n.
Pronunciation: ' lat-v ē - ə
Function: geographical name
independent country N cen Europe bordering on the Baltic; an independent republic 1918-40, a constituent republic ( Lat · vi · an Republic \ ' lat-v ē - ə n \ ) of the U.S.S.R. 1940-91; capital Riga area 24,595 sq mi (63,701 sq km ), pop 2,345,768