Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/LATVIA.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 4KB | 72 lines

Latvia - Consular Information Sheet
June 22, 1994

Country Description:  Latvia is a nation in the midst of economic
transition.  Tourist facilities are developing; however, many of the goods
and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available
outside Riga.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required.  The Latvian Embassy
recommends that travelers obtain a visa in advance from the Latvian Embassy
at 4325 17th Street, Washington, D.C. 20011, tel. [phone].  It is
also possible to obtain single-entry visas upon arrival at seaports of entry
and at Riga International Airport.  Latvian visas are valid for entry to
Estonia and Lithuania, and visas issued by Estonia or Lithuania are likewise
valid for entry to Latvia.  Travelers who plan to enter Russia, even in
transit, will also need a Russian visa.  While there is a Russian Embassy in
Riga that issues visas, some travelers have found it difficult or impossible
to produce all the documentation necessary to obtain a Russian visa in
Latvia.  Russian visas obtained on short notice are twice as expensive.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Latvia is limited.  There is a severe
shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles,
anesthetics, and antibiotics.  Elderly travelers and those with existing
health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health
services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United
States.  Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical
insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  The U.S.
Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking physicians in the area.
Incidents of encephalitis and lyme disease, which are spread by ticks, have
been reported.  Outbreaks of diphtheria occurred in Latvia during the winter
of 1993-94.  Up-to-date vaccinations for diphtheria are recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Further information on health matters
can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international
travelers hotline, tel: [phone].

Crime Information:  Latvia has a relatively high rate of crime.  Street
crime has increased, especially at night.  Robberies have occurred on trains
and in train stations.  Burglaries of apartments and houses are common.  The
same precautions taken in an unfamiliar U.S. urban center are useful in
Latvia as well.  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be
reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides
useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security
while traveling abroad.  This publication is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington
D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations:  Latvia has a freely convertible permanent currency
(Latvian lat).  Travelers checks and credit cards are accepted at major
hotels and restaurants.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences
and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy may obtain updated information on travel and security within Latvia.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia, is located at Raina
Boulevard 7; telephone [phone].

No. 94-101

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 6, 1993, to change
information concerning entry requirements, describe the increase in crime,
report on new medical warnings, and update currency regulations.