"The Minox is my life."

-- Walter Zapp

RIGA, LATVIA

Riga is the capital of Latvia and one of the biggest cities of the Baltic region. It is situated at the mouth of the Daugava river flowing into the Baltic Sea. One third of the population of Latvia (900000 inhabitants) live in Riga at present. Due to its favorable geographic position Riga has been an important trade and transit center already for centuries.

Riga was first mentioned in historic chronicles in 1201, when bishop Albert moved his residence from Ikskile to Riga. This data is considered the year of Riga`s foundation and soon it is the 800th Anniversary of the city! After consolidation of German feudals in the Baltics, there appeared many German cultural elements in Riga. This influence is found in culture and education as well as in the medieval stone wall buildings, seen even today in the Old Town. In course of time there had been many fights for Riga because the city`s favorable geographic position. Due to the Reformation in 1524 Riga got its freedom of faith. But the city`s further fortune was set by the Livonian war (1558-83). During it the Livonian Order was dismissed and Riga gradually formed into a safe fortress, impossible to capture without sea and land forces. Through centuries the city had been an object of desire for neighboring countries like Germany, Poland, Sweden and there had been fierce battles for it. After the North war at the beginning of the 18th cent. Riga and Vidzeme were included in the Russian Empire. Soon began the city`s rapid economical development. Trade market was expanded, the city was growing and the number of inhabitants increased. Already at the end of the 18th century Riga became one of the largest ports of the Baltic Sea. Though the city has also suffered a lot. It was destroyed during the 1st and the 2nd WW. Today its territory is 307 square km.

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