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Compare Latvia (2003) - Bangladesh (2001)

Compare Latvia (2003) z Bangladesh (2001)

 Latvia (2003)Bangladesh (2001)
 LatviaBangladesh
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 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi; note - there may be one additional division named Sylhet
Age structure 0-14 years: 15.1% (male 180,976; female 172,988)


15-64 years: 68.9% (male 774,133; female 844,856)


65 years and over: 16% (male 122,850; female 252,981) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
35.04% (male 23,550,607; female 22,451,006)

15-64 years:
61.6% (male 41,432,123; female 39,434,633)

65 years and over:
3.36% (male 2,389,639; female 2,011,852) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Airports 38 (2002) 18 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 22


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 12 (2002)
total:
15

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
5 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 16


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 10 (2002)
total:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Area total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
total:
144,000 sq km

land:
133,910 sq km

water:
10,090 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than West Virginia slightly smaller than Wisconsin
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 and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002. Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country annually floods during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.
Birth rate 8.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 25.3 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.4 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
revenues:
$4.9 billion

expenditures:
$6.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)
Capital Riga Dhaka
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Coastline 531 km 580 km
Constitution the 1991 Constitutional Law, which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times
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:
People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form:
Bangladesh

former:
East Pakistan
Currency Latvian lat (LVL) taka (BDT)
Death rate 14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $3.4 billion (2000 est.) $17 billion (2000)
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] 781-0047
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary Ann PETERS

embassy:
Road 27, House 110, Banani, Dhaka

mailing address:
G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000

telephone:
[880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722

FAX:
[880] (2) 8823744
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-designate A. Tariq KARIM

chancery:
3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 244-0183

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles and New York
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 a portion of the boundary with India is indefinite; exchange of 151 enclaves along border with India subject to ratification by Indian parliament; dispute with India over South Talpatty/New Moore Island
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) $1.575 billion (2000 est.)
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, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit. Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single most important product. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Even so, Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA's Awami League government has made some headway improving the climate for foreign investors and liberalizing the capital markets. Progress on other economic reforms has been halting because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups.
Electricity - consumption 6.046 billion kWh (2001) 11.216 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 703 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 2.69 billion kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 4.365 billion kWh (2001) 12.06 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 29.1%


hydro: 70.9%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
93.7%

hydro:
6.3%

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:
Keokradong 1,230 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 many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally-occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation
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:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)
Exchange rates lati per US dollar - 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000), 0.59 (1999), 0.59 (1998) taka per US dollar - 54.000 (January 2001), 52.142 (2000), 49.085 (1999), 46.906 (1998), 43.892 (1997), 41.794 (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 reelected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
chief of state:
President Shahabuddin AHMED (since 9 October 1996); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise the elections

head of government:
Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 13 July 1996)

cabinet:
Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president

elections:
president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 24 July 1996 (next to be held by NA October 2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results:
Shahabuddin AHMED elected president without opposition; percent of National Parliament vote - NA%
Exports NA (2001) $5.9 billion (2000)
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
Exports - partners UK 21.6%, Sweden 13.1%, Germany 12.5%, US 6.4%, Lithuania 5.9%, Russia 4.6%, Estonia 4.2%, Denmark 4% (2002) US 31.2%, Germany 9.95%, UK 8.06%, France 5.82%, Italy 4.42% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - $20.99 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $203 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 4.5%


industry: 26%


services: 69.5% (2001)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
18%

services:
52% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,570 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6.1% (2002 est.) 5.3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E 24 00 N, 90 00 E
Geography - note most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east -
Highways total: 73,202 km


paved: 28,256 km


unpaved: 44,946 km (2000)
total:
201,182 km

paved:
19,112 km

unpaved:
182,070 km (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.9%


highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
lowest 10%:
3.9%

highest 10%:
28.6% (1995-96 est.)
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 despite changes to banking legislation transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
Imports NA (2001) $8.1 billion (2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, raw cotton, food, crude oil and petroleum products, cement
Imports - partners Germany 17.9%, Russia 15.1%, Finland 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Sweden 5.5%, Italy 4.8%, Estonia 4.8% (2002) India 12.2%, Singapore 7.8%, Japan 6.7%, China 6.4%, US 5.3% (1999)
Independence 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Industrial production growth rate 5.7% (2002 est.) 6.1% (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 and raw materials cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar
Infant mortality rate total: 14.59 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 16.74 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
69.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2002 est.) 5.8% (2000 est.)
International organization participation BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, 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, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 41 (2001) 10 (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.)
31,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)
Labor force 1.1 million (2001 est.) 64.1 million (1998)

note:
extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion in 1998-99
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.) agriculture 63%, services 26%, industry 11% (FY95/96)
Land boundaries total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
total:
4,246 km

border countries:
Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Land use arable land: 29.01%


permanent crops: 0.48%


other: 70.51% (1998 est.)
arable land:
73%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
5%

forests and woodland:
15%

other:
5% (1993 est.)
Languages Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Legal system based on civil law system based on English common law
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 Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad (330 seats; 300 elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies, 30 seats reserved for women; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 12 June 1996 (next to be held before 13 October 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - AL 33.87%, BNP 30.87%; seats by party - AL 178, BNP 113, JP 33, JI 3, other 3; note - the elections of 12 June 1996 brought to power an Awami League government for the first time in twenty-one years; held under a neutral, caretaker administration, the elections were characterized by a peaceful, orderly process and massive voter turnout, ending a bitter two-year impasse between the former BNP and opposition parties that had paralyzed National Parliament and led to widespread street violence
Life expectancy at birth total population: 69.31 years


male: 63.46 years


female: 75.45 years (2003 est.)
total population:
60.54 years

male:
60.74 years

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


total population: 99.8%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
56%

male:
63%

female:
49% (2000 est.)
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Map references Europe Asia
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
contiguous zone:
18 NM

continental shelf:
up to the outer limits of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 52,607 GRT/35,650 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.)
total:
35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,566 GRT/375,110 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 2, cargo 25, container 3, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps), Armed Police battalions
Military expenditures - dollar figure $87 million (FY01) $559 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY01) 1.8% (FY96/97)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 592,562 (2003 est.) males age 15-49:
36,005,553 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.) males age 15-49:
21,362,279 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 19,477 (2003 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 Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Nationality noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
noun:
Bangladeshi(s)

adjective:
Bangladeshi
Natural hazards NA droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Natural resources peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Net migration rate -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines gas 1,097 km; oil 412 km; refined products 421 km (2003) natural gas 1,250 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 [Janis NAGLIS]; 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] Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIAur Rahman]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Azizol HAQ]; Jamaat-E-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 2,348,784 (July 2003 est.) 131,269,860 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 35.6% (FY95/96 est.)
Population growth rate -0.73% (2003 est.) 1.59% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla Port, Narayanganj (2001)
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios - 6.15 million (1997)
Railways total: 2,347 km


broad gauge: 2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)
total:
2,745 km

broad gauge:
923 km 1.676-m gauge

narrow gauge:
1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)
Religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
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: 0.49 male(s)/female


total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.05 male(s)/female (2001 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:
totally inadequate for a modern country

domestic:
modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)
Telephones - main lines in use 734,693 (2000) 500,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 401,263 (2000) 283,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) 15 (1999)
Terrain low plain mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Total fertility rate 1.2 children born/woman (2003 est.) 2.78 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.6% (2001 est.) 35.2% (1996)
Waterways 300 km (perennially navigable) up to 8,046 km depending on season

note:
includes 3,058 km main cargo routes
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