The official name is the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika). Located in the northeast of Europe. The area is 64.6 thousand km2, the population is 2.375 million people. (census 2000). The official language is Latvian. The capital is Riga (797 thousand people, 2000). Public holiday - Independence Day November 18 (1918). The monetary unit is lats (equal to 100 centimes).
Member of the UN (since 1991), IMF and World Bank (since 1992), EU (since 2004), NATO (since 2004).
Sights of Latvia
Geography of Latvia
It is located between 21° and 28° east longitude and 58° and 56° north latitude. In the west it is washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, the coastline is 494 km. The length of the land border is 1380 km, in the north with Estonia (343 km), in the south with Lithuania (598 km), in the east with the Russian Federation (282), in the southeast with Belarus (167 km).
Latvia is located in the extreme west of the East European Plain, divided into 4 cultural and historical regions: in the west of Kurzeme (Courland), in the south of Zemgale, in the central part and in the northeast of Vidzeme and in the southeast of Latgale (Latgale).
The relief is slightly hilly with heights from 100 to 200 m with a predominance of plains and lowlands. In the country of St. 3,000 lakes (the largest lake is Lubāns with a surface area of 80.7 km2), about 750 rivers with a length of no more than 10 km. The longest river that flows only through the territory of Latvia is the Gauja (452 km), the largest (main) is the Daugava (Dvina) - 375 km of the total river length of 1020 km fall on Latvia. Famous resorts: Jurmala, Sigulda, Liepaja.
More than 40% of the territory is covered with mixed (near the sea coast - pine) forests, most of them are located in Kurzeme. Main species: pine, birch, oak, ash, linden, willow, juniper. Flora and fauna are represented by approx. 7850 species of plants, 60 species of mammals (elk, wild boar, hare, fox, squirrel, wolf, beaver, etc.), 308 species of birds (owl, falcon, stork, capercaillie, swallow, herons, ducks, etc.) and 76 species fish (perch, pike, perch, trout, eel, carp).
Soils are podzolic, swampy (the most fertile in Zemgale, the poorest - along the sea coast). Approximately 78% of agricultural land is waterlogged.
Minerals: peat (reserves 530 million tons), limestone, dolomite, amber.
The climate is mild maritime, there are often cyclones, abundant precipitation, the average temperature in January is -5°С, in July +18°С, the growing season is 170-180 days.
Population of Latvia
According to estimates from national statistics, at the beginning of In 2003, the population of Latvia was 2.329 million people, a decrease compared to 2000 by 46 thousand people.
During 1989-2000, the population decreased by almost 11% (moreover, rural by 5.1%, and urban by 13.5%, which is associated with the exchange of housing in large cities for cheaper ones in rural areas) and continues to decrease. In 2002, the negative natural increase amounted to 12.5 thousand people. (20,020 people were born, and 32,530 people died). Migration remains an important reason for the population decline, mainly Russian-speaking people leave, and Latvians (mainly from the USA, Canada, Sweden) come, emigration significantly exceeds immigration. So, in 1998 the excess was 2.9 times, in 1999 - 3.3, in 2000 - 4.4, in 2001 - 4.6, and in 2002 this gap decreased to 3.4 times (6638 people left and arrived 1938 people)
Men make up 46% of the population, women 54%. The process of population aging is observed. The proportion of people under 15 years of age decreased from 21.4 to 17.9%, while those aged 60 and over increased from 17.4 to 21.1%. Average life expectancy is 69.9 years (men 64.1, women 75.5). From January 1, 2003, the retirement age for men is 62 years, and for women from July 1, 2003 - 59.5 years.
Ethnic composition: Latvians 57.6%, Russians 29%, Belarusians 4.1%, Ukrainians 2.7%, Poles 2.5% and Lithuanians 1.5% (2000). Citizenship is 75% of the population, among Latvians citizens make up 99.6%, among Russians - 42, among Belarusians - 22.4, among Ukrainians - 29.1, among Poles - 65.6, among Lithuanians - 46.1%.
The Latvian language belongs to the Baltic group of the Indo-European family.
Most of the population (55%) professes Protestantism (300 Lutheran parishes), 24% - Catholicism (241 parishes), 9% - Orthodoxy (110 parishes). There are other religious groups: Jews, Baptists and Old Believers.
History of Latvia
The first feudal principalities (Koknese, Jersika, Talava) on the territory of modern Latvia arose in the 10th-13th centuries. From Ser. 12th c. German merchants, soldiers and Catholic missionaries began to arrive there, and in 1201 Riga was founded as the capital of the archbishop. In 1205-14 the lands were captured by the Order of the Sword and until the middle. 16th century were part of Livonia - a confederation of German principalities. In 1562 part of the territory of Latvia was divided between Poland and Sweden, and the Duchy of Courland was formed. The Latvian nationality developed in the beginning. 17th century
In 1629 Riga and the western part of the country were conquered by the Swedes, and in 1710 Riga was conquered by Russian troops. As a result of the Northern War (1700-21), the former Swedish territories of Latvia became part of Russia. In 1795, after the third partition of Poland, northern Latvia became part of the Livland province, and the Courland province was formed on the territory of the Duchy of Courland, also annexed to Russia.
During World War I, Latvia was occupied by German troops. After the capitulation of Germany by the Latvian People's Council on November 18, 1918, the independence of Latvia was proclaimed and the Republic of Latvia was formed. On December 17, 1918, the government created in the underground adopted a manifesto with an appeal to Soviet Russia for help. The troops of the Red Army entered Latvia and Soviet power was proclaimed in part of the territory, including Riga. However, in February 1919, the national Latvian army created with the support of the Entente, as well as the legions of the White Poles and the troops of bourgeois Estonia launched hostilities against the Bolshevik government of P. Stuchka and the so-called. "Bermontians" (supporters of P. Bermont-Avalov, who tried to form a pro-German government). As a result, on May 22, 1919, Riga fell; on January 13, 1920, the Soviet government of Latvia ceased its activities, and a bourgeois republic was proclaimed. In August 1920, a peace treaty was signed with the RSFSR, and on February 15, 1922, the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia was adopted - the Basic Law of the State. Latvia became a parliamentary republic.
The government of the country, according to the liberal Constitution, depended on party coalitions (in the 1920s and 30s there were about 20 parties in the country). Prime Minister K. Ulmanis, considering the parliamentary political system too weak, carried out a coup d'état on May 15, 1934 and established dictatorial rule in the country (political parties and trade unions were banned, parliament was dissolved). On October 5, 1939, an agreement on mutual assistance was signed between Latvia and the USSR, which provided for the deployment of part of the Soviet troops on the territory of Latvia, and on June 17, 1940, they were introduced in connection with the threat of fascist aggression. A pro-Soviet government was formed, elections to the People's Seimas were held on July 14-15, the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed on July 21, 1940, and in August 1940 it became part of the USSR. In 1941-45 Latvia was occupied by German troops.
All R. 1980s Latvian nationalists created a political movement, later transformed into the Latvian People's Front, which spoke in the elections to the Supreme Council on March 18, 1990 against the Communist Party for the restoration of the independence of the republic. On May 4, 1990, the new Supreme Council declared the independence of Latvia. In January 1991, a conservative faction of the Latvian communist leadership and intelligence agencies made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Latvia's secession from the Soviet Union. At the referendum held on March 3, 1991, 77.6% of those who took part in the vote voted for secession from the USSR, and on September 6, 1991, the independence of Latvia was recognized by the State Council of the USSR.
State structure and political system of Latvia
Latvia is a parliamentary republic, the Constitution of 1922 is in force.
Administrative division - 26 districts, 70 cities, 483 volosts. The largest cities (thousand people): Riga, Daugavpils (115), Jelgava (71), Liepaja (59), Ventspils (47).
State power in accordance with the Constitution is exercised by the Seimas, the President and the Government.
The highest body of legislative power is the Saeima (unicameral parliament), consisting of 100 deputies elected by universal, direct, secret suffrage for 4 years on the basis of proportional representation (40 parties and political organizations are registered in Latvia). The Seimas elects the president, discusses legislative acts, approves or rejects the candidacy of the prime minister appointed by the president, and forms the government of the country.
