increase}} 0.845
|HDI_rank                 = 45th
|HDI_year                 = 2004
|HDI_category             = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|Gini                     = 37.7
|Gini_year                = 2003
|Gini_category            = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency                 = [[Latvian lats|Lats]] (Ls)
|currency_code            = LVL
|country_code             = LVA
|time_zone                = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
|utc_offset               = +2
|time_zone_DST            = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
|utc_offset_DST           = +3
|cctld                    = [[.lv]] <sup>3</sup>
|calling_code             = 371
|footnotes                = <sup>1</sup> Latvia considers itself continuous with the first republic.<br/><sup>2</sup> [[Secession]] from [[Soviet Union]] begun.<br/><sup>3</sup> Also [[.eu]], shared with other [[European Union]] member states.
}}
'''Latvia''' (historically '''Lattonia''', '''Lettonia''', or '''Lettland'''), officially the '''Republic of Latvia''' ([[Latvian language|Latvian]]: ''Latvija'' or ''Latvijas Republika'', [[Livonian language|Livonian]]: ''Lețmō''), is a country in [[Northern Europe]].
Latvia shares land borders with [[Estonia]] to the north and [[Lithuania]] to the south &ndash; and both [[Russia]] and [[Belarus]] to the east. It is separated from [[Sweden]] in the west by the [[Baltic Sea]]. The capital of Latvia is [[Riga]] ([[Latvian language|Latvian]]: ''Rīga''). Latvia has been a member state of the [[European Union]] since [[May 1]], [[2004]].

== History ==
{{main|History of Latvia}}
The territory of Latvia has been populated since 9000 BC with the proto-Baltic ancestors of the Latvian people settling on the eastern coast of the [[Baltic Sea]] around the third millennium BC (3000&nbsp;BC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/msr/Ethno/dategen1.html |title=Data: 3000 BC to 1500 BC |work=[[The Ethnohistory project]] |accessdate=2006-08-06}}</ref>

Across Europe, Latvia's coast was known for its [[amber]].  The ancient [[Balts]] traded Latvian amber with [[Ancient Greece]] and the [[Roman Empire]]. 

By 900 AD, four Baltic tribal cultures had developed: [[Couronians]], [[Latgallians]], [[Selonians]], [[Semigallians]] (in Latvian: ''kurši'', ''latgaļi'', ''sēļi'' and ''zemgaļi''). 

[[Image:Knight livonia.png|left|thumb|200px|A knight of the The [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword]].]]
At the end of the 1100s, Latvia was often visited by traders from western Europe who set out on trading journeys along Latvia's longest river, the Daugava, to Russia. 

In 1180, [[Christian]] [[Missionary|missionaries]] arrived.  As the Balts did not readily convert and opposed the ritual of christening, German [[Crusaders]] were sent into Latvia[http://www.balticsworldwide.com/Crusaders.htm] to convert the pagan population.   By 1211, Christianity had effective control with the foundation stone for the Dome Cathedral in Riga laid.

In the 1200s, a confederation of feudal nations called [[Livonia]] developed under German rule. Livonia included today's Latvia and Southern Estonia. In 1282, Rīga and later the cities of [[Cēsis]], [[Limbaži]], [[Koknese]] and [[Valmiera]] were included in the [[Hanseatic League]]. From this time, Riga became an important point in west-east trading. Rīga, being the centre of the eastern Baltic region, formed close cultural contacts with Western Europe.

The 1500s were a time of great changes for the inhabitants of Latvia, notable for the reformation and the collapse of the Livonian nation. After the [[Livonian War]] (1558-1583) today's Latvian territory came under [[Polish-Lithuanian]] rule. The Lutheran faith was accepted in [[Kurzeme]], [[Zemgale]] and [[Vidzeme]], but the [[Roman Catholic]] faith maintained its dominance in [[Latgale]] and continues to do so today.

The seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries saw a struggle between [[Poland]], [[Sweden]] and [[Russia]] for supremacy in the eastern Baltic. Most of [[Polish Livonia]], including Vidzeme, came under Swedish rule with the [[Truce of Altmark]] in 1629. Under the Swedish rule [[serfdom]] was eased and a network of schools was established for the peasantry. 

