Gulf of Riga: description, location, resorts

The bay, which will be discussed in this article, is located between two small states - Estonia and Latvia. It is located in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea.

In brief about the Riga seashore

Speaking of it, many people primarily represent 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 the Latvian capital Riga is also located.

There are also recreation areas on the right side of the coast, entering the Riga region and having the same magnificent beaches with golden sands, where you can have a great summer vacation. There is only one feature of this site - even at the height of the season here is much calmer, which is also welcomed by many vacationers.

Gulf of Riga: location, description

One of the most popular tourist destinations is the Riga Seashore.

On the north side of the bay are the islands of the Moonsund archipelago, which belong to Estonia. For the most part, the banks of the reservoir are composed of sand. The area of the bay, which flows into the land for a distance of almost 174 km, is 18.1 thousand square meters. Km. In width, it stretches for 137 kilometers. The maximum depth of the Gulf of Riga is relatively small and is 54 meters.

The islands of the gulf are separated from the mainland by the Irben Strait, located between the southern tip of the island of Saaremaa and the cape Kolkasrags, as well as Väinameri (strait). Among them there are islands belonging to Estonia. These are Kihnu, Manilaid, Ruhnu and Abruk. For the most part, the coast of the bay is represented by lowlands, and its bottom is mostly sandy.

Lielupe - the river of the Gulf of Riga. It also falls into Pärnu, the Western Dvina, Salaca, Gauja and Ace.

The largest port of these places is Riga. It should also be noted that the western shore of the bay is called Livsky, and it is a protected zone.

In the nearby areas to the bay there are magnificent natural attractions: Pisjuras Park, Vella Kalka Boulder Ridge, Randu Plyavas Botanical Wildlife Sanctuary, the rocky Vidzeme seacoast, etc.

Flow pattern and temperature

In summer the temperature of the water reaches 18 ° C, in winter it drops to 0-1 ° C. The ice cover is covered in December and hidden by April. Salinity of water reaches 6%.

The flow has a rotational type, and its average velocity is about 8 cm / sec.

Resorts and Cities

Beautiful Latvian towns and resorts attract many guests to rest. On the south-western coast is the glorious city of Jurmala, on the north - the magnificent Pärnu, on the island of Saaremaa is located the city of Kuressaare.

The Bay of Riga has placed many settlements on its shores. Each of them has its own features and advantages.

One of the most beautiful resorts not only of the Riga seashore, but also of Europe is Jurmala, located 14 kilometers from the capital of Latvia. This resort area stretches this narrow strip along a long stretch (32 km) of the coast of the Gulf of Riga.

The most famous of the settlements are the following: Dzintari, Lielupe, Bulduri, Asari, Dubulti, Maiori and Kemeri. Each of these villages is unique and unique. Below is a brief description of some of them.

1. Dzintari is glorified by the famous concert hall where the musical contests of the "New Wave", KVN festivals and concerts of world pop stars are held.

2. Lielupe is a large sports center with magnificent tennis courts and a yacht club. Here is located the largest water park in Latvia.

3. Asari and Melluzhi are mostly intended for a more relaxing holiday.

4. Maiori is notable for the busy pedestrian street of Jomas with its numerous restaurants, cafes and shops.

5. Kemeri and Jaunumeri are recommended for the most part to improve health. Here you can find excellent medical and spa centers with mud baths and healing sulfur springs.

6. A park of magnificent water attractions can be visited in Vaivari.

Peninsula of Mangalsala

The Gulf of Riga is washed by this extraordinary peninsula. This area is a place where the surprisingly green pine forest gradually turns into soft golden beaches. The main man-made landmark of the peninsula is the Eastern Pier (Mangalsal Dam), built in 1861 under the reign of Alexander II.

Also here you can personally see the catacombs, preserved from the period of the Russo-Swedish war. All this is protected by the Latvian state. Magnificent looking here and stunning scenic sunsets. Rich in natural wonders is the Bay of Riga.

A little bit about the history of the formation of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf

Quite interesting is the history of the formation of the youngest (in terms of geology) in Europe, the Baltic Sea, which is connected with the Gulf of Riga.

Holocene is the time of formation of its current borders. Much earlier (the Pleistocene period) the continental ice kept its waters in a confined space (the Baltic Depression). During the thawing of the ice the sea turned into a lake. Then, as it filled (10 thousand years ago), it again turned into a sea - Ioldievoy (named from the mollusk ioldia, which got to it from the Atlantic), which connected the White Sea with the North Sea . As a result of certain tectonic processes for two thousand years, the central territory of present-day Sweden has risen. Thus, the connection with the ocean was closed, and the Ioldia slightly saline sea turned into a freshwater Anzil lake.

Due to the gradual warming of the climate, the isthmus in the place of the Danish straits has lowered, and already the so-called Litorin Sea (also from the mollusk-litorine litorina) reached the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, 4 thousand years ago the Baltic Sea arose . The outlines of its shores, of course, have changed over the course of 1,500 years.

Since the level of the previous Litorin Sea was 6 meters above the mainland, the sea spilled over vast areas, forming bays, among which the smallest was Riga.