Riga City

Although settlements in the territory of Latvia date as far back as 3000 B.C., the ancient Latvian city of Riga was officially founded in 1201, and later established as the national capital in 1918.

The largest city in Latvia and in the Baltic States, Riga is home to approximately one third of Latvia's population, with about 70% being urban residents, and 30% being rural residents.

The inhabitants of Riga are as culturally diverse as the country of Latvia itself. Of its more than 727,000 residents, native Latvians account for approximately 41.5% of the city's population, while the remainder of Riga's inhabitants hail from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and other countries.

Riga can be considered as two cities in one: ancient Riga, and modern Riga. Ancient Riga is a reminder of times past, including closely placed row houses along cobblestone streets, beautiful churches, monuments, and important historic sites.

Modern Riga, which surrounds ancient Riga, is home to the largest airport in the Baltic States, Riga International Airport, Riga Castle, residence of the Latvian President, as well as the Latvian Parliament.

Many academic and financial institutions are located in modern Riga, including the University of Latvia, and Latvia's central bank, the Bank of Latvia. The city serves as major hub for transportation and foreign commercial trade, as well as the center of the local railway and roadway systems.

Riga is responsible for about half of Latvia's total industrial output including such products as communications equipment, textiles, furniture, food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, such services as wood processing, printing and publishing, and such other interests as the financial and public utilities sectors.