Elections for the next (8th) Seimas, held on October 5, 2002, demonstrated the previous trend towards the predominance of right-wing conservative, nationally oriented forces. The election was won by the one created in con. 2001 right-wing party "New Time" led by E. Repse, chairman of the Bank of Latvia in 1991-2002. The second place was taken by the association "ZaPCHEL" ("For human rights in united Latvia"). These are the parties of the left forces - the Socialist Party of Latvia, the Party of People's Consent (PNS) and the Ravnopravie party, which defends the rights of the Russian national minority. Later, a split occurred in the association, and the PNS withdrew from the bloc. The ruling coalition in the Seimas: Repše Party - 26 mandates, SZK (Union of Greens and Peasants) - 12 and LPP (Latvian First Party) - 10, created in 2002, TB / DNNL (association of the Fatherland and Freedom party and the Movement for national independence of Latvia) - 7 mandates. Opposition: People's Party (NP, leader A. Shkele, former Prime Minister) - 20 mandates, People's Consent Party (leader J. Jurkans) - 17 and "ZaPcHeL" faction - 8 mandates. The composition of the parliament was significantly updated, 33 deputies were re-elected. I. Undre (JCC) became the Chairman of the Seimas.
The head of state is the president, elected by the Seimas for four years, but not more than two consecutive terms, approves laws, appoints a candidate for the post of prime minister, and performs representative functions. Vaira Vike-Freiberga won the 1999 presidential election, replacing G. Ulmanis. She became one of four women in the world holding such a high position. After taking office, the new president rejected the Law on the State Language adopted by the Saeima, which made the Russian language a "foreign" language in Latvia. On June 20, 2003 Vaira Vike-Freiberga was re-elected for a new term.
The highest body of executive power - the Cabinet of Ministers - is formed by the Seimas. The composition of the new coalition government of the country was approved at an extraordinary meeting on March 9, 2004. Indulis Emsis, former deputy chairman of the SZK parliamentary faction, chairman of the parliamentary commission on the national economy and co-chairman of the Green Party » Latvia. The government included representatives of the SZK, PN and LPP, who have 46 mandates out of 100 in the Seimas, but the partners in the ruling coalition are convinced that the minority government will receive the support of the parliamentary majority after some time.
The most important policy statements of the new government are: the desire to fully use the opportunities provided by Latvia from joining the European Union and NATO, the successful defense of Latvia's national interests, the resumption of dialogue with Russia, primarily the development of economic cooperation between the two countries, which over time will also contribute to political dialogue. The coalition parties insist on the need for a balanced fiscal policy and keeping the budget deficit below 2%. They intend to improve the well-being of every inhabitant of Latvia by bringing the minimum wage closer to the subsistence level, indexing pensions at least twice a year, helping to increase employment and eradicate poverty. The national question emphasizes the need to ensure the continuous and stable development of Latvia as a one-community national state, to support and strengthen the role of the Latvian language as the only state language, and to promote an increase in the rate of naturalization.
Among the leading public organizations, we can single out the Union of Free Trade Unions of Latvia (LUTS). The Latvian Association of Russian Communities, the Balto-Slavic Society for Cultural Development and Cooperation represent the interests of the Russian-speaking population of the republic.
NATO membership is one of the main objectives of Latvia's foreign and defense policy. In 2002, 1.75% of GDP was spent on defense. The preparation and reform of the national defense system are carried out in accordance with NATO standards. The regular Armed Forces of Latvia consist of 6,500 people, which include 2,350 soldiers and officers of the National Guard (the reserve is 14,400 people - 5-7 motorized infantry brigades), border troops - 3,500 people. The ground forces consist of a motorized infantry brigade, a reconnaissance battalion, an artillery unit, a company of peacekeepers, and a special forces group. In service are 3 T-55 tanks, received at one time from the Czech Republic, 13 M42 armored personnel carriers, 2 BRDM-2, approx. 30 Swedish and Danish 100 mm towed guns, up to 40 mortars of 82 and 120 mm caliber. There are also air defense forces - approx. 40 anti-aircraft artillery and rocket launchers. The Air Force has approx. 200 people, 2 An-2, L-410 aircraft, 3 Mi-2 and Mi-8 helicopters. Navy - St. 800 people (including 250 soldiers of the so-called security battalion), 3 patrol boats, 3 minesweepers.
Economy of Latvia
Latvia is a state with an industrial-agrarian economy. The main industries are: mechanical engineering, food, woodworking, light industry, production of building materials, chemical industry. In industry, there are crisis phenomena associated with structural changes, reorientation to the production of products that meet the requirements of the world market. In agriculture, St. 18% of the economically active population, the area of agricultural land is 2.57 million hectares. The main direction of agriculture is meat and dairy farming.
The share of industry in GDP in 2002 was 18.7% (including manufacturing 14.8%), trade 19.9%, services 11.1%, construction 6.1%, other activities 44.2% .
The transport network is developed, has a large branching. Railways account for 50% of cargo transportation, their length is 2.4 thousand km; pipelines - 29% (oil pipelines - 437 km, gas pipelines - 1600 km), sea transportation - 14%, trucking - 7% (the length of roads is 20.6 thousand km, of which 7.5 thousand km are asphalted). Ventspils is the largest port in the Baltic Sea region and one of the 15 European ports with the largest cargo turnover.
Latvia is consistently pursuing economic reforms coordinated by the IMF and the World Bank and is a market economy country seeking to join the EU to strengthen economic security. One of the main conditions for joining the EU is WTO membership (Latvia joined this organization in 1999). Another important condition is macroeconomic stability.
Over the years of sovereign existence, the country has experienced a fairly long (6 years) and deep economic recession. In 2000, GDP in Latvia amounted to 61% of the 1990 level, the volume of industrial production decreased by 51%. The Russian monetary and financial crisis of 1998 had a negative impact on the development of the Latvian economy. Of the 50,355 enterprises operating in the beginning. 1998, 3303 enterprises were liquidated. The food industry suffered more than other industries, since approx. 50% of manufactured products were exported to the Russian Federation, incl. canned fish - 90%. In the fishing industry, by February 1, 1999, 43 enterprises completely stopped working, and 140 enterprises partially, and, as a result, unemployment increased. The foreign trade turnover with the Russian Federation decreased significantly (by 58%), the volume of exports - by 69%, imports - by 56%, which contributed to a further reorientation to Western markets. Slow growth in industrial and agricultural production began in 2000.
Dynamics of GDP in Latvia in the 1990s had a trend inherent in all transition economies: a strong decline gave way to unstable growth. At the same time, exports and foreign investment remained the main sources of growth in the face of limited domestic demand. The volume of GDP (in constant prices) in 2002 amounted to 4978.1 million lats, an increase compared to 2001 - 6.1%. Industrial products were produced and sold for 1987.6 million lats, 5.8% more. Growth was observed in the production of electrical equipment (24%), chemical, rubber and paper products (16-13%), mechanical engineering (8%), food industry (6%). Significant growth was in construction - 10.8%, especially new buildings (34%). The volume of retail trade (LVL 241 million) increased by 18%, wholesale - by 12%. The increase in agricultural production by 4.1% was due to an increase in grain yield (1 million tons) by 10.8%. Meat was produced (92.1 thousand tons) - 3% more, eggs (508.6 million units) - 12%, and milk (811.5 thousand tons) - 4% less. Revenues from the service sector grew by 5.7% (especially computer services - 27%, design and architectural work - 27%, legal advice - 14%).
The export volume of Latvian goods in 2002 compared to 2001 increased by 12.1%, reaching 1.409 billion lats, imports increased by 13.4% - up to 2.497 billion lats, Latvia's foreign trade deficit amounted to 77.3% of exports (in 2000 - 71 , in 2001 - 75.2%). The EU countries accounted for 60.4% of exports and 53.1% of imports, the CIS countries - 10.2 and 13.1%, respectively. The main export partners were: Germany (15.5%), Great Britain (14.6%), Sweden (10.5%), Lithuania (8.4%), Estonia (6.0%), and for imports - Germany (17.2%), Lithuania (9.8%), Russian Federation (8.8%), Finland (8.0%), Sweden (6.4%). The negative balance in trade with the EU countries amounted to 471.5 million lats, the CIS - 186 million lats. The volume of imports exceeds exports to Germany, Lithuania, Estonia by 2 times, to the Russian Federation - by 2.5 times, to Finland - by almost 7 times.
The unstable dynamics of the world economy and the negative trends in the development of the EU countries (economic slowdown) in recent years have a direct impact on the Latvian economy. This is directly related to the shrinking export opportunities and the constant growth of imports. Latvia managed to partially compensate for losses in the EU markets by entering the markets of the CIS countries, mainly the Russian Federation.
