Riga is the capital of Latvia, and this capital city is vast relative to Latvia's tiny population; over one-third of the population lives in Riga. But you wouldn't realise this during summer weekends when everyone leaves the capital to head for their holiday homes in the countryside. A brief history of Riga The city's history began in the second half of the twelfth century when German traders mercenaries and missionaries arrived. They established an outpost for trading with the Balts in 1158 on the site that would become Riga. 1201, the newly-proclaimed Bishop of Livonia, landed in Riga ... [More information]