Riga - the capital of which country? Baltic States on the world map

If you do not know where the Baltic is, the map of Europe will tell you its location. This region can be found in the east of this continent, south of the Gulf of Finland, on the coast of the cold Baltic Sea.

Three countries include the Baltics. The map acquaints us with its larger and more powerful neighbors. This is Russia and Germany, Sweden and Poland. The great states bordering on it made a considerable, and sometimes rather contradictory, contribution to the formation and development of this region.

The Baltic states arose relatively recently. It happened in the twentieth century. In their short history, they managed to visit the USSR. However, at the first opportunity joined the European Union.

The Baltic region attracts travelers with its historical and natural attractions. Here you can visit interesting and well-preserved or restored castles and churches, as well as palaces. The tourists and medieval centers that are rightfully proud of the capitals of European countries - Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn - attract tourists' attention.

The Baltics for the inhabitants of our state is the closest abroad. In its countries, the Russian language is understood, but the influence of Europe is everywhere. Nature in the Baltic States is quite diverse. And the beaches of the coast are favorite places for summer holidays. In the southern part of the Baltic region borders on the Kaliningrad region - the Russian semi-exclave.

Common features of the Baltic states

Many people have the opinion that the region includes three European countries that are similar to each other. Yes, these states have been under the influence of Russia for a long time. After the revolution, they announced their independence. Before the war with the fascists (in 1940) , the Baltic countries became part of the USSR. Now they call this event "Soviet occupation".

After the dissolution of the Union, the countries in question decided to take a course of European integration and declared independence. Now all three of the Baltic states are members of the European Union, are in the Schengen zone and are included in NATO. These countries abolished the borders between themselves and instead of the national currency introduced the euro (in Lithuania this will happen in 2015). These moments (in addition to geographical location) are similarities between these states.

Differences of the Baltic States

If you carefully study the history and culture of the three countries, it becomes clear that they are not at all similar. Relation is observed only between Lithuanian and Latvian languages. Estonian is similar to Finnish.

Divergences are also observed in faith. So, Estonia in the majority adheres to Lutheranism. Orthodoxy is less common here. Lithuania is considered a purely Catholic country, but in Latvia you can find all three mentioned religions.

The Baltic states on the world map, consisting of three states, appeared only in the 20th century. In the Middle Ages in this region there was only one country - Lithuania. It represented an independent political force and left a significant mark on the territory not only of neighboring Belarus, but also of Ukraine. There are still preserved temples built in the style of the Vilno Baroque. The current capitals of European countries - Riga and Tallinn - became the centers of states only in the 20th century.

Nature

Many still have a stereotype that the Baltic states are pines growing on the sea coast. Indeed, the sandy beaches stretch here not for one hundred kilometers, so there is enough space for everyone. However, in Estonia there are also stony banks, as well as high cliffs, overgrown with rosehip and juniper. In some places it is almost tundra.

The continental landscape of the Baltic States is the most diverse. Thus, the nature of Estonia resembles the north of Russia. East Latvia pleases with its beautiful river valleys and sandstone cliffs. As for the territory of Lithuania, here the nature is similar to the Central Russian one.

Lifestyle

All the Baltic states have one common feature. This is a vital way of life for all three countries. It was formed after they gained their independence. What are its features? First of all, in high consumer activity. In the Baltic countries, it is common to find large shopping centers and supermarkets that work late. At the same time, both the peasant markets and primitive flea markets were preserved here. In all three countries everywhere you can pay by credit card and eat not a hamburger, but a full-fledged hot food. Here, coffee is cooked in the machine and gives out free Wi-Fi. That's why those who have settled in one country, easily orient in the other two.

Visit to Latvia

Suppose you decided to get closer acquainted with the Baltic States, and the final point of your route is Riga. Which country's capital is this wonderful city? Riga is the administrative center of Latvia. The city stretches along both banks of the Daugava River (Western Dvina) , where it flows into the Gulf of Riga. If you need to determine where Riga is on the world map, then look for it in Eastern Europe on the territory of the Baltic states.

