Latvia

Area: 64,589 sq km (24,938 sq miles).

Population: 2,311,480 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density: 35.8 per sq km.

Capital: Riga. Population: 739,232 (2003).

GEOGRAPHY: Latvia is situated on the Baltic coast and borders Estonia in the north, Lithuania in the south, the Russian Federation in the east and Belarus in the southeast. The coastal plain is mostly flat but, inland to the east, the land is hilly with forests and lakes. There are about 12,000 rivers in Latvia, the biggest being the River Daugava. The ports of Riga, Liepaja and Ventspils often freeze over during the winter.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State: President Vaira Vike-Freiberga since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis since 2004.

Language: Latvian is the official language. It is an Indo-European, non-Slavic and non-Germanic language and is similar only to Lithuanian. Russian is the mother tongue of over 30 per cent of the population and is understood by most people. English and German may also be understood.

Religion: Predominantly Protestant (Lutheran) with 19 per cent of the population being Roman Catholic. There is also a Russian Orthodox minority.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Social Conventions: Handshaking is customary. Normal courtesies should be observed. The Latvians are somewhat reserved and formal, but nevertheless very hospitable. They are proud of their culture and visitors should take care to respect this sense of national identity.