Thanks to the activity of entrepreneurs, the Russian Federation remains a major trading partner of Latvia. In 2000-02, the volume of exports to the Russian Federation, mainly engineering products (40%) and food products, although increased significantly, remained at an insignificant level. In import deliveries from the Russian Federation, approx. 60% falls on oil, oil products, gas, mineral fertilizers. Metals, fertilizers, plastics, wood are also imported for the production of lumber exported to the West.
The Russian Federation ranks 4th ($120 million) in terms of foreign investment in the Latvian economy, behind Sweden, the USA and Germany. RAO "Gazprom" has invested in gas distribution companies (29.7% of the shares of JSC "Latvijas Gazė"), the company "LUKOIL" has a tank farm for storing oil and oil products in Latvia, and participates in the expansion of the port of Ventspils. In the I quarter 2003 Russian oil was not exported through the port of Ventspils, which caused losses to Latvia in the amount of more than 200 million US dollars. Created and operating approx. 1400 enterprises and firms with the participation of Russian capital, engaged mainly in trade and intermediary activities.
The transit of Russian cargo remains an important element of the national economy of Latvia. The volume of these services significantly exceeds commodity exports to the Russian Federation in value terms (services are provided for the transportation and transshipment of oil and oil products, fertilizers, metals and a number of other goods). 11-13% of the total export volume of Russian oil passes through the port of Ventspils. Income from the transit of these goods in the budget of Latvia is approx. 30% (400-500 million USD per year).
The reduction in demand in foreign markets had a downward effect on the dynamics of consumer prices. The trade deficit increased markedly. The increase in the balance of payments deficit was counteracted by a very tangible influx of investments from abroad. The volume of accumulated at the beginning. 2002 foreign direct investment (FDI) was $2.1 billion, or $857 per capita. The largest foreign investors are Sweden, Germany and Estonia (36% of all foreign investments).
The economic development of Latvia in 2003 was still determined by the dynamics of demand in the domestic market. Some growth in consumption became possible due to the increase in wages, the expansion of opportunities for obtaining loans from commercial banks.
Latvia has a two-tier banking system, consisting of a central bank (the Bank of Latvia) and 23 commercial banks. In 2002, the volume of loans issued to enterprises and individuals increased by 35.6%, the average rates on long-term loans in national currency decreased to 7.4%, in foreign currencies - to 5.8%.
The deficit of the consolidated budget reached 2.5% of GDP. Total government debt to con. 2002 amounted to 756.2 million lats, external debt - 464.7 million lats.
In 2002, GDP per capita reached 3.6 thousand euros, which is 30% of the EU average. The average monthly wage is $269, the minimum wage is $84, the average pension is $95, and the average family income per person is $109. Food accounted for 50% of all expenses. In Latvia, 10% of the population (the richest) have a monthly income of St. $260, 30% (with an average income) - from $130 to $260 and 60% (poor) - from $40-130.
The number of employed in 2002 amounted to 989 thousand people, increased by 3% compared to 2001. 89.7 thousand people were registered. unemployed (in 2001 - 91.6). The unemployment rate remains quite high, having increased from 7.7 to 8.5%.
Science and culture of Latvia
12.1% of the population have higher education, 17.7% have secondary specialized education, 27% have secondary education, 23.2% have 8 grades, 11.4% have primary education, and 8.6% have less than 4 grades. Primary and secondary education is guaranteed by the state. Compulsory education is 9 years. In the 2000-01 academic year, 359.8 thousand people studied in 1074 schools (including 41 private ones). 90% of children studied in free public schools. The planned transition of schools to instruction in the Latvian language (September 2004) provides for the teaching of 60% of subjects in the state language and 40% in the language of national minorities. In 34 universities (15 private) and 2 private colleges, there were approx. 110 thousand students, a third of them studied at the expense of the state budget. Notable universities: Latvian State University, Riga Technical University, Agricultural Academy, Medical Academy, Riga Institute of Transport and Communications. Since 2001, a private university began to operate - the Higher School of Engineering Sciences and Information Technology, as well as the private College of Law and Alberta College. The Latvian Academy of Sciences (109 institutes, 5.5 thousand people) is the center of scientific research in the country. Expenditure on science and education (2000) is 0.5% of GDP - $170 million, 3.2 times less than in 1991.
The Academy of Intellectual Property and Innovations has started its work in Latvia. It was founded by the Mortgage Bank, the Academy of Sciences, the Latvian State University, the Technical University, the Institute of Transport and Communications. The purpose of the public academy is to stimulate scientific research and its practical application. Academy experts search for and select the most relevant projects for the development of the country, and the bank helps to find profitable loans for the implementation of productive ideas.
After the restoration of independence, Latvia faced the problem of reintegrating the three layers of Latvian culture. The first layer is Latvian literature and traditions before the Soviet times. A notable achievement was the publication by E. Gluck in 1694 of the Latvian translation of the Bible, and the founding in 1822 of the first periodical in the Latvian language, Latvieshu Avizes (Latvian Newspaper). The Latvian peasantry had original oral traditions, folk songs and epics. To the beginning 20th century Latvian literature appeared: the poet and writer J. Rainis (1865-1929), the poet E. Rozenberg (1868-1943). The founders of the national style in Latvian instrumental music were A. Jurjans (1872-1945) and J. Vitols (1863-1948), in painting - J. Rozentals (1866-1916), V. Purvitis (1872-1945).
The second one was formed after 1945 outside Latvia among 120,000 emigrants who created Latvian communities in Sweden, Germany, the USA, Canada, and Australia. The third layer was the cultural life in Latvia after 1945, which was created by both the pro-Soviet intelligentsia and the anti-Soviet opposition. Radical changes took place in 1980s The leading figures of the Latvian Popular Front were such cultural figures as J. Peters (b. 1939), who for some time was the Latvian ambassador to Russia, and the composer R. Pauls (b. 1936), later the Minister of Culture.
Leading theatres: the National Theater of Latvia (its history goes back more than 80 years, and it has always been a kind of academy of the Latvian national art. The well-known actor G. Cilinskis worked here, E. Radzina, K. Sebris and G. Yakovlev still work here); Latvian Art Theater J. Rainis (actress, director D. Ritenberg (b. 1928)); Riga Drama Theater (actress V. Artmane (b. 1929)); National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Museums: The Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, founded in 1773, the Museum of Pharmacy, the Latvian Museum of Photography, the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum on the shores of Lake Jugla.
Even 15-20 years ago, the name of the country Latvia in Europe, and in the world, perhaps, would not have caused any associations. Perhaps many, having learned that we are talking about a state, would ask, not without curiosity: "Where is Latvia located on the world map?" However, today the situation has changed a little. After all, this country has been considered a full member of the European Union since 2004. And this means that somewhere, where, but in this country this country is already well known. And hardly any European will ask: "Where is Latvia on the map?"
Baltic beauty
Neighbors of Latvia
After you have found the place where Latvia is located on the world map, you need to consider the states neighboring it. It borders Lithuania in the south, Russia in the east, Belarus in the southeast, and Estonia in the north. It also shares a water border with Sweden. Latvia, like the other two former Baltic republics that are part of the USSR, is today a member of the Schengen Treaty, therefore, if you have a Schengen visa, you can freely enter this country from Lithuania and Estonia by land, from Sweden by water, and from other Schengen countries zones - by air.
natural landscape
Latvia has a beautiful pristine nature. Since the country is not rich in minerals, its landscape and the natural world of the country have hardly suffered at the hands of man.
The land where Latvia is located has always been rich in deciduous and coniferous forests, lush shrubs. The coastal zone is strewn with golden, very fine sand. In addition, almost ten percent of the territory of Latvia is occupied by swamps, and a fairly large area is made up of lakes, of which there are about three thousand in Latvia. They are predominantly of glacial origin. There are about 680 protected areas in this ecologically clean country. Latvians are very careful about their natural world, plants and animals, air and water resources.
Climate of Latvia
As for the climatic conditions of the country, despite the fact that on the land where Latvia is located on the world map, that is, in the north of Europe, it should be pretty cool, in Latvia, nevertheless, the climate is temperate, moving from maritime to continental. This is facilitated by warm sea currents. The hottest month in the territory of Latvia (of course, if the temperature of +20 degrees can be called heat) is July. In fact, the air during this period warms up to a maximum of 19 degrees. Although there were also cases when the thermometer reached 36 degrees - something incredible for Latvians. However, such abnormal heat is extremely rare here. But the coldest month is January, when the air is cooled to -2, maximum to -7 degrees. As you can see, the winter for this region is more than mild, but fabulously snowy and incredibly beautiful. In Latvia, precipitation of any type is not uncommon. Most of the year the sky over the country is overcast.
