Regions of Latvia
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Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
formally recognised as distinct from the rest of the country. While some of these regions are seen purely as culturally distinct, others have historically been parts of different countries and have been used to divide the country for administrative and other purposes. The Constitution of Latvia
Constitution of Latvia
The Constitution of Latvia is the fundamental law of the Republic of Latvia. It was adopted by, as it states itself, the people of Latvia, in a freely elected Constitutional Assembly, on 15 February 1922 and came into force on 7 November 1922. It was influenced by ideas of the Weimar Constitution...
recognises four distinct regions: Kurzeme, Zemgale, Latgale and Vidzeme.
- CourlandCourlandCourland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
' onMouseout='HidePop("80366")' href="/topics/Livonian_language">LivonianLivonian languageLivonian belongs to the Finnic branch of the Uralic languages. It is a nearly extinct language, with one of its last native speakers having died in February 2009. It is closely related to Estonian...
: Kurāmō), the westernmost part of Latvia, consisting of the cities of LiepājaLiepajaLiepāja ; ), is a republican city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region of Latvia, the third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port...
and VentspilsVentspilsVentspils is a city in northwestern Latvia in the Courland historical region of Latvia, the sixth largest city in the country. As of 2006, Ventspils had a population of 43,806. Ventspils is situated on the Venta River and the Baltic Sea, and has an ice-free port...
and the municipalities of AizputeAizpute municipalityAizpute municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Aizpute town, Aizpute parish, Cīrava parish, Kalvene parish, Kazdanga parish and Laža parish the administrative centre being Aizpute.- References :...
, AlsungaAlsunga municipalityAlsunga municipality is a municipality in the historical region of Courland in Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 from Alsunga Parish, the administrative centre being Alsunga. The municipality consists of the following villages and settlements: Alsunga, Almāle, Balande, Dienvidstacija,...
, BrocēniBrocēni municipalityBrocēni municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2001 by merging Blīdene parish, Remte parish and Brocēni town with its countryside territory the administrative centre being Brocēni. In 2009 the municipality absorbed Gaiķi parish, too.- References :...
, DundagaDundaga municipalityDundaga municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Dundaga parish and Kolka parish, the administrative centre being Dundaga.- References :...
, DurbeDurbe municipalityDurbe municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2000 by merging Tadaiķi parish and Durbe town with its countryside territory. In 2009 it absorbed Dunalka parish and Vecpils parish, the administrative centre being Lieģi....
, GrobiņaGrobiņa municipalityGrobiņa municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Bārta parish, Gavieze parish, Grobiņa parish, Medze parish and Grobiņa town the administrative centre being Grobiņa.- References :...
, KandavaKandava municipalityKandava municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 1999 by merging Cēre parish and Kandava town with its countryside territory. Later it absorbed Matkule parish, Vāne parish, Zante parish and Zemīte parish the administrative centre being Kandava.- References :...
, KuldīgaKuldīga municipalityKuldīga municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Ēdole parish, Gudenieki parish, Īvande parish, Kabile parish, Kurmāle parish, Laidi parish, Padure parish, Pelči parish, Renda parish, Rumba parish, Snēpele parish, Turlava parish, Vārme...
, NīcaNīca municipalityNīca municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Nīca parish and Otaņķi parish the administrative centre being Nīca.- References :...
, PāvilostaPāvilosta municipalityPāvilosta municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Pāvilosta town, Saka parish and Vērgale parish the administrative centre being Pāvilosta.- References :...
, PriekulePriekule municipalityPriekule municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Bunka parish, Virga parish, Gramzda parish, Kalēti parish, Priekule parish and Priekule town the administrative centre being Priekule.- References :...
, RojaRoja municipalityRoja municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Mērsrags parish and Roja parish the administrative centre being Roja. Since 2010 separate Mērsrags municipality created.- References :...
, RucavaRucava municipalityRucava municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Dunika parish and Rucava parish the administrative centre being Rucava.- References :...
