• Latvia is a country in Northern Europe that borders Estonia and Lithuania. The capital of Lativa is Riga. The country regained it's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.BBC News: Country Profile: Latvia

  On January 20, 2009, Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and his administration resigned from control of the government, citing an untenable position. As the 2008 Financial Crisis spread throughout the globe, Latvia was forced to get a $9.5 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund in December. The country's economy is expected to shrink by 12 percent in 2009, while unemployment soars an additional 50 percent.BBC News: Latvian PM quits as crisis bites (February 20, 2009)

• 1. Independence declared: November 18, 1918BBC News: Country Profile: Latvia
  2. Capital: Riga, founded in 1201Europa: Latvia Facts
  3. Government: RepublicEuropa: Latvia Facts
  4. Major political parties: People's Party and the Union of Greens and Farmers
  5. Population: 2.3 millionEuropa: Latvia Facts
  6. Currency: LatsEuropa: Latvia Facts
  7. Official Language: LatvianEuropa: Latvia Facts
  8. 59% of the population is LatvianEuropa: Latvia Facts
  9. 29% of the population is RussianEuropa: Latvia Facts

• Financial Crisis

  Latvia experienced financial growth as late as 2006. However, the global economic crisis effected the small country, causing it to become the second European government to fall, following the collapse of Iceland. The gross domestic product (GDP) for the country fell 12 percent in the last quarter of 2008, and government officials speculate it could fall an additional 10 percent in 2009.BBC News: Latvian PM quits as crisis bites (February 20, 2009)

• Background

  The country has been populated since 9000 BC. Christian missionaries came in 1180. After World War I, Latvia was devastated and demands for self determination grew. On November 18, 1918 full independence was claimed.BBC News: Country Profile: Latvia

• Climate

  In Latvia, the winter season is extremely cold and hard. Summers are warm and the seasons of spring and fall are fairly mild. The month of August receives the most rainfall.

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