May is considered the sunniest and driest month, but in recent years, due to the instability of the climate all over the planet, the weather in Latvia has also become unpredictable and more and more often surprises Latvians. Nevertheless, the stable geological state of the country does not allow any serious natural disasters.
Conclusion
Those who have already visited Latvia immediately notice that this is a primordially European country. And a long stay in the USSR did not change the customs and mores of this people at all. Since 2004, Latvia, like its close neighbors - Lithuania and Estonia - has become part of a large European family.
Latvia(Latvian Latvija), the official name is the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika) - the Baltic state in North-Eastern Europe with a population of 2,254,653 people (2010), the capital is the city of Riga (709 thousand people, 2010).
Latvia first emerged as an independent state in 1918 (Treaty of Riga (1920) between the RSFSR and Latvia). In 1940-1941 and 1944-1991 it was part of the USSR. In 1941-1944 she was part of the Reichskommissariat Ostland, an administrative entity created by the Third Reich in the occupied territories. Latvia borders on Estonia in the north, Russia in the east, Belarus in the southeast and Lithuania in the south. Member of the EU and NATO, member of the Schengen Agreement.
Name of Latvia
For the first time a similar name in the form of "Letiya" (Lettia, Letthia, Leththia) is found in the Chronicle of Henry (1209). Initially, the Germans so called the lands where the Latgalians lived. The name "Latvia" came to the Latvian language from Lithuanian, in which it was formed from the ethnonym of the Latvians - "Latvian" (lit. latviai).
State structure
Latvia is a parliamentary republic.
Administrative-territorial structure
Four regions - Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme, Vidzeme, twenty-six districts, 77 cities; the largest of them: Riga (709.1 thousand), Daugavpils (103.7 thousand), Liepaja (84.4 thousand), Jelgava (65.1 thousand), Jurmala (56.1 thousand), Ventspils (42.9 thousand), Rezekne (35.1 thousand).
On July 1, 2009, a new division of Latvia into 109 regions (Latvian novads, pl. novadi) came into force. Despite the fact that the former division has been abolished, the reform has not been fully completed and causes a lot of criticism. Despite the clearly defined norms for the number of population in the regions (at least 4,000 people), in about every fifth case this norm is violated. For example, there are less than 2,000 people in the Baltinava or Alsunga region. At the same time, there are also regions with a population of 20-30 thousand or more people (Talsi, Ogre).
State symbols
The flag of Latvia is red with a small white stripe in the middle. Anthem of Latvia "Dievs, svētī Latviju!" (God bless Latvia!) was written by the Latvian composer Karlis Baumanis in the second half of the 19th century and became an anthem in 1918. The coat of arms of Latvia is a shield with a rising sun on a blue background at the top, a red lion on a silver background on the bottom left and a silver griffin on a red background on the bottom right.
The white wagtail was proclaimed the national bird of Latvia in 1960 by the International Council for the Protection of Birds. Latvians also consider the daisy to be their national symbol. The national trees of Latvia are linden and oak, which are characteristic elements of Latvian nature. Both trees are widely used in folk medicine.
Geography
The total area is 64,589 km². The total length of the borders is 1150 km. It is washed by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga in the west, borders on Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, Russia and Belarus in the east. It has a maritime border with Sweden.
The relief is flat, highlands interspersed with lowlands. Hills:
Vidzeme Upland (highest point - Gaiziņkalns (mountain Gaizinkalns) 312 m)
Latgale Upland (the highest point of the hill Lielais Liepukalns (Latvian Lielais Liepukalns - Big Linden Mountain), 289 m)
Aluksne Upland (highest point - Dēliņkalns hill (Delinkalns), 272 m)
Curonian Upland (highest point - hill Krievu kalns (Krievu kalns - Russian mountain), 220 m)
Augshzeme Upland (the highest point is Eglukalns Hill (Latvian Egļukalns - Spruce Mountain), 220 m)
The longest lowland is Primorskaya.
Lowlands: Central Latvian, East Latvian, Lubanskaya, Talavskaya, Curonian.
12 thousand large and small rivers, the largest of them are the Daugava, Gauja, Lielupe and Venta, about 3 thousand lakes.
Main natural resources: sand, gravel, peat, dolomite, limestone, clay, gypsum, water resources, timber. At the moment, exploration of oil fields on the shelf of the Baltic Sea and test oil production in the Kurzeme region have begun. Also, a small amount of amber is sometimes found on the coast of Latvia.
Flora and fauna
Flora in Latvia developed approximately 10,000 - 15,000 years after the last ice age.
The fields were formed due to deforestation, constant mowing or grazing. Natural fields make up only one percent of the territory of Latvia. 360 species of higher plants are described in the fields, but only 60 species are common.
Wetlands occupy 10% of the territory. Most of them are located in the Coastal Lowland and Eastern Latvia. The swamps began to form already at the end of the ice age, however, most of them formed after the ice age. They continue to develop to this day, turning into reservoirs or into a dry area.
In Latvia, 1,304 native plant species and 633 imported species have been described.
The fauna of Latvia is also very rich. There are 62 species of mammals, where 19 of them may accidentally wander into the territory of Latvia, for example: common or spotted seal (Phoca vitulina), common harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and common shrew (Sorex caecutiens). There are approximately 300 species of birds in Latvia, including those that are rare in other countries, such as white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), black stork (Ciconia nigra). There are 29 species of fish in total. Approximately 17,500 species of invertebrates are known, but another 12,000 species may be found in Latvia. The number of species of reptiles and amphibians, due to unsuitable climatic conditions for their life, is small, only 20 species (13 species of amphibians and 7 reptiles).
Ecology
The nature of Latvia is still diverse, although Latvia is developing more economic activity and increasing urbanization. Many do not even realize how much wealth exceeds the European average. There is ten times more land per inhabitant than, for example, in the Netherlands, and even ten times more renewable water resources than the world average. There are even hundreds of times more forests per person than in many European countries. A temperate climate and balanced geological conditions protect the territory from cataclysms, and a limited amount of minerals protect the territory from intensive pollution of the territory by various mining wastes.
Story
12th century
Until the 12th century A.D. e. the territory of Latvia is inhabited by pagan tribes of the Balts: Semigallians, Curonians, villages, Latgalians; Finno-Ugric peoples: Livs, Slavs: Krivichi and Vendi. The tribes of eastern Latvia paid tribute to the Principality of Polotsk. From the second half of the 12th century on the territory of eastern Latvia, Russian missionaries preached the Christian faith in the Orthodox version, but the locals were reluctant to move away from pagan beliefs. The Germans achieved greater success in this field - in the era of the Crusades, the Christians of Western Europe went to convert northern pagans to Christianity. However, many were driven to distant lands not only by religious, but also by purely practical intentions. In 1185 the first bishopric was founded (in Ikskile), and in 1198 Pope Innocent III issued a bull about the beginning of a crusade to the Baltic lands.
XIII century
1201 - Bishop Albrecht von Buxgevden founded the city of Riga on the site of the Liv villages. To better organize the incorporation of the lands of the Livs and Latgalians into the bosom of the church (and at the same time their political subjugation), he also founded the Order of the Swordsmen (after the defeat in the Battle of Saul, the Livonian Order as part of the Teutonic Order), which later became an independent political and economic force; the order and the bishop fought each other for political hegemony in Livonia. In 1209, the bishop and the order agreed on the division of the occupied and not yet occupied lands. On the map of Europe, the state formation of the German crusaders appeared - Livonia (after the name of the local ethnos Livs). It included the territory of present-day Estonia and Latvia. Many Livonian cities subsequently became members of the prosperous North European trade union - Hansa. However, later, torn apart by internecine skirmishes of the Order, the Bishopric of Riga (since 1225 - the Archbishopric of Riga) and other, more insignificant bishops, as well as their vassals, Livonia began to weaken, which drew increased attention to it from the surrounding states - the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Russian kingdom and later also Sweden and Denmark. Moreover, Livonia (especially Riga, which was the largest of the cities of the Hanseatic Trade Union), due to its geographical location, has always been an important trading region (in the past, part of the “Road from the Varangians to the Greeks” ran through its lands).
