Europe's North East, on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Estonia borders Latvia to the north, Lithuania borders Latvia to the South with Belarus to the South East and Russia to the East.
Area
Total: 64 100 km2
Land: 64 100 km2
Comparative area: slightly larger than West
Virginia and smaller than Ireland
Boundaries
Total: 1 078 km
Estonia in the
North: 267 km
Russia in the
East: 217 km
Belorus in the
South-East: 141 km
Lithuania in
the South: 453 km
Largest Cities and Populations
Riga (874 100), Daugavpils (122 000), Liepaja
(104 600), Jelgava (71 300),
Jurmala (59 600), Ventspils (47 500), Rezekne
(42 300), Jekabpils (29 100).
Climate
Maritime; temperature in summer 20-28°C; wet, moderate winters, temperatures around 0°C.
Forests
Total area: 26 000 km2 (40% country's
territory)
Coniferous forests: 67% (mainly pine)
Foliage forests: 33% (mainly birch)
Main species: pine, birch, fir, oak,
asp, ash, lime, alder, maple, elm, yew, willow, juniper
Not all of the forests are used industrially, leaving the underwood and the soil in these areas in more natural, untouched state compared to some other parts of Europe.
Natural resources
Minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite.
The economic crisis in the post-communist society has lead to substantial
improvement of ecological situation. During the last five to six years,
use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture has decreased 70%, use of pesticides
has decreased 90%.
This site was created by MBA students at the American University in
Washington, DC.
Fall 1999
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