Member States of the EU Latvia
- Year of EU entry: 2004
- Political system:
Republic
- Capital city: Riga
- Total area: 65 000 km²
- Population: 2.3 million
- Currency: Lats
- Listen to the official EU language
:latvian
Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Situated on
the Baltic coast, Latvia is a low-lying country with large forests that
supply timber for construction and paper industries. The environment is
rich in wildlife. Latvia also produces consumer goods, textiles and
machine tools. The country attracts tourists from all over
Europe.Ethnically, the population is 59% Latvian and 29% Russian, and
more than a third live in the capital Riga. Founded, in 1201, Riga is
the largest city in the three Baltic states with a population of 730
000. Its Freedom Statue is one of the highest in Europe, at 43 metres.
The 100-seat unicameral Latvian Parliament, the Saeima, is elected by
direct, popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the
Parliament, also every four years.Among the best-known Latvians are
the expressionist painter Mark Rothko and the contemporary composer
Peteris Vasks.
Characteristic specialities of Latvian cuisine are speķa pīrādziņi
(bacon pies) and a refreshing, cold sour cream soup.
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