RIGA, re'gi, Russia, capital of Livonia on the Dwina, seven miles from the Gulf of Riga, an inlet of the Baltic, is one of the principal seaports of the empire and ranks in trade next to Saint Petersburg and Odessa. Of the four parts into which it is divided, the old town alone preserves the Hanseatic features. It is characterized by high storehouses and spacious granaries; market place; other squares, and busy, winding streets. The Saint Petersburg di vision of the town is the aristocratic quarter. The °Domkirche (1204) contains one of the largest organs in the world. Saint Peter's Church has a tower over 400 feet high. The Castle (1494-1515), built by Walter von Pletten berg, is a spacious building now occupied by the military authorities. Other places of more recent construction are: The Polytechnic, Ex change, municipal picture gallery, schools, or, mnasiums and scientific and professional col leges, bonded warehouses and manufactories.
At least half of the population is German, the German element predominating in the life of the city. There is an ever-increasing intellectual and commercial development. Rigs is a great mart for timber from the vast White Forest, and the third city of Russia for exports, the chief of which are corn, hemp, oats, tallow, leather, tobacco, rugs and feathers. Much of the interior trade is carried on by both and water communications.
Gulf of Russia, an inlet on the east side of the Baltic Sea, 105 miles in length from north to south and about 60 in breadth. The islands of osel, Dago, Mohn and Worms lie across the entrance. The chief river which falls into the gulf is the Duna; seven miles above its mouth is the important commercial seaport of Riga (q.v.), after which the gulf is named.