Gulf of Riga

Gulf of Riga
Gulf of Riga

Location in Northern Europe. Location Coordinates Settlements Europe 573732N 233505E [1]

Coordinates: 573732N 233505E [1]

Riga, Jrmala, Prnu, Kuressaare, Salacgrva, Saulkrasti, Ainai

The Gulf of Riga, Bay of Riga, or Gulf of Livonia (Latvian: Rgas jras lcis, Estonian: Liivi laht, Russian: ) is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. The area of the Gulf of Riga is about 18,000km. The maximum depth is 67 m. The island of Saaremaa (Estonia) partially separates it from the rest of the Baltic Sea. The main exit out of the gulf is the Irbe Strait. Ruhnu island, in the middle of the gulf, also belongs to Estonia. The Gulf of Riga, as a sub-basin of the Baltic, also includes the Vinameri Sea in the West Estonian archipelago.
A view of the Gulf of Riga from Lapmeciems, Latvia, looking out into the distance of the Baltic Sea.

Notable cities in this gulf include Riga, Prnu, Jrmala, and Kuressaare. The main rivers flowing into the gulf are Daugava, Prnu, Lielupe, Gauja, and Salaca.

Gulf of Riga

Extent
The International Hydrographic Organization defines its western limit as "A line running from Lyser Ort (5734'N), in Latvia, to the S extreme of sel Island, through this island to Pammerort (2234'E), thence to Enmast Point, the S extreme of Dag, through Dag to Takhkona Point, the N extreme thereof, and on to Spithamn Point in Estonia".[2]

Salinity
A saline stratification layer is found at a depth of approximately seventy metres.[3]Wikipedia:Please clarify

Winter
In winter, most or all of the Bay usually freezes. This is due to low salinity and the calming effect of the partial closure of the entrance of the gulf. This allows people to walk over the bay. The thickest recorded ice was 90cm in 1941-42.[4] Ice hole fishing has been a traditional source of winter food. It remains a common activity. The ice usually melts between March and April. In late March 2013, when the ice started to melt, 200 people had to be rescued from ice floes.[5]

References
[1] http:/ / tools. wmflabs. org/ geohack/ geohack. php?pagename=Gulf_of_Riga& params=57_37_32_N_23_35_05_E_type:waterbody_scale:2500000 [3] C.Michael Hogan. 2011. Gulf of Riga. Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC. [4] http:/ / www. estonica. org/ en/ Nature/ The_Baltic_Sea/ The_Gulf_of_Riga/ [5] http:/ / www. theguardian. com/ world/ 2013/ mar/ 29/ latvia-rescues-people-ice-floes

External links
The Gulf of Riga (http://www.estonica.org/en/Nature/The_Baltic_Sea/The_Gulf_of_Riga/) Estonica

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Gulf of Riga Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=570231513 Contributors: Aivar100, Altenmann, Andris, Andycjp, Anttihav, Apurins, AshbyJnr, Avala, Backspace, Balcer, Bazonka, Bc4444, Berberisb, Bjankuloski06en, CalJW, Curps, Darwinek, Edd Porter, Enaidmawr, ExRat, Flying Saucer, Frietjes, Frokor, Good Olfactory, Gragox, Harald Hansen, HennessyC, Hmains, Jao, Julo, K731, Kikos, Kruusamgi, LPfi, Luh-e, MapMaster, Mircea cs, Mrom, Nikai, Nimetapoeg, Nk, Peter Isotalo, Petri Krohn, Philaweb, Quercus schnobur, RedWolf, Reindra, Robofish, Sander Sde, Schwartz und Weiss, Senzeichi, Stepheng3, ThomasPusch, Thomasgraz, Traqwe, Vit Chi, Von Mario, 18 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Locatie Golf van Riga.PNG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Locatie_Golf_van_Riga.PNG License: Public Domain Contributors: edited by M.Minderhoud File:Gulfofriga.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gulfofriga.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Orangeforrestmushrooms

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/