Visit Riga!

I'm making this page about Riga because I like this beautiful city! Let me tell you a few words about it. Riga, the capital of Latvia, was officially founded in 1201. Riga is located along the Baltic Sea at the southern coast of the Gulf of Riga, on the Rigava coastal plain. The historical core of Riga is situated on the right bank of the Daugava River, about 10 kilometers from where the Daugava flows into the Gulf of Riga. The natural terrain of this area is a flat and sandy plain, about 1 to 10 meters above the sea level. Climate in Riga is influenced by its proximity to the sea; therefore it is moderately warm and humid. Riga, the oldest city in Latvia, has developed into an important economic, political and cultural center since the Middle Ages. When the formation of an independent Latvian Republic occurred in 1918, Riga became the capital.

Today more than half of Latvia's population lives in Riga, as well as the country's largest manufacturing concerns, as well as central government and administration boards. Amongst the 50 museums to be found in Riga the oldest and largest are the Museum of History and Shipping, the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum of Latvian History, the National Art Gallery, and the Latvian Ethnographic open-air-museum. The National Opera and Latvia's most professional theaters are also situated in Riga.

Riga's 800 - year history has left its mark on the face of the city, where Middle Age dwellings and church towers coexist with art nouveau and eclectic architecture. Riga's park land boulevard zone and the wooden buildings of the Pardaugava region emit a unique charm. The value of Riga's cultural and historical significance has been verified by the fact that its old city centre has been included in UNESCO list of the world's most important cultural and natural sites.

As for Latvia, is the central country of the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). On the world map Latvia is to be found in North-eastern Europe, on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. The landscape of the country is marked by lowland plains and rolling hills. The Republic of Latvia was founded in 1918. It has been continuously recognised as a state by other countries since 1920 despite occupations by the Soviet Union (1940-1941, 1945-1991) and Nazi Germany (1941-1945). On August 21, 1991 Latvia declared the restoration of its de facto independence. Latvia is member of European Union, NATO, United Nations Organisation, Council of Europe, World Trade Organisation, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of the Baltic Sea States. Largest towns - Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Jurmala, Rezekne and Ventspils.

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