16th century
Rigans actively participated in the Reformation, already in 1517 the preacher of Luther's ideas Andreas Knopken arrived in Riga. Most of the burghers willingly accepted the new doctrine, because it allowed them not to reckon with the Catholic Church in solving worldly problems, and, therefore, not to pay her tithes. After some conflicts (including armed ones) in 1554, the master of the Livonian Order, Walter von Plettenberg, proclaimed freedom of religion in Livonia.
Just at this time, neighboring Russia continued to consolidate under the authority of the Moscow princes. The Russian Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible) made no secret of his desire to acquire these (and other) important lands. As a pretext, a protest was made about the non-payment of tribute for 300 years, which Russia, for reasons of the Mongol-Tatar yoke, had not demanded for a long time, although it had not canceled it, as well as the fact that the city of Dorpat (now Tartu) was founded as Yuryev by the Russian prince Yury during clashes with local tribes. The stingy Baltic Germans treated the Russian Tsar with disdain and dragged their debts to the end, even after several punitive raids. So the tsar was able to start a war “by all the rules”, if war as such can be justified at all. Having invaded the territory of Livonia in 1558, already in August 1560 he defeated the disunited forces of the order at the battle of Ergem. However, the character of the tsar after he remained on the throne became different (see oprichnina), and some of his not-so-best features played a cruel joke on the tsar. In 1583 Russia lost the war. As a result of political intrigues (during the entire war; see, for example, Magnus (King of Livonia)) the territory of Livonia was divided between the Polish-Lithuanian Grand Duchy, Sweden (the north of present-day Estonia) and Denmark (she got the island of Ezel, now Saaremaa); the lands of the Order to the north of the Western Dvina became the Duchy of Zadvinsk, directly controlled by Poland, and the lands to the south became the vassal state of the Commonwealth - the Duchy of Courland. The last education was granted to the last master of the Livonian Order, Gotthard Ketler, back in 1561 under the Treaty of Vilna, in search of protection from Russia, who recognized himself as a vassal of the Polish king Sigismund II Augustus. Subsequently, the Duchy of Kurzeme, formally remaining a vassal of Poland, which subsequently weakened, actually adjoined in foreign policy to the strongest state in the region, which allowed it to maintain itself in those turbulent times, and under Duke Jacob Kettler (reigned intermittently in 1642-1682) to experience the highest prosperity and even acquire colonies in Africa (Gambia) and Central America (Tobago Island). True, these colonies could not be held for a long time due to the great activity of the English and Dutch colonialists.
17th century
During the 17th century - the formation of the Latvian nation as a result of the consolidation of individual peoples: Latgalians, villages, Semigallians, Curonians and Livs. Some Latgalians still retain their original language, although in Latvia and even among the Latgalians themselves there are so many dialects and dialects that many historians and linguists consider this language one of the "big" dialects of Latvian. This is also the official position of the state, from this side it is supported by a very strong feeling of patriotism among Latvians (three stars on the coat of arms of Latvia and in the hands of the Woman-Freedom on top of the monument of the same name in the center of Riga symbolize the three regions of Latvia - Kurzeme-Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale)
In 1687, the first confectionery in Riga began to operate, which is located in one of the three houses of the Three Brothers complex on Malaya Zamkovaya.
18th century
1721 - following the results of the Northern War, Livonia departs from the Russian Empire. Riga became part of Russia in fact already in 1710.
1772 - during the first division of the Commonwealth, Latgale goes to Russia
1787 - the first primer of the Latvian language was published.
1795 - during the third division of the Commonwealth, Kurzeme and Zemgale departs from the Russian Empire.
1812 - the war with Napoleon partly affected the territory of Latvia.
1817 - the abolition of serfdom in the Courland province.
1819 - the abolition of serfdom in the province of Livonia.
1861 - the first Riga-Daugavpils railway in Latvia was put into operation.
1862 - the Riga Polytechnic Institute was opened.
From the middle of the XIX century - the growth of national consciousness, the movement of young Latvians.
The end of the XIX century - the rapid development of industry. The Russian-Baltic Carriage Works, the Feniks Carriage Works, and the Provodnik Rubber Products Plant began to operate, and the first cars and bicycles in Russia were produced. The leading industries are mechanical engineering and metalworking. May 1899 - workers' performances "Riga Riot"
20th century
1905 revolutionary events in Latvia.
1915 Defeats of the Russian army in the war with Germany, German occupation of Kurzeme, evacuation of industry from Latvian cities, great destruction in Dvinsk (now Daugavpils), creation of Latvian rifle units.
1918-1920 Civil war in Latvia. The main participants in the conflict are the national bourgeois government of K. Ulmanis, supported by the Entente, the Soviet government, supported by Soviet Russia, pro-German formations from among the military personnel of the German army, Baltic Germans, Russian White Guards supporting them, White Guards adjoining the Entente.
December 22, 1918 - Lenin signs the "Decree of the Council of People's Commissars on the recognition of the independence of the Soviet Republic of Latvia" where the Russian Soviet Government obliges all military and civilian authorities of the Russian Soviet Republic in contact with Latvia to provide the Soviet Government of Latvia and its troops with all possible assistance in the struggle for the liberation of Latvia from the yoke of the bourgeoisie.
August 11, 1920 - the "Peace Treaty between Russia and Latvia" was signed in Riga. In which the independence of the Republic of Latvia is recognized.
May 15, 1934 - a coup d'état, absolute power in the country is concentrated in the hands of K. Ulmanis.
August 23, 1939 - The Third Reich and the Soviet Union sign the Non-Aggression Pact (also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact). The agreement was accompanied by a secret additional protocol on the division of the countries of Eastern Europe into the spheres of German and Soviet interests (Latvia fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR).
October 29 - according to the “basic agreement”, units of the 2nd OSK and the 18th air brigade of the Red Army arrive in Latvia, in which there were 21,559 people.
June 15, 1940 - USSR military units attacked Latvian border guards in Maslenki.
June 16 at 14.00 - Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs V. Molotov read out to the Ambassador of Latvia F. Kotsins the ultimatum of the USSR government, which demanded the resignation of the government of Latvia and the introduction of an unlimited contingent of Soviet armed forces into Latvia, adding to it that if before 23.00 no response was received from the government of Latvia, the Soviet armed forces will enter the territory of Latvia and crush any resistance. The government of K. Ulmanis on the evening of June 16 decided to accept the ultimatum and resign. Military resistance was rejected by the Cabinet of Ministers, as it believed that it would cause bloodshed, but would not save the Latvian state.
July 14 - 15, 1940 - Elections to the Saeima are held in Latvia, in which the Communists win. Only one was allowed in the elections - the list of candidates put forward by the Bloc of the Working People. All other alternative lists were rejected. Officially, it was reported that 97.5% of the votes were cast for the mentioned list.
August 5, 1940 - The Supreme Soviet of the USSR accepts Latvia as part of the USSR, Latvia became part of the USSR.
1941 - A wave of repressions - executions and deportation to Siberia and Kazakhstan of former civil servants of the Republic of Latvia, members of political parties and public organizations of independent Latvia, peasants ("kulaks"), policemen, military men, those whom the communists considered "dangerous" for their power, and as well as criminals and prostitutes. In 1949 - accomplices and former soldiers of the Waffen SS;
In the first wave of repressions (until June 22, 1941), about 17,000 people were deported from Latvia (including about 4,000 citizens under the age of 16), up to 400 people were shot. About 70% of the deported citizens did not survive the difficult conditions of forced resettlement - they died ..
June 22, 1941 - Nazi Germany attacked the USSR. By mid-July, the entire territory of Latvia is occupied by the Nazis.
1941-1943 - The formation of "auxiliary security police" battalions, regular police battalions, volunteer battalions and the participation of these formations in police and punitive operations on the territory of Latvia, Belarus and Russia. From September 1941, the Latvian police battalions took an active part in sabotage and punitive attacks on the territory of the Pskov region, Belarus, destroying the civilian population and partisans. During WWII, out of 80,000 Jews in Latvia, 162 survived. For 1941-1944 only the "Latvian Auxiliary Security Police" or, as it was also called "the team of Viktor Arais" destroyed about 50 thousand Jews.
1941-1945 - In addition to the existing ones, 46 prisons, 23 concentration camps and 18 Jewish ghettos are created on the territory of Latvia.
