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LATVIA |
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Last Updated: Monday 7 March 2005 National anthem |
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Latvia was first conquered and ruled by the Germans in the Middle Ages as the provinces of Courland and Livonia. Then came the Poles in the 16th century and the Swedes who obtained control of northern Livonia in the 17th century. In 1721 Peter the Great of Russia took northern Livonia from Sweden and by end 18th century Latvia was fully under Russian control. During World War I the Germans occupied all Latvia but it was reoccupied by Russian soviet forces until finally liberated on the 18th November, 1918 with the aid of joint British naval and German military forces. The country kept this independence till 1940 when the Red Army invaded and fully annexed Latvia to the Soviet Union. A German occupation throughout WWII followed, yet the Soviets reclaimed Latvia in 1944. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Latvia re-established its independence on the 21st August, 1991.
With a population of 2,350,000 the Latvian component consists only of 57.7% due to a low birthrate. Other populations are Russian at 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4% and others 2%. Religious affiliation is mainly Lutheran, but there are also Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox christians.
The Letts speak a language similar to the Lithuanian of their southern neighbours of the Baltic sub-group. Lithuanian and Lettish, or Latvian, are Baltic languages of the Balto-Slavic group consisting of Baltic and Slavic languages.
The 1922 independence constitution was supplemented by the Constitutional Law of 1991. The present constitution provides for basic rights and freedoms.
The president is elected by Parliament for a four year term. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga was first sworn to office on the 8th July, 1999 and was re-elected on the 20th June, 2003 with 88 out of 94 votes cast in parliament. The Saeima is a unicameral parliament having 100 seats. Its members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms. The minority coalition of Greens and the Farmers Union led by prime minister Indulis Emsis resigned in October 2004 after a draft budget for 2005 was thrown out of parliament. A new government is expected to be formed shortly.The capital is Riga. There are seven municipalities (Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils) and 26 counties or rajons: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgavas Rajons, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezeknes Rajons, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils Rajons. On the 1st May, 2004 Latvia joined the European Union. Bless Latvia, O God was written and set to music in 1873 by Karlis Baumanis (1834-1904). It soon became Latvia’s national anthem.Bless Latvia, O God Bless Latvia, O God, The green earth of our native land, Where Baltic heroes trod, Keep her from harm! Bless Latvia, O God, The green earth of our native land, Where Baltic heroes trod, Keep her from harm! Our lovely daughters appear Near to our singing sons, May Fortune here with her smile Be a grace unto Latvia! Our lovely daughters appear Near to our singing sons, May Fortune here with her smile Be a grace unto Latvia! Diena - daily newspaper in LatvianTelegraf - Russian-language newspaper Latvian Radio – public radio, operates four national networks BNS (Baltic News Service) - privately-owned news agency
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CONTACT US |
Þ victorcauchi@nextgen.net.mthttp://www.geocities.com/hashanayobel |
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