Rīga
Riga old town silhouette at the horizon.
City rights	1225
Location of Rīga within Latvia
Location	56°58′N, 24°8′E
Other names	Estonian: Riia; Finnish: Riika; Lithuanian: Ryga; Russian: Рига; Polish: Ryga
Mayor	Jānis Birks
Area	307. 'City rights' redirects here See also Municipal charter. Town privileges were important features of European Towns during Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 Finnish ( or suomen kieli) is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland (92% As of 2006) and by ethnic Finns outside Lithuanian ( lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognised as one of the official languages of the European Union. Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Jānis Birks (born July 31, 1956) is a Latvian politician He has been the mayor of Riga since February 19, 2007. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 17 km² (119 sq mi)
Water	48. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 50 km² (19 sq mi)
Population	727,578
Metropolitan	1,148,003
Density	2,382 /km² (6,169 /sq mi)
Postal code	LV-10(01-84)
Calling code	+371 67
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Homepage of Rīga

Riga (Latvian: Rīga, IPA: [riːga], pronunciation (help·info)) the capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume A postal code (known in various countries as a post code, postcode, or ZIP code) is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks Eastern European Time ( EET) is one of the names of UTC+2 Time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. UTC+2 corresponds to the following Time zones Eastern European Time Egypt Standard Time Central Africa Time Daylight saving time ( DST Eastern European Summer Time ( EEST) is one of the names of UTC+3 Time zone, 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. UTC+3 is used in the following locations Moscow Time Eastern European Summer Time West Asian Summer Time Latvian language (latviešu valoda is the official state language of Latvia. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. The Baltic Sea is a Brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N Latitude and from 20°E to 26°E Longitude. The Daugava or Western Dvina (Daugava Западная Двина́ (Zapadnaya Dvina Заходняя Дзвiна za'xodnʲaja dzʲvʲi'na Dźwina Düna Väina Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states. The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the The Historic Centre of Riga has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world ^[1]

History

Main article: History of Riga

The Rīga skyline in the mid-16th century, Cosmographia Universalis

Riga is located at the site of an ancient settlement of the Livonians, an ancient Finnic tribe, at the junction of the Daugava and the Riga River, at one point forming a natural harbor called the Riga Lake, neither of which exist today ^[2]. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex Art Nouveau ( nu vo anglicised /ˈɑːt nuːvəu/ ( French for 'new art' also known as Jugendstil ( German for 'youth style' is an international Art Nouveau ( nu vo anglicised /ˈɑːt nuːvəu/ ( French for 'new art' also known as Jugendstil ( German for 'youth style' is an international The history of Riga, the capital of Latvia, begins with the ancient settlement of the Livonians, an ancient Finnic tribe at the junction of The Livonians or Livs are the indigenous inhabitants of Livonia, a large part of what is today the northwestern Latvia and southwestern The Daugava or Western Dvina (Daugava Западная Двина́ (Zapadnaya Dvina Заходняя Дзвiна za'xodnʲaja dzʲvʲi'na Dźwina Düna Väina It is believed that the name of the river gave Riga its name. ^[3]

The modern founding of Riga is regarded by historians to have begun with the arrival of German traders, mercenaries and religious crusaders in the second half of the 12th century, attracted by a sparsely populated region, potential new markets and by the missionary opportunities to convert the local population to Christianity. The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents A missionary is a member of a Religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary's faith someone who proselytizes. Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religious identity or a change from one religious identity to another Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings German merchants established an outpost for trading with the Balts near the Liv settlement at Riga in 1158. The Balts or Baltic peoples (People who live by the Baltic Sea) defined as speakers of one of the Baltic languages, a branch of the Indo-European The Livonians or Livs are the indigenous inhabitants of Livonia, a large part of what is today the northwestern Latvia and southwestern The Augustinian monk Meinhard built a monastery there ca. 1190. The Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo (died AD 430) are several Catholic Monastic orders and congregations Circa (often abbreviated c, ca, ca or cca and sometimes Italicized to show it is Latin) means "about"

