LaSSR

Latvian SSR was Soviet republic 1940-1991, capital Riga. Baltic republic, one of 15 SSRs, annexed 1940. Known for Baltic coast, forests, Riga electronics, RAF minibuses, ports Ventspils Liepaja, dairy. Population 2.66M in 1989, mostly Latvians and Russians. Soviet rule brought collectivization, Russification, deportations 1941 and 1949, heavy industry, military bases. Voted independent 1991 after singing revolution barricades. After collapse became Latvia, joined EU NATO. Very maritime.