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Riga district surrounds the city of Rīga. Today it is something of a suburban zone for the big city. Its everyday life is closely related to the Latvian capital, and only in its far Northeastern section is it somewhat distant from the shifting boundaries of Rīga itself. In terms of geography, much of Rīga district lies on an ancient seabed. Former branches of the Daugava, Gauja and Lielupe rivers once flowed through the district. Half of the land (54%) is covered with coniferous forests, and among them one finds a great many lakes, both large and small. Rīga district is located in the central part of Latvia and borders: the cities of Rīga, capital of Latvia, and Jūrmala, the Tukums, Jelgava, Bauska, Ogre, Cēsis and Limbaži districts. The Rīga district border stretches also 34 km along the coast of the Gulf of Rīga.
The administrative centre of the district is Rīga, the capital of the country.
Rīga district was founded in 1949, and its present-day borders were set in 2003. After enlarging of area of Sigulda the total territory of the district 3 132 km2, including: · agricultural land 26% · forests 54% · other lands and waters 20% The population of the district is 146,7 thousand, from them 65% are latvians and 35% are foreigners. 64,5% of all inhabitants are at the age of capacity for work. Unemployment rates 5,9%.47 inhabitants per km2. 37% population live in the towns and 63% lives in the countryside.
The district is divided into 23 local municipalities: · 1 united municipality (area of Sigulda) · 6 towns municipalities (including 3 towns with a country area), · 16 civil parishes. The Rīga district is a part of Zemgale and Vidzeme ethnographical regions, and historically it is tightly connected with a city of Rīga. EDUCATION AND CULTURE In Riga district are 113 education establishments (2003-2004 school year), including: - 35 pre-schools, including 3 private pre-schools; - 52 basic education establishments, including 3 primary schools, 23 elementary schools, 21 secondary schools and oth.; - 3 special education establishments, including special boarding-school of Carnicava and Gaisma special boarding-school; - 3 professional education establishments, including Mālpils professional school; - 19 music and art schools, including Baldone and Ķekava music schools; - 4 sport schools. There is a lively cultural life in the district. There are 24 culture establishments and 249 art collectives, including most activ 33 choirs, 56 dancing groups, 4 brass-bands,19 schools of popular art and applied art coteries. International Opera Festival in Sigulda has become traditional. Museum Days, Town Days and other culture activities are very popular. There are several towns in the Rīga district: Olaine, Salaspils, Sigulda with their own autonomous life, and there are also many civil parishes around Rīga more detailed information on the district municipalities can be found on www.rrp.lv home page. HISTORY Archeological findings show that first inhabitants of the Latvian territory settled along Daugava, Lielupe and along the coast of the Baltic Sea. One of the first settlements in the Rīga district was on the bank of Daugava near Salaspils Laukskola, which dates back to 9,000 BC. From that time the banks of Daugava were permanently inhabited. The Baltic peoples, which came to the territory of Latvia in 2,000 BC, lived on the Dole Islands hill Ķivutkalns. About the 10th century Finno-Ugric Liiv peoples settled near the Baltic peoples at the banks of Daugava and Gauja Rivers (in Daugmale, Mārtiņsala, Kubesele, Turaida).
Rīga and its surroundings was a significant crossing point of trade roads from the distant ages. It was crossed by land routes from Southern and Western Europe, from Scandinavia and Kurzeme, as well as by the routes along Daugava and Gauja. It is testified by money scales, foreign coins and bijouterie found during archeological exavations. Rīga and its surroundings attracted invaders from the distant ages. This area was passed by German crusaders, which left stone castles of the Middle Age. Swedish, Polish, Prussian, German and Russian armies came here willing to get the advantageous area on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Despite frequent wars, Rīga rapidly developed and small, but well-groomed estates with interesting archtecture and beautiful parks formed around it. The first in the Baltics Baldones resort was well-known in the 18th century, but in the 19th century the towns of Saulkrasti and Sigulda developed. In 19 century the territory of the Riga area was an economically advanced area. Economical development was promoted by construction of roads, opening of a railroad line Rīga-Daugavpils in 1861 and Rīga-Jelgava in 1868. The first districts- Rīga, Koknese and Pērnava were formed in 1629 in Vidzeme. After the First World War the Riga district continued to exist, constantly being exposed to change of borders. After the Second World War in 1949 was formed the Riga district. TOURISM Information | Sigulda Tourism Information Centre
Pils iela 6, Sigulda, LV-2150, Latvia
Tel.: +371 67971335
Fax: +371 67971335
e-mail: tic_ilze@hotmail.com
www: www.zl.lv/sigulda/ Saulkrasti Tourism Information Centre
Raiņa iela 3, Saulkrasti, LV-2160
Tel.: +371 64070608
