Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic and is divided into 26 districts. The capital and largest city is Riga. Latvia has been a member of the United Nations since 17 September 1991, of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and of NATO since 29 March 2004.
Capital Riga
Official languages Latvian
Ethnic groups 59.2% Latvians
28.0% Russians
3.7% Belarusians
2.5% Ukrainians
6.6% others
Government Parliamentary republic
- President Valdis Zatlers
- Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis
Independence from Russia and Germany
- Declared1 November 18, 1918
- Recognized January 26, 1921
- Suspended August 5, 1940
- Proclaimed2 May 4, 1990
- Completed September 6, 1991
EU accession May 1, 2004
Area
- Total 64,589 km²
- Water (%) 1.5
Population 2,270,700 …
