Riga Analysis Report For this euro-city analysis report, I’ve chosen Riga, Latvia. Riga has longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of approximately 6.9° N, 24.1° E. Roughly 45 miles northeast of Jelgava, Riga is situated just off the southern shores of the Baltic Sea. Located between 1 to 10 meters above sea level, Riga is home to forests, sandy plains, lakes, and rivers. Most notably, the Daugava River runs through the city and empties off into the Gulf of Riga. Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic with Riga being home to their Federal government as well as their local city government. Riga is the most populous city of the Baltic States, with an estimated population of 650,000 inhabitants. In the late 12th century, Riga became an ancient settlement for the Livs and Kurs. The Ridzene River flowing into the Daugava River created a natural harbor for sea-bound ships. This would begin to serve as a major trade route from the Viking age on forward. Albert of Buxhoevden arrived in 1199 with ships of Crusaders and established the Brothers of the Sword military order. The city of Riga, founded in 1201, was the seat of Albert’s bishopric and a base for conquering the lands of Livonia to the northeast, Courland to the west, and Semigallia to the south. The city joined the Hanseatic League in 1282 and became the dominant center of trade on the Baltic Sea’s eastern shore. The Old Town, the historic center of Riga, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal surrounding Riga’s Old Town, Pilsetas Kanals, historically served as the city’s moat. Sitting on the right bank of the Daugava River, many medieval building continue to exist, including the 13th century Riga Dome Cathedral and 14th century Riga Castle. St. Peter’s church is the tallest spire amongst the city’s landscape and serves as a representation of the city’s 13th century Gothic style. Dome Square is the largest square in the Old Town and is often referred to as the heart of the city. The square hosts many activities and has seen many important events to Latvia throughout the years. Outside of the Old Town, Riga is home to Town Hall Square, Riga Central Market, Art Museum Riga Bourse, Riga Stradins University, and countless, beautiful parks, gardens, monuments, and architecture. Riga is home to heavy Latvian population with Russian as the second most populous. Given those demographics, the most populous languages spoken are Latvian and Russian. The main religion traditionally practiced in Latvia is Christianity, with Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism the most popular two. In 2014, Riga was designated a European Capital Culture by the European Union. Every year Riga hosts large international cultural festivals, the largest being the National Song and Folk dance Festival. The festival is held every four years and attracts tourists worldwide. Riga also notably has a rich basketball history. Having won 3 editions of the European’s Cup for Men’s Championship Clubs and with the women’s team winning their first title, Riga became a capital city for European Basketball. The architecture and design of the Old Town appears absolutely stunning. The narrow, cobbled streets with ancient names help preserve its history and allow one to experience Riga centuries ago. The authenticity of the well-preserved 13th/14th churches also make for beautiful historical attractions. The Grand Stage at Mezaparks is also a beautiful, massive, open-air venue. This venue is home to an important event in Latvian culture, the National Song and Folk dance Festival. The festival as well appears to be a significant part of the country and garners attention worldwide. The fact that they have such a rich basketball history makes it unique as well. For a predominantly American sport, Riga has a successful history with basketball. All in all, Riga makes for a unique city as does every city in their own special way.

Bibliography
"History." » LiveRiga. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. .
Knott, Jonathan. "Riga, a City Revelling in Its Culture." 6 Apr. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. .
"Riga, Latvia." Riga, Latvia. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. .
Smidchens, Guntis. "Riga | National Capital, Latvia." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. .