World Factbook
Latvia
Latvijas Republika
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon history: the flag is one of the older banners in the world -- a medieval chronicle mentions Latvian tribes using a red standard with a white stripe around 1280
Capital
name
Riga
etymology
the name's origin is unclear; it may derive from the Old Lithuanian word ringa , meaning "bend" or "curve" and referring to the city's location on the Western Dvina River; alternatively, it may come from the Latvian word ridzina , meaning "stream"
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
56 57 N, 24 06 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
several previous (pre-1991 independence); after independence was restored in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced on 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced on 6 July 1993
amendment process
proposed by two thirds of Parliament members or by petition of one tenth of qualified voters submitted through the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of three readings; amendment of constitutional articles, including national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires passage in a referendum by majority vote of at least one half of the electorate
Country name
former
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)
etymology
the name originates from the Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.)
local long form
Latvijas Republika
local short form
Latvija
conventional long form
Republic of Latvia
conventional short form
Latvia
Independence
18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
Legal system
civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
subordinate courts
district (city) and regional courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
chief of state
President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
election results
2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39 2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39
head of government
Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)
most recent election date
31 May 2023
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
note: 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union
National color(s)
maroon, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga
Political parties
For Stability or S! For Latvia's Development or LA Harmony or S Honor to Serve Riga! or GKR Latvia First or LPV National Alliance or NA New Unity or JV People. Land. Statehood. or TZV The Progressives or PRO Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS United List or AS We for Talsi and Municipality or MTuN
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
100 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament (Saeima)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/1/2022
expected date of next election
October 2026
percentage of women in chamber
31%
parties elected and seats per party
New Unity (VIENOTIBA) (26); Union of Farmers and Greens (ZZS) (16); United List - Latvian Green Party, Latvian Regional Alliance, Liepāja Party (15); National Alliance of All for Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK" (NA) (13); For Stability! (11); Progressives (10); Latvia First (9)
National anthem(s)
title
"Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
history
adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
lyrics/music
Karlis BAUMANIS
National symbol(s)
white wagtail (bird)
Administrative divisions
36 municipalities ( novadi , singular - novads ) and 7 state cities ( valstpilsetu pasvaldibas , singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba ) municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 328-2860
chancery
2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 328-2840
chief of mission
Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)
email address and website
embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[371] 6710-7050
embassy
1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510
telephone
[371] 6710-7000
mailing address
4520 Riga Place, Washington DC 20521-4520
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Julia JACOBY (since December 2025)
email address and website
askconsular-riga@state.gov https://lv.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction