Gulf of Riga

The Gulf of Riga is an eastern inlet of the Baltic, partly sheltered from the open sea by Saaremaa. Its principal entrance is the Irbe Strait, between the island and the Courland coast. The Daugava flows into the southern part of the gulf at Riga, joining the sea to a river route deep into the Baltic interior. In medieval times traders used the Daugava to carry furs and other goods between the inland waterways and the Baltic shores.