/lat"vee euh, laht"-/ , n.
a republic in N Europe, on the Baltic, S of Estonia, an independent state 1918-40; annexed by the Soviet Union 1940; regained independence 1991. 2,437,649; 25,395 sq. mi. (63,700 sq. km). Cap.: Riga. Latvian, Latvija /laht"vi yah'/ .