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Compare Liechtenstein (2006) - Latvia (2006)

Compare Liechtenstein (2006) z Latvia (2006)

 Liechtenstein (2006)Latvia (2006)
 LiechtensteinLatvia
Administrative divisions 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz 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
Age structure 0-14 years: 17.4% (male 2,922/female 2,988)


15-64 years: 70.2% (male 11,842/female 12,022)


65 years and over: 12.4% (male 1,773/female 2,440) (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 14% (male 162,562/female 155,091)


15-64 years: 69.6% (male 769,004/female 815,042)


65 years and over: 16.4% (male 121,646/female 251,390) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports - 46 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 24


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 13 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 22


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 19 (2006)
Area total: 160 sq km


land: 160 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than West Virginia
Background The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. Shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. Liechtenstein has, however, implemented new anti-money-laundering legislation and recently concluded a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US. 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.
Birth rate 10.21 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $424.2 million


expenditures: $414.1 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $5.673 billion


expenditures: $5.889 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
Capital name: Vaduz


geographic coordinates: 47 09 N, 9 31 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
name: Riga


geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 E


time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 0 km (doubly landlocked) 531 km
Constitution 5 October 1921 15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented the constitution
Country name conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein


conventional short form: Liechtenstein


local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein


local short form: Liechtenstein
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia


conventional short form: Latvia


local long form: Latvijas Republika


local short form: Latvija


former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Death rate 7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 13.66 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $0 (2001) $10.8 billion (1 January 2006)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein 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
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE


chancery: 888 17th Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006


telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590


FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221
chief of mission: Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINS


chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840


FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
Disputes - international in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution of Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1945 as German property Russia refuses to sign the 1997 boundary treaty due to Latvian insistence on a unilateral clarificatory declaration referencing Soviet occupation of Latvia and territorial losses; Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; 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
Economic aid - recipient $0 $1.2 billion (2004-06)
Economy - overview Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. 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 deficit - 11.5% of GDP in 2005 - remains a major concern. A growing perception that many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the country's vibrant financial sector.
Electricity - consumption - 5.839 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports - 38 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports - 2.7 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production - 3.97 billion kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m


highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues NA 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
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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
Ethnic groups Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14% Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001) lati per US dollar - 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002), 0.6279 (2001)
Executive branch chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state


head of government: Head of Government Ottmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
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 (no term limits); 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
Exports $2.47 billion (1996) 0 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% (2004) Lithuania 11%, Estonia 10.8%, Germany 10.2%, UK 10.2%, Russia 7.9%, Sweden 7.8%, Denmark 5.3%, Poland 5.3% (2005)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 6% NA%


industry: 39%


services: 55% NA% (1999)
agriculture: 4%


industry: 26.1%


services: 69.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 11% (1999 est.) 10.2% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 16 N, 9 32 E 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 2.8%


highest 10%: 26.1% (1998)
Illicit drugs has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector 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; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
Imports $917.3 million (1996) 47,000 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners EU, Switzerland (2004) Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 13.6%, Russia 8.6%, Estonia 7.9%, Poland 6.4%, Finland 5.9%, Belarus 5.8%, Sweden 5.1% (2005)
Independence 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire) 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 5.6% (2005 est.)
Industries electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments 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
Infant mortality rate total: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.24 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
total: 9.35 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.31 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2001) 6.8% (2005 est.)
International organization participation CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 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 (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 29,500 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001) 1.11 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 2%


industry: 47%


services: 51% (31 December 2001)
agriculture: 15%


industry: 25%


services: 60% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries total: 76 km


border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
total: 1,368 km


border countries: Belarus 167 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 282 km
Land use arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75% (2005)
arable land: 28.19%


permanent crops: 0.45%


other: 71.36% (2005)
Languages German (official), Alemannic dialect Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Legal system local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by NA 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL 13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held October 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 7%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.68 years


male: 76.1 years


female: 83.28 years (2006 est.)
total population: 71.33 years


male: 66.08 years


female: 76.85 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 10 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Location Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Europe Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine - total: 21 ships (1000 GRT or over) 250,559 GRT/336,136 DWT


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


registered in other countries: 105 (Antigua and Barbuda 5, Bahamas 1, Belize 6, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 4, Dominica 1, Gibraltar 2, Liberia 14, Malta 40, Marshall Islands 7, Panama 3, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18) (2006)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Switzerland -
Military branches - Latvian Republic Defense Force: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze) (2005)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.2% (FY01)
National holiday Assumption Day, 15 August 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
Nationality noun: Liechtensteiner(s)


adjective: Liechtenstein
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards NA NA
Natural resources hydroelectric potential, arable land peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Net migration rate 4.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pipelines gas 20 km (2006) gas 1,097 km; oil 82 km; refined products 415 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Patriotic Union (was Fatherland Union) or VU [Adolf HEEB]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Otmar HASLER]; The Free List or FL 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 ZZS [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]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
Population 33,987 (July 2006 est.) 2,274,735 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% Below $2.15 per day (PPP): 3%
Population growth rate 0.78% (2006 est.) -0.67% (2006 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways 9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)


note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2006)
total: 2,303 km


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


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2005)
Religions Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
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 (2006 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: automatic telephone system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector, beginning in 2003; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as wireless telephony expands


domestic: two wireless service providers in addition to Lattelekom, the incumbent monopoly


international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use 19,900 (2002) 731,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 11,400 (2002) 1.872 million (2005)
Television broadcast stations NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third low plain
Total fertility rate 1.51 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.27 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.3% (September 2002) 7.5% (2005 est.)
Waterways 28 km (2005) 300 km (2005)
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