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Latvia is one of the three Baltic States and is located between Lithuania and Estonia, in the North-East of Europe and at the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The landscape of Latvia is characterized by lowlands and hilly uplands. Most part of the country is elevated not higher than 100 m above sea level, with no high mountains but plenty of rivers and lakes.
Area: 64 589 sq km
Total length of national border: 1 862 km
Length of Latvia’s Baltic coastline: 494 km
Population: 2,262 million (2008)
Capital: Riga
Local time: GMT/CET +2
Government: parliamentary democracy
Head of State: President Valdis Zatlers
Head of Government: Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis
Regions: Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale, Riga district
Largest lake: Lubans, 80,7 sq km
Deepest lake: Dridzis, 65,1 m
Longest river within the territory of Latvia: Gauja, 452 km
Largest river flowing through the territory of Latvia: Daugava, 1 005 km (within Latvia: 352 km)
Highest point: Gaizinkalns 311,6 m
Major cities:
Riga ~ population 856 281
Daugavpils ~112 200
Liepaja ~ 100 200
Jelgava ~ 71 100
Jurmala ~ 59 300
Ventspils ~ 47 000 |
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