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Places in News: Latvia
Context:
- India has operationalised the new resident Mission in Riga, Latvia with effect from July 25, 2024.
- It will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations, enable the growth of bilateral trade, encourage investments and economic engagements, and strengthen sustained political outreach in multilateral fora.
Geography and Location:
- Location: Northeastern Europe, part of the Baltic states.
- Largest and most cosmopolitan city in the Baltic States.
- Borders: Estonia (north), Russia (east), Belarus (southeast), Lithuania (south).
- Capital: Riga
- UNESCO-listed Old Town, Art Nouveau architecture, host to international events (NATO summit, Eurovision Song Contest)
- Languages: Latvian (official), Livonian, Latgalian
- Russian-Speaking Population: Approximately 24%
- Government Type: Democratic parliamentary republic.
- Ethnic Groups: Predominantly ethnic Latvians (about 60%); significant Russian minority (about 25%); smaller groups of Belarusians, Ukrainians, Poles, and Lithuanians.
- Religion: Predominantly Christian (Lutheranism, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy), with about one-fourth of Latvians identifying as nonreligious.
Geographical Features:
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- Largest Lake: Lubāns.
- Deepest Lake: Drīdzis.
- Longest River (within Latvia): Gauja.
- Largest River (flowing through Latvia): Daugava.
- Highest Point: Gaiziņkalns.
- Climate Type: Temperate maritime.
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Political and Economic History:
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- Independence: Regained during the Soviet Union’s collapse
- EU and NATO Membership: Joined in 2004
- Schengen Area Member: Since 21 December 2007
- Currency: Euro (€) adopted in 2014
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Economic Transition:
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- Rapid shift to the free market since the early 1990s.
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