Bolderaja
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bolderaja (in Latvian: "Bolderāja") is a district in the north west of Riga, the capital of Latvia. It probably began as a fishing village. The area has been inhabited since at least the 10th century and possibly for a longer period of time but unfortunately there is no firm evidence because of variations in the course of the Daugava river and the shifting of sand dunes.
The area was made into a Polish customs post in 1606. The wooden houses built during the Polish era in 1603 may be the oldest in Riga.
Bolderaja was the last district added to the city of Riga in 1927.
Bolderaja was a district consisting mostly of private houses and low rise buildings, but after the 1970s 5 to 9 floor blocks of flats were built by the Soviet government. The population of Bolderaja is largely Russian-speaking.
From time immemorial the inhabitants of the area around the mouth of the Daugava river were renowned for being hard-working and courageous. River mouths were historically key strategic positions. Conseqently many battles were fought with numerous invaders.
[edit] Geography
Bolderaja is located in the northwest part of Riga city, on the left bank of the Daugava river and ~2 km away from the Riga gulf.
Bolderaja is surrounded by water. From the SE: Hapaka grāvis (Hapaka ditch), from the E: Daugava (Daugava river), from the N: Loču kanāls (Locu canal), and from W,NW: Buļļupe (Bull river). There are also two noteworthy islands. North of the district: Mīlestības saliņa (Love Island!) the name of which originates from the previous existence of military bases and as a result many children were conceived in this area. To the East: Krievu sala (Russian island) which in fact is a peninsula.