The [[Treaty of Nystad]] ending the [[Great Northern War]] in 1721 gave Vidzeme to Russia (it became part of the [[Riga Governorate]]). The Latgale region remained part of Poland as [[Inflanty]] until 1772, when it was joined to Russia. The [[Duchy of Courland]] became a Russian province (the [[Courland Governorate]]) in 1795, bringing all of what is now Latvia into [[Imperial Russia]].

The promises [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]] made to the Baltic German nobility at the fall of Riga in 1710, confirmed by the Treaty of Nystad and known as "the Capitulations," largely reversed the Swedish reforms. The emancipation of the serfs took place in Courland in 1817 and in Vidzeme in 1819. In practice, the emancipation was actually advantageous to the nobility because it dispossessed the peasants of their land without compensation. The social structure changed dramatically, with a class of independent farmers establishing itself after reforms allowed the peasants to repurchase their land, landless peasants numbering 591 000 in 1897, a growing urban [[proletariat]] and an increasingly influential Latvian [[bourgeoisie]]. The [[Young Latvians]] ([[Latvian language|Latvian]]: ''Jaunlatvieši'') movement laid the groundwork for [[nationalism]] from the middle of the century, many of its leaders looking to the [[Slavophile]]s for support against the prevailing German-dominated social order. [[Russification]] began in Latgale after the [[January Uprising]] in [[1863]] and spread to the rest of what is now Latvia by the [[1880s]]. The Young Latvians were largely eclipsed by the [[New Current]], a broad [[leftist]] social and political movement, in the 1890s. Popular discontent exploded in the [[Russian Revolution of 1905|1905 Revolution]], which took on a nationalist character in the Baltic provinces. 

[[World War I]] devastated the country. Demands for [[self-determination]] were at first confined to [[autonomy]], but full independence was proclaimed in Riga on [[November 18]], [[1918]], by the [[Tautas Padome|People's Council of Latvia]], [[Kārlis Ulmanis]] becoming the head of the provisional government. The [[Latvian War of Independence|War of Independence]] that followed was a very chaotic period in Latvia's history. By the spring of [[1919]] there were actually three governments- Ulmanis' government; the [[Iskolat]] led by [[Pēteris Stučka]], which proclaimed an independent Soviet Latvia and whose forces, supported by the [[Red Army]], occupied almost all of the country; and the [[Baltic German]] government of "Baltic Duchy" headed by [[Andrievs Niedra]]. [[Estonia]]n and Latvian forces defeated the Germans at the Battle of [[Cēsis]] in June 1919, and a massive attack by a German and Russian force under [[Pavel Bermondt-Avalov]] was repelled in November. Eastern Latvia was cleared of [[Red Army]] forces by [[Poles|Polish]], Latvian, and German troops in early 1920.

A freely elected [[Constituent Assembly]] was convened on [[May 1]], [[1920]] and adopted a [[liberal]] [[constitution]], the ''[[Satversme]]'', in February 1922. This was partly suspended by Ulmanis after his coup in [[1934]], but reaffirmed in 1990. Since then it has been amended and is the constitution still in use in Latvia today. With most of Latvia's industrial base evacuated to the interior of Russia in 1915, radical [[land reform]] was the central political question for the young state. In 1897, 61.2% of the rural population had been landless; by 1930 that percentage had been reduced to 23.2%. The extent of cultivated land surpassed the pre-war level already in 1923. Innovation and rising productivity led to rapid growth of economy, but it soon suffered the effects of the [[Great Depression]]. Though Latvia showed signs of economic recovery and the electorate had steadily moved toward the center during the parliamentary period, Ulmanis staged a bloodless [[Coup d'état|coup]] on [[May 15]], [[1934]], establishing a nationalist [[dictatorship]] that lasted until 1940. Most of the Baltic Germans left Latvia by agreement between Ulmanis' government and [[Nazi Germany]] after the conclusion of the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact]]. On [[October 5]], [[1939]], Latvia was forced to accept a "mutual assistance" pact with the [[Soviet Union]], granting the Soviets the right to station 25,000 troops on Latvian territory. On [[June 16]], [[1940]], [[Vyacheslav Molotov]] presented the Latvian representative in [[Moscow]] with an ultimatum accusing Latvia of violations of that pact, and on [[June 17]] great numbers of Soviet forces [[Occupation of Latvia|occupied the country]]. Fraudulent<ref>Election "results" were accidentally issued early by the Soviet press service. They were published in the news in London 24 hours before the polls closed.</ref> elections for a "People's Saeima" were held, and a puppet government headed by [[Augusts Kirhenšteins]] led Latvia into the USSR. The annexation was formalized on [[August 5]], [[1940]]. 

