Latvia

Official name: Republic of Latvia Political system: Parliamentary Republic Geographical location: in the North-Eastern Europe Area: 64,5 thousand sq. km Population: 2,34 million people (2002), Latvian - 57,8%, Russian - 29,5%, Belarussian - 4,1% Capital: Riga - 744,6 thousand people (2002) Major cities: Daugavpils - 117 thousand peopole, Liepaja - 97 thousand people (2000) Main languages: Latvian (official), Russian Religions: Lutherans, Catholics, Orthodox Climate: transitional from sea to continental Average temperature: -5C in February; +18C in July Monetary unit: lat Local time: standart time - GMT+2; summer time - GMT+3 National holidays: November, 18th - the Republic of Latvia Foundation Day (1918) Major tourist sights: Yurmala sea resort, Gauja national park; in Riga: Old Town, Dome Cathedral (13 century), St. Jacob's Church (13 century), Yan Church (13 century), Ordensky Castle (14 century), Sts. Peter and Pavel Church (18 century); Turayda Castle (13-14 centuries) in Sigulda; Castle (13-16 centuries) in Tsesis, Trisvienibas Churh (18 century) in Liepaja