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Compare Latvia (2001) - Faroe Islands (2008)

Compare Latvia (2001) z Faroe Islands (2008)

 Latvia (2001)Faroe Islands (2008)
 LatviaFaroe Islands
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, Leipaja*, 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 none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities
Age structure 0-14 years:
16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036)

15-64 years:
68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908)

65 years and over:
15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 20.6% (male 4,882/female 4,904)


15-64 years: 65.3% (male 16,353/female 14,668)


65 years and over: 14.1% (male 3,041/female 3,663) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Airports 25 (2000 est.) 1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total:
13

2,438 to 3,047 m:
7

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
4 (2000 est.)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
12

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
-
Area total:
64,589 sq km

land:
64,589 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 1,399 sq km


land: 1,399 sq km


water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative slightly larger than West Virginia eight times the size of Washington, DC
Background After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions. The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948.
Birth rate 8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 14.12 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues:
$1.33 billion

expenditures:
$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $588 million


expenditures: $623 million (2005)
Capital Riga name: Torshavn


geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Coastline 531 km 1,117 km
Constitution the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia

conventional short form:
Latvia

local long form:
Latvijas Republika

local short form:
Latvija

former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Faroe Islands


local long form: none


local short form: Foroyar
Currency Latvian lat (LVL) -
Death rate 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $800 million (2000 est.) $64 million (1999)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador James H. HOLMES

embassy:
Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga

mailing address:
American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

telephone:
[371] 721-0005

FAX:
[371] 782-0047
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Aivis RONIS

chancery:
4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone:
[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX:
[1] (202) 726-6785
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Disputes - international draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights) because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) $105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005)
Economy - overview In 2000, Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal. The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Electricity - consumption 4.316 billion kWh (1999) 269.7 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 1 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 3.996 billion kWh (1999) 290 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
31.78%

hydro:
68.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Gaizinkalns 312 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Environment - current issues air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases NA
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
party to: Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Ethnic groups Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4% Scandinavian
Exchange rates lati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament

elections:
president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004)


cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister


elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)


election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA
Exports $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) 0 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999) Denmark 31%, UK 27.4%, Norway 10.3%, Nigeria 9.5%, Netherlands 5.6% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
5%

industry:
33%

services:
62% (1999)
agriculture: 27%


industry: 11%


services: 62% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E 62 00 N, 7 00 W
Geography - note - archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
Highways total:
59,178 km

paved:
22,843 km

unpaved:
36,335 km (1998 est.)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.9%

highest 10%:
25.9% (1998)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export -
Imports $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000) 4,580 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)
Imports - partners Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999) Denmark 52.6%, Norway 20.7%, Iceland 6.1%, Sweden 4.3% (2006)
Independence 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union) none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate 6.3% (2000 est.) 8% (1999 est.)
Industries buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate 15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.7% (2000) 1.8% (2005)
International organization participation BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 42 (2000) -
Irrigated land 160 sq km (1993 est.) 0 sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) none
Labor force 1.4 million (2000 est.) 24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.) agriculture: 33%


industry: 33%


services: 34% (October 2000)
Land boundaries total:
1,150 km

border countries:
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
27%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
46%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
arable land: 2.14%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.86% (2005)
Languages Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Legal system based on civil law system the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)


election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2


note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.7 years

male:
62.8 years

female:
74.9 years (2001 est.)
total population: 79.49 years


male: 76.06 years


female: 82.93 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
99% (1989 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%


note: probably 100%, the same as Denmark proper
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Map references Europe Europe
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea: 3 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Merchant marine total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)
total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 92,454 GRT/63,291 DWT


by type: cargo 10, container 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1


foreign-owned: 8 (Iceland 4, Norway 4) (2007)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) no regular military forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure $60 million (FY99) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.9% (FY99) NA
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
590,784 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
463,944 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
19,114 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Nationality noun:
Latvian(s)

adjective:
Latvian
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)


adjective: Faroese
Natural hazards NA NA
Natural resources minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Net migration rate -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992) -
Political parties and leaders Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE] Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 2,385,231 (July 2001 est.) 47,511 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate -0.81% (2001 est.) 0.543% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils -
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 1.76 million (1997) -
Railways total:
2,412 km

broad gauge:
2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)

narrow gauge:
33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
-
Religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Evangelical Lutheran
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.48 male(s)/female

total population:
0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.996 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.115 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female


total population: 1.045 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use

domestic:
expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications

international:
international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities


domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed


international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Telephones - main lines in use 748,000 (1997) 23,000 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 77,100 (1997) 50,000 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
Terrain low plain rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Total fertility rate 1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.) 2.15 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.8% (2000 est.) 2.1% (2006)
Waterways 300 km (perennially navigable) -
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