| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | LVISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | LVAISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | RigaGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | EuropeGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | LatviaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Republic of LatviaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | LatvijaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| 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.)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Parliamentary republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| 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 UnionCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Edgars RINKEVICS (Pres.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | EURISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | EuroISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 43ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Aizkraukles novads / Alūksnes novads / Augšdaugavas novads / Balvu novads / Bauskas novads / Cēsu novads / Daugavpils / Dienvidkurzemes Novads / Dobeles novads / Gulbenes novads / Jelgava / Jelgavas novads / Jēkabpils novads / Jūrmala / Krāslavas novads / Kuldīgas novads / Liepāja / Limbažu novads / Ludzas novads / Līvānu novads / Madonas novads / Mārupes novads / Ogres novads / Olaines novads / Preiļu novads / Ropažu novads / Rēzekne / Rēzeknes novads / Rīga / Salaspils novads / Saldus novads / Saulkrastu novads / Siguldas novads / Smiltenes novads / Talsu novads / Tukuma novads / Valkas novads / Valmieras Novads / Varakļānu novads / Ventspils / Ventspils novads / Ādažu novads / Ķekavas novadsISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | white wagtail (bird)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia); lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS; history: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | maroon, whiteCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | 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 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
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.)
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
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
