| Official name | Latvijas Republika (Republic of Latvia) |
|---|---|
| Form of government | unitary multiparty republic with a single legislative body (Parliament, or Saeima [100]) |
| Chief of state | President |
| Head of government | Prime Minister |
| Capital | Riga |
| Official language | Latvian |
| Official religion | none |
| Monetary unit | lats (Ls; plural lati) |
| Population estimate | (2007) 2,274,000 |
| Total area (sq mi) | 24,938 |
| Total area (sq km) | 64,589 |
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![Castle ruins, c. 1209, Cesis, Latvia.[Credits : © W. Buss/DeA Picture Library]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/39/84839-003-491D6FA7.gif)
country of northeastern Europe and one of the Baltic states. Latvia, which was occupied and annexed by the U.S.S.R. in June 1940, declared its independence on Aug. 21, 1991. The U.S.S.R. recognized its sovereignty on September 6, and United Nations membership followed shortly thereafter. Latvia was admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004. The capital and chief city is Riga.
![[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/57/6257-003-8886E043.gif)
Latvia lies along the shores of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, and it is bounded by Estonia to the north, Russia to the east, Belarus to the southeast, and Lithuania to the south.
[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Castle-ruins-1209-Cesis-LatviaCastle ruins, c. 1209, Cesis, Latvia.[Credits : © W. Buss/DeA Picture Library]
[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
The-Amata-River-in-Gauja-National-Park-in-the-MiddleThe Amata River in Gauja National Park in the Middle Latvian Lowland.[Credits : © Mr. Janis Miglavs]
Sculptures-at-the-Salapils-Concentration-Camp-Memorial-near-Riga-LatviaSculptures at the Salapils Concentration Camp Memorial near Riga, Latvia, commemorate victims of …[Credits : Steve Raymer—Corbis]
The-Doma-Cathedral-St-Peters-Church-and-the-Anglican-Church(From left) The Doma Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, and the Anglican Church in Riga, Latvia.[Credits : Aigars Jansons—AFI/EPA/© 2006 European Community]
Skarnu-Street-in-Riga-Latvia-is-part-of-the-citysSkarnu Street in Riga, Latvia, is part of the city’s historic Old Town. St. John’s Church is at …[Credits : Connie Coleman—Stone/Getty Images]
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