The bay, which will be described in this article, is located between two small states - Estonia and Latvia. It is located in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea.
Briefly about Riga seaside
Speaking of it, many primarily represent the well-known Jurmala - the resort of the Gulf of Riga. However, not everyone knows that this coast is located only on the left side of the mouth of the Daugava River, where also stands the capital of Latvia - Riga.
There are also recreation areas on the right side of the coast, which are part of the Riga region and have the same magnificent beaches with golden sands, where you can have a great summer vacation. There is only one feature of this site - even in the midst of the season it is much calmer here, which is also welcomed by many vacationers.
Gulf of Riga: location, description
One of the most popular tourist destinations is Riga Seaside.
On the north side of the bay are the islands of the Moonsund Archipelago owned by Estonia. Most of the banks of the pond are made of sand. The area of the bay flowing into land at a distance of almost 174 km is 18.1 thousand square meters. km In width, it extends over 137 kilometers. The maximum depth of the Gulf of Riga is relatively small and equal to 54 meters.
The islands of the gulf are separated from the mainland by the Irbensky Strait, located between the southern tip of Saaremaa Island and Cape Kolkasrags, as well as Väinameri (Strait). Among them there are islands belonging to Estonia. These are Kihnu, Manilide, Ruhnu and Abruka. Most of the coast of the bay is represented by lowlands, and its bottom is mostly sandy.
Lielupe - the river of the Gulf of Riga. Pärnu, the Western Dvina, Salac, Gauja and Aga also flow into it.
The largest port of these places is Riga. It should also be noted that the western coast of the bay is called Livsky, and it is a protected zone.
In the nearby territories to the bay there are magnificent natural attractions: Pisiuras Park, Vella Kalva Boulder Ridge, Randu Plyavas Botanical Reserve, a section of rocky Vidzeme seashore, etc.
The nature of the current and temperature
In summer, the water temperature reaches 18 ° C, in winter it drops to 0-1 ° C. The bay is covered with ice in December and is hidden by it until April. Salinity of water reaches 6%.
The flow has a rotational type, and its average speed is about 8 cm / sec.
Resorts and cities
The beautiful Latvian cities and resorts attract numerous guests to rest. On the southwest coast is the glorious city of Jurmala, on the north coast is the magnificent Pärnu, on the island of Saaremaa, the city of Kuressaare is located.
The Gulf of Riga has placed many settlements on its banks. Each of them has its own characteristics and advantages.
One of the most beautiful resorts not only on the Riga seaside, but also in Europe is Jurmala, located 14 kilometers from the capital of Latvia. This resort area stretches in a narrow strip along an extended stretch (32 km) of the coast of the Gulf of Riga.
The most famous of the settlements are as follows: Dzintari, Lielupe, Bulduri, Asari, Dubulti, Maiori and Kemeri. Each of these villages is peculiar and unique. Below is a brief description of some of them.
1. Dzintari is famous for its famous concert hall, where the New Wave music competitions, KVN festivals and concerts of world pop stars take place.
2. Lielupe is a large sports center with magnificent tennis courts and a yacht club. The largest water park in Latvia is also located here.
3. Asari and Melluzhi are mostly intended for a more relaxing holiday.
4. Maiori is notable for the lively Jomas pedestrian street with its many restaurants, cafes and shops.
5. Kemeri and Jaunkemeri are mostly recommended for better health. The excellent spa centers with mud baths and healing sulfur springs provide their services here.
6. A magnificent water amusement park can be visited in Vaivari.
Mangalsala Peninsula
The Gulf of Riga is washed by this extraordinary peninsula. This area is a place where a surprisingly green pine forest gradually turns into soft golden beaches. The main man-made attraction of the peninsula is the Eastern pier (Mangalsalsky dam), built in 1861 during the reign of Alexander II.
Here you can also see firsthand the catacombs that have survived from the period of the Russian-Swedish war. All this is protected by the Latvian state. Great look here and stunning scenic sunsets. The Gulf of Riga is rich in natural wonders.
