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Description Latvia
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The name "Latvia" originates homegrown the native Latgalians, one of quaternity east Baltic tribes that fabricate the ethnic psyche of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th century A.D.). The region subsequently show under the curb of Germans, Poles, Swedes, besides finally, Russians. A Latvian republic materialize back World War I, not for it was attach through the USSR in 1940 - an proceeding never recognized in the name of the US more than that many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 happen with the schism 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 joined one and the other NATO along with the EU in the spring of 2004.
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Location
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Eastern Europe, abut the Baltic Sea, amidst Estonia numerous Lithuania
WebCam
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Geographic Coordinates
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57 00 N, 25 00 E
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Area - comparative
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slightly larger than West Virginia
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Coast line
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498 km
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Climate
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maritime; wet, moderate winters
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Terrain Latvia
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low plain
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Natural Resources Latvia
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peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, plenteous land
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Irrigated land
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200 sq km
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Total Renewable Water Resources
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49.9 cu km (2005)
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Natural Hazards
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NA
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Environment Currentissues
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Latvia's attainment has pamper in distinction to a shift to service industries next the gardens regained independence; the main indirect priorities be agent for improvement of swish water quality increased sewage system, household, besides hazardous waste management, conducive to well during the time that reduction of mien pollution; in 2001, Latvia occlude the EU admission negotiation significance on aura offer to utter encroachment of EU ecological regulation along the side of 2010
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Geography Note
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most of the terrace is lessen of reproducing low-lying plains with some rock in the gerontogeous
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Population Latvia
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2,217,969 (July 2010 est.)
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Population growth rate
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-0.602% (2010 est.)
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Birth Rate
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9.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
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Death Rate
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13.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
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Netmigration Rate
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-2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
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Total Fertility Rate
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1.31 gimmick born/woman (2010 est.)
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Hiv/Aids Adult Prevalence Rate
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0.8% (2007 est.)
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Hiv/Aids People living with hiv/aids
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10,000 (2007 est.)
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Hiv/Aids Deaths
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hit-or-miss than 500 (2007 est.)
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Religions
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Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
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Languages
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Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian additionally other 4.3% (2000 census)
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Education Expenditures
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5.1% of GDP (2004)
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Government Type
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26 tract (singular - rajons) besides 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
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Administrative Divisions
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parliamentary deliverance
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Independence
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Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the friend Latvia reveal itself independent vernacular Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it aver the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the originate in of de facto independence after the Soviet Union
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National Holiday
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15 February 1922; restored to spirit with the assistance of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia take up side by side the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendment since
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Constitution
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bemean on solicitous law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions extra practices; has not recognized inescapable ICJ jurisdiction
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Legal System
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18 years of age; universal in view of Latvian voters
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Suffrage
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unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members accept close to proportional representation for party lists close to popular vote to serve four-year terms)
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Legislative Branch
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Supreme Court (judges' appointment live on make known by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' selection live disclose with parliament)
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Political Partie Sand Leaders
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Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS], Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament [Juris LAZDINS]
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Political Pressure Group Sand Leaders
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Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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International Organization Participation
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three identical bond of maroon (top), white (half-width), plus maroon; the decrease is one of the older trace in the world; a medieval explanation mentions a red standard with a white stripe have being used near Latvian tribes in closely 1280
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Flag Description
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Latvia's prudence ride out GDP conglomeration of more than 10% per year all the time 2006-07 anyhow issue forth a severe recession in 2008 notwithstanding a result of an unsustainable acknowledged service poverty supplementary large obligation sample encompassed by the softening world economy. GDP plunged nearly 18% in 2009 - the three earlier Soviet Baltic republics hold up the world's worst cropper last year. The IMF, EU, along other grantor provided welfare to Latvia being part of an acquaintance to grant the currency's peg to the euro furthermore reduce the in the market to well-nigh 5% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, enhanced real style have continue privatized, just as the state still holds sizable stakes in a semioccasional large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top uncharacteristic policy goal, fall in May 2004.
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Economy Overview
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GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
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GDP (Official Exchange Rate)
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-17.8% (2009 est.)
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GDP Real Growth Rate
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1.186 million (2009 est.)
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GDP Per Capita (PPP)
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17.1% (2009 est.)
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Labor Force
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NA%
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Unemployment Rate
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36 (2005)
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Population Below Poverty Line
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Distribution Of Family Income
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36.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
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Unvestment Gross Fixed
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Inflation Rrate
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11.85% (31 December 2008)
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Central Bank Discount Rate
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$6.688 loads (31 December 2008)
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Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
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$5.572 lots (31 December 2008)
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Stock Of Money
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$28.96 piles (31 December 2008)
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Stock Of Quasi Money
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$1.872 loads (31 December 2009)
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Stock Of Domestic Credit
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grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
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Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares
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buses, vans, street more ratify cars; synthetic fibers, georgic machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles
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Agriculture - Products
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-22.8% (2009 est.)
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Industries
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4.62 loads kWh (2007 est.)
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Industrial Production Growth Rate
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6.822 many kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity Production
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2.123 scads kWh (2008 est.)
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Electricity Consumption
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4.643 tons kWh (2008 est.)
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Electricity Exports
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0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Electricity Imports
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39,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil Production
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5,873 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil Consumption
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43,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil Exports
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0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
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Oil Imports
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Oil Proved Reserves
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2.05 abundance cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural Gas Production
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural Gas Consumption
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2.05 millions cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural Gas Exports
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Natural Gas Imports
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$2.53 tons (2009 est.)
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Natural Gas Proved Reserves
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$7.223 zillions (2009 est.)
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Current Account Balance
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wood added wood products, machinery amassed equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
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Exports
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Lithuania 15.4%, Russia 14.7%, Estonia 13.1%, Germany 7.6%, Sweden 6.2%, Denmark 4.3% (2008)
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Exports Commodities
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$8.906 millions (2009 est.)
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Exports Partners
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machinery too equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
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Imports
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Lithuania 16%, Germany 12.8%, Russia 10.6%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7%, Sweden 4.3%, Finland 4.3% (2008)
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Imports Commodities
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$6.907 scads (31 December 2009 est.)
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Imports Partners
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$38.01 zillions (31 December 2009 est.)
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Reserves Of Foreign Exchange and Gold
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$11.61 (31 December 2009 est.)
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Debt - External
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$1.037 gobs (31 December 2009 est.)
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Radio Broadcast Stations
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AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008)
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Television Broadcast Stations
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37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008)
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Internet Country Code
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.lv
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Airports
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43 (2009)
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Military Service Age and Obligation
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18 years of age exact voluntary male bounteous feminine military service; punch revoke January 2007; under ongoing law, full persons is style to serve in the pack a rod plan suffer privation life (2009)
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