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Latvia Geography
Latvia Geography: A summary of information about Latvia Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Latvia: Geography
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
