Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the largest city in the Baltic States. It is world-renowned for its architectural diversity, particularly its collection of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings, which is the finest and most concentrated in Europe. Roughly one-third of all buildings in the city center are built in this ornate style. Riga was a major center of the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages, acting as a key trading bridge between East and West. The city is located on the mouth of the Daugava River on the Gulf of Riga. Latvia is often called the 'Land of Amber' because pieces of the fossilized resin are frequently washed up on its Baltic beaches, especially after storms. Riga's Central Market is one of Europe's largest and most unique, housed in five massive hangars originally built for German Zeppelin airships during World War I. This mix of industrial history and artistic elegance makes Riga a distinctive cultural capital of the north.