Country data

Location: Eastern Europe

Time zone: CET + 2 (during summer time CET + 1)

Total area: 64,589 km²

Land area: 62,249 km²

Water area: 2,340 km²

Length of the state border: 1,382 km

Bordering countries fall to:
Estonia: 343 km
Lithuania: 576 km
Russian Federation: 292 km
Belarus / Belarus: 171 km

Coastline: 498 km

Capital: Riga

Districts: 119
in addition Novads, Aglonas Novads, Aizkraukles Novads, Aizputes Novads, Aknistes Novads, Alojas Novads, Alsungas Novads, Aluksnes Novads, Amatas Novads, Apes Novads, Auces Novads, Babites Novads, Baldones Novads, Baltinavas Novads, Balvu Novads, Bauskas Novads, Brocenu Novads, Burtnieku Novads, Carnikavas Novads, Cesu Novads, Cesvaines Novads, Ciblas Novads, Dagdas Novads, Daugavpils, Daugavpils Novads, Dobeles Novads, Dundagas Novads, Durbes Novads, Engures Novads, Erglu Novads, Gulbenes Novads, Iecavas Novads, Ikskiles Novads, Ilukstes Novads, Incukalna Novads, Jaunjelgavas Novads, Jaunpiebalgas Novads, Jaunpils Novads, Jekabpils, Jekabpils Novads, Jelgava, Jelgavas Novads, Jurmala, Kandavas Novads, Karsegavas Novads Novads, Kraslavas Novads,Krimuldas Novads, Krustpils Novads, Kuldigas Novads, Liepaja, Lielvardes Novads, Ligatnes Novads, Limbazu Novads, Livanu Novads, Lubanas Novads, Ludzas Novads, Madonas Novads, Malpils Novads, Marupes Novads, Mazsalacas Novads, Mersraga Novads, Nau Nicas Novads, Ogres Novads, Olaines Novads, Ozolnieku Novads, Pargaujas Novads, Pavilostas Novads, Plavinu Novads, Preilu Novads, Priekules Novads, Priekulu Novads, Raunas Novads, Rezekne, Rezeknes Novads, Riebinu Novazuads, Riga, Rucopavas Novads, Riga, Roopavas Novads Novads, Rugaju Novads, Rujienas Novads, Rundales Novads, Salacgrivas Novads, Salas Novads, Salaspils Novads, Saldus Novads, Saulkrastu Novads, Sejas Novads, Siguldas Novads, Skriveru Novads, Skrundas Novads, Smiltenes Novads, Stopinu Novads, Strenalsu Novads, Tervetes Novads, Tukuma Novads,Vainodes Novads, Valkas Novads, Valmiera, Varaklanu Novads, Varkavas Novads, Vecpiebalgas Novads, Vecumnieku Novads, Ventspils, Ventspils Novads, Viesites Novads, Vilakas Novads, Vilanu Novads, Zilupes Novads

Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 371 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Population

Population: approx. 2.2 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: -0.6% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 34

Life expectancy: 68 (male), 79 (female)

Official language: Latvian

Religions: Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Climate

The summer months are mild to warm and comparable to the Central European.

In winter, which can get very cold, there is frequent snowfall.

Partly heavy rainfall must be expected throughout the year.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Euro (EUR)

Classification: 1 euro = 100 cents

ATMs: Available in most major cities.

International credit cards: These are accepted in larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1,000 g tobacco
• 10 liters of alcoholic beverages

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Travel advice

There is currently no country-specific safety notice for Latvia.

Economy

Due to the lack of raw materials, Latvia is very dependent on imports. Latvia cannot cover the energy it needs itself either.

Industries: building materials, chemistry, electronics, household appliance manufacturing, food manufacturing, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, textiles

Natural resources: wood, limestone, agricultural land, hydropower

Land use:

• Land: 29%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 0%
• Forests: 0%
• other: 71%