The Soviets dealt with their [[Enemy of the people|opponents]] - prior to [[Operation Barbarossa|the German invasion]], in less than a year, at least 27,586 persons were arrested; most were deported, and ca. 945 persons were shot. While under German occupation, Latvia was administered as part of [[Reichskommissariat Ostland|''Reichskommissariat Ostland'']]. Latvian paramilitary and [[Arajs Commando|Auxiliary Police]] units established by occupation authority actively participated in the [[Holocaust]]. More than 200,000 Latvian citizens died during World War II, including approximately 70,000 Latvian [[Jews]] murdered during the Nazi occupation. Latvian soldiers fought on both sides of the conflict, including in the [[Latvian Legion]] of the [[Waffen-SS]], most of them conscripted by the occupying Nazi and Soviet authorities. Refusal to join the occupying army resulted in an imprisonment, threats to relatives or even death.

The Soviets reoccupied the country in 1944-1945, and further mass deportations followed as the country was forcibly [[Collectivisation in the USSR|collectivized]] and [[Russification|Sovietized]]; 42,975 persons were deported in 1949. Influx of laborers, administrators, military personnel and their dependents from Russia and other Soviet republics started and by 1959 ethnic Latvian population had fallen to 62%. During the [[Khrushchev Thaw]], attempts by national [[communists]] led by [[Eduards Berklavs]] to gain a degree of autonomy for the republic and protect the rapidly deteriorating position of the [[Latvian language]] were suppressed. In 1989 the [[Supreme Soviet]] of the USSR adopted a resolution on the "Occupation of the Baltic States," in which it declared that the occupation was "not in accordance with law," and not the "will of the Soviet people". A national movement coalescing in the [[Popular Front of Latvia]] took advantage of [[glasnost]] under [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], opposed by the [[Interfront]], and on [[May 4]], [[1990]], the [[Supreme Soviet]] of the Latvian SSR adopted the Declaration of the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia, subject to a transition period that came to an end with Latvian independence on [[August 21]], [[1991]], after the failure of the [[Soviet coup attempt of 1991|August Putsch]]. The [[Saeima]], Latvia's parliament, was again elected in 1993, and Russia completed its military withdrawal in 1994.

The major goals of Latvia in the 1990s, to join [[NATO]] and [[European Union]], were achieved in 2004. Language and citizenship laws have been opposed by many [[Russophone]]s (Latvian is the [[official language]] and [[citizenship]] was not automatically extended to some former Soviet citizens - mostly ethnically Russian - who settled during the occupation, or to their descendants). The government denationalized private property confiscated by the Soviet rule, returning it or compensating the owners for it, and [[privatization|privatized]] most state-owned industries, reintroducing the [[Latvian lats|prewar currency]]. After a difficult transition to a liberal economy and its re-orientation toward Western Europe, Latvia still has one of the lowest standards of living in the EU, though its economy has one of the highest growth rates.

== Politics ==
[[Image:Ingrida Udre.jpg|thumb|left|Ingrīda Ūdre, former Speaker of ''[[Saeima]]'', the Latvian parliament.]]
{{main|Politics of Latvia}}
The 100-seat [[unicameral]] Latvian [[parliament]], the ''[[Saeima]]'', is [[General Election|elected]] by direct, popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the ''Saeima'' in a separate election also every four years. The president appoints a [[prime minister]] who, together with his [[cabinet]], forms the [[executive branch]] of the government, which has to receive a confidence vote by the ''[[Saeima]]''. This system also existed before [[Second World War]].

