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CHAPTER 2 : RIGA Main attractions in Riga

Some facts about Latvia

Capital city: Riga (644 000 inhabitants)
Area: 64 600 km2 (a little less than Benelux)
Population: about 1 955 000 inhabitants
Density: 31 inhabitants./km2

Life expectancy: 69,5 years for men and 79 years for women
GDP per inhabitant: 19 237€
Unemployment rate: 9,6%
Currency: euro (since 2014)

Time zone: GMT (+03 :00), meaning 1 hour more than in France
Language: Latvian
Political regime: parliamentary democracy
Head of state: Raimonds Vejonis (since June 2015)

Prime minister: Jüri Ratas (since February 2016)

Religion in Latvia and banks Almost as old as Riga itself, Doma Cathedral is the

Though different religions like the Lutheran, Orthodox, and Since January 1st, 2014, the official Steeped in over 800 years of history and recognised spiritual heart of the city. With construction begun by
Riga’s first Bishop Albert in 1211, it has been a work
by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, Old Riga is
Catholic faith have entered the Latvian culture, majority of Money currency of Latvia is the Euro. In Latvia, the heart and soul of Latvia’s capital. Many nations in progress ever since, with Gothic, Romanesque,
the Latvians still practice traditional religious beliefs. money can be exchanged at banks or have helped build this unique place, and famous Baroque and even Art Nouveau elements in one
exchange offices.
More than 60% of the population practices the traditional Latvia has a solid network of accessible figures from Peter the Great to Richard Wagner have harmonious whole. The interior holds many works
of art, and the adjacent Cloister Garden displays
spent time here. Magnificent churches, architectural
religion, while about 20% belong to the Evangelical ATMs, but, when venturing outside the masterpieces like the House of Blackheads, romantic intriguing artefacts from Riga’s history. And don’t
Lutheran Church of Latvia, more than 15% belong to the cobblestone lanes, squares bursting with summer life miss a performance on the famous organ!
Latvian Orthodox Church, and about 18% belong to the cities, taking cash out in advance is and much more await you.
Roman Catholic Church. advised. ATMs accept credit and debit Address : Herdera laukums 6
cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and Opening hours : 9h-17h
others). The Latvian National Museum of Art is Price : Free
a wonderful venue for discovering Latvia’s artistic
heritage through both permanent and visiting
Genral budget in riga The single emergency Hotline number the building itself is a work of art to be savoured. Built Alberta street: Riga experienced its golden
exhibitions. And fresh from a major reconstruction,
Emergencies and PHone
age in the early 20th century just as Art Nouveau
Tobacco goods are some of the cheapest in Europe.
originally in 1905, the grand neo Classical structure
architecture was coming into fashion, and so the
Restaurant and hotel service prices are also lower than
is a seamless blends the original grand columns,
city has one of the world’s richest collections of this
the average for European countries. Approximate level of
sweeping stairs and impressive murals with post-
prices for goods and services:
on what to do in certain situations, or
There are over 800 amazing Art Nouveau structures
observation deck and transparent storage areas, so
• Three course meal in a restaurant 20 - 25 euros 112 (toll free) will provide information modern elements like a light-embracing glass cupola, exuberant style.
• Lunch 3 - 5 euros connect you to the appropriate service you can literally see the art behind the scenes. throughout the city, but the greatest concentration
– emergency medical, fire department,
• Glass of wine 15 cl 5 euros or the police. is on Alberta iela, a street largely built in a flurry of
• Glass of beer 0.5 l 3 euros Address : Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1, Rīga, LV-1010 creativity by a single architect, Mikhail Eisenstein.
• Public transport ticket for one trip 1.15 euro To call a Latvian phone : +371 (or 00371) Opening hours : Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 - 18:00 / Address : Alberta iela
• Public transport ticket for a day 5 euros To call a French phone : +33 (or 0033) Friday 10:00 - 20:00 / Saturday – Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Other places of interest : Latvian Ethnographic Open-
• Taxi ride from the airport to the city 11 - 14 euros Price : 6 euros Air Museum, Latvian National Opera and Ballet, The
• 16 Taxi Fare (1 km) 0.50 euros Freedom Monument, Riga Motor Museum 17