1942 - In February 1942, on the basis of the 16th, 19th, 21st and 24th Latvian volunteer battalions, the 2nd SS mechanized brigade (2.SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot)) was created, which actively participated in the battles near Leningrad in the fall of 1942 .
The 18th and 27th regular police battalions actively participated in police operations in the rear of the German troops in the Caucasus in the summer of 1942. In total, during the war years (1941-1945), 41 such battalions were formed with an average strength of about 300 people (in some cases up to 600 people). At the beginning of 1944, up to 10 volunteer battalions were on the Eastern Front, fighting against the Red Army.
1943 - In March 1943, on the basis of the 2nd SS mechanized brigade, the 15th Waffen-SS Grenadier Division (1st Latvian) was created (approximately 17,000 people). The division continued to fight until May 1945, having lost by that time approximately 70% of its personnel. The remnants for the most part surrendered to the allies near the city of Schwerin.
- In November 1943, on the basis of the 39th and 40th Latvian volunteer regiments, the 2nd Latvian SS volunteer brigade was created. The brigade took part in the battles against the Red Army from November 1943 to January 18, 1944.
On February 10, 1943, by order of A. Hitler, the “Latvian SS Volunteer Legion” (Lettische SS-Freiwilligen-Legion) was created.
1944 - In March 1944, the 19th Waffen-SS Grenadier Division (2nd Latvian) was created as part of the legion on the basis of the 2nd Latvian SS volunteer brigade (approximately 12,500 people). The division continued to participate in hostilities until May 1945, along with units of the German Army Group North. By the time the Courland group surrendered, about 5,000 people remained in it.
1949. In the second wave of repression, about 50,000 people are deported. Among them are civilians convicted of collaborationism and former soldiers of volunteer and police units.
1940-1956 Movement of national partisans "forest brothers" - active until 1956.
1950-1990 - As part of the USSR, industry develops (VEF enterprises, Radio engineering, RAF, Laima). During this period, many party leaders of Soviet Latvia were promoted to leading positions in Moscow, among them a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU Pelshe A. Ya., the head of the KGB of Latvia Pugo B. K. and others.
XXI Century
February 2004 - 19 NATO member countries ratified the protocols on Latvia's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.
On October 27, 1995, the Latvian government submitted an official application to the Spanish presidency of the EU to join the EU.
In 1997, the European Commission gave the first opinions on the start of negotiations of the candidate countries for accession to the EU. Latvia was not invited to the negotiations.
In 1999, Latvia was invited to Helsinki to start negotiations on accession to the EU, official negotiations began in February 2000.
On December 13, 2002, in Copenhagen, Latvia and nine other candidate countries completed negotiations on EU accession.
On April 16, 2003, an accession agreement was signed in Athens. Latvia, like 9 other countries, has moved from the status of a candidate to the status of a future participating country.
In a referendum on September 20, 2003, 66.97% of the country's citizens voted for Latvia's accession to the EU. 32.26% voted against. On October 30, 2003 the Saeima of Latvia ratified the agreement on Latvia's accession to the EU. (Neatkariga Rita Avize). However, more than 400 thousand people (a fifth of the inhabitants of the state; "non-citizens") did not have the right to participate in the referendum.
May 1, 2004 - Latvia along with 9 other countries: Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus became a full member of the European Union.
Domestic politics
Political parties and movements
Since 1990, right-wing (“Latvian”) parties have been in power in the country continuously. As of April 2010, the coalition is formed by the New Time, the Union of Greens and Peasants, the Civil Union and TB / DNNL, while the People's Party and the Latvian First Party / Latvian Way support the government without entering it. Russian (left) opposition: "Consent Center" and "ZaPcHeL - For human rights in united Latvia".
Referendum
The collection of signatures organized by trade unions for a change in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania of 1922, which gives the people the right to dissolve the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (now, according to the Constitution, only the President of the country has the right to dissolve), was successfully held. In the autumn of 2007, trade unions collected 11,095 notarized signatures of citizens to apply to the Central Electoral Commission for the collection of signatures 1/10 of the last Seimas elections /149,064 votes/. Having considered these 11,095 signatures, the CEC scheduled the collection of signatures for March 16-April 10, 2008. On April 11, 2008, it was announced that 213,751 votes had been collected according to preliminary data. After clarifying and verifying the signatures, the CEC handed them over to President Valdis Zatlers for submission to the Seimas for consideration. On June 5, the Seimas rejected the draft amendments to the Constitution. On June 6, the CEC scheduled a referendum for August 2, 2008, in which 50 percent of the voters of the last Seimas, approximately 750,000 voters, had to take part in order for the referendum to be considered valid. Prior to the referendum, Latvian opposition parties, both right and left, actively urged citizens to vote yes, while coalition parties urged the referendum to be ignored. Already in the evening of August 2 (the polling stations were open from 7.00 to 22.00), it became clear that the referendum had not taken place, although 41.51% of voters came to the ballot boxes, with 96.75% voting "for". At the same time, representatives of some parties of the coalition (NP and SZK) declared their support for the idea of the proposed amendments. Even before the referendum, President V. Zatlers promised to introduce amendments of a similar nature to the Parliament, in connection with which an extraordinary meeting of the Seimas was convened on August 6, after which the president went to Beijing. The Legal Commission of the Seimas is in charge of drafting the amendments. On August 23, 2008, a second referendum was held - on the amendments to the Law on State Pensions rejected by the Seimas, which provided for an increase in the minimum pensions. Voter turnout was again insufficient for the referendum to be declared valid.
Non-citizens
At the beginning of 2010, 344 thousand inhabitants (15.26% of the population) of Latvia, who arrived in Latvia during its entry into the USSR, and their descendants, who were born on the territory of the LSSR, and later on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, have a so-called. "non-citizen status" (eng. - "Alien"). 71.7% of Latvian residents with the status of "non-citizen" live in the six largest cities in Latvia. In 2004, 18,799 people received Latvian citizenship, in 2005 - 21,627 people, in 2006 - 18,964 people.
After the restoration of independence, on October 15, 1991, the Supreme Council (elected as the Supreme Council of the LSSR in 1990) adopted a decision providing that only citizens of Latvia as of June 1940 and their direct descendants can count on being recognized as citizens of Latvia. For the rest of the inhabitants, obtaining citizenship was possible only for special merits, later in 1994 a law on citizenship was adopted, which made it possible (since 1998 for most non-citizens) to obtain citizenship after passing the naturalization procedure. The naturalization procedure is possible when passing special exams in the Latvian language, history, the basics of the constitution and the anthem of Latvia, but the EU Commissioner himself criticized this procedure in relation to "indigenous" non-citizens.
However, this did not solve the problem. Some non-citizens are fundamentally unwilling to undergo this procedure, since they do not recognize the official version of the Republic of Latvia regarding the events of June 17, 1940 and the illegality of the subsequent incorporation of Latvia into the USSR, and believe that they have the right to obtain citizenship automatically.
From 19 January 2007, non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia entered into force a visa-free travel regime for EU countries, except for Great Britain and Ireland. The European Parliament decided to revise the norms and equalize Latvian non-citizens in the right to visa-free border crossing with EU citizens at the initiative of Tatyana Zhdanok.
On June 17, 2008, President of the Russian Federation Dmitry A. Medvedev signed a Decree on the visa-free regime for crossing the border of the Russian Federation by non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia, former citizens of the USSR. On June 27, 2008, the visa-free regime came into force.
Language
The official language is Latvian. Among the Russian-speakers, the lack of official status for the Russian language, which is native to 37.5% of the population, and for individual representatives of the Latgalians, the lack of such status for the Latgalian language (which is officially considered a variety of Latvian) cause dissatisfaction. An acute political issue that caused the most massive protests at the beginning of the 21st century is the transfer of part of the subjects in general education schools with Russian as the language of instruction to teaching in the Latvian language.
Foreign policy
On August 24, 1991, the RSFSR (then part of the USSR) recognized the fact of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia, and on October 4, Latvia and Russia resumed diplomatic relations. On September 6, 1991, the independence of Latvia was recognized by the USSR.
Latvia in its foreign policy focuses on the European Union and NATO. On May 1, 2004 Latvia joined the European Union. Member of NATO since March 29, 2004. On December 21, 2007, Latvia entered the Schengen zone, control was maintained at airports until March 30, 2008.
