What is the Capital of Latvia?
Latvia is located in Northern Europe. It has old towns, forests, and pretty beaches. It’s been through tough times but still has a friendly welcome for visitors. You’ll find fascinating old stuff with a blend of innovation, tradition and natural beauty, new ideas, and lots of beautiful sceneries to enjoy. In this article, we will learn about what is the capital of Latvia, it’s former capitals and more.
Capital of Latvia – Riga
The capital city of Latvia is Riga. It’s a lively city with old and new things. There are old streets made of stones and old buildings. You can see famous places like the Riga Cathedral and Riga Castle. The city also has nice parks, busy markets and lots of art and culture.
Riga has a 2019 estimated population of around 6.33 lakhs and it covers an area of approximately 304.6 square kilometers.
Where is Riga?
Riga is in Latvia, a country in Northern Europe. It’s by the sea, called the Baltic Sea. It sits on the eastern side of Latvia, close to a part of the sea called the Gulf of Riga. Its location by the Baltic Sea and its access to the Gulf of Riga makes it a good port city, making trade and transportation easier.
Interesting Facts About Riga
- Riga is believed to be the birthplace of the Christmas tree tradition. People think the first time someone decorated a tree for Christmas was in Riga’s Old Town around the 1500s.
- The Freedom Monument, located in Riga’s Freedom Square, is a symbol of Latvia’s independence and national identity. It remembers and honors the people who died fighting for independence.
- The House of the Blackheads is located in Riga. It was first made in the 1300s for merchants who weren’t married. Later, it got damaged in World War II, but people rebuilt it in the 1990s to show how strong the city is.
- Underneath Riga’s streets, there are secret tunnels and cellars from the medieval times. People used these underground places for different things, like keeping stuff, staying safe, and sometimes even sneaking things in and out of the city.
- In Riga, residents express their love for cats by adorning buildings, bridges, and even street signs with cat pictures, showcasing this affection throughout the city in stories and architectural designs.
Former Capitals of Latvia
Before Riga became the capital of Latvia, there were several other cities that served as capitals at different times. Here are a few:
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Jelgava
Jelgava was the capital of Latvia during the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, a period that lasted from the 16th to the 18th century.
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Cēsis
Cēsis served as the capital of Latvia during the Livonian Confederation in the 13th century. It was important for trading things and sharing culture back in the 13th century.
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Daugavpils
Daugavpils briefly served as the capital of Latvia. The purpose was to establish Daugavpils as the administrative center for the Latgale Governorate under Russian rule during the 19th century.
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