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Compare Latvia (2005) - Fiji (2001)

Compare Latvia (2005) z Fiji (2001)

 Latvia (2005)Fiji (2001)
 LatviaFiji
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 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Age structure 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 169,284/female 161,648)


15-64 years: 69.4% (male 770,839/female 819,309)


65 years and over: 16.1% (male 120,306/female 248,851) (2005 est.)
0-14 years:
32.92% (male 141,724; female 136,216)

15-64 years:
63.52% (male 268,411; female 267,871)

65 years and over:
3.56% (male 14,007; female 16,101) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Airports 50 (2004 est.) 27 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 26


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
total:
3

over 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 24


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)
total:
24

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
19 (2000 est.)
Area total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
total:
18,270 sq km

land:
18,270 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 joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May of 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. New elections are scheduled for August 2001.
Birth rate 9.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 23.33 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $4.231 billion


expenditures: $4.504 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
revenues:
$610 million

expenditures:
$501 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Capital Riga Suva
Climate maritime; wet, moderate winters tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 531 km 1,129 km
Constitution 15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; amended 25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note - the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the national level
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:
Republic of the Fiji Islands

conventional short form:
Fiji
Currency - Fijian dollar (FJD)
Death rate 13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 5.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $7.368 billion (2004 est.) $193 million (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine TODD-BAILEY


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] 782-0047
chief of mission:
Ambassador Osman M. SIDDIQUE

embassy:
31 Loftus Street, Suva

mailing address:
P. O. Box 218, Suva

telephone:
[679] 314466

FAX:
[679] 300081
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINS


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


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


FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Salaseini Lelelvawalu VOSAILAGI

chancery:
Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone:
[1] (202) 337-8320

FAX:
[1] (202) 337-1996
Disputes - international the Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned and unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second World War and other issues; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strict Schengen border rules none
Economic aid - recipient $96.2 million (1995) $40.3 million (1995)
Economy - overview Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the 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. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. 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. A growing perception that many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the country's vibrant financial sector. Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist industry are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 300,000 tourists visit each year, including thousands of Americans following the start of regularly scheduled non-stop air service from Los Angeles. Fiji's growth slowed in 1997 because the sugar industry suffered from low world prices and rent disputes between farmers and landowners. Drought in 1998 further damaged the sugar industry, but its recovery in 1999 contributed to robust GDP growth. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact with the economy shrinking by 8% in 1999 and over 7,000 people losing their jobs. The interim government's 2001 budget is an attempt to attract foreign investment and restart economic activity. The government's ability to manage the budget and fulfill predictions of 4% growth for 2001 will depend on a return to stability, a regaining of investor confidence, and the absence of international sanctions (which could cripple Fiji's sugar and textile industry).
Electricity - consumption 5.829 billion kWh (2002) 474.3 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 1.1 billion kWh (2002) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 2.7 billion kWh (2002) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 4.547 billion kWh (2002) 510 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
17.65%

hydro:
82.35%

nuclear:
0%

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


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

highest point:
Tomanivi 1,324 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, as well as 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 deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002) Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)
Exchange rates lati per US dollar - 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002), 0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000) Fijian dollars per US dollar - 2.1814 (January 2001), 2.1286 (2000), 1.9696 (1999), 1.9868 (1998), 1.4437 (1997), 1.4033 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December 2004)


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
note:
armed ethnic Fijian terrorists, led by George SPEIGHT stormed the Parliament building on 19 May 2000; ethnic Indo-Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra CHAUDHRY and his government were held hostage for 56 days; following the attempted coup, the Commander of the Fiji Military Forces, naval Commodore Frank BAINIMARAMA declared martial law and dissolved the government on 29 May 2000; an interim government, headed by interim Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE, was appointed to serve until a new constitution was initiated and subsequent elections held; in November 2000, Fiji's High Court upheld the 1997 constitution and ruled that Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA remained the president; Justice Anthony GATES concluded that MARA should recall the pre-May 19th Parliament and appoint a prime minister to form a new government; the Fiji Court of Appeals upheld GATES' decision on 1 March 2001; it ruled that the 1997 constitution had not been abrogated, Parliament had not been dissolved, only prorogued for six months, and that the presidency remained vacant since MARA's resignation took effect 15 December 2000; President Ratu Josefa ILOILO reinstated QARASE's interim government as the caretaker government and elections were scheduled for August 2001; approximately 23 fluid political parties are currently jockeying for power

