Latvia (October 2000): 2,414,106
Ethnic composition (1999): 55.7% Latvian, 32.3% Russian, 3.9% Belarusian, 2.9% Ukrainian, 2.2% Polish, 1.3% Lithuanian, 1.7% others.
Citizens: 1,789,089 (73.34% of total population)
Non-Citizens: 626,693 (25.69% of total population)
Foreigners: 23,662 (0.97% of total population)
Since the USSR's massive russification campaigns have left Latvians almost a minority in their own country, the authorities have granted citizenship to pre-war citizens and their descendants and to residents born in Latvia after independence. Non-citizens must pass language and history exams to become citizens.
Riga (December 1999): 796,732
Latvia is in the Eastern European Time Zone: GMT +2 hours. When it is noon in Riga it is: 11:00 in Paris, 10:00 in London, 05:00 in New York and 19:00 in Sydney.
Correct time: tel. (+371) 154 (Latvian), tel. (+371) 174 (Russian).
National Holiday:
January 1, 2001 New Year's Day
April 11, 2001 Good Friday (Liela Piektdiena)
April 13, 2001 Easter Sunday (Lieldienas)
April 14, 2001 Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day
May 13, 2001 Mother's Day
June 23 - 24 Midsummer celebrations (Ligo & Jani)
November 18 Independence day in 1918
December 24 - 26 Christmas (Ziemassvetki)
December 31 New Year's Eve
Climate:
In 1999 there were 1,987 hours of sunshine
Total Precipitation: 725mm
Temperatures in Riga (1999)
Annual average temperature +5.7°C
Maximum high +31.3°C (July)
Maximum low -18°C (Jan)
Average Monthly Temperatures(1999)
February ‘00 March '00 April '00 May '00 June '00 July '00
+0.1°C +0.9°C +9.4°C +10.9°C +13.9°C +15.7°C
August ‘00 September ‘00 October ‘00 November ‘00 December ‘00
+15.3°C +13.0°C +7.3°C +2.2°C -0.3°C
Language:
Latvian is an Indo-European language (not Slavic) just as old as Lithuanian. It has six declensions and a lot of funny accents. Even the most heavily accented and ungrammatical attempt to speak their language will please Latvians, who are prone to cheer your 'proficiency' and slam the Russians who 'have lived here for fifty years and still can't even say hello'.
Although the official language of the country is Latvian, you will very easily get around with a command of Russian, as over half of the population in Riga is Russian speaking and most Latvians do understand Russian. They will, however, avoid it, except to swear, because Russian curses are more colourful than Latvian. Older people often speak a fair bit of German, but most young Latvians are not shy to speak English!
Latvians reshape foreign names to fit their language and add an 's' to the end of all male names, i.e. Bils Klintons, Tonijs Blers and Gerhards Šroders. Females will get an 'a' or an 'e' on the end instead, as happened to Hilarija Klintone.
Alcohol:
Latvia has some of the worst rates of alcoholism in the world, but we hope you enjoy a drink in moderation while you're here. The most popular beer by far is Aldaris, but other good brews include Tervetes, Cesu, Piebalgas, and Uzavas from Ventspils, available on tap at Alus Seta (see Where to Eat). The Majas Alus (Home Beer) shop on Elizabetes 14, has all you need to make your own.
Latvijas Balzams produces a very wide selection of good local liquors. Try their Melnais Balzams (Black Balsam), a potent cure for stomach aches and hangovers. Be careful of kandza (traditional moonshine) in Latgale, though. The maximum permitted blood alcohol level when driving is 0.05%, and the police do check. Passengers, however, are allowed to drink in the car.
Customs:
Items made in Latvia over 50 years ago are subject to a 20% customs duty, while foreign items made more than 100 years ago face a 10% tax. Some European countries do not have to pay these taxes. For more information: Ministry of Culture, Valdemara 11a, tel. (+371) 722 79 16, fax (+371) 722 47 72. Open 08:30 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Electricity:
The electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Bring European plugs.
Health:
It's no longer a state secret how much Eastern Europe's pristine environment has been polluted over the past half century as a result of negligent Soviet industrialization policies. Latvia is by no means an exception. However, this devastating blow to the country's rivers, streams, and coastlines had a silver lining. Grassroots organisations, such as the Environmental Protection Club (VAK), protested these policies in the 1980s and put the first dent in the Soviet wall of oppression.
Many of the polluted areas of Latvia have been effectively cleaned up and are now safe for the public to enjoy.
