Jūrmala

Sister cities

• Alushta
• Batumi
• Samarkand
• Kazan
• Palanga
• Jakobstad
• Gävle Municipality
• Enköping Municipality
• Türkmenbaşy
• Anadia
• Tsqaltubo
• Admiralteysky District

History

The city of Jūrmala actually consists of a string of small resorts. From west to east, these include Ķemeri, Jaunķemeri, Sloka, Kauguri, Vaivari, Asari, Melluži, Pumpuri, Jaundubulti, Dubulti, Majori, Dzintari, Bulduri and Lielupe and others. Jūrmala's reputation as a spa destination began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Wealthy landowners began the tradition of relaxing at the seaside, and Russian army officers came here to rest after the Napoleonic Wars, returning later with their families. The peak of the Jūrmala area's development was the opening of the Riga - Tukums railway in 1877 (which still passes through Jūrmala) that gave a great boost to the numbers of visitors, and thus a boost to the development of the town as a resort. Jūrmala also gained a reputation as a health spa. The sea breeze, pine aroma, mineral springs, and sandy beach encouraged many sanatoriums to develop within the city. In Soviet times Jūrmala was popular with the Communist officials because of its beach and sanatoriums - holidays were also given as rewards for top union members. It became one of the most popular holiday destinations in the whole Union. The spas offered facilities from mud baths to riding therapy and hiking in the woods. In summer there are many concerts. Whereas Riga has advanced rapidly to embrace and cater for growing numbers of Western tourists, Jūrmala has lagged behind. Russians are now subject to strict visa requirements and its beaches have yet to attract significant numbers of Europeans, leaving the tourist industry with a hard task on its hands. However, during the past few years, Jūrmala has started to recover. Many Russian celebrities, successful businessmen and others buy houses near the beach, and a variety of festivals and other activities…

Geography

Jūrmala's beach is long, covered with white quartz sand. The shallow coastal waters are suitable and safe for children. The beach is equipped with playgrounds, small benches, football fields and volleyball courts, as well as descents for prams and wheelchairs. In spring and autumn amber pieces can be found on the beach. Each region's beach has its own character. In Majori and Bulduri, where the Blue Flag flies, it is possible to rent water bicycles or relax in the beach cafe. In Dubulti and Dzintari competitions in beach football and volleyball take place, but on Pumpuri beach there is kite surfing and windsurfing. International water sports contests, including rowing, sailing, and waterskiing that take place on the river Lielupe. Jūrmala has an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) closely bordering on a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), because it is on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Most-observed species

• Hooded Crow

  Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  1,350
• Herring Gull

  Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763 · Aves
  984
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  909
• Great Tit

  Parus major Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  780
• Black-headed Gull

  Chroicocephalus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  719
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  707
• Rock Pigeon

  Columba livia J.F.Gmelin, 1789 · Aves
  671
• Eurasian Blackbird

  Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  565