chief of state:
President Ratu Josefa ILOILO (since NA 2000); Vice President Jope SENILOLI (since NA 2000)

head of government:
Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since NA 2000); Deputy Prime Minister Epeli NAILATIKAU (since NA 2000)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note -there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system

elections:
president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Ratu Josefa ILOILO elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%
Exports NA $537 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish
Exports - partners UK 12.8%, Germany 12%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 9.1%, Estonia 8%, Russia 6.4%, Denmark 5.4% (2004) Australia 33.1%, US 14.8%, UK 13.8%, other Pacific island countries 8.8%, NZ 4.5%, Japan 4.5% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
GDP - purchasing power parity - $5.9 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 4.4%


industry: 24.8%


services: 70.8% (2004 est.)
agriculture:
16%

industry:
30%

services:
54% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $7,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 7.6% (2004 est.) -8% (1999 est.)
Geographic coordinates 57 00 N, 25 00 E 18 00 S, 175 00 E
Geography - note most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited
Highways total: 60,472 km


paved: 57,206 km


unpaved: 3,265 km (2002)
total:
3,440 km

paved:
1,692 km

unpaved:
1,748 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; vulnerable to money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds -
Imports NA $653 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals
Imports - partners Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 12.2%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 7%, Finland 6.3%, Sweden 6.1%, Poland 5.4%, Belarus 4.8% (2004) Australia 41.9%, US 14%, NZ 13.3%, Japan 4.8%, Taiwan 1.9% (1999)
Independence 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) 10 October 1970 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 8.5% (2004 est.) 2.9% (1995)
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 tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries
Infant mortality rate total: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.55 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 6% (2004 est.) 0% (1999 est.)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ACP, AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (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.)
10 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)
Labor force 1.17 million (2004 est.) 235,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.) subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987)
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: 29.67%


permanent crops: 0.47%


other: 69.86% (2001)
arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
4%

permanent pastures:
10%

forests and woodland:
65%

other:
11% (1993 est.)
Languages Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census) English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Legal system based on civil law system based on British system
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 - JL 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, TP 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - JL 26, PCTVL 24, TP 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, nine appointed by the prime minister, eight appointed by the leader of the opposition, and one appointed by the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held 11 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)

election results:
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Fiji Labor Party 37, others 34
Life expectancy at birth total population: 71.05 years


male: 65.78 years


female: 76.6 years (2005 est.)
total population:
68.25 years

male:
65.83 years

female:
70.78 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:
91.6%

male:
93.8%

female:
89.3% (1995 est.)
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Europe Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT


by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1


registered in other countries: 86 (2005)
total:
6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,870 GRT/14,787 DWT

ships by type:
chemical tanker 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes ground and naval forces)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $87 million (FY01) $24 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY01) 1.1% (FY98)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
227,599 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
125,238 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
9,471 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 is the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Nationality noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
noun:
Fijian(s)

adjective:
Fijian
Natural hazards NA cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Natural resources peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Net migration rate -2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders First Party of Latvia or LPP [Juris LUJANS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Tatjana ZDANOKA, Jakovs PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; Harmony Center or SC [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS]; Latvian Green Party or LZP [Indulis EMSIS, Viesturs SILENIEKS, Raimonds VEJONIS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS]; New Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; People's Harmony Party or TSP [Aivars DATAVS]; People's Party or TP [Atis SLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS] Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; Fijian Nationalist Federation Party or NFP [Singh RAKKA]; Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA]; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Jai Ram REDDY]; United General Party or UGP [David PICKERING]
Political pressure groups and leaders Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV] NA
Population 2,290,237 (July 2005 est.) 844,330 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate -0.69% (2005 est.) 1.41% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Riga, Ventspils Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva
Radio broadcast stations AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 500,000 (1997)
Railways total: 2,303 km


broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)
total:
597 km; note - belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation

narrow gauge:
597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995)
Religions Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%

note:
Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens 21 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: country code - 371; international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
general assessment:
modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center

domestic:
NA

international:
access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 653,900 (2003) 72,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,219,600 (2003) 5,200 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995) NA
Terrain low plain mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Total fertility rate 1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.) 2.86 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.8% (2004 est.) 6% (1997 est.)
Waterways 300 km (2004) 203 km

note:
122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges
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