Jurmala
Jurmala is a town and separate district in the central part of Latvia, close to the capital, Riga. The town is entirely surrounded by the Riga district, but doesn't belong to it. Jurmala lies on the coast of the Gulf of Riga, and is recognized as the leading Latvian seaside resort and one of the best in the whole Baltic region. Much of the town and the sandy beaches around it are occupied by high-rise concrete hotels, but still the image of the area is determined by the well-preserved, charming Art Nouveau houses and lush gardens. It's also renowned as a spa town and cultural centre, hosting many festivals since the Soviet era. Nowadays, the most famous event is a youth pop music competition.