The capital and largest city of Latvia; Also called: capital of Latvia.
Capital and port of Latvia; A member of the Hanseatic League from 1282, Riga has belonged in turn to Poland 1582, Sweden 1621, and Russia 1710. It was occupied by the Germans 1917 and then, after being seized by both Russian and German troops in the aftermath of World War I, became the capital of independent Latvia 1919–40. It was again occupied by Germany 1941–44, before being annexed by the USSR. It again became independent Latvia's capital 1991.