To the question of where Jurmala is located, perhaps any modern person is able to answer. Even a schoolchild knows that this city is best seen not on the globe as a whole (you won’t find it there for sure), but on a map of Latvia.
However, you must admit, a geographical location is far from all that is worth remembering about such a wonderful village.
This article will describe in more detail not only where Jurmala is located, but also about the city itself. The reader will also learn how exactly the geographical position affects the climate, natural features, flora and fauna of the region.
general description
Jurmala - the city considered the largest Baltic resort - is located on the coast
of the Gulf of Riga, stretching along it for several tens of kilometers.
Today, the Latvian city consists of 15 districts, the most famous of which are Jaunkemeri, Bulduri, Majori, Dzintari, Dubulti and Vaivari.
It is known that from the very beginning of its existence, the resort of Riga seaside was considered bohemian. The question of where to stay in Jurmala was repeatedly interested in representatives of the aristocracy and the highest military echelon.
By the way, it should be noted that the modern city has also not lost its charm and is popular with many vacationers. It turns out that several generations are immediately aware of where Jurmala is located.
The pearl of the Baltic states is famous for its clean beaches, unique natural parks and cultural attractions. A favorable climate, healing air of the sea and mineral springs have a healing effect on the human body.
How did Jurmala come about?
The village is a land strip with a length of more than 40 kilometers between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. 32 of them have sandy beaches, many of which have been awarded the EU Blue Flags. This quality mark includes not only the level of service, but also the environmental safety of beaches and the sea shore.
Thanks to the sand, the sun, the sea and the pines, the Riga Seaside resort appeared. But environmental conditions also required the development of appropriate infrastructure. Of particular importance was the emergence of transport links. Since the 16th century, there was a ferry service in the Lielupe River Delta . From Riga to Kurzeme, the imperial road ran along the sea. But in those days there was no question of the resort.
After the arrival of fashion for sea bathing from Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, a resort arose where the first vacationers were local landowners. And after the war of 1812, Russian officers began to come here. In the early 30s of the XIX century in Lielupe a regular ferry service opened. Then a shipping message appeared. In 1838, mineral and mud springs were discovered in Kemeri, after which the city acquired the status of a resort of the Russian Empire. The active development of transport infrastructure influenced the emergence of a resort city.
But the real transport revolution was the discovery of the railway, which is still the most convenient mode of transport on the Riga seaside.
Jurmala areas
"Latvia ... Jurmala ... Where to rest?" - this is precisely the question that arises among many travelers traveling here for the first time. And not in vain, because the city includes several areas.
- The closest to the Latvian capital is the Lielupe district, which consists mainly of elite mansions and buildings. Comfortable hotels, tennis courts, a bowling club, a water park and a sports center are built here. The main street of Jurmala can be reached by taxi. The journey will take approximately one hour.
- One of the quiet areas of Jurmala is Bulduri, located just behind Lielupe. Although the beaches of this area are resting more people than in Lielupe. Many Riga citizens love spending their weekends here.
- In the center of Jurmala, there are areas with the most developed tourist infrastructure - Dzintari and Majori. In these parts of the city there are many hotels, cafes and restaurants. The largest concert complex "Dzintari" is especially famous. In Maiori district, the main street of Jurmala passes.
- On foot from Maiori you can reach the areas of Dubulti and Jaundubulti.
- Most large hotels are located far from the central part of Jurmala. They are located in the areas of Jaunkemeri, Melluzhi, Vaivari and Pumpuri. Shuttle transport runs from the city center, the journey takes about 20 minutes.
City population
If you think about where the resort of Jurmala is located, it immediately becomes clear that over the past decades its ethnic composition has changed significantly.
Since 1991, the population has been declining significantly. This is due to a significant decrease in the local population (both Latvian and Russian). As of July 1, 2010, 55 933 people lived in Jurmala.
Ethnic composition
The ethnic composition of the resort town practically does not differ from the data for Latvia as a whole. More than half of the total population are Latvians, residents of Russian nationality - 34.3%.
Belarusians (3.5%), Ukrainians (2.31%), Poles (1.54%), Lithuanians (0.89%) and people of other nationalities (4.10%) also live here.
Climatic features of Jurmala
It should be noted that Jurmala is located in an amazing place. In general, the resort is characterized by a temperate climate of the marine type.
