Riga

Location

Riga is the capital of Latvia, on the Daugava River (Western Dvina) near its entry into the Gulf of Riga.

Population

approx 902,000 (est 1993)

Economic Activity & Overview

Riga is a major Baltic port. It also serves as a military base, a rail junction and an industrial center. The city's major industries are machine building, metalworking, shipbuilding and repair, woodworking, food processing, the manufacture of diesel engines, streetcars, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electrical apparatus, telephone and radio equipment, meteorological instruments, building materials, paper and textiles. Riga is also one of Latvia's major cultural centers.