deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.91 years
male: 60.84 years
female: 73.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%,
Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish 2.3%, other 4.2%
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 99%
Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Riga
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, Leipaja*,
Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons,
Ogres Rajons, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas
Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons,
Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
Constitution: newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933
constitution
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) was
elected by Parliament (Saeima) in the third round of balloting;
election last held 7 July 1993 (next to be held NA June 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Andris SKELE (since 21 December
1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime minister
and appointed by the Supreme Council
Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Saeima): elections last held 30 September-1 October 1995
(next to be held NA October 1998); results - Saimnieks 18%, LC 17%,
For Latvia 16%, TB 14%, LNNK 8%, Unity 8%, LSZ/LKDS 7%, Harmony 6%,
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