, SaldusSaldus municipalitySaldus municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Saldus town, Ezere parish, Jaunauce parish, Jaunlutriņi parish, Kursīši parish, Lutriņi parish, Nīgrande parish, Novadnieki parish, Pampāļi parish, Ruba parish, Saldus parish, Šķēde parish,...
, SkrundaSkrunda municipalitySkrunda municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Skrunda town with its countryside territory, Raņķi parish, Nīkrāce parish and Rudbārži parish; the administrative centre being Skrunda.- References :...
, TalsiTalsi municipalityTalsi municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Abava parish, Balgale parish, Ģibuļi parish, Īve parish, Ķūļciems parish, Laidze parish, Lauciene parish, Lībagi parish, Lube parish, Strazde parish, Valdgale parish, Vandzene parish, Virbi...
, VaiņodeVaiņode municipalityVaiņode municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Embūte parish and Vaiņode parish; the administrative centre being Vaiņode.- References :...
and VentspilsVentspils municipalityVentspils municipality is a municipality in Courland, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Piltene town, Ance parish, Jūrkalne parish, Piltene rural community , Pope parish, Puze parish, Tārgale parish, Ugāle parish, Usma parish, Užava parish, Vārve parish, Ziras parish and...
. - Semigallia is the central part of Latvia. Zemgale is bounded by Kurzeme in the west, the Gulf of RigaGulf of RigaThe Gulf of Riga, or Bay of Riga, is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. According to C.Michael Hogan, a saline stratification layer is found at a depth of approximately seventy metres....
, the Daugava river and Vidzeme in the north, Selonia in the east and the LithuaniaLithuaniaLithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n border in the south. It consists of the city of JelgavaJelgava-Sports:The city's main football team, FK Jelgava, plays in the Latvian Higher League and won the 2009/2010 Latvian Football Cup.- Notable people :*August Johann Gottfried Bielenstein - linguist, folklorist, ethnographer...
and the municipalities of AuceAuce municipalityAuce municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Bēne parish, Lielauce parish, Ukri parish, Vītiņi parish, Īle parish and Auce town with its countryside territory the administrative centre being Auce....
, BaldoneBaldone municipalityBaldone municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2008 by merging Baldone town and its countryside territory. The administrative centre being Baldone.- References :...
, BauskaBauska municipalityBauska municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Brunava parish, Ceraukste parish, Code parish, Dāviņi parish, Gailīši parish, Īslīce parish, Mežotne parish, Vecsaule parish and Bauska town the administrative centre being Bauska.-References:...
, DobeleDobele municipalityDobele Municipality is a municipality in the historical region of Zemgale, and the Zemgale Planning Region in Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Dobele town and the Annenieki, Auri, Bērze, Biksti, Dobele, Jaunbērze, Krimūna, Naudīte, Penkule and Zebrene parishes, the...
, EngureEngure municipalityEngure municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Engure parish, Smārde parish and Lapmežciems parish the administrative centre being Smārde.- References :...
, IecavaIecava municipalityIecava Municipality is a municipality in the historical region of Zemgale, and the Zemgale Planning Region in Latvia. The municipality was formed 2003 by a reorganization of Iecava Parish, the administrative centre being Iecava. The municipality consists of the following villages: Audrupi,...
, JaunpilsJaunpils municipalityJaunpils municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Jaunpils parish and Viesati parish the administrative centre being Jaunpils.- References :...
, JelgavaJelgava municipalityJelgava municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Eleja parish, Glūda parish, Jaunsvirlauka parish, Lielplatone parish, Līvbērze parish, Platone parish, Sesava parish, Svēte parish, Valgunde parish, Vilce parish, Vircava parish , Zaļenieki...
, OzolniekiOzolnieki municipalityOzolnieki municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2003 by merging Ozolnieki parish and Cena parish; the administrative centre being Ozolnieki. In 2009 municipality absorbed Sidrabene parish, too.- Geography :...
