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Compare Latvia (2001) - Iles Eparses (2006)

Compare Latvia (2001) z Iles Eparses (2006)

 Latvia (2001)Iles Eparses (2006)
 LatviaIles Eparses
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 -
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.)
-
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish -
Airports 25 (2000 est.) 4 (2006)
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.)
-
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
Bassas da India: total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)


Europa Island: total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km


Glorioso Islands: total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km


Juan de Nova Island: total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km


Tromelin Island: total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than West Virginia Bassas da India: land area about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC


Europa Island: about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC


Glorioso Islands: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC


Juan de Nova Island: about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC


Tromelin Island: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in 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 Iles Eparses, or scattered islands, are a group of five French entities - Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island - which on 1 April 1960 came under the authority of the Minister in charge of overseas possessions. On 19 September 1960 by decree, the islands were transferred to the charge of the Prefet of Reunion where they remained until 3 January 2005 when they were transferred by another decree to the Senior Administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF).


Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic seamount surrounded by reefs and awash at high tide.


Europa Island: A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.


Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.


Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.


Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.
Birth rate 8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Budget revenues:
$1.33 billion

expenditures:
$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
-
Capital Riga -
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters tropical
Coastline 531 km Bassas da India: 35.2 km


Europa Island: 22.2 km


Glorioso Islands: 35.2 km


Juan de Nova Island: 24.1 km


Tromelin Island: 3.7 km
Constitution the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms -
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: Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, Tromelin Island


local long form: none


local short form: Bassas da India, Ile Europa, Iles Glorieuses, Ile Juan de Nova, Ile Tromelin
Currency Latvian lat (LVL) -
Death rate 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Debt - external $800 million (2000 est.) -
Dependency status - possessions of France; administered by the Senior Administrator of the Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF), resident in Reunion
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
-
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
-
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) Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: claimed by Madagascar


Tromelin Island: claimed by Mauritius
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) -
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. no economic activity
Electricity - consumption 4.316 billion kWh (1999) -
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - imports 1 billion kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production 3.996 billion kWh (1999) -
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: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Bassas da India 2.4 m; Europa Island 24 m; Glorioso Islands 12 m; Juan de Nova Island 10 m; Tromelin Island 7 m (all unnamed locations)
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 -
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
-
Ethnic groups Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4% -
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) -
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: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Senior Administrator Michel CHAMPON
Exports $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) -
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs -
Exports - partners Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999) -
Fiscal year calendar year -
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon the flag of France is used
GDP purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
5%

industry:
33%

services:
62% (1999)
-
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E Bassas da India: 21 30 S, 39 50 E


Europa Island: 22 20 S, 40 22 E


Glorioso Islands: 11 30 S, 47 20 E


Juan de Nova Island: 17 03 S, 42 45 E


Tromelin Island: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Geography - note - Bassas da India: the atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano


Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island: wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles


Glorioso Islands: the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system


Tromelin Island: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
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)
-
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) -
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels -
Imports - partners Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999) -
Independence 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union) -
Industrial production growth rate 6.3% (2000 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 -
Infant mortality rate 15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) -
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.7% (2000) -
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 -
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 42 (2000) -
Irrigated land 160 sq km (1993 est.) -
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) -
Labor force 1.4 million (2000 est.) -
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.) -
Land boundaries total:
1,150 km

border countries:
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
none
Land use arable land:
27%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
46%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
Bassas da India - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand; Europa Island - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands - 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island - 90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island - 100% grasses and scattered brush
Languages Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other -
Legal system based on civil law system the laws of France, 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
-
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.7 years

male:
62.8 years

female:
74.9 years (2001 est.)
-
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
99% (1989 est.)
-
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean


Bassas da India: atoll in the southern Mozambique Channel, about half way from Madagascar to Mozambique


Europa Island: island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique


Glorioso Islands: group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar


Juan de Nova Island: island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique


Tromelin Island: island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; note - Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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.)
-
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of France
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $60 million (FY99) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.9% (FY99) -
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 -
Nationality noun:
Latvian(s)

adjective:
Latvian
-
Natural hazards NA all islands subject to periodic cyclones


Bassas da India: maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs
Natural resources minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land Bassas da India and Europa Island: none


Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova Island: guano, phosphates; coconuts


Tromelin Island: fish
Net migration rate -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 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] -
Political pressure groups and leaders NA -
Population 2,385,231 (July 2001 est.) Bassas da India: uninhabitable


Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists


Tromelin Island: uninhabited, except for visits by scientists
Population below poverty line NA% -
Population growth rate -0.81% (2001 est.) -
Ports and harbors Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils -
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (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 -
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.)
-
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens -
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)
-
Telephones - main lines in use 748,000 (1997) -
Telephones - mobile cellular 77,100 (1997) -
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) -
Terrain low plain Bassas da India: atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon


Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy


Tromelin Island: low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount
Total fertility rate 1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.) -
Transportation - note - aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m
Unemployment rate 7.8% (2000 est.) -
Waterways 300 km (perennially navigable) -
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