Winter is warm and mild, and short spring is replaced by summer in May. The average temperature in winter usually does not fall below 5 ° C of frost, in summer it keeps at +23 ° C.
In the summer months, the Baltic Sea warms up to +23 ° C. Especially the water is favorable for swimming in August. Most precipitation falls between August and October.
From mid-May, the resort begins the swimming season, which lasts until the beginning of October. But health resorts of Jurmala carry out medical and restoration procedures throughout the year.
Healing and natural factors
Where Jurmala is located, it is known, but only a few know about the presence of nearby villages. For example, the Kemeri area, which is part of Jurmala, among the indigenous people is best known for its sulfuric and sulfuric-salt mineral waters formed in gypsum deposits containing celestine.
In balneotherapy, calcium sulfate water with hydrogen sulfide is used. In Kemeri, sources of chloride-sodium water of medium and high mineralization were also found. In addition to mineral waters, healing mud is also used for treatment. At the bottom of Lake Kaniera there are deposits of sapropelic mud, and peat mud is extracted at the Slokas deposit.
Get to know the flora and fauna of Jurmala
The beaches of the Riga seaside are considered the main pearl of Jurmala. The coasts of Maiori and Jaunquemeri have been awarded the European quality mark - EU Blue Flag. This means that the beach area meets all environmental safety standards and amenities.
On the beaches there are equipped playgrounds for sports games where international handball, football and volleyball competitions are held. Here you can rent a jet ski, boat or yacht.
In summer, Jurmala can be reached by the river boat “New Way”, operating from Riga. Jurmala often hosts sailing regattas, motorcycling and rowing competitions. For tourists, in the summer season, sightseeing trips around the city are organized on an electric car, as well as in protected nature reserves.
In the Kemer National Reserve and Buldur dendrological park, you can see many rare species of plants and animals, observe beavers, birds and bats.
In the Lielupe area there is a unique nature reserve, where centuries-old giant pines and sand dunes grow, one of which reaches a height of more than 18 meters. Here you can walk around the park along specially equipped paths. You can get acquainted with the history of the resort in the Jurmala City Museum, and in the Open Air Museum you can see old fishing huts and learn about the life of Latvian fishermen.
How to get to the resort where Jurmala - the world famous music festival?
Just note that you can get here on almost any type of transport. The road from Riga by car will take about 25 minutes. The modern highway is equipped and equipped in such a way that even visitors to the country are unlikely to get lost along the way. Pointers are installed on each fork, i.e. all that is required of the driver is to see in advance where Jurmala is located on the map and calmly set off on the road.
Between April and September, entry into the city is paid (2 euros), and the rest of the time it is free. You can buy a pass at the entrance, both cash and bank cards are accepted. When paying in cash, the exact amount should be prepared. The pass gives the right to park a car in the free car parks of Jurmala during the day. When staying at a hotel or sanatorium, an entry coupon is not necessary.
The journey time from the Riga station by train will be 20-25 minutes. There is no Jurmala stop in the schedule, so you need to buy tickets in the direction of Tukums or Sloka. Where to go, the conductors working in all trains will tell you. You can also purchase tickets from them, but their cost is higher.
You can get to Jurmala from the central station of Riga by minibus, the travel time is the same as by train.
Starting from June 3, from Riga airport towards Jurmala, there is a direct bus flight going round-trip, the fare in which is 2 Ls (about 3 EUR). The route in this direction is valid until the end of October.
The most interesting option for a trip to Jurmala in the summer will be a trip on the river boat "New wave". He begins his journey from Riga Castle and floats to Majori Station. Everyone can ride along the Lielupe river during the day, and in the evening return back to Riga. Such a trip takes about 2.5 hours, but during this time you can enjoy a beautiful view of the local landscapes.
Jurmala business card
Jurmala is rightfully considered the “City on the Wave”. This is where the famous New Wave contest of young talents takes place. Today Jurmala is the most environmentally friendly city and a popular European resort of the Baltic states.
The visiting card of Riga seaside are:
- well-maintained golden sand beaches marked with the EU Blue Flag;
- clean shallow sea;
- tall pines and beautiful landscapes;
- healing air;
- European standard travel service.