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Compare Turks and Caicos Islands (2005) - Latvia (2004)

Compare Turks and Caicos Islands (2005) z Latvia (2004)

 Turks and Caicos Islands (2005)Latvia (2004)
 Turks and Caicos IslandsLatvia
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 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: 32.5% (male 3,396/female 3,277)


15-64 years: 63.8% (male 6,900/female 6,220)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 342/female 421) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 15% (male 177,223; female 169,241)


15-64 years: 69.2% (male 772,496; female 823,410)


65 years and over: 15.8% (male 118,035; female 245,901) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 8 (2004 est.) 51 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total: 27


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 16 (2003 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
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 (2003 est.)
Area total: 430 sq km


land: 430 sq km


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


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than West Virginia
Background The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. 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 22.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 8.87 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $47 million


expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1997-98 est.)
revenues: $3.691 billion


expenditures: $3.871 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
Capital Grand Turk Riga
Climate tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 389 km 531 km
Constitution introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988 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: none


conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia


conventional short form: Latvia


local long form: Latvijas Republika


local short form: Latvija


former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency - Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate 4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 13.73 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external NA $6.793 billion (2003 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) 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 none (overseas territory of the UK) 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
Disputes - international have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder 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
Economic aid - recipient $4.1 million (1997) $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. 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.
Electricity - consumption 4.65 million kWh (2002) 6.046 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 703 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 2.69 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 5 million kWh (2002) 4.365 billion kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater 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
Environment - international agreements - party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Ethnic groups black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10% Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Exchange rates the US dollar is used lati per US dollar - 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002), 0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000), 0.5852 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11 July 2005)


head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15 August 2003)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor
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
Exports NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners US, UK UK 15.6%, Germany 14.8%, Sweden 10.5%, Lithuania 8.2%, Estonia 6.6%, Denmark 6%, Russia 5.4% (2003)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP - purchasing power parity - $23.9 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 4.5%


industry: 24.5%


services: 70.9% (2003)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $10,200 (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.9% (2000 est.) 7.4% (2003 est.)
Geographic coordinates 21 45 N, 71 35 W 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note about 40 islands (eight inhabited) most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Highways total: 121 km


paved: 24 km


unpaved: 97 km (2000)
total: 73,202 km


paved: 28,256 km


unpaved: 44,946 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 2.9%


highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe 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, exchange firms, and the gaming industry; organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
Imports NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners US, UK Germany 16.1%, Lithuania 9.7%, Russia 8.7%, Finland 7.4%, Estonia 6.4%, Sweden 6.3%, Poland 5.1%, Italy 4.4% (2003)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 8% (2003 est.)
Industries tourism, offshore financial services 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: 15.67 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.11 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 9.67 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.45 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4% (1995) 2.9% (2003 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU 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, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land NA sq km 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.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 4,848 (1990 est.) 1.18 million (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 2.33%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.67% (2001)
arable land: 29.67%


permanent crops: 0.47%


other: 69.86% (2001)
Languages English (official) Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5
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
Life expectancy at birth total population: 74.51 years


male: 72.28 years


female: 76.84 years (2005 est.)
total population: 70.86 years


male: 65.91 years


female: 76.09 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 98%


male: 99%


female: 98% (1970 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive fishing 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: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT


by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea/passenger 1


foreign-owned: Germany 1, Greece 1, Ukraine 1


registered in other countries: 96 (2004 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.2% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 594,596 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 466,659 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 19,209 (2004 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) 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: none


adjective: none
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards frequent hurricanes NA
Natural resources spiny lobster, conch peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Net migration rate 11.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
People - note destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US -
Pipelines - gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK] Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; First Party of Latvia [Ainars SLESERS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS]; For Our Latvia or ML [Rihards Jablokovs]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [Jevgenijs Osiopovs]; Latvian National Front [Aivars GARDA]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Alfred RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC; Light of Latgale or LG; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; New Politics Party or JP [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS]; People's Harmony Party or TSP [Janis JURKANS]; People's Party or TP [Atis SLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Union for the Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK or TB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; United Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB) [Aleksandr KAZAKOV]
Population 20,556 (July 2005 est.) 2,306,306 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 2.9% (2005 est.) -0.71% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Grand Turk, Providenciales Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
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 (2003)
Religions Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 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 (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing


domestic: full range of services available


international: country code - 1-649; 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
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)
Telephones - main lines in use 5,700 (2002) 653,900 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,700 (1999) 1,219,600 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; 2 cable television networks) (2004) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps low plain
Total fertility rate 3.08 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.25 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 10% (1997 est.) 8.6% (2003 est.)
Waterways - 300 km (2004)
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