In a nationwide [[referendum]] on [[September 20]], [[2003]], 66.9% of those taking part voted in favour of joining the [[European Union]]. Latvia became a full-fledged member of the [[European Union]] on [[May 1]], [[2004]]. Latvia has been a [[NATO]] member since [[March 29]], [[2004]]. 
Although membership in the EU and NATO were the major goals of Latvia through the 1990s, Latvian politicians today are often criticized for being unable to gain benefits out of Latvia's membership.  

Latvia has had strained relations with [[Russian Federation]] due to Russian discontent with [[Latvian language]] and citizenship policies, as well as Latvia's requests for Russia to recognize it as continuous with the first Latvian Republic and acknowledge consequences of Soviet occupation. As of [[2007]], however Latvia's relationship with Russia seems to be improving.

== Administrative divisions ==
{{main|Districts of Latvia}}
Latvia is divided into [[Districts of Latvia|twenty-six districts]] (''rajoni''). There are also seven cities (''lielpilsētas'') that have a separate status. Latvia is also historically, culturally and [[Constitution of Latvia|constitutionally]] divided in four or more distinct regions, see [[regions of Latvia]].
{| border="0"
|
#[[Aizkraukle District]]
#[[Alūksne District]]
#[[Balvi District]]
#[[Bauska District]]
#[[Cēsis District]]
#[[Daugavpils District]]
#[[Daugavpils]] (city)
#[[Dobele District]]
#[[Gulbene District]]
#[[Jēkabpils District]]
#[[Jelgava District]]
#[[Jelgava]] (city)
#[[Jūrmala]] (city)
#[[Kraslava District|Krāslava District]]
#[[Kuldīga District]]
#[[Liepaja District|Liepāja District]]
#[[Liepāja]] (city)
|style="vertical-align: top;"|
<ol start=18>
<li>[[Limbaži District]]
<li>[[Ludza District]]
<li>[[Madona District]]
<li>[[Ogre District]]
<li>[[Preili District|Preiļi District]]
<li>[[Rezekne District|Rēzekne District]]
<li>[[Rēzekne]] (city)
<li>[[Rīga District]]
<li>[[Rīga]] (city)
<li>[[Saldus District]]
<li>[[Talsi District]]
<li>[[Tukums District]]
<li>[[Valka District]]
<li>[[Valmiera District]]
<li>[[Ventspils District]]
<li>[[Ventspils]] (city)
</ol>
|width="365" style="vertical-align: middle;"|

{{Image with scale
|image=
[[Image:Latvia districts numbered.png|none|350px|Map of the districts of Latvia in alphabetical order.]]
|float=right |scale=350 |x=0.05 |y=0.05 |high=500 |width=299 |bl=0.087 |bw=1px |bc=black |fc=black |text=<small>50km</small>
}}
|}
*[[Abrene district|Abrene District]] (1919-1940), the eastern part of which was annexed to [[Russia]] in 1944;<br/>the legal status of the annexed portion is disputed -- the western part of the former district is now in Balvi District.

== Geography ==
[[Image:Lg-map.gif|right|thumb|299px|Map of Latvia showing cities]]
{{main|Geography of Latvia}}
Located on eastern shore of the [[Baltic Sea]] Latvia lies in [[East European Plain]]. It consists of fertile, low-lying plains, largely covered by [[forest]], mostly [[pine]]s, the highest point being the [[Gaiziņkalns]] at 311.6&nbsp;m (1,020&nbsp;[[Foot (unit of length)|ft]]). Common species of wildlife in Latvia include [[deer]], [[wild boar]], [[fox]], [[beaver]] and [[wolves]]<ref>[http://latvijas.daba.lv/scripts/db/saraksti/saraksti.cgi?l=en&s=en Nature of Latvia:List of species] retrieved [[March 7]] [[2007]]</ref> The Latvian [[climate]] is [[Humid continental climate|humid, continental]] and [[temperate climate|temperate]] in nature, with temperatures varying on average from -5 to +15&nbsp;[[Celsius|°C]],<ref>http://www.meteo.lv, retrieved on [[March 7]] [[2007]].</ref> providing warm-water ports and water to more than 3,000 [[lakes]] and over 12,000 [[rivers]], only seventeen of which are longer than 100 [[kilometer]]s (sixty [[miles]]). The major rivers include the [[Daugava]], the [[Lielupe]], the [[Gauja]], and the [[Salaca]]. An inlet of the [[Baltic Sea]], the shallow [[Gulf of Riga]] is situated in the northwest of the country. Latvia's coastline extends for 531 kilometers. Its neighbors include [[Estonia]] on the north (267 kilometers of common border), [[Lithuania]] on the south (453 kilometers), [[Belarus]] on the southeast (141 kilometers), and [[Russia]] on the east (217 kilometers). Prior to World War II, Latvia bordered eastern Poland, but as a result of boundary changes by the Soviet Union, this territory was attached to Belorussia, Latvia also lost part of the former [[Abrene district|Abrene District]] i.e. 6% of its territory to Russia for the same reason.