Unfortunately, air quality in Riga is still not the best. Air pollution is at its worst during rush hour traffic in the morning and in the evening. The World Health Organisation has also listed Latvia as a hot zone for untreatable strains of tuberculosis. All tap water should be boiled before consumption. Water filters can be purchased at Brita in the Centrs shopping centre (see Shopping).
When visiting rural areas one should be aware that cases of tick-borne encephalitis have increased. We strongly advise vaccination against this disease.
Unfortunately, muggings have also been on the rise in Riga. Foreigners who enjoy a good pint and who frequent pubs and clubs should beware of any suspicious characters hanging around outside of bars and discos. After supporting the Latvian economy by buying beer and alcohol, some local expats have been rewarded by being beaten up and robbed. We hate to heap any extra pressure on the single male or female, but try to avoid going home unaccompanied.
Money:
The national currency, the lat (Ls), replaced the transitional Latvian rouble in April 1993. There are 100 santimi to the lat, with 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 santimi and 1 and 2 lat coins. Old 2Ls coins are slowly being replaced by larger, prettier coins with brass centres to thwart the efforts of local counterfeiters. Bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 lats. Due to an unrestricted influx of foreign currency, the lat has become one of the strongest monetary units in Europe.
As we go to press, one US dollar sells for 0.623Ls, one euro for 0.531Ls, one Deutschmark for 0.271Ls. Shopkeepers are wary of counterfeiting so don't take it personally if they scrutinize your proffered money (coins too!). There are currency exchange booths everywhere, offering better rates than the banks and accepting a wide range of foreign currencies.
Major hotels, restaurants and shops accept Visa, Euro-- and Mastercards, and occasionally Eurocheques. There are now numerous cash machines around town as well. American Express travellers' cheques can be cashed at many banks and at Latvia Tours.
Poverty:
In recent years there has been a visible increase in the number of beggars in Old Riga, who will even approach you while you are sitting in a restaurant or bar, though most of them stick to sitting on the ground. Keep wallets and valuables in inside pockets - there have been reports of thefts by nimble-fingered, scruffy children. Although some of these children are genuinely poor, some beg for money simply to get extra money for video games or occasionally to sniff glue. It is always advisable to avoid groups of youths who look like they have nothing to do.
Roads:
On roads you might encounter a combination of drunkards, cyclists, horse drawn carts, bricks, wood, and the occasional stray cat. Riga also has its fair share of potholes, uneven pavement and cobblestone streets.
Parking meters have sprung up all over the city. Parking cops will boot your car and demand a 5Ls fine on the spot. Driving into Old Riga will cost you a hefty 5Ls per hour from 09:00 to 20:00 and 3Ls for the rest of the night. The speed limit is 50km/h in towns, 90km/h on the open road and it is strictly enforced. Speed traps are prevalent and your driving license can be confiscated. The days of bribing traffic police are also coming to an end. The drink driving limit is at 0.05g/l or one big Aldaris.
Toilets:
Independence from the Soviet Union has not only brought prosperity to Latvia, but also better toilets. Long gone are the days when Old Riga sported only one restaurant with a modern toilet.
Unfortunately, the quality and cleanliness of public toilets around town and in the bus and train stations is still somewhat, well... deplorable. Cosmetically, they appear to be fine, but once inside, the one in need is usually faced with the infamous porcelain footprints separated by a hole in the floor. We suggest using the facilities at a restaurant or café even if it does cost you a cup of coffee. Men's facilities are designated with either a capital V for viriesi or a capital K for kungi, women's restrooms with either a capital S for sievietes or a capital D for damas
Market Values:
Here is a list of daily 'necessities', depending on the kind of day you're having.
1kg meat (beef) 1.95Ls (US$3.16)
1kg potatoes 0.12Ls (US$0.15)
10 eggs 0.60Ls (US$0.97)
Mars bar 0.23Ls (US$0.37)
McDonald's Big Mac 1.05Ls (US$1.70)
Loaf of white bread 0.20Ls (US$0.32)
Litre of vodka 5.15Ls (US$8.34)
Bottle of local beer (0.5 litre) 0.35Ls (US$0.57)
20 Marlboros 0.67Ls (US$1.09)
Top-class dinner for two 40Ls (US$64.92)
08/06/2001, 3:42 PM
pete
So many jokes.......
....where do i start.........? :D
09/06/2001, 11:27 AM
Éanna
Emmmm.............
............ don't you mean WHEN do we start?! I sense this could be quite some fun, specially as I'm missin the home leg over work:( :( :( :( :( :(