Bishop Albert was proclaimed Bishop of Livonia by his uncle Hartwig, Archbishop of Bremen and Hamburg in 1199. Albert of Riga or Albert of Livonia (bīskaps Alberts Albrecht von Buxthoeven c Livonia (Līvõmō Latvian and Livonija Estonian: Liivimaa; Finnish: Liivinmaa; German and Swedish: Livland The Archdiocese of Bremen is a historical Roman Catholic diocese and a former eccesiastical state in the Holy Roman Empire. He landed in Riga in 1201 with 23 ships and more than 1500 armed crusaders, making Riga his bishopric. He established the Order of Livonian Brothers of the Sword (later a branch of the Teutonic Knights) and granted Riga city rights in that same year. Bishop Albert of Riga founded the Military order of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Fratres militiæ Christi Livoniae Schwertbrüderorden in 1202 The Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order.

Riga served as a gateway to trade with the Baltic tribes and with Russia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending In 1282 Riga became a member of the Hanseatic League. The Hanseatic League (also known as the Hansa) was an alliance of trading cities and their Guilds that established and maintained trade The Hansa was instrumental in giving Riga economic and political stability, thus providing the city with a strong foundation which endured the political conflagrations that were to come, down to modern times.

As the influence of the Hansa waned, Riga became the object of foreign military, political, religious and economic aspirations. Riga accepted the Reformation in 1522, ending the power of the archbishops. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time In 1524, a venerated statue of the Virgin Mary in the Cathedral was denounced as a witch, and given a trial by water in the Daugava or Dvina River. The Daugava or Western Dvina (Daugava Западная Двина́ (Zapadnaya Dvina Заходняя Дзвiна za'xodnʲaja dzʲvʲi'na Dźwina Düna Väina The statue floated, so it was denounced as a witch and burnt at Kubsberg^[4]. With the demise of the Teutonic Knights in 1561, Riga for twenty years had the status of a Free Imperial City, then in 1581, Riga came under the influence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order. The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic In 1621 Riga and the outlying fortress of Daugavgriva came under the rule of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, who intervened in the Thirty Years' War not only for political and economic gain but also in favor of German Lutheran Protestantism. Daugavgrīva (Dünamünde Dynemunt Усть-Двинск or Ust`-Dvinsk) was a strong Fortress commanding the mouth of the Daugava, hence For the other Swedish kings known as Gustavus Adolphus see Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden or Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden For the Mauritanian Thirty Years' War see Char Bouba war. For the band see The 30 Years War. Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther During the Russo-Swedish War, 1656-1658, Riga withstood a siege by Russians. Riga remained the largest city in Sweden until 1710 during a period in which the city retained a great deal of self-government autonomy. In that year, in the course of Great Northern War, Russia under Tsar Peter the Great invaded Riga. The Great Northern War (1700-21 was fought between Russia and Sweden for supremacy in the Baltic Sea. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Tsar csar and tzar redirect here For other uses see Tsar (disambiguation. Sweden's northern dominance ended, and Russia's emergence as the strongest Northern power was formalized through the Treaty of Nystad in 1721. The Treaty of Nystad (Ништадтский мир Uudenkaupungin rauha was signed in 1721 in the then Swedish town of Nystad (which is called Uusikaupunki Riga was annexed by Russia and became an industrialized port city of the Russian empire, where it remained until World War I. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All By 1900, Riga was the third largest city in Russia after Moscow and Saint Petersburg in terms of numbers of industrial workers. Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River

Riga in 1650. The inscription reads: Prospect der Stadt Riga ums Jahr 1650 (View at the City of Riga in the year 1650). Drawing by Johann Christoph Brotze

