About Riga
RÄ«ga - The Capital
RÄ«ga, the oldest city in Latvia, has developed into an important economic, political and cultural centre since the Middle Ages. When the formation of an independent Latvian Republic occourred in 1918, RÄ«ga became the capital. Today more than half of Latvia's population lives in RÄ«ga, 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 RÄ«ga 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 theatres are also situated in RÄ«ga.
RÄ«ga'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. RÄ«ga's park land boulevard zone and the wooden buildings of the PÄrdaugava region emit a unique charm. The value of RÄ«ga's cultural and historical significance has been verified by the fact that its old city centre has been included in UNESCO's list of the world's most important cultural and natural sites.
