Latvia Languages

Riga is situated near the Baltic River at the mouth of the Daugava River. Riga was formerly a major city of the Russian Empire. Latvia declared its independence in 1918 from Russia. However, the land was occupied by force for decades by the Soviet Union and suffered immense destruction.

Riga is a home to close to half of the inhabitants of Latvia.

Riga has been recognized by the UNESCO as one of Europe's most important cultural sites. Latvia’s historical center was named a World Heritage Site in recognition and appreciation of its art nouveau architecture. It is a home to many concert halls and museums. Riga's architecture is considered to be one of the greatest collections in Europe which is showcased by the 19th century wooden and art based buildings. Riga is the headquarters of the European Union's office of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).

Riga experiences a humid continental climate. It regularly sees days that are rainy and foggy. In winter, the temperatures can be quite cold. In the summer, however, temperatures usually stay within the range of 20 degrees Celsius.