Riga District
The Rigas rajons ( German: County Riga) was until 2009 an administrative unit in Latvia around Riga, the capital.
The Rajon bordered to the north by the Gulf of Riga and counterclockwise to the counties Tukums, Jelgava, Bauska, Ogre, Cesis and Limbazi and the cities of Riga and Jurmala, which were administratively from the surrounding district as independent county-level cities. The area covers 3474 km ² ( the urban area Rīga 307 km ² and that of Jurmala City with 100 sq. km included), and has a population of 904 440 (of which 735 670 Riga and Jurmala 55,250 ); about half of the population of Latvia. The district of Riga is one of the largest in Latvia, has central and strategic importance, is the largest economic power is in the country and has the most developed infrastructure. It combines ten major highways and six railway lines.
History
On 31 December 1949, from the Riga district ( Rigas apriņķis ) the districts ( Rajoni ) Baldone, Riga, Saulkrasti, and Sigulda. 1956 and 1959, the county Saulkrasti and parts of the district Baldone was attached again. 1962 came the major part of the district Sigulda. Because of laws of 1998 and 2008, there are today in the area of the former county districts ( Novadi ): Ādaži, Babīte, Carnikava, Garkalne, Inčukalns, Krimulda, Ķekava Mālpils, Mārupe, Olaine, Ropaži, Salaspils, Saulkrasti Sēja, Sigulda and Stopini.
Nature
The greater part of the district was on the flat, sandy soils to Riga, which are characterized by coniferous forests, low bushes, and marshes, which are typical for coastal lowland near. The north is hilly with embedded lakes. There are 132 lakes in the area around Riga, the largest being Babites ezers, Lielais Baltezers, Mazais Baltezers, DUNU ezers and Lilastes ezers. The area is traversed by the three largest Latvian rivers Daugava and Gauja Lielupe. The southwestern part of Gauja National Park is located in the former district of Rīga. The northeastern part of the area is covered by the largest deciduous forests of Latvia.
Structure
In addition to Riga and Jurmala there were seven cities in Rigas rajons: Baldone, Baloži, Olaine, Salaspils, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Vangaži; the largest are Salaspils near Riga with numerous research institutions, Olaine, a center for the chemical industry and Sigulda, a tourist attraction with a castle from the 13th century
In addition, there were 16 municipalities ( pagasti ): Ādaži, Allaži Babīte, Carnikava, Daugmale, Garkalne, Inčukalns, Krimulda, Ķekava Mālpils, Mārupe, Olaine, Ropaži, Salas, Sigulda, Stopini.
- Administrative divisions of Latvia