Formal Name: Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika).

Short Form: Latvia (Latvija).

Term for Citizen(s): Latvian(s).

Capital: Riga.

Date of Independence: During abortive Soviet coup, declared immediate full independence August 21, 1991 Soviet Union recognized it September 6, 1991. November 18, Independence Day, national holiday on this day in 1918, independent Republic of Latvia proclaimed.

Geography

Size: 64,589 square kilometers, slightly larger than West Virginia.

Topography: Undulating plains cover 75 percent of country. Forest 42 percent cultivable land 27 percent meadows and pastureland 13 percent peat bog, swamp, and marsh 10 percent and other 8 percent. Highest elevation 300 meters.

Climate: Temperate, with mild winters and cool summers. Average January temperatures range from -2.8° C in Liepaja to -6.6° C in Daugavpils average July temperatures range from 16.7° C in Liepaja to 17.6° C in Daugavpils. Frequent precipita-tion, averaging 180 days per year in Riga. Annual precipitation 500 to 700 millimeters.

Data as of January 1995