In Latvia, there was a "Commission for calculating losses from the Soviet occupation", but at the moment it was decided to stop the work of the commission.
Population
Population - 2,254,653 people, population density - 35 people. per 1 km². Approximately 70% of the population lives in cities, the remaining 30% in rural areas. A significant number of Latvian residents are currently abroad. The largest number of Latvian citizens who have left are Ireland and England.
According to the CSO data, there were 2 million 261 thousand people in Latvia in 2008, which is 9,600 people less than in 2007. The population decline rate was 0.42%.
As a result of the natural decline in the population, when the death rate exceeds the birth rate, the total number of inhabitants decreased by 7.1 thousand people, and as a result of migration, the number decreased by another 2.5 thousand people.
The number of inhabitants of the country continues to decrease despite the increase in the birth rate, which amounted to 4% in 2008 and became the highest in the last 15 years.
According to official data, the permanent population of Latvia as of January 1, 2010 amounted to 2 million 254.6 thousand inhabitants and decreased by 13 thousand people since the beginning of last year.01.01.200901.01.2010
Sex and age characteristics of the population
According to the census, 1,093,305 men and 1,282,034 women permanently reside in Latvia. The average age of the population is 37.9 years (men - 35, women - 40.4). Between the 1989 and 2000 censuses, the population of Latvia has clearly aged. The proportion of those under the age of 15 decreased from 21.4% to 17.9%, while the proportion of those aged 60 and over increased from 17.4% to 21.1%.
Religion
According to the data of the Department of Religious Affairs, 14 religious associations are registered in Latvia, including 719 communities and parishes (2006). There is no state religion in Latvia, but Russian-speakers profess Orthodoxy, the predominant number of believers among Latvians in the west and center of the country are Lutherans, in the east and south of the country Lithuanians, Latgalians and Poles profess Catholicism. There is also a large community of Old Believers in Latvia, mainly in Latgale. In general, society is tolerant of various religious movements, and the church does not have a significant impact on public life.
religious property
In 2006, there were 769 buildings of religious and religious significance in Latvia.
Religious communities and parishes
According to a 2008 Justice Department report, the number of parishioners in the largest religious organizations was as follows:
Lutherans - 435,437 in LELB, 596 in small independent groups (German Lutherans and Augsburg Lutherans)
Orthodox - 370,000
Catholics - did not provide complete data, in 2005 the number was 108,180, but even then the data was incomplete
New generation (sect) - 5,075
Baptists - 7,062
Old Believers - 2 607
Seventh Day Adventists - 3,950
Pentecostals - 3,290
Evangelical Christians - 3,270 (data incomplete)
Economy
Russia and the Baltic states remain traditional trading partners, but membership in the European Union has allowed Latvia to significantly expand trade relations with European states, especially with Germany, Sweden and the UK.
Benefits: in recent years, 70% of GDP came from the service sector.
Weaknesses: Energy supply depends on oil and gas imports. There are no raw materials. Significant debt. Huge unemployment rate (up to 15%). Latvia is one of the poorest European countries.
In the years since the restoration of independence, Latvia has carried out serious economic reforms, restored its own currency lats in circulation in 1992, carried out privatization, and returned property to the previous owners (restitution). The economy grew steadily by 5-7% per year (in 2006 - 12.6%, 2007 - 10.3%) before the start of the economic crisis (see Crisis in Latvia (2009)). Based on the results of 2007, Latvia was in third place in the post-Soviet space in terms of GDP growth rates. Only Azerbaijan and Armenia were ahead of Latvia among the countries of the post-Soviet space. In 1999, Latvia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 2004, Latvia joined the European Union (EU). In 2008, Latvia became the leader among the EU countries in terms of the number of people living on the verge of poverty, with 26 percent of the population recognized as poor.
The share of the service sector in Latvia's GDP is 70.6%, industry - 24.7%, agriculture - 4.7%. The main export commodities of Latvia (2008): iron and metal in bars - 8.2%, electrical machinery and equipment - 6.2%, machinery and equipment - 6.1%, sawn timber - 4.5%, knitted and textile clothing - 3.5%, pharmaceutical products - 3.3%, round timber - 2.8%, wooden products - 2.5%.
Latvia has signed an agreement with Lithuania and Estonia on the establishment of a customs union, and therefore the volume of trade between these countries is quite large.
In 2009, Latvia's GDP fell by 17.8% - the worst indicator of GDP dynamics in the world.
Transit
In 2001, The New York Times wrote: “The three Baltic states have made significant profits over the past decade from Russia’s payment of duties for the transit of oil and other cargoes through the port of Tallinn in Estonia, the ports of Riga and Ventspils in Latvia, and other ports. According to Russian experts, at least 25% of the Latvian and Estonian economies are trade-related. These profits were received at the expense of Russia.”
In 1998-1999, the export of transit transport services accounted for 18-20% of Latvia's GDP.
Crisis in the real estate market
The rapid growth of prices in the real estate market, associated with the easy obtaining of mortgage loans in Latvian banks and very active speculation in the market, was one of the inflation growth factors. To combat inflation, the Latvian government took a number of measures that provoked a collapse in the real estate market and, subsequently, an economic recession - a sharp slowdown in GDP growth. Housing prices in Latvia in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the corresponding period of 2007 fell by 24.1%. Prices continue to gradually fall, and in March 2009, a square meter of housing in the sleeping areas of Riga already costs an average of 606 euros.
The question of pensions
The issue of pensions was settled only in 2007, when an agreement on cooperation in the field of social security was concluded and ratified between Latvia and Russia. The agreement is aimed at protecting the interests of compatriots abroad, in terms of the payment of benefits for temporary disability and maternity, pensions, unemployment benefits, burial allowance, payments due to an accident or illness acquired as a result of working conditions. According to the agreement, the payment of pensions and benefits will be carried out taking into account the length of service, both in Russia and Latvia. For the period before January 1, 1991, the pension is calculated and paid by the party in whose territory the person resides at the time of applying for a pension, and for the period after January 1, 1991, the parties calculate the amount of the pension in accordance with their legislation.
Large external debt
At the end of 2008, the external debt of the Republic of Latvia reached approximately 41 billion US dollars. This is more than the total GDP of Latvia in 2008 (approximately USD 33 billion).
General position
Latvia is rightfully one of those countries that suffered the most from the global economic crisis that began in 2007-2008. The inept management of the country and the inability of the government to curb the crisis in a timely manner led to the collapse of such important social sectors as medicine and education. Growing taxes and unemployment, rampant crime unprecedented since the “dashing nineties”, forced outflow of the able-bodied population to more prosperous countries of the European Union, as well as the threat of default or devaluation of the national currency seen by experts are the most serious tests for the inhabitants of Latvia.
Sport
The most popular sports in the country are football, ice hockey and basketball.
The Latvian national football team participated in the final tournament of the European Championship in Portugal in 2004. In 2006, Latvia was the host of the Ice Hockey World Championship.
Since 1991, a major marathon race has been held annually in the capital of the country.
Culture of Latvia
Culture After regaining independence in 1991, Latvia faced the challenge of reintegrating the three layers of Latvian culture. The first layer is Latvian literature and traditions before the Soviet times. An example of criticism of Latvian literature in the USSR, from the TSB:
Latvian literature relied on the rich traditions of native folklore - folk songs, fairy tales, legends. The most complete first edition of the Latvian folk songs "Latvian Dains" (vols. 1-6, 1894-1915) was compiled by the Latvian folklorist Kr. Baron (1835-1923). "Songs" (1856) by Yu. A. Alunan (1832-64) marked the beginning of the Latvian national written poetry. Creativity of representatives of the so-called. folk romanticism — Auseklis (M. Krogzemis, 1850–79) and A. Pumpura (1841–1902), the author of the epic Lachplesis (1888) — had a pronounced anti-feudal character. It reflected the ideas of the national liberation movement. The first significant achievements of Latvian prose are the novel The Times of Surveyors (1879) by the brothers Matis (1848–1926) and Reinis (1839–1920) Kaudzit and the stories of Apsisu Jekabs (J. Jaunzemis, 1858–1929) about village life. The work of Latvian writers was influenced by Russian realism. The beginning of Latvian dramaturgy was laid by A. Alunan (1848-1912) in the 70-80s. 19th century
The second layer of Latvian culture was formed after 1945 outside of Latvia among about 120 thousand emigrants who created Latvian communities in Sweden, Germany, the USA, Canada and Australia. The lively cultural activity of the Latvians, which included the publication of literature, continued in all these countries, especially in Canada. The third layer was the cultural life in Latvia after 1945, which was created by both the pro-Soviet intelligentsia and the anti-Soviet opposition.
