Gulf of Riga
| Gulf of Riga | |
|---|---|
Location in Northern Europe.
|
|
| Location | Europe |
| Coordinates | 57°45′N 23°30′E / 57.750°N 23.500°ECoordinates: 57°45′N 23°30′E / 57.750°N 23.500°E |
| Primary inflows | Daugava, Pärnu, Lielupe, Gauja, Salaca |
| Surface area | 18,000 km2 (6,900 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Max. depth | 67 m (220 ft) |
| Water volume | 424 km3 (344,000,000 acre·ft) |
| Residence time | 30 years |
| Frozen | Most or all during winter |
| Settlements | Riga, Jūrmala, Pärnu, Kuressaare, Salacgrīva, Saulkrasti, Ainaži |
The Gulf of Riga, Bay of Riga, or Gulf of Livonia (Latvian: Rīgas jūras līcis, Estonian: Liivi laht, Russian: Рижский залив) is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia.
The island of Saaremaa (Estonia) partially separates it from the rest of the Baltic Sea. The main connection between the gulf and the Baltic Sea is the Irbe Strait.
The Gulf of Riga, as a sub-basin of the Baltic, also includes the Väinameri Sea in the West Estonian archipelago.
The International Hydrographic Organization defines the Gulf of Riga's western limit as "A line running from Lyser Ort (57°34'N), in Latvia, to the South extreme of Œsel Island, through this island to Pammerort (22°34'E), thence to Enmast Point, the S extreme of Dagö, through Dagö to Takhkona Point, the North extreme thereof, and on to Spithamn Point in Estonia".
Major islands in the gulf include Saaremaa, Kihnu and Ruhnu, which are all controlled by Estonia. Kihnu covers an area of 16.4 square kilometres (6.3 sq mi). Saaremaa island is responsible for the brackish water of the Gulf of Riga, as it is partially "shielded" from the Baltic Sea.
Notable cities around the gulf include Riga, Pärnu, Jūrmala, and Kuressaare. The main rivers flowing into the gulf are Daugava, Pärnu, Lielupe, Gauja, and Salaca.
...
Wikipedia