Low-income/ Luxury country

Bring your FDI to Latvia!

Latvia’s GDP per 1 inhabitant is one of the lowest in EU. Minimum salary is LVL 120,- (brutto) what leaves you about 84,- lats (about 120,- euros or 168,- dollars).

But don’t let the minimum salary to threaten you. There live a lot of millionaires. It’s really a country of contrast. In one street, even in one house you can find very poor and very rich people living near to each other.

Climate

The next thing what you have to know about country after geography is climate. Latvia’s inhabitants say that they can be proud of experiencing all four seasons in here. It’s true BUT, be aware that the longest season here is the sleety weather. Therefore take with you your umbrella, waterproof boots and a coat, also waterproof. The drivers on the cars use to drive in the puddles and slush water on people around. That season starts in October, November and lasts till April. In the middle of this period can be winter and snow, but not always. Although it can be very cold also when there is no snow at all. The lowest temperature can be about minus 30 degrees.

Summer can be very nice, but it’s very short also. It’s amazing but temperature in summer can be above plus 30 degrees.

I would say the weather is good for sales-people because you can sell products for every season.

Geography: killing one of old myths

It’s one of small country’s disasters that the other big part of world doesn’t know you.

Size: 64’589 km².

After Latvia gained its independence and started actively to use its name after long occupation years, the world seemed to be confused and time after time various persons were guessing in which part of Africa is Latvia.

Actually the country is a member of the European Union (EU) where is also 26 other countries. It means Latvia shares political system with such big countries as Germany or England.

Latvia is one of Baltic states (if you have heard such name). Baltic states are near the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea is in the north of Europe. The other countries that have access to the Baltic Sea are Lithuania and Estonia (the other Baltic states), Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia (including Kaliningrad).

Please distinguish the Baltic states one from another!

Fast facts, numbers:

If you need to find somebody, look in the website http://www.draugiem.lv, because there are registered almost 2 million persons.

Population: about 2.3 million.

In Latvia are 59% Latvians and 28.3% Russians (2007 data).

The official language is Latvian.

In Riga (the capital city) Latvians are not much.

What does it mean if number of those emigrated is two times the number of those who immigrated? It means that the world is very encouraging and welcomes us (Latvians) to stay with them:) (I would like to think so).