During these many centuries of war and changes of power in the Baltic, the Baltic Germans in Riga remained in their dominant position despite demographic changes. Johann Christoph Brotze (Johans Kristofs Broce (1742 &ndash 1823 was a famous German Pedagogue and Ethnographer. The Baltic Germans (Deutschbalten or Baltendeutsche) were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today Riga employed German as its official language of administration until the imposition of Russian language in 1891 as the official language in the Baltic provinces. The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Russification (in Russian: русификация rusifikátsiya)is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Latvians began to supplant Germans as the largest ethnic group in the city in the mid-19th century. The rise of a Latvian bourgeoisie made Riga a center of the Latvian National Awakening with the founding of the Riga Latvian Association in 1868 and the organization of the first national song festival in 1873. The Latvian National Awakening (latviešu latvju tautas atmoda refers to three distinct but ideologically related Nationalist movements the First Awakening The nationalist movement of the Young Latvians was followed by the socialist New Current during the city's rapid industrialization, culminating in the 1905 Revolution led by the Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party. Young Latvians (jaunlatvieši is the term most often applied to the intellectuals of the first Latvian National Awakening (tautas atmoda active from the 1850s to the 1880s In the History of Latvia, the New Current (in Latvian Jaunā strāva; participants in the movement are called jaunstrāvnieki) was a broad Leftist See also Russian Revolution (1917 The 1905 Russian Revolution also known as the Failed Russian Revolution of 1905 was an empire-wide struggle of The Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party (Latvijas Sociāldemokrātiskā Strādnieku Partija abbreviated as LSDSP is a Centre-left, Social democratic, political

The 20th century brought World War I and the impact of the Russian Revolution of 1917 to Riga. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All See also Russian Revolution (1905 The Russian Revolution of 1916 refers to a series of popular revolutions in Russia, and the events surrounding them The German army marched into Riga in 1917. In 1918 the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed giving the Baltic countries to Germany. Not to be confused with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (February 9 1918, a similar treaty involving Ukraine and the Central Powers. The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the Because of the Armistice with Germany of November 11, 1918, Germany had to renounce that treaty, as did Russia, leaving Latvia and the other Baltic States in a position to claim independence. The armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on November 11, 1918 Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Latvia, with Riga as its capital city, thus declared its independence on November 18, 1918. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

A view of Riga on a postcard. circa 1900.

Between World War I and World War II (1918–1940), Riga and Latvia shifted their focus from Russia to the countries of Western Europe. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' The United Kingdom and Germany replaced Russia as Latvia's major trade partners. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

During the World War II, Latvia was occupied first by the Soviet Union in 1941 and then by the Nazi Germany in 1941-1944. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany. By July 10, 1941, German armed forces had occupied the entire territory of Latvia The Baltic Germans were forcibly repatriated to Germany. The Baltic Germans (Deutschbalten or Baltendeutsche) were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today The city's Jewish community was forced into a ghetto in the Maskavas neighbourhood, and concentration camps were constructed in Kaiserwald and at the Salaspils city. Salaspils ( (Kirchholm is a city 18 Kilometers to the south-east of Riga, Latvia that gained city rights in 1993

In 1945 Latvia was once again occupied by the Red Army. As a result of the war Latvia lost approximately one-third of its population. Forced industrialization and planned large-scale immigration of large numbers of non-Latvians from other Soviet republics into Riga, particularly Russians, changed the demographic composition of Riga.

The policy of economic reform, introduced in 1986 as Perestroika, led to disolution of the Soviet Union and restoration of independent Latvia in 1991. (Перестройка) is the Russian term (now used in English for the economic reforms introduced in June 1987 by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev Latvia formally joined the United Nations as an independent country on September 17, 1991. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. In 2004 Latvia joined both NATO and the European Union. The North Atlantic Treaty The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in

In 2004, the arrival of low-cost airlines resulted in cheaper flights from other European cities such as London and Berlin and consequently a substantial increase in numbers of tourists. ^[5]

Geography

Historic Centre of Riga*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii
Reference	852
Region†	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	1997  (21st Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Cityscape

