Where are you based?

Asguard · Jun 24, 2002

do you guys make wine corks or do you just have lots lying around
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Ender · Jun 25, 2002

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Ender · Jun 25, 2002

oops!!!

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%BlueSoulRobot% · Jun 26, 2002

--Avatar--
Well, my Civics teacher said that everyone in Canada was an immigrant, because we all came from a different place. The only true "Canadians" would be the Natives, but then again, didn't they cross over on some ice bridge a long long time ago? *shrug*

But yeah, Canada needs more immigrants, 'cause of the aging baby boomer population and the fact that people are having less children to make up for it. And the fact that people get their education here (I have no idea why, they're all crazy, the system sucks), and then move to the US to get a job. So you see...yeah. Good way to end a sentence, eh? heh heh

Tyler · Jun 26, 2002

Least tolerant to immigrants? Who the hell said that?

We're one of the most multicultural nations on earth.

Avatar · Jun 26, 2002

from one book. it's a bit outdated though, was written in late 60s (i think) by one american writer. Arthur Haely (sp).

Tyler · Jun 27, 2002

Ah, well. All I can tell you is Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and Canada is one of the more multicultural nations.

%BlueSoulRobot% · Jun 29, 2002

Ditto

Yep, well-spoken Tyler
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Except for all the small towns in Canada, like those in the Maritimes, but I agree about the Toronto part. My school is pratically 65% Asian! *lol*

%BlueSoulRobot% · Jun 29, 2002

*practically (oops)

esp · Jun 29, 2002

Birthplace of the (oh so tired now) beatles, naval command port, old maritime port and candidate for european capital of culture Liverpool.

I was born in Fazakerly, a district of Liverpool and have spent all my life in the Liverpool postal area.

I live in South Liverpool, about 3 miles from the city centre.

Agent@5 · Jul 1, 2002

A U S T R A L I A MAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

not that I am defind by my geodgraphical status of course lol!!!

Gifted · Jul 3, 2002

United States Air Forces in Europe. In Germany, will change in about a year and a half.

%BlueSoulRobot% · Jul 7, 2002

Looking at the results...

Awww..only 4 Canadians?

Avatar · Jul 7, 2002

what are you whining about.
only 1 latvian
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:bugeye: .... and it's me.
ok then there is also nrds - he's lithuanian.

Xev · Jul 7, 2002

Awwwww......don't be sad Avatar. You're a great representation of Latvia.

Since I am American, I used to think that Latvia was a kind of cheese (well, okay, I knew it was a country in northern europe)

Here's what I know about Latvia:

Country in northern europe next to Russia and Estonia
Invaded by USSR in 40s, became free when the SU collapsed
Democracy
Avatar lives there

But now, thanks to the CIA Factbook I know so much more!

Latvia
Introduction
Top of Page

Background:
After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.

Latvia
Geography
Top of Page

Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Geographic coordinates:
57 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 64,589 sq km

land: 64,589 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries:
total: 1,150 km

border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km

Coastline:
531 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters

Terrain:
low plain

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Natural resources:
minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land

Land use:
arable land: 27%

permanent crops: 0%

permanent pastures: 13%

forests and woodland: 46%

other: 14% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:
160 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:
NA

Environment - current issues:
air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:
most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east

Latvia
People
Top of Page

Population:
2,385,231 (July 2001 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036)

15-64 years: 68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908)

65 years and over: 15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)

Population growth rate:
-0.81% (2001 est.)

Birth rate:
8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate:
14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net migration rate:
-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.7 years

male: 62.8 years

female: 74.9 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate:
1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.11% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,250 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 100 (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)

adjective: Latvian

Ethnic groups:
Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%

Religions:
Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Languages:
Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 99% (1989 est.)

Latvia
Government
Top of Page

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia

conventional short form: Latvia

local long form: Latvijas Republika

local short form: Latvija

former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:
parliamentary democracy

Capital:
Riga

Administrative divisions:
26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Independence:
18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Constitution:
the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms

Legal system:
based on civil law system

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE- FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%

Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002)

election results: percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)

Political parties and leaders:
Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS

chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James H. HOLMES

embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510

mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

telephone: [371] 721-0005

FAX: [371] 782-0047

Flag description:
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon

Latvia
Economy
Top of Page

Economy - overview:
In 2000, Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%

industry: 33%

services: 62% (1999)

Population below poverty line:
NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2000)

Labor force:
1.4 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:
7.8% (2000 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $1.33 billion

expenditures: $1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

Industries:
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, raw materials, and intermediate products

Industrial production growth rate:
6.3% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:
3.996 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 31.78%

hydro: 68.22%

nuclear: 0%

other: 0% (1999)

Electricity - consumption:
4.316 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports:
400 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports:
1 billion kWh (1999)

Agriculture - products:
grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish

Exports:
$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities:
wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs

Exports - partners:
Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999)

Imports:
$3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels

Imports - partners:
Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999)

Debt - external:
$800 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$96.2 million (1995)

Currency:
Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency code:
LVL

Exchange rates:
lati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Latvia
Communications
Top of Page

Telephones - main lines in use:
748,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
77,100 (1997)

Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use

domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications

international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:
1.76 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:
1.22 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.lv

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
42 (2000)

Internet users:
234,000 (2000)

Latvia
Transportation
Top of Page

Railways:
total: 2,412 km

broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2001)

Highways:
total: 59,178 km

paved: 22,843 km

unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)

Waterways:
300 km (perennially navigable)

Pipelines:
crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)

Ports and harbors:
Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils

Merchant marine:
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWT

ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)

Airports:
25 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 4 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 12

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 7 (2000 est.)

Latvia
Military
Top of Page

Military branches:
Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)

Military manpower - military age:
18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 590,784 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 463,944 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 19,114 (2001 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$60 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.9% (FY99)

Latvia
Transnational Issues
Top of Page

Disputes - international:
draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)

Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export
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Groovy country. You're a lucky man, Avatar.
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Avatar · Jul 7, 2002

Thanks Xev
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,
Here's the first things which come in mind when I think of the USA.

In the west over the atlantic ocean, big, boundries with canada and mexico.
First europeans in 1492.
first Vikings - the end of the 8th century
Heavy population of christians and us claims itself to be a christian country.Clinton was better than Bush.

and much more, but you know it already.

btw, I saw a programm about some russian journalists in Afghanistan. It was when US started the first strikes.
One of the locals of that village admited they have no idea where US is, just in some far away land in the west. and evil people live there
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cheers!

Joeman · Jul 7, 2002

Interesting..... I guess your country could use some nuclear power instead of burning fossil fuels.

Avatar · Jul 7, 2002

no way Nuclear.
We have 250 rivers. most of them can be used for hidroelectrical purposes. We can supply us with electroenergy with water turbines only if needed, only they are very expensive to build in the first place.
I hate that our polititians can not think in a long term

Gifted · Jul 8, 2002

Next time, please put a link to the information, that post is like 90% of this page.

Avatar · Jul 8, 2002

does it bother you.
sdvice- don't teach others how to live.........or post.
often it's unhealthy.......especially with the ones like Xev
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