Latvia is located in Northern Europe, and its capital is Riga. It has a population of approximately 1,866,124 and covers an area of about 64,590 km². Its official currency is the Euro (EUR).
What stands out
People & place
28.9 /km² across 64,590 km²
Latvia has a recorded population of 1,866,124 and a reported surface area of 64,590 km².
Economic snapshot
$43.68 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $43.68 billion and GDP per capita at $23,409 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Practical reference
Euro (EUR)
Latvia uses Euro (EUR), calling code +371, internet domain .lv.
About Latvia
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bounded to the southwest by Lithuania, to the southeast by Russia, to the northeast by Estonia, and to the west by the Baltic Sea. Latvia has a population of approximately 1.9 million people and its capital and largest city is Riga.
Latvia covers an area of about 64,589 square kilometres and features a mixed landscape of forests, loess plains, and bogs. The country has 15% of its territory under forest cover, and its climate is temperate with cold winters and mild summers.
Latvia has a rich cultural heritage that includes traditional folk music, the famous song and dance festivals, and a strong emphasis on literature and the arts. The Latvian language, a Baltic language, is the nation's official language, and many Latvians are bilingual in Russian and English.
Latvia's history dates back to the medieval period when it was inhabited by various Baltic tribes. It later became part of the Livonian Confederation and experienced Russian, German, and Swedish rule. Latvia declared independence in 1918, was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II, and then annexed by the Soviet Union, regaining independence in 1991. Today, Latvia is a member of the European Union and NATO.
Key facts
Population: 1.9 million
Official language: Latvian
Capital: Riga
Area: 64,589 sq km
Currency: Euro
Date of independence: 18 November 1918
Member of EU since 2004
Member of NATO since 2004
Time zone: UTC+2 (CET) + UTC+3 (CEST)
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Latvia has a recorded population of approximately 1,866,124 people.
How big is Latvia?
Latvia covers an area of about 64,590 km².
What is the population density of Latvia?
Latvia has a population density of roughly 28.9 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Latvia?
Latvia has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $43.68 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Latvia?
Latvia has a GDP per capita of approximately $23,409.
What currency is used in Latvia?
Latvia uses the Euro (EUR), with the symbol €.
Where is Latvia located?
Latvia is located in Northern Europe, Europe.
What is the native name of Latvia?
The native name of Latvia is Latvija.
What are people from Latvia called?
People from Latvia are referred to as Latvian.
What is the phone calling code for Latvia?
The international dialing code for Latvia is +371.
What is the internet domain for Latvia?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Latvia is .lv.
What time zone is Latvia in?
Latvia uses the Europe/Riga time zone.
What is Latvia known for?
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bounded to the southwest by Lithuania, to the southeast by Russia, to the northeast by Estonia, and to the west by the Baltic Sea. Latvia has a population of approximately 1.9 million people and its capital and largest city is Riga.
Northern Europe