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Compare Latvia (2002) - Kuwait (2001)

Compare Latvia (2002) z Kuwait (2001)

 Latvia (2002)Kuwait (2001)
 LatviaKuwait
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, Liepaja*, 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 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli
Age structure 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 191,116; female 182,692)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 775,481; female 847,261)


65 years and over: 15.6% (male 120,304; female 249,661) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
28.76% (male 299,080; female 288,125)

15-64 years:
68.82% (male 897,839; female 507,527)

65 years and over:
2.42% (male 31,843; female 17,547) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish practically no crops; fish
Airports 25 (2001) 8 (2000 est.)
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 (2002)
total:
4

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2 (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 (2002)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Area total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
total:
17,820 sq km

land:
17,820 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than West Virginia slightly smaller than New Jersey
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. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.
Birth rate 8.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 21.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.4 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
revenues:
$11.5 billion

expenditures:
$17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02)
Capital Riga Kuwait
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Coastline 531 km 499 km
Constitution the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
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:
State of Kuwait

conventional short form:
Kuwait

local long form:
Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form:
Al Kuwayt
Currency Latvian lat (LVL) Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Death rate 14.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $3.4 billion (2000 est.) $6.9 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON


embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510


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


telephone: [371] 703-6200


FAX: [371] 781-4088
chief of mission:
Ambassador James A. LAROCCO

embassy:
Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000

telephone:
[965] 539-5307

FAX:
[965] 538-0282
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant)

chancery:
2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 966-0702

FAX:
[1] (202) 966-0517
Disputes - international the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) $27.6 million (1995)
Economy - overview 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. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years continues as a top foreign policy goal. The high current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns. Kuwait is a small, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02, which begins 1 April, contains higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.
Electricity - consumption 5.16 billion kWh (2000) 29.357 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 500 million kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 2.59 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 3.301 billion kWh (2000) 31.567 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 33%


hydro: 67%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location 306 m
Environment - current issues Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010 limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
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:
Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Ethnic groups Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Exchange rates lati per US dollar - 0.6384 (January 2002), 0.628 (2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997) Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3057 (January 2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002)


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 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 to produce a clear winner); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
chief of state:
Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)

head of government:
Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Exports $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) $23.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners Germany 17%, UK 16%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8%, Russia 6% (2001 est.) Japan 23%, US 12%, Singapore 8%, Netherlands 7% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $20 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $29.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 5%


industry: 26%


services: 70% (2001)
agriculture:
0%

industry:
55%

services:
45% (1996)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.5% (2002 est.) 6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Geography - note most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
Heliports - 3 (2000 est.)
Highways total: 59,178 km


paved: 22,843 km


unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)
total:
4,450 km

paved:
3,590 km

unpaved:
860 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 26% (1998) (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; money laundering remains a concern -
Imports $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002) $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners Germany 17%, Russia 9%, Lithuania 8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 7% (2001 est.) US 15%, Japan 10%, UK 7%, Germany 7% (1999)
Independence 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) 19 June 1961 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 5.7% (2002 est.) 1% (1997 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 and raw materials petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials
Infant mortality rate 14.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2002 est.) 3% (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, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 41 (2001) 3 (2000)
Irrigated land 200 sq km


note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
20 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) High Court of Appeal
Labor force 1.1 million (2001 est.) 1.3 million (1998 est.)

note:
68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.) agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
total:
464 km

border countries:
Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Land use arable land: 29.01%


permanent crops: 0.48%


other: 70.51% (1998 est.)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
8%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
92% (1993 est.)
Languages Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Legal system based on civil law system civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly
Life expectancy at birth total population: 69 years


male: 63.13 years


female: 75.17 years (2002 est.)
total population:
76.27 years

male:
75.42 years

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


total population: 99.8%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
78.6%

male:
82.2%

female:
74.9% (1995 est.)
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Map references Europe Middle East
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
Merchant marine total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,119 GRT/30,572 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.)
total:
45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,461,072 GRT/3,966,645 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 1, cargo 6, container 6, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20 (2000 est.)
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $87 million (FY01) $1.9 billion (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY01) 8.7% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 591,592 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
780,559 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 464,843 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
466,521 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 19,114 (2002 est.) males:
18,309 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union National Day, 25 February (1950)
Nationality noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
noun:
Kuwaiti(s)

adjective:
Kuwaiti
Natural hazards NA sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August
Natural resources peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, wood, arable land, minimal; amber petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Net migration rate -1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 14.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992) crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km
Political parties and leaders Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Andris BERZINS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE] none; formation of political parties is illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders NA several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists
Population 2,366,515 (July 2002 est.) 2,041,961

note:
includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate -0.77% (2002 est.) 3.38% (2001 est.)

note:
this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates
Ports and harbors Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 1.76 million (1997) 1.175 million (1997)
Railways total: 2,412 km


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


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2001)
0 km
Religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%
Sex ratio 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: 0.48 male(s)/female


total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.51 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21

note:
only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time
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:
the quality of service is excellent

domestic:
new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones

international:
coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 734,693 (2000) 412,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 401,263 (2000) 210,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)
Terrain low plain flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Total fertility rate 1.18 children born/woman (2002 est.) 3.2 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.6% (2001 est.) 1.8% (official 1996 est.)
Waterways 300 km (perennially navigable) none
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