• The Dom Cathedral, the largest church in the Baltic states. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe. Asia Minor, Cyprus, all of the Aegean Islands, the Canaries A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex This article is about the Protestant Cathedral of Riga See other articles for the Roman Catholic cathedral and the Orthodox cathedral. The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the Built in the 13th century, it was modified several times in its history. It has a magnificent organ that dates from 1844. The organ (from Greek όργανον – organon "organ instrument tool" is a Keyboard instrument of one or more divisions each
• Riga Castle (Rīgas Pils), which houses the Museum of Latvian History and the Museum of Foreign Art. Riga Castle (Rīgas pils is a Castle on the banks of River Daugava in Riga, the capital of Latvia.
• Saint Peter's Church, Riga, with its 123 m (404 ft) high tower. Saint Peter's church is a tall church in Riga, Latvia. It was first built in 1209 as a church for the people
• St. John's Church, a small 13th-century chapel, behind Saint Peter's Church.
• The Powder Tower (Pulvertornis), the only tower that remains from the original city walls. The Latvian Museum of War is located inside.
• Wooden architecture.
• Ethnographic Open-Air Museum (Brīvdabas Muzejs), houses, farm buildings, and church representing rural life going back hundreds of years. Situated along Jugla Lake (Juglas Ezers).
• The Occupation Museum of Latvia, which documents the seizure and occupation of Latvia by different forces from 1940 to 1991.
• Art Nouveau architecture on Central Riga streets such as Alberta and Elizabetes Iela.
• Riga Radio and TV Tower - the third highest tower in Europe. Riga Radio and TV Tower (Rīgas radio un televīzijas tornis in Riga, Latvia is the tallest structure in the Baltic countries
• Motor Museum (Motormuzejs) - collection of retro motorcycles and automobiles, including some of the first motorcycles and remants of the Soviet era, for example, Brezhnev's and Stalin's armored limousines with waxworks of these political figures. Located in Mežciems. Mežciems is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. It is located in the eastern part of the city
• Riga Zoo and Mežaparks (Forest Park) with a Ferris wheel. Mežaparks (in German known also as Kaiserwald is a neighbourhood in North Central Riga, Latvia.
• Domina Shopping Centre - the largest shopping centre in the Baltic states (located in the North-West side of Purvciems). Purvciems is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. Its name literally translates as "Marsh Village"
• Riga Circus - the only permanently situatated circus in the Baltic States.
• "Lido" Atputas Centers (Recreation Centre) - restaurant, beer garden, amusement park and gift shop about 10 minutes from the city center.

Neighbourhoods

The Powder Tower of Riga

Left-bank Riga is distinguished by its green streets and large parks.

The city of Riga consists of six administrative regions, four of which are named after regions of Latvia - Kurzeme district, Latgale suburb, Vidzeme suburb, Zemgale suburb. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Courland (Kurzeme Kurland Latin: Curonia / Couronia; Kuršas Kuramaa Kurlandia Курляндия Курляндія Kuurinmaa is one of the historical Latgale or Latgalia (Latgale Latgale language: Latgolā) is one of the four cultural regions of Latvia recognised in the Constitution Vidzeme is one of the cultural and historical Regions of Latvia. Zemgale, also known under Latinized names Semigalia or Semigallia (Zemgale Semgallen Žiemgala is an historical region of Latvia, sometimes also including There is also a Central District and a Northern district. Residents, however, divide Riga into residential neighbourhoods called micro regions. Unlike the city centre, they are mostly residential although they are equipped with commercial sectors. These neighbourhoods include:

