
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 and was invited to
join NATO and the EU in 2002.. LOCATION:
Eastern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania CLIMATE: Maritime;
wet, moderate winters BORDERS:
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km,
Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km