Biggest Cities In Latvia

Latvia is a Northern European Baltic country that is bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, and Sweden. The country houses 1,957,200 people and encompasses an area of 64,589 square km. The country also shares a maritime border with Sweden. Latvia has well-developed cities with proper infrastructural facilities and amenities. The country was listed as a high-income country on July 1, 2014. The capital and biggest city of Latvia is the Riga. Liepāja is an ice-free port in the city. Jūrmala and Daugavpils are major tourist attractions in the country.

The Biggest Cities In Latvia

Riga

Riga is Latvia’s biggest city and also the nation’s seat of government. It is the largest city among the cities of the Baltic States, and one-third of Latvia’s population call the city their home. Riga is situated on the Gulf of Riga and occupies an area of around 307.17 square km. The city was founded in 1201, and its historical center has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was the declared as the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Several important international events like the 2006 NATO Summit, the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, and others have been hosted in Riga.

Daugavpils

Daugavpils is a southeastern Latvian city that is located on the banks of the Daugava River. It is the second biggest city in Latvia. The city borders Lithuania and Belarus and is also only 120 km away from the Russian border. The strategic position of Daugavpils thus enhances its importance in Latvia. It is a beautiful and well-visited city that is dotted with many nature parks and lakes. This age-old city that was established in 1275 has a number of cultural institutions and historical monuments. The Daugavpils fortress is most prominent among them. The city is also famous for its numerous red brick buildings.

Liepāja

Liepāja is the third biggest city in Latvia. The city is most well-known for being an ice-free port. The city is referred to as the "City where the wind is born,” due to the constantly blowing sea breeze. Liepāja, being Latvia’s windiest city, hosts the nation’s biggest wind farm. An industrial city, many high technology plants are located in Liepāja. The Blue Flag Beach with its rolling dunes and white sand is the major tourist attraction in the city. Age-old churches and ruins of military fortifications are historical attractions in Liepāja.

Jelgava

Jelgava is located 41 km southwest of Riga in central Latvia. The city is located in a fertile belt of the country at an elevation of only 3.5 meters above sea level on the river Lielupe’s right bank. The Jelgava Air Base and a railway center are located in this city. Between 1578 and 1795, the city served as the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia’s capital. Several ruins and preserved buildings from this era remain as tourist attractions in the city today.

Jūrmala

Jūrmala is the fifth biggest city in Latvia. It is located about 25 km west of Riga. The city is one of Latvia's major tourist destinations and a resort town. The location of the city between the Lielupe River and the Gulf of Riga make endows it with scenic natural beauty. Long beaches and romantic wooden houses draw tourists to this city from around the world.