Do you know where Jurmala is?

Perhaps any modern person can answer the question about where Jurmala is located. Even the schoolboy knows that this city is best seen not on the globe as a whole (there you will not find it exactly), but on the map of Latvia.

However, you will agree, the geographical location is not all that one should remember about such a wonderful village.

In this article in more detail will be told not only about where Jurmala is located, but also about the city itself. Also the reader will learn how the geographical situation affects the climate, natural features, flora and fauna of the region.

general description

Jurmala - a city considered to be the largest Baltic resort - is located on the coast of the Gulf of Riga, stretching along it for several tens of kilometers.

For today the Latvian city consists of 15 areas, the most famous of which are Jaunkemeri, Bulduri, Maiori, Dzintari, Dubulti and Vaivari.

It is known that from the very beginning of existence the resort of the Riga seashore was considered bohemian. The question of where to stay in Jurmala was more than once of interest to representatives of the aristocracy and the higher military echelon.

By the way, it should be noted that the modern city also has not lost its charm and is popular with many holidaymakers. It turns out that about where Jurmala is located, is known for several generations.

The pearl of the Baltic is famous for its clean beaches, unique nature parks and cultural attractions. A favorable climate, curative air of the sea and mineral springs have a healing effect on the human body.

How did Jurmala come about?

The settlement represents a strip of land more than 40 kilometers long between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. On 32 of them there are sandy beaches, many of which are awarded the Blue Flags of the EU. This sign of quality includes not only the level of service, but also the ecological safety of beaches and the sea shore.

Thanks to sand, sun, sea and pine trees, the resort of the Riga Seashore has appeared. But the natural conditions required the development of the corresponding infrastructure. Of particular importance was the emergence of transport communications. Since the XVI century in the delta of the river Lielupe there was a ferry crossing. The imperial road ran from Riga to Kurzeme along the sea. But in those days there was no talk about the resort.

After the arrival of a fashion for sea bathing from Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, a resort emerged where local landlords were the first to rest. And after the war in 1812, Russian officers began to come here. In the early 30-ies of the XIX century in Lielupe, a regular ferry service was opened. Then a steamship 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 the resort city.

But the real transport revolution was the opening of the railway, which is still the most convenient mode of transport on the Riga seashore.

Districts of Jurmala

"Latvia ... Jurmala ... Where to rest?" - this is the question that arises with many travelers who come here for the first time. And not in vain, because the city includes several areas.

• The closest to the Latvian capital is the Lielupe region, which consists mainly of elite mansions and buildings. Here are built comfortable hotels, tennis courts, bowling club, water park and sports center. The main street of Jurmala can be reached by a fixed-route taxi. The journey will take approximately one hour.
• One of the quiet areas of Jurmala is Bulduri, located just behind Lielupe. Although there are more people on the beaches of this region than in Lielupe. Here, many Riga citizens like to spend their weekends.
• In the center of Jurmala there are areas with the most developed tourist infrastructure - Dzintari and Maiori. In these parts of the city there are many hotels, cafes and restaurants. Especially known is the largest concert complex "Dzintari". In the Majori area is the main street of Jurmala.
• On foot from Majori you can reach the districts of Dubulti and Yaundubulta.
• Most of the large hotels are located far from the central part of Jurmala. They are located in the districts of Jaunkemeri, Melluzhi, Vaivari and Pumpuri. Route transport runs from the city center, the journey time will take about 20 minutes.

Population of the city

If you think about where the resort of Jurmala is, it immediately becomes clear that over the past decades its ethnic composition has changed significantly.

Since 1991, the number of residents has been significantly reduced. This is due to a significant decrease in the local population (both Latvian and Russian). As of July 1, 2010, there were 55,933 people living in Jurmala.

Ethnic composition

Indicators of the ethnic composition of the resort city practically do not differ from the data for Latvia as a whole. More than half of the total population is made up of 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 in an amazing place. In general, the resort is characterized by a temperate climate of marine type.

Winter here is warm and mild, and a short spring is replaced in the summer in May. The average temperature in winter usually does not drop below 5 ° C, in summer it keeps at +23 ° C.