Landscape

Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltics. The name of this settlement in translation from the ancient local dialect sounds like "creek, zaton, bend". In other words, it is a place near the bay.

The landscape of the city is distinguished by a large number of small lakes and streams. These ponds represent almost a fifth of the total area occupied by Riga. Which capital of a country in Europe can boast such a magnificent natural landscape? What is the reason for the presence of such a number of lakes and streams? They appeared in this area not by chance. Their emergence contributed to the last ice age.

The central districts of the capital of Latvia are built on the territory in the lower reaches of the Daugava River. The northern part of the city is located on the coast of the Gulf of Riga. In the southern and eastern zone, almost no residential buildings, as there are many marshes and marshes here. In former times they were a natural barrier protecting the city from enemies.

In the north and east, Riga is surrounded by beautiful sand dunes and wastelands. In the north-west the capital of Latvia is washed by the Baltic waters. The western suburb of Riga is the famous Jurmala.

This is a resort area, on the territory of which there are a large number of health resorts. There are also various festivals.

Climate

The city of Riga (Latvia) will meet you in a warm wet summer and snow-covered in winter with numerous thaws. This is due to the temperate continental climate of the territory on which the capital is located. In summer, the air temperature is on average twenty degrees above zero, and in winter the thermometer column rarely drops below minus three.

By mid-December, Riga is completely covered by snow, which lies in the city until early March. The capital can not boast of a clear sunny sky. Overcast days here are almost half during the year. Despite this, there is not much rain in the city.

Administrative composition

The territory of Riga is divided into three districts. Among them Ziemelsky, Kurzeme and Central. In the city there are also three suburbs. This is Vidzeme, Zemgale and Latgalsky. They are divided into several small microdistricts.

History

On the place of Riga, the first records were made in the chronicles of 1198. From 1201 this settlement became a city chosen by the bishop of Livonia as its residence. The Swedes conquered Riga in 1621. Since 1710 the city became part of Russia. In 1919 Riga became the capital of the Republic of Latvia, since 1940 - the administrative center of the Latvian SSR. And now Riga is the capital of which country? Since 1991, this city is the heart of Latvia. The city of Riga is the seat of the president, government and parliament of the country.

sights

To begin acquaintance with capital of Latvia it is necessary from that area where once was a bookmark of its first stones. This is the so-called Old Riga. This part of the city is a magnificent architectural and historical ensemble, on the territory of which there are about one hundred and sixty monuments of ancient architecture.

The most famous building of Old Riga is the Dome Cathedral. Every tourist who visited the capital of Latvia must certainly visit it and listen to the famous organ. The cathedral was laid as far back as 1211. The end of the construction period is considered to be the end of the thirteenth century. In the history of its existence, the building has been repeatedly rebuilt. Thus, side chapels were built, and in the Romanesque style, Gothic features appeared. The crown of the cathedral was the baroque tower, which is ninety meters high, with a golden cock on its spire. Now this building has become a symbol of the city.

In 1601 an organ was installed in the Dome Cathedral. They are rightfully proud of Riga. Which country's capital can boast such a tool? The Dom organ is unique in its beauty of sound. Today it is one of the largest in the world.

A majestic monument of medieval architecture is the church of Peter, located on Skarnu street. Construction of this facility started in 1209. In 1941 the church building was destroyed. To date, the monument has been completely restored. From its observation platform, a magnificent view of the Baltic capital opens up.

