| The Port of Riga lies on the coast of the Baltic Sea nine miles from the mouth of the Daugava River on the Gulf of Riga in Latvia. The Port of Riga sits on an ancient settlement of a Finnic tribe where the Daugava and Riga Rivers met to form Riga Lake. Though neither the Riga River nor Riga Lake exist today, the city is thought to be named after the river. Port History Bishop Albert I of Livonia founded Riga in 1201 after landing there with 23 ships of Crusaders. He made it his bishopric seat and founded a branch unit of the Teutonic Knights there. After that, the Port of Riga became an important Baltic trade center and joined the Hanseatic League in 1282. When the Teutonic Knights were dissolved in 1561, the Port of Riga passed to Poland in 1581. Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden captured the Port of Riga in 1621. Both countries afforded autonomy to Riga's government. The Russians took the Port of Riga in the early 18th Century, and the city grew under their control. By 1914, it was the third largest city in Russia. The Port of Riga became the capital of independent Latvia in 1918, although it was again occupied by Russia and made part of the Soviet Union in 1940. Riga suffered deportations and executions of Latvian citizens under Soviet rule. The Germans occupied the city during World War II and destroyed some of its most precious historic structures. While Soviet deportations continued after the war, a flood of Russian immigration made up for the population loss. In 1991, Latvia once again became independent. Though the Port of Riga had suffered much damage, many historic buildings survive. The ancient waterfront castle, the 1215 Doma Cathedral, and many medieval merchant homes and warehouses remain. The old town's medieval moat is a canal around the town today. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1997. Port Commerce The Freeport of Riga Authority manages the Port of Riga. It determines and collects port fees, monitors compliance with port regulations, prevents pollution, ensures navigation in the winter, develops the port and maintains and develops port infrastructure, manages port property, budgets financial resources, and enters into contracts with companies operating within the port. The Port of Riga covers 6.3 thousand hectares, including 2 thousand hectares of land. It contains berths a total 13.8 thousand meters long with maximum draft of 12.2 meters. Loading capacity at the terminals is 45 million tons per year. In 2007, cargo on 3,872 vessels reached an all-time high of 25.9 million tons, including 15.5 million tons of dry bulk, 5.6 million tons of general cargo, and 4.8 million tons of liquid bulk. The major cargoes handled by the Port of Riga include containers, metals, coal, timber, fertilizers, chemicals, oil, and food products. Cruising and Travel The City of Riga's most popular destinations for visitors include the Old Town, the Doma Cathedral with its world-famous organ, German architecture, and a lively nightlife in Vecriga. The Occupation Museum tells the story of Soviet rule in Latvia. Much Art Nouveau architecture can be found on Alberta and Elizabetes streets. Mezaparks contains large homes where the Port of Riga's pre-war elite lived during the summer. |
