Latvia - Key Facts
Facts about Latvia
| Capital: | Rīga |
| Population: | 2.26 million (July 2007 est.) Population growth rate: -0.648% (2007 est.) |
| Total area: | 64,589 km2 |
| Languages: | Latvian (native, official language), Russian, English widely spoken (offcial supported language by EU treaty) |
| Independence: | first modern Independence: 19 November 1918 second Restoration of Independence: 21 August 1991 |
| Currency: | Lat (LVL, Ls) - About USD $2.05, GBP £1.08 (Feb 2008) |
| Weights and Measures: | International Metric System |
| Time: | GMT +2 |
| Voltage: | 220 V, 50 Hz |
| History: | Occupied variously by the German, Polish, Swedish and Russian Empires from the 1200's through 1991. |
Additional information
| Membership in official organizations: | European Union, NATO, UN, Council of Europe, WTO, OSCE, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. |
International environmental agreements: | Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands |
Distances: | Rīga is 360 km from Helsinki, 430 km from Stockholm, 540 km from Warsaw, 840 km from Berlin, and 850 km from Moscow. |
| Borders: | Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia |
| Ethnic composition | Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2.0% (2002 est.) |
| Religions: | Evangelic Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox. |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 15% (male 177,223; female 169,241) |
| Climate: | Latvia is moderately continental with rather mild winters. Average temperatures: July + 21 C, February - 5 C, although several days in winter can be really cold, down to - 35 C. |
Practical information for students
- In most colleges and universities, the official teaching language is Latvian, but individual study courses are available also in Russian, German and English. (workpermit.com has ONLY listed courses and programmes available in English).
- Foreign students can take Latvian language courses for foreigners offered by many universities. It may make your stay in Latvia easier and more enjoyable if you enroll in Latvian courses, even if your course is in English.
- It is necessary to apply for residence permit at the Department of Migration and Citizenship if study period exceeds 3 months. All information about necessary documents will be provided by workpermit.com
- Health care. It is required that foreigners have medical insurance to obtain a visa; it is advisible to do so before arrival in Latvia. Several state and private hospitals will take care of you if there is an emergency, whether you have insurance or not.
- There are several student hostels in Rīga, but places are limited and have to be booked well in advance. workpermit.com can put you in touch with private agencies that will also help you find a private apartment, if you prefer.
Average cost of living for students
| Rent of apartment (2 rooms, 45 - 60 square meters) | $800-1000/month |
| Rent of single room (15 - 25 square meters) | $200-400/month |
| Student hostel | $10-20/day |
| Food | $300-500/month |
| Lunch in a university cafeteria | $4-8 |
| Meal in restaurant (drinks not included) | $10-30 |
| Teaching materials, copying | $100-200/month |
| Public transport card | $15-75/month (student discount available) |
| One ticket (tram, bus, trolley) | $0.80-1.00 |
| Telephone | $50-100/month |
| Theatre ticket | $45-80 (student discount available) |
| Concert ticket | $30-80 (student discount available) |
| Cinema ticket | $5-8 |
| Nightclub entrance | $10-50 |