Country Facts
History: The Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918. It has been continuously recognized as a state by other countries since 1920 despite occupations by the Soviet Union (1940-1941, 1945-1991) and Nazi Germany (1941-1945). On August 21, 1991 Latvia declared the restoration of its de facto independence.
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Size: slightly larger than West Virginia
Population: 2,259,810 (July 2007 est.)
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
Ethinic Group: Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Language: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Literacy: 99.7%
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (December 2006 est.)
Government: parliamentary democracy
Economy (Agriculture & Industry):
Economy: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish, buses, vans, street and railroad cars; synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Currency: Latvian lat (LVL)
Culture
Food: The most popular foods are usually considerd to be caraway cheese, grey peas with bacon, bacon-filled pastries made from fermented dough and a special rye bread prepared according to ancient recipes. Rye bread is eaten almost every day by most of the population and can be bought in every shop. Caraway cheese is the most typical food of the summer solstice celebrations.
Sports: Basketball, field events, and swimming are all national interests in which Latvia has won Olympic medals and set records.
Arts: The most notable and distinguished Latvian author is Rainis, who penned a number of poetry collections and plays. Portrait and scenery painting in Latvia challenged the European continent, and raised the standard.
Holidays
• May 8: Crushing of Nazism / Commemoration of victims of WWII
• May 9: Europe Day
• September 1: Knowledge Day (first day of school)
• November 18: National Independence Day
• 1st Sunday in December: Commemoration day of victims of genocide against the Latvian people by the totalitarian communist regime.
Customs/Courtesies
Gender: Latvians have always respected equality in the issues involving gender. Women have been highly regarded in business and politics (note: in Latvia at the time of writing, The President of the Republic, the President (Chair) of the Parliament (Saeima), the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Culture are headed by women).
Religion: There are no taboos in matters of religion. Main religions are Lutheran and Roman Catholic, there are others equally respected. In general, religion is not a vital part of a person’s life in Latvia.
Class: There are no class distinctions of society in Latvia. There are individuals who believe that they belong to the "elite class", but it makes no difference in the workplaces.
Ethnicity: Ethnicity matters are somewhat important in Latvia due to the fact there is a large contingent of ethnic Russians who are not willing to accept the notion of a free and independent Republic of Latvia, the official language of which is Latvian. This is one area where discussions should be avoided.
Orphans and At-Risk Children
• The number of orphans is not reported by Latvian officials to agencies such as the United Nations and UNICEF.
• Violence, corruption, abuse, malnutrition and poverty are leadings problems that affect children.
• Many of the government orphanages are in need of drastic repair and improvements.
Buckner in Latvia
In 2004 Buckner received an invitation from Chuck Kelly Bridge Builders and the Latvian Parliament to visit several of the orphanages in the country. The teams also distributed humanitarian aid (including shoes) to the children living in these orphanages.
Buckner services and country support include:
• Foster family care centered in Jelgava.
• Funding for Liepaja foster care, kinship and adoptive parent support group.
• Follow-up programs in Lode, Jelgava City orphanages, “Piladzitis” and Liepaja Naval
Port.
• Orphanage improvements with “Teika” baby home in Riga, the Tervete orphanage
and Salvation Army’s orphanage in Riga.
• Humanitarian aid for children in orphanages and families that reside in old barracks and dilapidated housing on the Naval Port military base.
• Summer programs and Vacation Bible School for children living on the Naval Port
military base.
• Financial support for the only evangelical church on the Naval Port military base.
