of fertile, low-lying
plains, with some hills in the east

People Latvia

Population: 2,366,515 (July 2002 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 191,116; female 182,692) 15-64
years: 68.6% (male 775,481; female 847,261) 65 years and over: 15.6%
(male 120,304; female 249,661) (2002 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.77% (2002 est.)

Birth rate: 8.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate: 14.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 14.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 75.17 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 1.18 children born/woman (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.12% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,792 (15 January 2002)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 36 (15 January 2002)

Nationality: noun: Latvian(s) adjective: Latvian

Ethnic groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian
2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%

Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Languages: Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 99.8% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Latvia

Country name: Republic of Latvia conventional short form: local long
form: Latvijas Republika

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Riga

Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7
municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons,
Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles
Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons,
Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons,
Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu
Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons,
Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*,
Ventspils Rajons

Independence: 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18
November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August
1991 is the date of inde