Riga is the capital of Latvia, situated on the Southern bank of gulf of Riga on the Baltic Sea, near mouth of the Daugava- Latvia's largest river at the gulf of Riga. Owing to its advantageous geographical location, since olden days Riga has been known as a significant trade, financial and cultural centre in junction of the West and East on the banks of the Baltic Sea. The city of Riga geographical position, communication network, as well as historical traditions, going back to Riga being the Hanseatic League city- all these factors have played a pivotal role.

Name of Riga is derived from sometime river Rīdzene name. The city incorporates 13 lakes, largest of which being Ķīšezers lake and Jugla lake.

Riga has significant monuments of the town planning, fine arts and history. Historical centre of Riga is entered into the UNESCO list of cultural heritage. The city of Riga provides almost all available architectural styles. Here are a lot of buildings built in gothic, baroque, eclectics, rationalism and especially, jugendstil.

With a good reason Riga might be considered as functionally diverse city, attractive for both work and life. At the beginning of 2007 number of Riga inhabitants reached 722,5 thousands, constituting 32 % of the total number of Latvia population.

The city of Riga coat of arms was approved on the 31st of October, 1925 and renewed in 1988. Riga has both a large and a small coat of arms.

On the shield of the Riga large coat of arms in silver filed are depicted open city gates made from red brick, with two towers symbolising city rights to independence and lion head is placed under the elevated gate grating. Two crossed black keys are situated above the gates, symbolising the Pope's protection, there are a gold cross and gold crown, placed above the keys, indicating city submission to the archbishop. The large coat of arms shield holders are two lions on grey socle. Small coat of arms of the city of Riga is the shield of the large coats of arms.


 Riga city flag was approved on the 4th of May, 1937, taking as basis the 17th century Riga's vessels flag colors - white and blue, which were supplemented by the city coat of arms. Riga city flag is represented by square fabric with two similar width horizontal bands- the upper band is a light blue, but the lower one is white. At the middle of the flag both sides depict colorful large Riga coat of arms, which height is 2/5 of the flag width. Flag width and length correlation is 1:2. The flag dimensions - 1x2m and 1,5x3m; coat of arms height is 40 cm and 60 cm correspondingly. On the flag handle nozzle are depicted two crossed keys.