Fax: +371 62951150 Gauja National Park Information Centre Baznīcas street 3, Sigulda, LV 2150, Latvija Phone 371 67971345 Fax 371 67971344 E mail: ic@gnp.lv www. gnp.gov.lv Ādaži Tourism Information Centre Pirmā street 42, Ādaži, LV 2164, Latvija Phone 371 67996500 E mail: baltezers@one.lv www. adazi.lv |
Transport, recreation and tourism infrastructure is comparatively well developed in the Rīga district. Within the distance of 20 minutes driving from the overcrowded city can enjoy loveliness of untouched nature near the small lakes around Riga of at the Gauja National Park, which attracts tourists all around the year; can stroll through dadelion meadows or along the sandy shore of the Vidzeme seaside. Riga district possesses many historic evidences. One of the most beautiful Latvian towns Sigulda is located on the district territory. Since time immemorial Sigulda has been called the Switzerland of Vidzeme. The biggest museums of Riga district the Turaida museum-reserve, the Daugava museum at Dole, the Olaine History and Art Museum are waiting for visitors. The particular atmosphere for culture tourists is created by both annual traditional and culture events (Museum Days, Towns Days) and internationally recognized Opera Festival in Sigulda and Folklore Festival Baltica in Turaida. Riga district invites interested to do sports and relax at golf courses, go for skiing down the longest slope in Latvia or ride on horse. Adventurers can try bungee jumping from the bridge over the river Gauja or ride a tourist bobsled. Air trips by plane or helicopter are also available. At leisure tourists can enjoy the hospitality of cafes, romantic inns and elegant restaurants, wide range of accommodation from camping sites to three-star hotels. Excellent service makes Riga district attractive for the seminar and conference organization. More detailed information on the tourism can be found on www.rrp.lv home page. You are wellcome to experience something unusual and unforgettable in Riga district! ENVIRONMENT The Rīga district territory is crossed by three biggest Latvian rivers Daugava, Lielupe and Gauja. Rīga sandy plain of coastal lowland is the biggest part of the territory; which has many pine forests, low dunes, plain area and bogs. Particularly registered are: 2 territories of National Parks (Gauja National Park in Northeast from Riga city and Ķemeri National Park in West from Riga city) 2 natural preserves on the territory of Gauja National Park (Nurmiži Natural Preserve un Krimulda Natural Preserve) 10 natural reserves, from them the most important are Lielie Kangari (Big Traitors) in Ropaži parish, Mazie Kangari (Small Traitors) and Mežmuiža springs in Allaži parish and Babīte lake (23.9 sq.km), which is located in Babīte and Sala parishes. 3 natural parks (Seaside Natural Park is located on the protective zone of the Gulf of Riga, territories of the Carnikava and Saulkrasti municipalities) 20 natural sites (95% from them are on the territory of Gauja National Park) 8 dendrology plantation (the most important is Latvia National Botanical Garden in Salaspils) ECONOMICS The Rīga district is economically the most developed country region in Latvia. The nearness of the capital city Rīga, comparatively developed infrastructure, rich cultural and historical inheritance and natural resources facilitate it. The most higly developed sectors of the economy in Rīga district are: agricultural and fish processing; wood processing and manufacture of wood products; manufacture of construction materials; pharmaceuticals. Deposits of such mineral resources as dolomite, gypsum, clay, grit and peat are found in the district. There are considerable underground sources of drinking water. The district is rich in mineral water deposits. In Riga district are approximately 2,400 economically active enterprises and business companies. Work of 40% enterprises is connected with wholesall and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and household goods, 15% - manufacturing, 10% - real estate, renting and business activities, 7% - construction. Biggest enterprises: food production and processing A/s Gutta production of soft drinks, A/s Putnu fabrika Ķekava production and processing of meat, SIA Spilva processing of vegetables and fruits, A/s Kimmels Rīga brewery, A/s GP-Ādaži processing of meat, SIA Mārupe production and processing of agricultural, Mālpils piensaimnieks processing of milk, chemical industry R/a Olainfarm production of medicines, Europen Plastic Industries Inc plasticware manufacture, SIA Biolar chemical substancies, lacquers and paint manufacture, woodworking industry A/s Inčukalns Timber, SIA Silva, SIA Laiko Latvijas and Australia joint venture, SIA Gaujas koks, A/s Rīgas tonis, A/s Vidzemes koks, and others. building materials industry Firmas Bloks-M.J. ,Siguldas bloks, Saulkalne S. u.c. There are large electricity and heat production facilities, as well as energy storage facilities in the district, including the Rīga Hydroelectric Station and Thermoelectric Station TEC-2. The Inčukalns natural gas storage facility is unique. Transport is the basic means for successful economy, safe and healthy environment and high living standart. Rīga district is crossed by major transportation arteries: six railway lines, four of them are using electric trains for regional passenger |
