Name of country: Republic of Latvia Country code: LV Size of Area: 64 589 km2 Population (at the beginning of 2009): 2,261 million Capital City: Riga (approx 719.000 inhabitants) Ethnic Composition (beginning of 2008): 59.3% Latvian, 27.8% Russian, 3.6% Belarusian, 2.5% Ukrainian, 2.4% Polish, 1.3% Lithuanian, 0.4% Jewish, 2.7% other nationalities Language: Latvian (official); Russian, English and German are also widely spoken Political system: Republic, parliamentary democracy Head of State: President Mr Valdis Zatlers (elected in 2007 by Parliament for a four-year term) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mr Valdis Dombrovskis Political Parties: People's Party (Tautas partija) - 18, Greens and Farmers Union (Zaļo un Zemnieku savienība) - 17, New Era (Jaunais laiks) - 15 seats, Concord Centre (Saskaņas Centrs) - 18; Latvia’s First Party/Latvia`s Way (Latvijas Pirmā partija/Latvijas Ceļš) - 10, For Fatherland and Freedom (Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK) - 5, For Human Rights in a United Latvia (Par cilvēka tiesībām vienotā Latvijā ) - 5, Civic Union (Pilsoniskā Savienība) - 7. Membership in International Organizations: Member of NATO since 2004; Member of WTO since 1998 EU Membership Since 2004
About Latvia generally