The Baltic Sea warms up to +23 ° C in the summer months. Especially the water is favorable for swimming in August. Most precipitation falls between August and October.

From the middle of May, the resort begins the bathing season, which lasts until early October. But the health resorts of Jurmala carry out therapeutic and restorative procedures throughout the year.

Therapeutic and natural factors

Where is Jurmala, it is known, but only a few know about the existence of nearby villages. For example, the area of Kemeri, which is part of Jurmala, among indigenous people is known primarily for its sulfuric and sulfuric-salt mineral waters, formed in plaster deposits containing celestine.

Balneotherapy uses sulphate-calcium water with hydrogen sulphide. In Kemeri, sources of sodium chloride water of medium and high mineralization have also been found. In addition to mineral waters, healing mud is used for treatment. At the bottom of Lake Kanier are deposits of sapropelic mud, and peat mud is extracted from the Slokas field.

We get acquainted with the flora and fauna of Jurmala

Beaches of the Riga seashore are considered the main pearl of Jurmala. The coasts of Majori and Jaunumeri are awarded the European quality mark - the Blue Flag of the EU. This means that the beach area meets all environmental safety and welfare standards.

On the beaches there are equipped playgrounds for sports games, where international competitions in handball, football and volleyball are held. Here you can rent water skiing, motorboat or yacht.

To Jurmala in the summer time you can get to the river boat "New Way", cruising from Riga. Jūrmala often hosts sailing regattas, motorsport competitions and rowing competitions. For tourists in the summer season, guided tours of the city on an electric vehicle, as well as in protected nature reserves.

In Kemer National Park and Buldur Dendrological Park, you can see many rare species of plants and animals, watch beavers, birds and bats.

In the Lielupe area there is a unique nature reserve, where centuries-old giant trees are grown and sand dunes are located, one of which reaches a height of more than 18 meters. Here you can walk along the park on specially equipped trails. You can get acquainted with the history of the resort in the Jurmala city museum, and in the open-air museum you can see the old fishing huts and learn about the life of Latvian fishermen.

How to get to the resort, where the "Jurmala" passes - the world famous music festival?

Just note that you can get here almost any type of transport. The road from Riga by car takes about 25 minutes. The modern highway is equipped and equipped in such a way that even guests of the country are unlikely to get lost on the way. Pointers are installed at each fork, i. All that is required from the driver is to see in advance where Jurmala is on the map and calmly go on the road.

In the period from April to September, the entrance to the city is paid (2 euros), and the rest of the time - free. You can buy a pass at the entrance, both cash and bank cards are accepted. When paying in cash, you must prepare the exact amount. The pass gives the right within 24 hours to park cars in free parking places in Jurmala. When you stop at a hotel or a sanatorium, you do not need to buy a coupon for entry.

The journey time from the Riga train station on the train will be 20-25 minutes. There are no stops for Jurmala in the timetable, therefore it is necessary to buy tickets in the direction of Tukums or Sloka. Where to go, tell the conductors, working in all trains. They can also buy tickets, but the cost is higher.

To get to Jurmala from the central station of Riga it is possible on a fixed-route taxi, time in a way - same, as on an electric train.

Starting from June 3, a direct bus ride runs from Riga Airport towards Jurmala, with a fare of 2 Ls (about 3 EUR). The route in this direction is valid until the end of October.

The most interesting variant of a trip to Jurmala in the summer will be a trip on the river boat "New wave". He starts his journey from Riga Castle and sails to Majori Station. All those who wish during the day can ride on the river Lielupe, and in the evening return back to Riga. Such a trip takes about 2.5 hours, but during this time you can enjoy a wonderful view of the local landscapes.

Business card of Jurmala

Jurmala is considered to be the "City on the Wave". It is here that the famous contest of young talents "New Wave" takes place. Today Jurmala is the most ecologically clean city and the popular European resort of the Baltic States.

The visiting card of the Riga Seashore is:

• Well-equipped beaches with golden sand, marked by the EU Blue Flag;
• Clean shallow sea;
• High pine trees and beautiful landscapes;
• Curative air;
• Tourist service of the European standard.