Until the 19th century, the urban culture of Latvia was for the most part the product of the German-speaking political and social elite. The Latvian peasantry had original oral traditions in their own language, which consisted mainly of folk songs and epics. A notable achievement of national culture was the publication by Ernst Gluck in 1694 of the Latvian translation of the Bible. Another important milestone was the founding in 1822 of the first periodical in the Latvian language, Latviesu Avizes (Latvian Newspaper).
The relationship between urban and peasant cultures changed radically in the middle of the 19th century, when university-educated Latvians, such as Atis Kronvalds (1837–1875), demanded the equality of languages and called for the creation of a full-fledged Latvian literature. By the beginning of the 20th century, such literature had appeared; it felt the influence of Scandinavian, German and Russian literature. Poets such as Janis Rainis (1865-1929) and Aspazija (Elsa Rozenberga, 1868-1943) gained recognition.
The inclusion of Latvia into the Soviet Union led to the sovietization of all spheres of cultural life, including the education system. New generations of Latvians were brought up in the belief that Soviet Latvian culture represented the highest stage of national cultural development. The officially approved direction was socialist realism in literature and fine arts. Latvian craftsmen who worked in the West were ignored or dismissed as decadents or "bourgeois nationalists". With the increase in the Russian population, all levels of the education system began to develop in two language areas - Latvian and Russian, while the Russian language gradually began to play a major role in culture. Accordingly, the old national culture of Latvia was interpreted as backward and narrow in comparison with the "international culture" of the Soviet Union.
In the Soviet Union, planned and purposeful work was carried out to integrate all national cultures. An integral part of this work was the translations of national writers into the languages of other peoples of the USSR, primarily into Russian. Thanks to this work, millions of inhabitants of the USSR had the opportunity to get acquainted with national Latvian literature and other achievements of Latvian culture. Books by Latvian writers: Latsis, Upita, Griva, Sudrabkalna, Kempe, Grigulis, Skuin, Vatsietis and many others. others have been translated into the languages of the peoples of the USSR: Estonian, Lithuanian, Belorussian, Turkmen, Uzbek, Ukrainian, Georgian, Kazakh, Kirghiz, etc., as well as into foreign languages. The total circulation of Latsis's works in Russian amounted to about 10 million copies. , and the works of Upit are more than 3 million copies.
Radical changes took place in the mid-1980s. With the advent of glasnost, publishers and writers threw away the old restrictions and began to publish prohibited works. By 1989, the prestige of writers and journalists had grown significantly thanks to the media. The leading figures of the Latvian Popular Front were cultural figures such as Janis Peters (b. 1939), who for some time was the Latvian ambassador to Russia, and the composer Raimonds Pauls (b. 1936), later Minister of Culture.
National dishes of Latvia
In Latvian cuisine, one can single out dishes common to most of the Latvian people, which form the basis of Latvian cuisine. These include cold table dishes, putra; sour-milk products and, first of all, cheeses (such as backstein and the so-called egg ones).
The main products of the Latvian national cuisine are flour, cereals (primarily pearl barley), peas, beans, potatoes, vegetables, milk and dairy products (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream). Of the meat products, pork is the most common, less often beef, veal, and poultry.
For the preparation of national dishes, herring, sprat, herring are widely used.
Popular Latvian dishes include sour milk soup, bread soup, as well as putra and cabbage. Putra is a thick bread stew cooked from cereals (most often pearl barley) and seasoned with milk or meat and lard. Many different dishes are prepared in Latvia from cabbage, all kinds of fresh and pickled vegetables, beet tops, sorrel and other wild plants. Peas and beans are widely used by Latvian cooks. Favorite dishes are thick porridge made from peas and beans and pearl barley. Boiled peas with fried bacon are very tasty, as well as round dumplings from peas or beans with buttermilk or kefir.
Education
Among residents of Latvia aged 15 years and older, the proportion of people with higher education increased in 1989-2000 from 11.5% to 13.9%, with secondary education - from 48.9% to 51.1%, with incomplete secondary ( 8 classes) - from 23.4% to 26.5%, with primary (4 classes) - decreased from 12.8% to 6.1%, and the proportion of those who did not even finish 4 classes fell from 3.4 % to 2.4%. Thus, the level of education of Latvian residents is not higher than the educational level of Russians (in the Russian Federation, 13% of Russians over 15 years old had higher education (including incomplete) in 1989, and 15.1% in 1994), although in 1897 the level of education of Latvian residents was significantly exceeded the Russian average (at that time in Latvia aged 9-49 79.7% of the population were literate, and in the Russian Empire without Poland and Finland - only 28.4%). If we count from the number of all residents of Latvia (including children aged 7 years and older), then in 2000 12.1% had higher education, 17.7% - secondary specialized, 27% - general secondary, 23 - 8 classes, 2%, primary education - 11.4%, less than 4 classes - 8.6%. The “less than 4 grades” group includes 115,000 children aged 7-10 attending primary school. Excluding this group, only 2.8% of the population has an education level below grade 4. The highest proportion of people with higher education is in Riga (20.1%), Jurmala (14.5%) and Jelgava (13.5%).
Latvia (Latvija), the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika) is a state in Eastern Europe, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It has land borders with Lithuania - in the south, Estonia - in the north, Russia - in the east, Belarus - in the southeast. The area of Latvia is about 64.6 thousand square kilometers, the population is 2.3 million people. The capital is Riga, the monetary unit is lats, the official language is Latvian.
The climate of Latvia is capricious and changeable. In the last century, perhaps, it was like this: sunny stillness was abruptly replaced by gusty rain and just as quickly returned back. Now the weather has become more stable and predictable. At the same time, both cold summers (temperatures over forty, champignons in the center of Riga and palm-sized snails no longer surprise anyone) and cold snowy winters began to disappear from Latvia, and they were replaced by the echoes of the famous European hurricanes.
Latvians don't like Russians. This statement is only partly true. Ordinary people, who are not concerned about the nationalist sentiments that are sown in the country by a number of politicians, treat the Russians not only loyally, but also benevolently.
In Latvia, only Latvian is spoken. Not true. In Latvia, they speak and understand Russian very well. Suffice it to say that one of the conditions for employment is knowledge of not only the state (Latvian), but also the Russian language. The only exception can be called a few representatives of the generation that received education in the 90s of the last century, when the country was at the peak of the revival of its independence and linguistic culture.
Latvians are cultured, neat and calm people. This is partly true. The indigenous population is distinguished by a certain Baltic calmness and external culture of behavior. As for the internal culture, here, as with the notorious British tourists who use the center of Riga as a public toilet, everything is exactly the same as with ordinary Russian people - when you hit your finger with a hammer, no one will politely say "ay-yay- yay". Neatness can also be argued: for example, dirt and debris are a standard occurrence after holidays and regular weekends. The latter, by the way, is not always taken out on time, as a result of which the immediate surroundings are saturated with a rather specific aroma.
The majority of Latvian citizens work in Ireland. They work, as in England, but by no means the majority. According to official figures - 20 thousand, according to unofficial - a little more. It is customary to judge the real number of Latvian representatives in the above European country by what score Ireland gives to Latvia at the popular Eurovision music contest - the highest.
The widest waterfall in Europe is in Latvia. It is also the highest waterfall in Latvia itself - the water falls down from more than four meters. Located in a small town in Kurzeme - Kuldiga.
Grapes do not grow in Latvia. Oddly enough, it grows and is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the northernmost grape in the world.
Jurmala is a resort of the former all-Union, now European scale. More like a memory resort. An ordinary sandy beach, poorly developed tourist infrastructure, a banal lack of toilets. The sea, of course, is pleasant - you can catch small fish near the shore with your hands, the air is intoxicating with freshness and purity, in the near "new wave" period you can attend various concerts, but all this is very far from the true Resort. Even the local "Arbat" - the famous Dzintari Street, although it is replete with numerous cafes and shops, does not improve the overall impression.
Amber can be found in Latvia. Only not in the Gulf of Riga (area of Jurmala beaches). To search for amber, it is best to go beyond it, to the shores of the true Baltic Sea. The search should be scheduled for the post-storm time and not be very upset if amber is still not found - there is too little of it left.
