Temporary Riga photos are being published not in a regular manner due to blog author has moved to Vilnius.

Riga 2013


According to my own tradition, every August, when Riga celebrates its birthday, I do collect stats about Riga's population to see how well the city lives.
In my understanding, the population is the main factor of economic and cultural activity of the cities.
So, please check below the statistics for the recent 3 years and the most recent change:

Region201320122011Diff from
12 to 13
Riga City696,618699,203706,413-0.37%
Riga Metro1,018,2951,081,1371,098,523-5.81%
Latvia2,041,7632,217,0532,245,357-7.91%

As long as I publish those stats I see decrease in Riga's population and it seems that there are no plans or support by government to inverse that trend.

Photo of Fireworks at Riga Festival in 2013 by Andris Jenerts
Check also photos of Riga 2012, Riga Festival in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

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Riga 2012


Sad news, Riga became 1 year older and since today Riga is 811 years old officially.
Although this year City Festival was celebrating 730 years since Riga joined Hanseatic League.
Why this is sad news? 1 year ago I've been forecasting that Riga's population will go under 700,000 in a few years, but it happened earlier.
Here below are statistics and changes:

Region20122011Change
Riga699,203706,413-1.02%
Riga Metro1,081,1371,098,523-1.58%
Latvia2,217,0532,245,357-1.26%


Check also photos of Riga Festival in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Statistics of Riga in 2005.

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Aurora


A regular wedding photo session turned into something chaotic when the huge ship appeared on the background.
It was the largest cruise ship ever visited Riga Harbour - Aurora with almost 3000 people on board.

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Marathon 2012


More than 18,000 runners and even more supporters have participated Riga Nordea Marathon this Sunday, which is absolute record for Riga.

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Panorama Plaza

Panorama Plaza
Panorama Plaza I, II, not finished III and the shopping mall is an elite real estate project in Riga.
The 1st tower was built in 2006 and it is 99 meters (325 feet) tall.
The 2nd tower is 114 meters tall. It became the tallest apartment building in Latvia when it was finished in 2008.
The 3rd tower construction is on hold now because of the credit crunch. It is planned to continue erection in 2015.

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Marathon 2010

Riga Marathon 2010
Nordea Riga Maratons has broken all records this year. More than 11,000 participants made Riga Marathon the biggest sport event in the history of Latvia. Even organizers didn't expect, such a big number, so they were ordered additional numbers for participants.
Unfortunately Latvians didn't get any gold medal in Marathon or Half-Marathon.
See Marathon 2009.

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Lāčplēša Hill

Hill on Lacplesa
Flat surface is one of Riga's hidden features. Riga is flat as a pancake and it is extremely useful for bicyclists.
This hill on Lāčplēša iela is the highest natural point in Riga center, but it is only 8 meters above sea level.
See also Riga highest natural point (24m) and absolute highest point (370m).

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Blondes Parade

Blondes March in Riga
Did you know that Riga has one of the highest density of blond females?
Last Sunday on 31st of May was the first March of Blondes, which has gathered several hundreds of nice blond girls.
Everyone must see this event for himself, so come to Riga next year and take some blond girl with you as well ;)

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Towards Gaiziņkalns

Snowy road towards Gaizinkalns
A road sign showing distance till the highest point in Latvia - Gaiziņkalns.
Another 13 kilometers and you are king of the hill ;)

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Longest Dance


Latvia has made one more Guinness Record. Since now we are the holder of the longest dance in the world.
It's mean that 2208 people took each other's hand and performed Gatves deja (Broad Road Dance) dance.
This event was timed to 90th Anniversary of Latvia.

Another events related to anniversary: Subbotnik, Light Bridges, 24h Marathon
See also: Dance Fest.


Shots provided by f64.

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Skrien! Par Latviju


3844 people participated in 24h relay race on Daugava Stadion at 18th October.
The event was timed to 90th Anniversary of Latvian independence and named as Skrien! Par Latviju (Run! For Latvia)
Each of patriots have run for 100m, so in summary we made 384,4 km which is a new Guinness World Record.

Another events related to anniversary: Liela Talka, Gaismas tilti
Another Guiness Record: Mentos and Cola

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Cola and Mentos


Being so busy last week, I missed how people of Latvia entered in the Guinness Book of World Records :) How?
Just 1911 volunteers came to Andrejsala and have put Mentos in the bottle of Coca-Cola.
Yes, that's it! :)
Here is nice video as well.

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Dzegužkalns


Dzegužkalns (Cuckoo's Hill) is one of the Pardaugava parks located in Ilguciems neighborhood. The park was opened in XVIII century, and it was partly built up in the place of old Jewish cemetery.
Now Cuckoo's Hill has the highest natural point above sea level in Riga area - 24 meters.
Therefore Dzeguzkalns is popular winter resort in Riga.

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First Christmas Tree


Where was placed the first decorated Christmas Tree? :)
This is a very controversial point, but the first documented reference appeared in Riga in 1510.
To memorize this occasion in front of Blackheads' House 3 years ago was placed a plaque with writings in 8 languages.
Nowadays every year, just few meters from this monument, new Christmas tree is placed.
Again, Merry Christmas :D
UPDATED: Revealed that Christmas tree is older than 500 years.

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World biggest Christmas tree, the


Believe you or not, but the world biggest Christmas tree record belongs to Riga already several years in a row :)
Actually it isn't one piece tree. It is partly artificial, made from a lot of fir branches. But anyway it looks very beautiful and exciting.
It's located in Lido amusement park in Kengarags, Riga. Welcome :)
See also the same Christmas tree next year.

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