LOCATION
"Latvia is situated in the Northern Europe. The west part of Latvia is washed by the Baltic sea. Latvia borders on Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, and Belorus. Our country is divided in 26 districts and 6 culture - historical regions - Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme, Zemgale, Augszeme un Lielriga."
Area: 64,589 sq. km. slightly larger than west virginia
Capital: Riga
Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy
Climate: Temperate, four seasons of almost equal length
Terrain: Fertile low-lying plains predominate in central Latvia, highlands in Vidzeme and Latgale to the east, and hilly moraine in the western Kurzeme region. Forests cover one-third of the country, with over 3,000 small lakes and numerous bogs. Although there are more than 12,000 rivers in the country, the only major waterways are the Daugava (Dvina) River, which flows through the center of the country and empties into the Gulf of RˆÆga, and the Gauja River, which rises in the Vidzeme Upland.
GDP (2006): $16.5 billion.
Annual growth rate (2006): 11.9%.
Annual inflation rate (2006): 6.8%.
Unemployment rate (2006): 6.5%.
Per capita Income (2005): $6,587.
Natural resources: Peat, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, timber.
Agriculture/forestry (4.0% of GDP): Products--cattle, dairy foods, cereals, potatoes, timber.
*All facts and information/facts/pictures used above are from: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5378.htm or http://www.tvnet.lv/guide2latvia/faq/#where