Geography of Latvia which Latvia contested after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Latvia encompasses 64,589 square kilometers and is an extension of the East European Plain. Its flat terrain differs little from that of its surrounding neighbors. Latvia's only distinct border is the Baltic Sea coast, which extends for 531 kilometers. Its neighbors include Lithuania on the south (453 kilometers of common border), Estonia on the north (267 kilometers), Russia on the east (217 kilometers), and Belarus on the southeast (141 kilometers). Prior to World War II, Latvia bordered eastern Poland, but as a result of boundary changes by the Soviet Union,
Economy of Latvia transition period. Latvia and the United States have signed treaties on investment, trade, and intellectual property protection and avoidance of double taxation. Average wages are higher in Riga and its surroundings and in Ventspils and its surroundings, with inland border regions lagging behind, With Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia, Latvia is considering participating in the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania to replace the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Latvia imports 100% of its natural gas from Russia. Household income or consumption by percentage share: <br>"lowest 10%:" 2.9% <br>"highest 10%:" 25.9% (1998) Industries: synthetic fibres, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed