Where is Riga

Asks Diana

A. Riga is the capital of Latvia.

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Q. What is its population

A. It is approximately 900,000.

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Q. I have been reading a lot about Riga lately, is it a good place to visit

A. It is one of the main cities in the Balkans (alongside Tallinn and Vilnius) and is a very trendy place to visit this year. Since it gained its independence from Russia on 21 August, 1991 Latvia has concentrated on turning its economy over to private enterprise and boosting it through tourism, which was sorely neglected during Soviet occupation. It hasn't been hard to attract tourists as the city is full of old world grandeur, great entertainment and it has a bohemian edge that has made it attractive and cool to visit.

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Q. What are the best places to see during a weekend trip to Riga

A. There is lots to see, so one of the best places to start is in the Old Town, known locally as Vicriga, Riga Cathedral is a great place to start your trip. It dates back to 1211, and is of Lutheran origin. It is remarkable in that it is relatively unadorned, when compared to catholic churches for example, so is refreshing in its minimalist stance. As well as being a place of worship, the cathedral also houses the Museum of History and Navigation in its east wing. It is located on Cathedral Square, which is full of cafes, restaurants and bars and is a great place to sit and watch the city and its inhabitants pass by.

Nearby, is Castle Square home to Riga Castle (built in 1515) and home today to the Latvian President (Vaira Vike-Freiberga). The Parliament buildings are found on Jekaba Iela, next to Riga's Catholic church, St Jacob's. which dates back to the early 13th Century.

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Other points of interest in the old town include St Peter's Church (offers great aerial views of the city); Bastion Hill, a huge city park with boulders at its entrance bearing the names of those people killed by Soviet snipers during Latvia's push for independence in 1991; the Museum of War; the Swedish Gate, the last surviving city gate; the House of the Blackheads one of the city's last remaining medieval buildings and once the headquarters of the Guild of Bachelor Merchants; Latvian Rifleman's Square (commemorates soldiers from WW1) and the Occupation Museum.

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Central Region: Just south of the old town (beside the main train and bus stations) is the centre of town where you can find the central market, it is a great place to visit for fresh produce but also because it is housed in a couple of disused 1930's Zeppelin hangars. Also in this area you'll find the old Riga Ghetto, home to Riga's old (the majority of which were killed during WW2 at the Salaspils concentration camp, just outside Riga) and present Jewish community, the main synagogue can be found at 6-8 Peitavas. The Academy of Sciences is also here and nicknamed "Stalin's Birthday Cake" as it is a huge 1960s tiered concrete building built by during Soviet rule. The Jesus Church, the oldest wooden church in Riga can be found next to it, and it dates back to 1630.

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New Town: can be found to the east of the city and dates back to a time of urban expansion and development that began in 1850 and ended at the beginning of WW1 in 1914. During this period most of the old city walls were pulled down and new wide avenues and boulevards were built full of affluent five storey buildings (and made into elaborate apartments) with gardens and ornate decorations, known as Jugendstil. One of the main landmarks within New Town is the 1935 Freedom Monument, a modern structure of a woman (known locally as Milda) holding three stars that represent the three historical regions of Latvia - Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale.

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Also within this area, it is worth visiting Esplanade Park, which is home to the Cathedral of Christ's Nativity and the State Museum of Latvian Art.

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Q. What is the main river that runs through Riga

A. It is the River Daugava. Local legend has it that once every 100 years the devil raises its head from the river and asks whether the city is ready yet. If or when the city is ready, it will sink into the waters of the Daugava. In over 900 years the city has continued to survive.

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Q. Do I need a visa to visit Latvia

A. If you are UK citizen you can go without a visa for up to 90 days.

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Q. When is the best time to visit Riga

A. You'll experience the best weather between May and September, so is the best time to visit. If you visit in June you can experience the Gadatirgus festival in Riga, it is a big arts and cultural event that lasts for 4 days. July and August are the high season in the city.

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Q. What is the currency in Latvia

A. The Lat (lati is plural).

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By Karen Anderson