Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
Jah-Jah.pl / Index countries / Namibia (2005) - Latvia (2008) / Compare countries
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Namibia (2005) - Latvia (2008)

Compare Namibia (2005) z Latvia (2008)

 Namibia (2005)Latvia (2008)
 NamibiaLatvia
Administrative divisions 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa 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: 38.7% (male 396,247/female 389,543)


15-64 years: 57.7% (male 586,900/female 584,779)


65 years and over: 3.6% (male 33,524/female 39,699) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 13.6% (male 157,451/female 150,184)


15-64 years: 69.6% (male 764,910/female 808,848)


65 years and over: 16.7% (male 123,952/female 254,465) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 136 (2004 est.) 42 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 21


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 13


914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)
total: 21


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 9 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 115


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 22


914 to 1,523 m: 71


under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)
total: 21


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 20 (2007)
Area total: 825,418 sq km


land: 825,418 sq km


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


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than half the size of Alaska slightly larger than West Virginia
Background South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia won its independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia 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 25.16 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 9.43 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.788 billion


expenditures: $1.956 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
revenues: $8.975 billion


expenditures: $8.88 billion (2007 est.)
Capital Windhoek 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 desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 1,572 km 498 km
Constitution ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990 15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Namibia


conventional short form: Namibia


former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
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 18.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 13.64 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $1.136 billion (2004 est.) $29.85 billion (30 June 2007)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Joyce BARR


embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek


mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek


telephone: [264] (61) 221601


FAX: [264] (61) 229792
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles LARSON Jr.


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 Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU


chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540


FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS


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


telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840


FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
Disputes - international border commission has yet to resolve small residual disputes with Botswana along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia, boundary in the river 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; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; 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 has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Economic aid - recipient ODA $160 million (2000 est.) $162 million (2004)
Economy - overview The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the great inequality of income distribution; nearly one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1,400 in constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign investment. Mining of zinc, copper, and silver and increased fish production led growth in 2003-04. Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07. 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 - more than 22% of GDP in 2007 - and inflation - at nearly 10% per year - remain major concerns.
Electricity - consumption 1.92 billion kWh (2002) 6.09 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 65 million kWh (2002) 707 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 900 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002) 2.855 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 1.167 billion kWh (2002) 4.778 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Galzina Kalns 312 m
Environment - current issues very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas 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: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected 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
Ethnic groups black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%


note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Exchange rates Namibian dollars per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000) lati per US dollar - 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006), 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 15 November 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)


election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - NA%
chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)


head of government: Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since 20 December 2007)


cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (next to be held 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament


election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Exports NA 6,765 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners EU 79%, US 4% (2001) Lithuania 14.2%, Estonia 12.3%, Russia 11.5%, Germany 9.8%, UK 7.6%, Sweden 6.3%, Denmark 4.8% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 11.3%


industry: 30.8%


services: 57.9% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 3.5%


industry: 21.3%


services: 75.2% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2004 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 4.8% (2004 est.) 10.3% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 00 S, 17 00 E 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Highways total: 42,237 km


paved: 5,406 km


unpaved: 36,831 km (2002)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 2.5%


highest 10%: 29.1% (2003)
Illicit drugs - transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; 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 NA 39,190 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners US 50%, EU 31% (2001) Germany 15.5%, Lithuania 12.9%, Russia 8%, Estonia 7.7%, Poland 7.2%, Finland 5.7%, Sweden 5%, Belarus 4.7% (2006)
Independence 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia)
Industrial production growth rate NA 5.9% (2007 est.)
Industries meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) 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: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 53 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 44.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 9.16 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.08 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.2% (2004 est.) 9.6% (2007 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land 70 sq km (1998 est.) 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 (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 840,000 (2004 est.) 1.136 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.) agriculture: 13%


industry: 19%


services: 68% (2005 est.)
Land boundaries total: 3,936 km


border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
total: 1,348 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 588 km, Russia 276 km
Land use arable land: 0.99%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.01% (2001)
arable land: 28.19%


permanent crops: 0.45%


other: 71.36% (2005)
Languages English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Legal system based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)


election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, UDF 3, MAG 1, other 4


note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in 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; note - seats by party as of February 2008 - TP 21, ZZS 17, SC 17, JL 14, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 6, independents 10
Life expectancy at birth total population: 43.93 years


male: 44.71 years


female: 43.13 years (2005 est.)
total population: 71.6 years


male: 66.39 years


female: 77.1 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 84%


male: 84.4%


female: 83.7% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.7%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.7% (2000 census)
Location Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Africa Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,265 GRT/3,605 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2005)
total: 22 ships (1000 GRT or over) 201,684 GRT/221,186 DWT


by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 2


foreign-owned: 1 (Estonia 1)


registered in other countries: 122 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Belize 14, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 1, Dominica 2, Jamaica 2, Liberia 15, Malta 36, Marshall Islands 10, Panama 5, Russia 2, St Kitts and Nevis 4, St Vincent and The Grenadines 20) (2007)
Military branches Namibian Defense Force: Army (includes Air Wing), Navy, Police Latvian Republic Defense Force: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Spelki), Border Guard, Latvian Home Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2007)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $168.4 million (2004) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.1% (2004) 1.2% (2005 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Namibian(s)


adjective: Namibian
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards prolonged periods of drought NA
Natural resources diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish


note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Net migration rate 0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines - gas 948 km; oil 82 km; refined products 415 km (2007)
Political parties and leaders Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars GODMANIS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Janis URBANOVICS, Nils USAKOVS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; New Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE, Krisjanis KARINS]; People's Party or TP [Aigars KALVITIS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
Population 2,030,692


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)
2,259,810 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 50% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 0.73% (2005 est.) -0.648% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Luderitz, Walvis Bay -
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways total: 2,382 km


narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)
total: 2,303 km


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


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2006)
Religions Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.048 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.946 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.487 male(s)/female


total population: 0.862 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons


domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital


international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)
general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as wireless telephony expands


domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100 persons


international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use 127,400 (2003) 657,400 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 223,700 (2003) 2.184 million (2006)
Television broadcast stations 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east low plain
Total fertility rate 3.18 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.28 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 35% (1998) 5.9% (2007 est.)
Waterways - 300 km (2006)
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.