Latvian SSR (TheodoresTomfooleries)

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Latvijas Padomju Sociālistiskā Republika (Latvian) Латвийская Советская Социалистическая Республика (Russian)
Flag State emblem
Motto: Visu zemju proletārieši, savienojieties! "Workers of the world, unite!"
Anthem: State Anthem of the Latvian SSR
Status	Internationally unrecognized territory occupied by the Soviet Union
Capital and largest city	Riga
Official languages	Latvian Russian
Recognised languages	Latgalian
Religion (2022)	70% No religion 30% Christianity
Demonym(s)	Latvian Soviet
Government	Unitary Marxist-Leninist one-party soviet socialist republic
• First Secretary & State Chairman	Alfrēds Rubiks
• Premier	Martijan Bekasovs
Legislature	Supreme Soviet
Area
• Total	64,589 km2 (24,938 sq mi)
Population
• 2024 estimate	2,750,814
• 2019 census	2,747,416
• Density	42.58/km2 (110.3/sq mi)
Currency	Soviet Ruble (SUR)
Date format	CE, mm dd yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+7
ISO 3166 code	LV
Internet TLD	.su

Latvia, officially the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, is a disputed constituent republic of the Soviet Union in the Baltic region. It is bordered by the Baltic sea to the west, Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, and Russia to the east. Riga, the republic's primate city, serves as its capital. Other cities of significance include Daugavpils, Liepāja and Jelgava.

The land that is now Latvia was settled by the Balts in the third millennium BCE, giving rise to various tribes that would become the Latvians. The Northern Crusades placed Latvia, as well as much of modern day Estonia, under the German-dominated Livonian Order; the influence which German settlers had on the country was felt for centuries. After the fall of the Livonian Order, Latvia fell under the control of various succeeding polities, more notably Sweden and Poland-Lithuania. Latvia fell under the control of the Russian Empire near the end of the 18th century. During its time in the Russian Empire, Latvian nationalism began to emerge, resulting in the country's declaration of independence in 1918. Latvia was occupied and then annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, followed briefly by a period of German occupation from 1941-1944.

Latvia's status as a republic of the Soviet Union is internationally disputed. The European Court of Human Rights, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United States and the European Union regard Latvia, along with Lithuania and Estonia, as being illegally occupied by the Soviet Union under the provisions of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The Republic of Latvia is recognized as the government of Latvia in exile.