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Latvia}}
Since the year [[2000]] Latvia has had one of the highest ([[GDP]]) growth rates in [[Europe]] [http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=sdi_ed&root=sdi_ed/sdi_ed/sdi_ed1000]. In [[2006]], annual GDP growth was 11.9% and [[inflation]] was 6.2%. [[Unemployment]] was 8.5% - almost unchanged compared to the previous two years. However, it has recently dropped to 7%, partly due to active economic [[Human migration|migration]], mostly to the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[United Kingdom]]. [[Privatization]] has been mostly completed, except for some of the large [[State ownership|state-owned]] utilities. Latvia is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (1999) and the [[European Union]] (2004). 

The fast growing economy is regarded as a possible [[economic bubble]], because it is driven mostly by growth of domestic [[Consumption (economics)|consumption]], financed by a serious increase of private [[debt]], as well as negative foreign [[Balance of trade|trade balance]]. The prices of [[real estate]], which increases at amount approx. 5% a month (due to lack of tax legislation that could prevent speculations in real estate market), are perceived to be too high for the economy, which mainly produces low valued goods and [[raw materials]]. As stated by Ober-Haus, a real estate company operating in Poland and the Baltics, the prices of some segments of real estate market have been stabilized as of summer [[2006]] and some experts expect serious reduction of real estate prices in the near future.
The government introduced special program to reduce inflation and remain high growth rates recently [http://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/aktuali/zinas/2007gads/03/finanases060320072/]. The main points of the plan are:
*to create a non-deficit country budget for the current [[2007]] year and a buget with a surplus for [[2008]] and beyond
*to tax any transaction concerning real estate that has been in a person's possession less than three years
*to increase control of credit
*to increase energy effectiveness in homes and business to guard against possible rises in energy costs
*to increase work productivity and stimulate competition in business
Latvia plans to introduce the [[Euro]] as the country's currency but, due to the inflation being above [[EMU]]'s guidelines, this is unlikely to happen before [[2010]].

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Latvia}}
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
|+ Residents of Latvia by nationality (As of [[1 January]] [[2006]])<ref>[http://www.np.gov.lv/index.php?en=fakti_en&saite=residents.htm Naturalization Board of the Republic of Latvia: Figures and facts], retieved on [[7 March]] [[2007]].</ref>
|-
|align="left"| Latvians     || 59.0%</tr>
|align="left"| Russians     || 28.5%</tr>
|align="left"| Belorussians ||  3.8%</tr>
|align="left"| Ukrainians   ||  2.5%</tr>
|align="left"| Poles        ||  2.4%</tr>
|align="left"| ''Others''   ||  1.9%</tr>
|align="left"| Lithuanians  ||  1.4%</tr>
|align="left"| Jews         ||  0.4%</tr>
|align="left"| Estonians    ||  0.1%</tr>
|}

Latvia's [[population]] has been [[multiethnic]] for centuries, though the [[demographics]] shifted dramatically in the [[20th century|twentieth century]] due to the world wars, the emigration and removal of [[Baltic Germans]], the [[Holocaust]], and occupation by the [[Soviet Union]]. 

[[Latvians]] and [[Livonians]], the indigenous peoples of Latvia, now form c. 60% of the population; 28.5% of the inhabitants are [[Russians|Russian]].<ref>[http://www.csb.lv/ Latvian Central Statistical Bureau]</ref>. Approximately 54% of the ethnic Russians living in Latvia are citizens of Latvia. People who arrived whilst Latvia was occupied by the [[USSR]], and their descendants born before [[1991]], must be naturalized to receive Latvian citizenship. Over 100,000 persons have been naturalized in recent years.  

