The Latvia , officially Republic of Latvia (in Latvian Latvijas Republika or simply Latvija ), is a country of Europe located on Eastern bank of the the Baltic. It is one of the three Baltic States, the country is bordered by the Lithuania in the South and by the Estonia in North. Latvia has also land borders in the East with the Russia and in South-east with the Bielorussia.

History

See also: History of Latvia, History of Courlande

From 13th until the 16th century, Latvia was the possession of the Prussian knights . At the 17th century, it was occupied by the Poland and the Sweden.

At the 18th century, Latvia became part of the Russian Empire (the province of Liflandie and Kurlandie). The traditional domination of the German great landowners and the German language were however preserved in the country.

During the civil war in Russia (1917-1922), the majority of Latvian military divisions (created during the First World War) fought on the side of the Bolchevik S against the Germany. It then acquires first once its independence in 1918.

At the time of the Second world war, it is initially invaded (at the same time as the two others Baltic States) by the Union of the Soviet socialist republics then occupied by the Germany Nazi, before being “released” in 1944 by the USSR which annexes it and makes a Soviet socialist republic of it.

Become again independent in 1991 like the Lithuania and the Estonia, Latvia does not adhere to CEI. Instead of that, the country chose an euro-Atlantic alliance and finally adhered to NATO in April 2004.

May 1st 2004, it as became member of the European Union at the same time as nine other countries.

Policy

See also: Political of Latvia

The Latvian Parliament, the Saeima , is Unicaméral and comprises 100 seats. He is elected by the universal direct suffrage every four years.

The president of the republic is elected by the deputies of the Saeima . The vote proceeds with secret bulletins and absolute (either 51 votes minimum out of 100). Its mandate is renewable once.

The president names a Prime Minister, who forms with his cabinet the Exécutif of the government.

Administrative divisions

See also: Rajons of Latvia

Latvia is divided into four historical areas which have also a secondary administrative value:

In addition to the above mentioned areas, Latvia is subdivided downtown 26 cantons (or districts, rajon in Latvian) and 7 with the special statute ( Lielpilseta ).

These entities themselves are divided downtown ( Pilseta ), communes ( Pagasts ) or communities of communes ( Novads ).

Each subdivision has a sphere of influence on the various aspects of the public service and perceives part of the income taxes paid by the people recorded in the subdivision.

Geography

See also: Geography of Latvia

Demography

See also: Demography of Latvia

Economy

See also: Economy of Latvia

Its currency, the lats, is related to the Euro within the framework of the Mécanisme of European foreign exchange rate (MCE II), since the May 2nd 2005.

Culture

See also: Culture of Latvia

Languages

Languages: Latvian (official), Russian.

In September 2006, the Saeima approved the bill aiming at making adhere the country to the International organization of the francophonie. Only 1 % of the population controls already French, but the people placed high (whose president, Vaira Vike-Freiberga) frequently uses it, and an evolution via the Enseignement thus remains envisaged. Latvia could thus become observant organization at the horizon 2008 at the top which will be taken place with Quebec (Canada).

Festivals and bank holidays

The names of Lieldienas and Ziemassvētki are originating in the Mythologie Latvian and taken again by the German missionaries at the time of christianization.

Other important days:

  • March 8th: Day of the woman
  • March 25th: Day of the deportation of 43000 Latvians towards the Gulag S of Siberia
  • June 14th: Soviet genocide in the night from June 13rd to 14th 1941
  • June 17th: Day of occupation Soviet 1940
  • July 4th: Day of the Jewish massacre in the synagog of the street Gogol in 1941
  • August 11th: Peace treaty of 1920 with Russia Bolshevik
  • September 6th: Day of the recognition by Moscow of the Republic of Latvia in 1991
  • August 23rd: Day of commemoration of the Pact Molotov-Ribbentrop
  • November 10th: Mārtiņdiena (St-Martin) which marks the beginning of the winter and the end of the hard season

Codes

Latvia has as codes:

See too

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