Jūrmala
Jūrmala (Latvian: [ˈjuːrmala] ⓘ; "seaside") is a state city in Latvia, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) west of Riga. Jūrmala is a resort town stretching 32 km (20 miles) and is sandwiched between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River. It has a 33 km (21 miles) stretch of white-sand beach and is the fifth-largest city in Latvia.
Jūrmala | |
|---|---|
State city | |
Jomas Street | |
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Flag Coat of arms Brandmark | |
Location of Jūrmala within Latvia | |
| Coordinates: 56°58′5″N 23°46′13″E | |
| Country | Latvia |
| Town rights | 1959 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rita Sproģe (ZZS) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 101.23 km2 (39.09 sq mi) |
| • Land | 88.98 km2 (34.36 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
| • Total | 51,158 |
| • Density | 510/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
| GDP | |
| • State city | €0.504 billion (2021) |
| • Per capita | €10,000 (2021) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | LV-2003; LV-2008; LV-20(10-17) |
| Calling code | +371 67 |
| Number of city council members | 15 |
| Website | www |
While Latvia was under Soviet occupation, Jūrmala was a favorite holiday-resort and tourist destination for high-level Communist Party officials, particularly Leonid Brezhnev and Nikita Khrushchev. Although many amenities such as beach-houses and concrete hotels remain, some have fallen into disrepair. Jūrmala remains a tourist attraction with long beaches facing the Gulf of Riga and romantic wooden houses in the Art Nouveau style.