In some large cities (e.g. [[Daugavpils]] and [[Rēzekne]]), Russians and other minorities outnumber Latvians. Minorities from other countries such as [[Belarus]], [[Ukraine]], [[Poland]], [[Lithuania]], etc., also live in Latvia. The share of ethnic Latvians had fallen from 77% (1,467,035) in 1935 to 52% (1,387,757) in  1989.<ref>[http://www.lka.edu.lv/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&topic=68]</ref>. In 2005 there were even fewer Latvians than in [[1989]], though their share of the population was larger - 1,357,099 (58.8% of the inhabitants).

The official language of Latvia is [[Latvian language|Latvian]], which belongs to the [[Baltic languages|Baltic language group]] of the [[Indo-European language family]]. Another notable language of Latvia is the nearly extinct [[Livonian language]] of [[Baltic-Finnic languages|Baltic-Finnic]] subbranch of [[Uralic languages|Uralic language family]], which enjoys protection by law, [[Latgalian language]] - a dialect of Latvian - is also protected by Latvian law as historical variation of Latvian language. [[Russian language|Russian]] is by far the most widespread minority language, also spoken, or at least understood, by large sections of the non-Russian population. 

The population is mostly [[Christianity|Christian]], the largest group being [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia|Lutheran]] (556,000, according to 2003 data; 24% of total population), with smaller percentages [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] (430,405, 19 %) and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] (350,000, 15 %). 

There are also [[Judaism|Jews]] (9,883 in 2005) in Latvia who are now mainly a remainder from the past, as during [[World War II]] the Jewish Community (according to the last official [[census]] in 1935 there were 93,479 Jews in the country, or approximately 5% of the total population) was mostly killed. There are 182 known [[Muslims]] living in Latvia, total number of [[Islam in Latvia|Muslims in Latvia]], however, is estimated to be much larger - from 500 to 12 000.

There are about 600 Latvian [[neopagan]]s [[Dievturība|Dievturi]] (The Godskeepers) whose religion is based on [[Latvian mythology]].<ref>[http://www.bibelesbiedriba.lv/religiju-enciklopedija/statistika.html Statistics of approved parishes in Latvia (as of 1-1-2004)] retieved on [[7 March]] [[2007]]</ref> About 35 % of the total population is not affiliated with a specific religion and may be [[agnostic]] or [[atheist]].

== Culture ==
Between the [[13th century|thirteenth]] and [[19th century|nineteenth century]], [[Baltic Germans]], many of whom were originally of non-German ancestry but had been assimilated into [[German culture]], formed the upper class. They developed a distinct cultural heritage, characterised by both Latvian and Russian influences. It has survived in German Baltic families to this day, in spite of their dispersal to Germany, the USA, Canada and other countries in the early 20th century. However, most indigenous Latvians did not participate in this particular cultural life. Thus the mostly peasant local [[pagan]] heritage was preserved, partly merging with Christian traditions, for example in one of the most popular celebrations today which is the [[midsummer]] festival, or [[Jāņi]]. 

Jāņi is a paganic celebration of the [[summer solstice]], celebrated on the feast day of St. [[John the Baptist]]. In the [[19th century|nineteenth century]] Latvian nationalist movements emerged promoting Latvian culture and encouraging Latvians to take part in cultural activities. The nineteenth century and beginning of the [[20th century|twentieth century]] is often regarded as a classical era of Latvian culture. 

After incorporation into the [[USSR]], Latvian artists and writers had to follow the [[Socialist realism]] style of art. During the Soviet era, music became increasingly popular, with the most popular being songs from the [[1980s]].  At this time, songs often made fun of the characteristics of Soviet life and were concerned about preserving Latvian identity. This aroused popular protests against the USSR and also gave rise to an increasing popularity of poetry. Since independence, [[theatre]] and [[scenography]] have become the most notable branches of Latvian culture.

