[lwptoc]
Riga is Latvia’s capital and biggest city. Riga is the biggest city in the Baltic nations, with 641,007 residents, and is home to one-third of Latvia’s population. The city is located at the mouth of the Daugava River on the Gulf of Riga.
Riga was established in 1201 and was a member of the Hanseatic League at one time. The old center of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture and 19th century timber buildings.
Riga, together with Ume in Sweden, was designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Riga hosted the NATO Summit in 2006, the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, and the IIHF Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships in 2006.