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Compare Latvia (2001) - Puerto Rico (2002)

Compare Latvia (2001) z Puerto Rico (2002)

 Latvia (2001)Puerto Rico (2002)
 LatviaPuerto Rico
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 (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
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: 23.5% (male 476,726; female 453,782)


15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,249,850; female 1,353,438)


65 years and over: 10.7% (male 180,053; female 244,139) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens
Airports 25 (2000 est.) 30 (2001)
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: 19


over 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 8


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
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.)
total: 12


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 10 (2002)
Area total:
64,589 sq km

land:
64,589 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 9,104 sq km


land: 8,959 sq km


water: 145 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than West Virginia slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
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. Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917 and popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998 voters chose to retain commonwealth status.
Birth rate 8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 15.04 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$1.33 billion

expenditures:
$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $6.7 billion


expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00)
Capital Riga San Juan
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 531 km 501 km
Constitution the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952
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: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico


conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Currency Latvian lat (LVL) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 7.82 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $800 million (2000 est.) $NA
Dependency status - commonwealth associated with the US
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 (commonwealth associated with the US)
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 (commonwealth associated with the US)
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) none
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) $NA
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. Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy.
Electricity - consumption 4.316 billion kWh (1999) 19.062 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 400 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 1 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 3.996 billion kWh (1999) 20.497 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
31.78%

hydro:
68.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 99%


hydro: 1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Gaizinkalns 312 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 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 erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
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% white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%
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) the US dollar is used
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 George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since 2 January 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature


elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004)


election results: Sila M. CALDERON (PPD) elected governor; percent of vote - 48.6%


note: residents of Puerto Rico do not vote for US president and vice president
Exports $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $38.5 billion f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment
Exports - partners Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999) US 88% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
GDP purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $43.9 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
5%

industry:
33%

services:
62% (1999)
agriculture: 1%


industry: 45%


services: 54% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $11,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) 2.2% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Geography - note - important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Highways total:
59,178 km

paved:
22,843 km

unpaved:
36,335 km (1998 est.)
total: 14,400 km


paved: 14,400 km


unpaved: 0 km (1996)
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) $27 billion c.i.f. (2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
Imports - partners Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999) US 60% (2000)
Independence 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union) none (commonwealth associated with the US)
Industrial production growth rate 6.3% (2000 est.) NA%
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 pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism
Infant mortality rate 15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.7% (2000) 5.7% (2000 est.)
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 Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 42 (2000) 76 (2000)
Irrigated land 160 sq km (1993 est.) 400 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)
Labor force 1.4 million (2000 est.) 1.3 million (2000) (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.) agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)
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: 3.72%


permanent crops: 5.07%


other: 91.21% (1998 est.)
Languages Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Spanish, English
Legal system based on civil law system based on Spanish civil code and adapted US state laws
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
bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 19, PNP 8, PIP 1, other 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPD 30, PNP 20, PIP 1


note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004); results - percent of vote by party - PPD 49.3%; seats by party - PPD 1; Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA elected resident commissioner
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.7 years

male:
62.8 years

female:
74.9 years (2001 est.)
total population: 75.96 years


male: 71.5 years


female: 80.66 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
99% (1989 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 89%


male: 90%


female: 88% (1980 est.)
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
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: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,046 GRT/22,582 DWT


ships by type: container 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
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 US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
Nationality noun:
Latvian(s)

adjective:
Latvian
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)


adjective: Puerto Rican
Natural hazards NA periodic droughts; hurricanes
Natural resources minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Net migration rate -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 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] National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP (pro-US statehood) [Carlos PESQUERA]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD (pro-commonwealth) [Sila M. CALDERON]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP (pro-independence) [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution
Population 2,385,231 (July 2001 est.) 3,957,988 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate -0.81% (2001 est.) 0.51% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 1.76 million (1997) 2.7 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)
total: 96 km


narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge,


note: rural, narrow-gauge system for hauling sugarcane; no passenger service (2001)
Religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
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: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
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: modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability


domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US
Telephones - main lines in use 748,000 (1997) 1.322 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 77,100 (1997) 169,265 (1996)
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) 18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997)
Terrain low plain mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Total fertility rate 1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.9 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.8% (2000 est.) 9.5% (2000) (2000)
Waterways 300 km (perennially navigable) none
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