, RundāleRundāle municipalityRundāle municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Rundāle parish, Svitene parish and Viesturi parish the administrative centre being Pilsrundāle.- References :...
, TērveteTērvete municipalityTērvete municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2002 by merging Augstkalne parish, Bukaiši parish and Tērvete parish; the administrative centre being Zelmeņi.- References :...
, TukumsTukums municipalityTukums municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Degole parish, Džūkste parish, Irlava parish, Jaunsāti parish, Lestene parish, Pūre parish, Sēme parish, Slampe parish, Tume parish, Zentene parish and Tukums town; the administrative centre...
and VecumniekiVecumnieki municipalityVecumnieki municipality is a municipality in Zemgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Bārbele parish, Kurmene parish, Skaistkalne parish, Stelpe parish, Valle parish and Vecumnieki parish; the administrative centre being Vecumnieki....
. Traditional Semigallia also includes the northern part of Šiauliai CountyŠiauliai CountyŠiauliai County is one of ten counties in Lithuania. It is in the north of the country, and its capital is Šiauliai...
in Lithuania.- SeloniaSeloniaSelonia , also known as Augšzeme , is a cultural region of Latvia encompassing the eastern part of the historical region of Semigallia...
is often considered a part of Semigallia. Selonia comprises the eastern part of the 1939 province of Semigallia, roughly corresponding to parts of the former AizkraukleAizkraukle DistrictAizkraukle District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Vidzeme and Selonia regions, in the country's centre.Districts were eliminated during the administrative-territorial reform in 2009.-References:...
, DaugavpilsDaugavpils DistrictDaugavpils District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgalia region, in the country's south-east. It was organized into two cities and twenty one parishes, each with a local government authority...
and JēkabpilsJekabpils DistrictJēkabpils district was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east. It was organized into three cities and twenty one parishes, each with a local government authority. The main city in the district was Jēkabpils....
districts south of Daugava river. Traditional Selonia also includes a portion of north east Lithuania. Named after the SeloniansSeloniansSelonians were a tribe of Baltic peoples. The Selonians lived until the 15th century in Selonia, located in southeastern Latvia and northeastern Lithuania. They merged with neighbouring tribes, contributing to the ethnogenesis of Latvians and Lithuanians....
.
- Selonia
- VidzemeVidzemeVidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
(LivonianLivonian languageLivonian belongs to the Finnic branch of the Uralic languages. It is a nearly extinct language, with one of its last native speakers having died in February 2009. It is closely related to Estonian...
: Vidūmō), meaning "Middle land", is also known as Livland, though it comprises only a small part of traditional Livland. Present Vidzeme is the Latvian part of Swedish LivoniaSwedish Livonia- Swedish infantry and cavalry regiments:Infantry regiments:* Garnisonsregementet i Riga * Guvenörsregementet i Riga * Livländsk infanteribataljon I...
and City of Riga. It roughly corresponds to the former AlūksneAluksne DistrictAlūksne district was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Vidzeme region, in the country's north-east, from the capital city Riga...
, CēsisCesis DistrictCēsis District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in the Vidzeme region, in the country's north-east. It bordered the former districts of Valmiera and Valka to the north, Limbaži and Riga to the west, Gulbene to the east, Ogre and Madona to the south. It was organized into two...
, GulbeneGulbene DistrictGulbene District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in the Vidzeme region, in the country's north-east. It was organized into a city and thirteen parishes, each with a local government authority...
, LimbažiLimbaži DistrictLimbaži District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Vidzeme region, in the country's north-east, on the shore of the Baltic Sea. It bordered Estonia in the north, the former districts of Riga in the south and Valmiera in the east, and the Gulf of Riga in the west. It covered the...
, MadonaMadona DistrictMadona District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Vidzeme and Latgale regions, in the country's east. Within the district is the highest point in Latvia - Gaiziņkalns. The district also bordered Latvia's largest lake, Lake Lubāns....