• Āgenskalns - Left bank, old neighbourhood, mainly built in late 19th - early 20th century. Āgenskalns — district in Riga, located at the left bank of Daugava old neighbourhood mainly built in late 19th - early 20th century
• Andrejsala - An emerging art, culture and entertainment district, located within former territory of the industrial port. Andrejsala is a special district of Riga, Latvia, located within former territory of industrial port next to the city center
• Beberbeķi - A neighbourhood consisting mainly of private houses, it lies on the western edge of the city. Beberbeķi is a neighbourhood consisting mainly of private houses it lies on the western edge of the city Swampy forest Mukupurvs and Riga Airport noise area divides it from the rest of the city. Riga International Airport was built in 1973 as an alternative to Spilve, which had become outdated
• Bolderāja - Left bank, Northernmost neighbourhood. Bolderāja is a district to the north-west of Riga, the capital of Latvia. 18th century fort bilt by Peter the Great is one of the oldest buildings in this part of the city. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system
• Čiekurkalns - Right bank, old neighbourhood. Čiekurkalns is an old Riga neighbourhood on the right bank of the river Daugava.
• Dārzciems - Right bank, mainly consists of one- or two-story private houses. Dārzciems is a Riga neighbourhood located on the right bank of the river Daugava.
• Dreiliņi - A newly built neighbourhood in the eastern part of the city. Dreiliņi is a newly built neighbourhood on the eastern edge of Riga.
• Dzirciems - Left bank, South of Iļģuciems. Dzirciems is a Riga neighbourhood located in the Pārdaugava side of Riga
• Iļģuciems - Left bank, North of Āgenskalns. Iļģuciems is one of the older neighbourhoods situated in the Pārdaugava side of Riga.
• Imanta - Left bank, newly-built neighbourhood. Imanta is a neighbourhood on the nortwestern edge of Riga, Latvia.
• Jugla - Right bank, large neighbourhood, lies just West of lake Juglas. Jugla also is a lake ( Lake Jugla) and two rivers ( Lielā Jugla) and ( Mazā Jugla) Jugla is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia
• Ķengarags - Right bank, South-East of city center. Ķengarags is a neighborhood in the city of Riga, Latvia. It is located in the southern part of the city One of the most inhabited neighbourhoods in town.
• Ķīpsala - island located just West of the Old Town. Ķīpsala is an island at the left bank of the Daugava river connected to the Riga city center and Pārdaugava by the Cable Bridge. Home to The Press Office and Exhibition Hall.
• Maskavas Forštate - located South of the city centre. Maskavas Forštate is an old Riga neighbourhood situated on the right bank of the river Daugava.
• Mežaparks - Right bank, consists largely of private houses. Mežaparks (in German known also as Kaiserwald is a neighbourhood in North Central Riga, Latvia. Notable for its large forest-like park and the city zoo.
• Mežciems - Right bank, just East of large Biķernieku forest. Mežciems is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. It is located in the eastern part of the city
• Pārdaugava - Not really a neighbourhood by itself, but the name is frequently used when talking about Left bank, particularly Āgenskalns and Torņakalns. Pārdaugava is an area of Riga, composed of several neighbourhoods on the west bank of Daugava River
• Pleskodāle - A neighbourhood consisting mostly of private houses on the west side of the city. Pleskodāle is a Riga neighbourhood consisting mostly of private houses on the west side of the city It borders Zolitūde and Šampēteris neighbourhoods.
• Pļavnieki - Right bank, one of the town's most inhabited neighbourhoods. Pļavnieki is a Riga neighbourhood situated to the right of the river Daugava.
• Purvciems - Right bank. Purvciems is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. Its name literally translates as "Marsh Village"
• Sarkandaugava - Right bank, East of the small river with the same name. Sarkandaugava is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. Origins of the name The name of the neighbourhood derives from that of the Sarkandaugava
• Šampēteris - An old neighbourhood on the best bank of Daugava, with many houses built in the first part of 20th century still surviving. Šampēteris is an old Riga neighbourhood on the Pārdaugava side of the Daugava river with many houses built in the first part of 20th century
• Šmerlis - Right bank, more of a forest than a neighbourhood, it is home to Riga's Cinema Studio. Šmerlis is a neighborhood in Riga, Latvia. It is home to Riga's Movie Studio
• Torņakalns - Left bank, old neighbourhood known for the Māras pond. Torņakalns is a neighbourhood of Riga, Latvia. Located on the westbank of the Daugava River (neighborhoods along this shore are collectively known as
• Vecmīlgrāvis - Right bank, cut off the mainland by a small river, Mīlgrāvis. Vecmīlgrāvis is Riga neighbourhood located in the northern part of the city
• Vecrīga - Old Town. Vecrīga (Old Riga is the historical center of Riga, located on the East side of Daugava River
• Ziepniekkalns - Left bank, consists both of old and new buildings. Ziepniekkalns is a neighborhood of Riga, Latvia. It is located in the Pārdaugava section of Riga close to the city's southern border
• Zolitūde - Left bank, another newly-built neighbourhood, just South of Imanta. Zolitūde is a neighbourhood of Riga, the capital of Latvia, located on the city's western edge

Some common factors in these place names are "vec" meaning old [vecs], "kalns" meaning hill, "ciems" meaning village, "sala" meaning island and "mež" meaning forest [mežs].

