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Latvia TourLatvia is a Baltic state that regained its independence in 1991 with the break-up of the former Soviet Union. It is located in north-east Europe on the Baltic Sea and is sandwiched between ESTONIA and LITHUANIA. It has cool summers, wet summers and long, cold winters. Latvians traditionally lived by forestry, fishing and livestock rearing. The chief agricultural occupations are catle and dairy farming and the main crops grown are oats, barley, rye, potatoes and flax. Latvia's population is now over 70% urban and agriculture is no longer the mainstay of the economy. Cities such as Riga, the capital, Daugavpils, Ventspils and Liepaja now produce high quality textiles, machinery, electrical appliances, chemicals, furniture and foodstuffs. Latvia has extensive deposits of peat which is used to manufacture briquettes. It also has deposits of gypsum and in the coastal areas amber is frequently found. Latvia Tour Quick facts: Area : 64,589 sq km Population : 2,231,503 Capital: Riga Other major cities: Daugavpils, Rezekne, Sigulda, Ventspils, Jurmala, Cesis Form of government: parliamentary democracy Religion : Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% Currency: Lat (LVL)
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 Latvia Tour: Latvia - Fact and InfoGeographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E Area: 64,589 sq km Coastline: 498 km Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Population: 2,231,503 Ethnic groups: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% Religions: Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% Languages: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% Capital city: Riga National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918) Internet country code: .lv International Country Calling Code: 371 Currency: Lat (LVL) web sites: wikitravel.org/en/Latvia, www.latviatravel.com, www.answers.com/topic/latvia
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