, ValkaValka DistrictValka district was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Vidzeme region, in the country's north-east. The district's area was 2441 km2. The population was 31,314 inhabitants in 2008.The district contained 4 towns and 17 parishes...
, ValmieraValmiera DistrictThe Valmiera district was an administrative division of Latvia, located in the Vidzeme region, in the country's north-east. Its administrative center was Valmiera. It bordered Estonia to the north and the former districts of Limbaži to the west, Valka to the east and Cēsis to the south...
districts and parts of AizkraukleAizkraukle DistrictAizkraukle District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Vidzeme and Selonia regions, in the country's centre.Districts were eliminated during the administrative-territorial reform in 2009.-References:...
, OgreOgre DistrictThe Ogre District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in the Semigallia and Vidzeme regions, in the country's centre. It was situated about 37km east of the capital Riga...
and RigaRiga DistrictRiga District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Semigallia and Vidzeme regions, in the centre of the country. The district had the two cities of Riga and Jūrmala with the Gulf of Riga to the north. Beginning from the west and counterclockwise to the east, Riga District had...
districts north of Daugava river. - Latgallia ' onMouseout='HidePop("2988")' href="/topics/Latgalian_language">LatgalianLatgalian languageLatgalian language can mean one of the following:#It was a language spoken by Latgalians in a great part of the area which is now Latvia. Latgalian was a member of the Baltic group of the Indo-European language family. Historically the Latvian language is derived from Latgalian Latgalian language...
: Latgola), the part of Livonia still in hands of the Polish-Lithuanian CommonwealthPolish-Lithuanian CommonwealthThe Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
after the Treaty of Altmark in 1629, so called Inflanty Voivodeship. It roughly corresponds to BalviBalvi DistrictBalvi District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east. It was organized into two cities and nineteen parishes, each with a local government authority...
, KrāslavaKraslava DistrictKrāslava District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east. It was organized into two cities and twenty three parishes, each with a local government authority...
, LudzaLudza DistrictLudza District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east.Districts were eliminated during the administrative-territorial reform in 2009.- Provinces and parishes of Ludza District :*Blonti parish...
, PreiļiPreili DistrictPreiļi District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east. It bordered the former districts of Jēkabpils, Madona, Rēzekne, Krāslava and Daugavpils....
, RēzekneRezekne DistrictRēzekne District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east.Districts were eliminated during the administrative-territorial reform in 2009.-Cities:*Rēzekne*Viļāni...
districts and parts of DaugavpilsDaugavpils DistrictDaugavpils District was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgalia region, in the country's south-east. It was organized into two cities and twenty one parishes, each with a local government authority...
and JēkabpilsJekabpils DistrictJēkabpils district was an administrative division of Latvia, located in Latgale region, in the country's east. It was organized into three cities and twenty one parishes, each with a local government authority. The main city in the district was Jēkabpils....
districts north of Daugava river.
In some cases, Kurzeme and Zemgale are combined into one region. This reflects the political division of Latvia between 1629 and 1917, when Kurzeme and Zemgale were together, first as the Duchy of Courland, then as the Courland Governorate
Courland Governorate
Courland Governorate, also known as the Province of Courland, Governorate of Kurland , and Government of Courland , was one of the Baltic governorates of the Russian Empire, that is now part of the Republic of Latvia....
in the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
while Vidzeme and Latgale were politically separate, both from Courland and one from another.
From this perspective, there are three regions: Kurzeme (including Zemgale and Sēlija), Vidzeme and Latgale. Such division is no longer commonly used but it can be seen in the Coat of Arms of Latvia
Coat of arms of Latvia
The Latvian national coat of arms was formed after the proclamation of an independent Republic of Latvia on November 18, 1918, and was officially adopted on June 16, 1921. It was especially created for its independent statehood...
and the Monument of Freedom in Riga both of which contain three stars: for Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale, which were united into Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
in 1918.