Panorama over Riga from Latvian Academy of Sciences

Climate

The climate of Riga is maritime and temperate, but the winters can be extreme due to the northern location. The Academy of Sciences is the official science academy of Latvia and is an association of the country's foremost scientists The coldest months are January and February, when the average temperature is -6°C but can frequently drop as low as -25°C. Due to the proximity of the sea autumn rains and fogs are frequent. Continuous snow cover may last eighty days. The summers in Riga are very warm and humid, with an average temperature of 18°C, the peak often goes as high as 36°C.

Economy

Business and leisure travel to Riga has increased significantly in recent years due to improved infrastructure. Most tourists travel to Riga by air via Riga International Airport, the largest airport in the Baltic states, which was renovated and modernized in 2001 on the occasion of Riga's 800th anniversary. Riga International Airport was built in 1973 as an alternative to Spilve, which had become outdated The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the In the near future, the face of Riga will undergo notable changes. The construction of a new landmark — the Latvian National Library building — is beginning in the autumn of 2007 and is due to be built by 2010. ^[7] Currently discussions are underway in Riga council about the development of the central areas on the left bank of the Daugava. The major dispute surrounds plans to build skyscrapers in Ķīpsala. The construction of 3 buildings in Ķīpsala has already started — the Da Vinci complex (25 floors) and two high-rises called Z-Towers (30 floors). A high-rise is a tall Building or structure Normally the function of the building is added for example high-rise Apartment building or ^[8][9] Almost all important Latvian financial institutions are located in Riga, including the Bank of Latvia, which is Latvia's central bank. Foreign commercial trade through Riga has been on the increase in recent years and received new impetus on May 1, 2004 when Latvia became a member of the European Union. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Riga accounts for about half of the total industrial output of Latvia, focusing on the financial sector, public utilities, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, wood processing, printing and publishing, textiles and furniture, and communications equipment manufacturing. More than 50% of Latvian companies are registered in Riga region. ^[10] The port of Riga is an important cargo shipping center. It is the main all-weather port in the Baltic and is expected to grow in the next few years due to increased trade with other ex-Soviet states and China. ^[11]

Infrastructure

Riga has one airport, Riga International Airport, that serves commercial airlines. Riga International Airport was built in 1973 as an alternative to Spilve, which had become outdated Air traffic at the airport has doubled between 1993 and 2004. Baltic sea ferries connect Riga to Stockholm, Kiel and Lübeck. ('stɔkhɔlm is Sweden 's Capital and its largest City. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the For the city in the United States, see Kiel Wisconsin. For the name see Kiel (name. Lübeck ( is the second largest City in Schleswig-Holstein, in Northern Germany, and one of the major Riga was also home to two air bases during the Cold War: Rumbula and Spilve. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the Rumbula is an air base in Latvia located 11 km southeast of Riga city centre ^[12] Riga as a city-port is a major transportation hub and is the center of the local road and railway system. "Railroad" and "Railway" both redirect here For other uses see Railroad (disambiguation. In 2008, the first stage of the new Southern Bridge route across the Daugava will be completed. ^[13] The Southern Bridge is currently the biggest construction project in Baltic States in 20 years, and will help to reduce traffic jams and the amount of traffic in the city centre. ^[14] Another big construction project is the planned Riga Northern Transport Corridor,^[15] which is scheduled to start in 2010.

