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:
Region
2013
2012
2011
Diff from
12 to 13
Riga City
696,618
699,203
706,413
-0.37%
Riga Metro
1,018,295
1,081,137
1,098,523
-5.81%
Latvia
2,041,763
2,217,053
2,245,357
-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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 ;)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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