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, 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 |
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Capital city > Geographic coordinates
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56 57 N, 24 06 E |
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Definition: Government > Capital city > Geographic coordinates |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Constitution
15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since |
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Definition: Government > Constitution |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Corruption
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4.2 |
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[53rd of 160]
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Definition: Government > Corruption |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723 |
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Definition: Government > Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address |
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Source: Transparency International |
Executive branch > Cabinet
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament |
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Definition: Government > Executive branch > Cabinet |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Executive branch > Chief of state
President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007) |
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Definition: Government > Executive branch > Chief of state |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Flag description
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon |
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Definition: Government > Flag description |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Government type
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parliamentary democracy |
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Definition: Government > Government type |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Independence
18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia) |
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Definition: Government > Independence |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament) |
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Definition: Government > Judicial branch |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Legal system
based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Definition: Government > Legal system |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms) |
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Definition: Government > Legislative branch |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Parliamentary seats > Female
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17% |
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[31st of 143]
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Definition: Government > Parliamentary seats > Female |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Political parties and leaders
First Party of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars GODMANIS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS]; Harmony Center or SC [Janis URBANOVICS, Nils USAKOVS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP [Alfreds RUBIKS]; New Democrats or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE, Krisjanis KARINS]; People's Party or TP [Aigars KALVITIS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS] |
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Definition: Government > Political parties and leaders |
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Source: United Nations World Statistics Pocketbook and Statistical Yearbook |
Status
democracy |
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Definition: Government > Status |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens |
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Definition: Government > Suffrage |
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Source: electionworld.org |
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Time required to start a business > days
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16 days
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[147th of 171]
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Definition: Government > Time required to start a business > days |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Trademarks, residents
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1,290
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[34th of 98]
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Definition: Government > Trademarks, residents |
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Source: World Development Indicators database |
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
Russia refuses to sign the 1997 boundary treaty due to Latvian insistence on a unilateral clarificatory declaration referencing Soviet occupation of Latvia and territorial losses; Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia |
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Definition: Government > Transnational Issues > Disputes > International |
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Source: World Development Indicators database |
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