Daugavpils

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Daugavpils (Russian Даугавпилс; Latgalian Daugpiļs; Lithuanian Daugpilis, German Dünaburg, Polish Dyneburg) is the second largest city in Latvia.

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1 Location
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Art, architecture, and culture
5 Notable residents
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Location

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Daugavpils is located approximately 230 km south-east of the Latvian capital, Riga, on the banks of the Daugava River which is over 1000 km in length and which flows from its source in Russia, through Belarus and Latvia before entering the Baltic Sea via the Gulf of Riga.

The city has a favourable geographical position as it borders with Belarus and Lithuania (distances of 33 and 25 km respectively). It is located some 120 km from the borderline with Russia.

The city is surrounded by many lakes.

[edit] Demographics

As of 1 January 2006 the city had a population of 108,260.

Russians: 53.96% (58,414)
Latvians: 17.3% (18,725)
Poles: 14.9% (16,126)
Belarusians: 8.22% (8,897)
Ukrainians: 2.23% (2,417)
Lithuanians: 0.96% (1,041)
Jews: 0.45% (492)
Estonians: 0.03% (30)
Others: 1.96% (2 118).

Though Latvian has been the official language in schools and government agencies since 1991, this has created tension with the Russian-speaking majority in Daugavpils, which has demanded that Russian be restored as an official language alongside Latvian. Because many Russian residents of Daugavpils arrived after the 1940 Soviet annexation of Latvia, they are not considered automatic citizens. As a result, these residents and their children must take citizenship tests.

[edit] History

The history of Daugavpils began in 1275 when a stone castle Dinaburg was built by the Livonian Order. Throughout Daugavpils history the city was part of different empires and the city name was changed several times.

It was Dinaburg (1275-1893) under Livonia. Later under Russian Empire it was Borisoglebsk (1656-1667) and Dvinsk (1893-1920).

And finally when Latvia declared its independence in 1918 it became Daugavpils (since 1920).

Daugavpils has several historical names in various languages (sometimes they are still used today):

Borisoglebsk, Борисоглебск (Russian)1656–1667.
Dźvinsk, Дзьвінск (Belarusian)
Dvinsk, Двинcк (Russian)
Dünaburg (German)
Dźwinów, Dźwińsk, Dyneburg (Polish)
Denenburg, דענענבורג (Yiddish)

It was the site of Battle of Daugavpils from 1919 to 1920.

[edit] Art, architecture, and culture

Daugavpils is an important cultural centre in eastern Latvia. There are 22 primary and secondary schools, 4 vocational schools and the Saules College of Art. More than 1,000 teachers and engineers graduate from the Daugavpils Pedagogical University and local branch of the Riga Technical University annually.

The city theatre was restored a couple of years ago. Besides, there are also one cinema theater and other cultural institutions. The city exhibition centre offers a lot of cultural activities.

There are many architectural, historical and cultural monuments in Daugavpils. The most prominent is the Daugavpils Fortress of the eighteenth century.

[edit] Notable residents

One of the most famous persons born in Daugavpils is abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko.

In the early 20th century, Daugavpils simultaneously housed two prominent Rabbis: Meir Simcha of Dvinsk and Yosef Rozen (the Rogachover Gaon).

[edit] See also

Battle of Daugavpils
Dinaburg FC (the Daugavpils football team)
FC Ditton

[edit] External links

Districts and Cities of Latvia
City: Daugavpils • Jelgava • Jūrmala • Liepāja • Rēzekne • Riga • Ventspils District : Aizkraukle District • Alūksne District • Balvi District • Bauska District • Cēsis District • Daugavpils District • Dobele District • Gulbene District • Jēkabpils District • Jelgava District • Kraslava District • Kuldīga District • Liepāja District • Limbaži District • Ludza District • Madona District • Ogre District • Preiļi District • Rēzekne District • Rīga District • Saldus District • Talsi District • Tukums District • Valka District • Valmiera District • Ventspils District