Public transportation in the city is provided by Rīgas Satiksme which operates a large fleet of trams, buses and trolleybuses on an extensive network of routes across the city. Rīgas Satiksme is a publicly owned body which operates Public transport and vehicle hire in the Latvian capital Riga and its surrounding areas A tram, tramcar, trolley, trolley car, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a Train In addition, many private owners operate minibus services. "Microbus" redirects here For the Volkswagen Microbus see Volkswagen Type 2. Riga is connected to the rest of Latvia by trains operated by the national railway company Pasažieru Vilciens, whose heaquarters are in Riga. There is also an international rail link to Russia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending

Demographics

With 722,485 inhabitants in 2007, Riga is the largest city in the Baltic States, though its population has decreased since 1991. Year 1767 ( MDCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year -of the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar was 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar until Friday, but 12 days ahead since Saturday. Year 1840 ( MDCCCXL) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. ^[16] Notable causes include out-migration and low fertility rates. Some have estimated that the population may fall by as much as 50% by 2050. ^[17] According to the 2007 data, native Latvians make up 42. 3% of the population of Riga, with the percentage of Russians at 42. 1%, Belarusians at 4. 4%, Ukrainians at 3. 9%, Poles at 2. 0%, and others at 4. 3%. ^[18] By comparison, 59% of Latvia's inhabitants are native Latvians, 28. Latvians or Letts (latvieši the indigenous Baltic people of Latvia, occasionally refer to themselves by the ancient name of Latvji, which 5% are Russians, 3. The Russian people (Русские— Russkie) are an East Slavic Ethnic group, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries 8% are Belarusians, 2. Belarusians or Belorussians (Беларусы Biełarusy previously also spelled Belarussians, Byelorussians and Belorusians, also 5% are Ukrainians, 2. Ukrainians (Українці Ukrayintsi,) are an East Slavic Ethnic group primarily living in Ukraine, or more broadly— Citizens 4% are Polish, 1. The Polish people, or Poles, (Polacy) are a Western Slavic Ethnic group of Central Europe, living predominantly in Poland. 4% are Lithuanians and the remaining 2. Lithuanians are the Baltic Ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number a little over 3 million 4% are accounted for by other nationalities (2006). ^[18] Upon restoration of Latvian independence in 1991, Soviet-era migrants (and any of their offspring born before 1991) were not automatically granted Latvian citizenship. Some have emigrated; this partially accounts for the recent decline in Riga's population. As a result of this repatriation of some Soviet-era migrants, the proportion of Latvians in Riga has increased from 36. 5% in 1989 to 42. 3% in 2007. In contrast the percentage of Russians has fallen from 47. 3% to 42. 1% in the same time period. Latvians overtook Russians as the largest ethnic group in 2006. ^[19]

Sister cities

The clock presented to Riga by its sister city Kobe. It shows time in both cities

Riga maintains sister city relationships with the following cities:^[20]

Aalborg, Denmark	Almati, Kazakhstan	Amsterdam, The Netherlands	Astana, Kazakhstan
Beijing, China	Bordeaux, France	Bremen, Germany	Cairns, Australia
Calais, France	Dallas, USA	Florence, Italy	Kiev, Ukraine
Kobe, Japan	Minsk, Belarus	Moscow, Russia	Norrköping, Sweden
Pori, Finland	Providence, USA[21]	Rostock, Germany	Saint Petersburg, Russia
Santiago, Chile	Slough, UK[22]	Stockholm, Sweden	Suzhou, China
Taipei, Taiwan	Tallinn, Estonia	Vilnius, Lithuania	Warsaw, Poland

See also

• Rīgas Satiksme
• Riga City Council
• Archbishops of Riga

References

External links

• Where to stay in Riga
• Virtual tour of old Riga
• Riga Municipality portal
• Riga travel guide from Wikitravel
• Map of Greater Riga
• Riga Daily Photo
• Riga—entry (article and engraving) from The National Encyclopedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge, circa 1900
• "Riga/Рига" photo album, circa 1910
• "Foreign Corn Ports-Riga"—The Illustrated London News, news article with engraved illustrations, published 1847