Latvia

Area: 64,589 sq km
Population: 2.38 million
People: Latvian 57%, Russian 30%, Belarusian 4%, Ukrainian 3%, Polish 3%, other 3%
Language: Latvian, Russian

Time: GMT/UTC +2
Dialling Code: 371
Electricity: 220V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

The Republic of Latvia is situated in north-eastern Europe. It is bordered by Estonia to the north, by Lithuania to the south and south-west, while on the east there is a frontier with the Russian Federation and to the south-east with Belarus. Latvia's terrintory consist of 64,000 sq. Km

 Climate

Owing to the influence of marine factors, the climate is relatively temperate but with considerable temperature variations. Summer is warm and relatively mild weather patterns exist in spring and autumn. Winter, which lasts from November to mid-March can be very cold.

Religion

Predominantly Protestant (Lutheran) with Roman Catholic in the East of the country. There is also a Russian Orthodox minority.

Official holidays

Money

Latvia Lati - 1,5 Euro (Feb.2004)

Average incomes (per month):

Secretary   - 225 Euro 

Accountant - 300-330 Euro 

Director of a company - 450-750 Euro 

Teacher - 150-180 Euro

Nurse - 150 Euro

Engineer - 225 Euro

Medical doctor - 300-500 Euro

Payment for kindergarten 37,5 Euro  per month

Cost of living for a woman with 1 child is around 300 Euro  per month.

Average prices in Latvia (Riga):

Bus ticket - 0,2 Ls (1 ls - 1,5 Euro)

Apartment (state utilities) - around 75-120 Euro per month

Rent of apartment 120-300 Euro  per month

Payment for telephone (subscriber's rental) 22,50 Euro  per month.

Internet - around 18 Euro per month

Internet-café  0,75 Euro per hour

Electricity - 22,50 Euro  per month (for the family - 2 persons)

Gasoline -  0,60 Euro per litre.

Some prices for food:

(1 ls - 1,5 Euro)

Milk 0,3 Ls

Bread 0,20-0,50 Ls

Meat 2-3 ls

Medical system:

The medical system is payable for adults, but free for children until 16 y.o.

First reception of patient:  1,5-4,5 Euro

Education in Latvia:

Education is free, but parents have to pay for food and some extra lessons or disciplines. They start to learn foreign languages from 1-4th grade.

70% of population speak Russian language.

Education is obligatory during 12 years.