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).