Flag Description

three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world; a medieval chronicle mentions a red standard with a white stripe being used by Latvian tribes in about 1280

Background:The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 28% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the eurozone in 2014.

Total Area: 64,589 sq km

Land Area:62,249 sq km

Water Area:2,340 sq km

Land Boundries Total:1,370 km

Border Countries:Belarus 161 km, Estonia 333 km, Lithuania 544 km, Russia 332 km

Coastline:498 km

Lowest Point:Baltic Sea 0 m

Highest Point:Gaizina Kalns 312 m

Population:2,165,165 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:-0.62% (2014 est.)

Religion:Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)

Literacy(%):0.998

Literacy(%) Male:0.998

Literacy(%) Female:99.8% (2011 est.)

Independence Day:4 May 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

National Holiday:Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union

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