If your place of residence is Latvia (Riga), you will definitely need a map of the city. It will help you quickly navigate the streets of the Baltic capital. Not far from the church of Peter you will find the Castle Square. It is also a famous landmark of Old Riga. In this square you can admire the Order Castle of the Crusaders, which was built in the XIV century. It is called the Riga Castle. In former times in this building there was a residence of the magistrate of the Livonian Order. Afterwards, the rulers of Poland and Sweden lived in the Riga Castle. Since the end of the seventeenth century, this building has become the residence of the Governor-General of Russia. Today there are several museums in the castle. Their expositions acquaint visitors with the history of Latvia, foreign art, and also with the history of literature and art of the country. In the castle there is a small courtyard. There is a permanent exhibition of garden sculptures.

Continuing the tour of the Old City, you can see another monument of medieval architecture. They are the Powder, or the Sand Tower. This is the only surviving structure, which was part of the defensive fortifications of Riga. The tower, erected in 1650, has a height of 25.5 m, and its diameter is 14.5 m. This structure has dull three-meter walls lined with red brick. And only in some places in the tower there are narrow window-loopholes. A majestic and powerful structure makes an indelible impression.

On the city map is to find the street Tornia. It is here that the Swedish gates are located. They were pierced in 1698 in the fortress wall. Walking under the arch of this gate, you can see the Church of St. James. Above this building, built in 1225, towers a gothic spire, on top of which there is a golden cockerel.

Riga - Europe. That is why in the capital of Latvia you can find buildings in which the Grand and Small Guilds were located. This is a characteristic feature of all medieval European cities. Guilds were associations of privileged townspeople. Riga was not an exception. So, the Great Guild in the city included merchants of German origin, and in Malaya - artisans.

Old Riga invites you to visit the architectural ensemble of the 15th century, which is called "Three Brothers". He will give an idea of how the medieval dwelling was arranged.

On the territory of the ancient part of the city are the most famous metropolitan cafes. Among them - the institution "Old Riga" and "Thirteen chairs". In them you can order a black balsam, prepared according to the recipe, which came down to us from the Middle Ages.

In its central part, the city of Riga (see photo below) is much younger. This region is characterized by a variety of architectural styles. The buildings in the central area of the city are beautiful and elegant.

The Bastion Hill serves as the border of Old Riga. This is a kind of monument, which reminds of the redevelopment, made in the city in the middle of the XIX century. It was then that the moats and bastions of the Old part of the capital were demolished. After all, they completely lost their purpose as defensive structures. On the spot where the sandstone bastion used to be, the Bastion Hill was built. The ditch turned into the City Canal.

The new center of the city was finally formed by the end of the XIX century. On the site of the demolished structures, wide boulevards and streets were built, on which public, administrative and residential buildings were built. The decoration of the new center of Riga was the parks, created in the late XIX - early XX century.

The attention of tourists is attracted by the Latvian Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, which is located near the Bastion Hill. It was built in 1863. Originally, the building was erected for the German Theater of Riga. The composer R. Wagner worked there , there were touring R. Schumann and F. Liszt, as well as many other celebrities.

If you pass on the boulevard Jan Rainis, you can see the largest educational institution in Latvia - the State University. The building was built in 1866-1869. Initially, it housed a polytechnic school, later transformed into an institute, and then to a university. On the boulevard Jan Rainis is worth a leisurely walk, because he is one of the most beautiful in Riga. Here are the public gardens, which were broken in the style of an English garden, which has a free lay-out. Decorative sculptures are used as decorations of the green territory. The capital of Latvia has always been proud of its boulevards, squares, parks and gardens. Green plantations in many places are decorated with sculptural compositions.

Central Park of Riga - Lesnoy is noteworthy. On its territory is the Great Stage for singing groups. Not far from the Forest there is a Zoological garden. There is a Song Festival Park in Riga, in which the Latvian folk arts festival is held.

A monument to Freedom built in 1935 is a landmark of Riga. It is a sculpture of a woman holding three stars above her head. It is a symbol of freedom of the city. The stars crowning the monument are visible from the territory of many parks of the capital of Latvia.

To the sights of Riga, you can safely and include the central market, which is one of the largest indoor facilities of this kind in Europe.