== International rankings ==
* [http://www.yale.edu/esi/ Environmental Sustainability Index 2005] Rank 15 out of all countries
* [[Reporters Without Borders]] [[Reporters Without Borders#Worldwide press freedom index|World-wide press freedom index]]: 10/168
* [[Transparency International]] [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]: 49/163
* [[Heritage Foundation]]/[[The Wall Street Journal]] [[Indices of Economic Freedom#Current ratings|Index of Economic Freedom]]: 39/157

== See also ==
{{portal|Latvia|Flag of Latvia.svg}}
{{columns |width=220px |gap=5px
|col1 =
* [[Communications in Latvia]]
* [[Gay rights in Latvia]]
* [[Foreign relations of Latvia]]
* [[History of Russians in Latvia]]
* [[History of the Jews in Latvia]]
* [[Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija|Scouting and Guiding in Latvia]]
|col2 =
* [[Latvijas Televīzija]]
* [[Latvian humour]]
* [[List of cities in Latvia]]
* [[List of museums in Latvia]]
* [[Military of Latvia]]
* [[Muslims in Latvia]]
|col3 =
* [[National Roads in Latvia]]
* [[Public holidays in Latvia]]
* [[Regions of Latvia]]
* [[Sports in Latvia]]
* [[Tourism in the Baltics]]
* [[Transportation in Latvia]]
}}

== References ==
<div class="references-small">
* Juris Dreifelds: ''Latvia in Transition'' (Cambridge University Press: 1996).
* Jānis Rutkis (editor): ''Latvia: Country & People'' (Latvian National Foundation, Stockholm: 1967).
* Arveds Švābe: ''The Story of Latvia - A Historical Survey'' (Latvian National Foundation, Stockholm: 1949) (see below).
* ''These Names Accuse-Nominal List of Latvians Deported to Soviet Russia'' (Latvian National Foundation, Stockholm: second edition, 1982) (see below).
<references/>
</div>

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Latvia}}

===Government===
* [http://www.mk.gov.lv/index.php/en The Cabinet of Ministers] 
* [http://www.saeima.lv/index_eng.html The Latvian Parliament (Saeima)]
* [http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=16&lng=en&p The Latvian President's Chancery]
* [http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
* [http://www.humanrights.lv/doc/latlik/satver~1.htm The Constitution of Latvia (in English)], translation by the Latvia Law Institute, published online by the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia.
* [http://www.lvavp.lv/ National Agency of Latvian Language Training] - available in Russian, Latvian, and English

===Other===
* [http://depts.washington.edu/aabs/ AABS] (the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies) - an international educational and scholarly organization. Site hosted by Washington University.
* [http://www.baltictimes.com Baltic Times] - English language weekly in the Baltic States, published in Riga. 
* [http://www.vietas.lv Vietas.lv] - Places of Latvia. Guide, calendar and more...
* http://dmoz.org/Regional/Europe/Latvia/
* [http://latviatourism.lv/ Latvia tourism] - Tourism information sponsored by Latvian Tourism Development Agency  
* [http://www.latvija.lv/EN/ Latvija] - Official Portal of Latvia by Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Electronic Government Affairs 
* [http://www.latvians.com Latvians.com] - Personal web site of Silvija and Peters Vecrumba
* [http://www.latviansonline.com Latvians Online] - Online Latvian community, site edited by Andris Straumanis, Minnesota, USA
* [http://www.policy.lv Policy.lv] - English version of the Latvian public policy site politika.lv by Providus and the Soros Foundation.
* [http://www.li.lv/en The Latvian Institute] - professional organization publishing information on Latvian society, economy, culture and history
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Latvia Latvia] on [[Wikitravel]]
* [http://www.freedomhouse.hu/pdfdocs/latvia2006.pdf Analysis of Freedom in Latvia (pdf file)] -Freedom House publication "Nations in Transit 2006". Authored by J.Dreifelds.
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/lvtoc.html Latvia : Country Studies] -  Published in 1996 by the Federal Research Division, Library of Congress.Authored by J.Dreifelds.
* [http://www.csb.lv/avidus.cfm National Statistics Agency] (in Latvian and English. For English press upper right hand corner "EN") 
* [http://www.visiteuropes.com/ccm/vacation/downloads/?lang=en_US&33019=219 Latvia Tourism Brochures] - Official publication by European Travel Commission (ETC)

{{Template group
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{{Baltic}}
}}
{{Template group
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{{Council of Europe members}}
{{NATO}}
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