Information AboutDaugavpils |
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.]] Daugavpils is the second largest City in Latvia . It is located approximately 230 km south-east of the Latvian capital, Riga , on the banks of the Daugava River. Daugavpils has a favorable geographical position as it borders with Belarus and Lithuania (distances of 33 and 25 km respectively). It is located some 120 km from the Latvian border with Russia . The city is surrounded by many lakes. NAMES Daugavpils has been referred to by several historical names in various languages. Some are still in use today.
Here is chronology of name changes: Dinaburg (1275–1893 with some interruptions) >>> Borisoglebsk (1656–1667) >>> Dvinsk (1893–1920) >>> Daugavpils (1920–TODAY) DEMOGRAPHICS As of 1 January 2006 , the city had a population of 108 260.
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 Test s. HISTORY The town's history began in 1275 when the stone castle Dinaburg (''Dünaburg'') was built by the Livonian Order . As part of the Russian Empire it was called Borisoglebsk (1656-1667) and Dvinsk (1893-1920). The town was renamed Daugavpils in 1920 as part of independent Latvia. The city was the site of the Battle Of Daugavpils from 1919 to 1920. Dvinsk was Russian-occupied 1940-41 and Nazi ruled from 1941-44. The town was the scene of fierce Jewish resistance during those year. During the Cold War it hosted Lotsaki air base 12 km northeast of the town. ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND CULTURE Daugavpils is an important cultural center in eastern Latvia. There are 22 primary and secondary schools, four vocational schools, and the Saules College of Art. More than 1,000 teachers and engineers graduate from the Daugavpils Pedagogical University and the local branch of the Riga Technical University annually. The city theatre was restored a couple of years ago. There are also one cinema theater and other cultural institutions. The city exhibition center offers many cultural activities. There are also several architectural, historical, and cultural monuments in Daugavpils. The most prominent is the Daugavpils Fortress of the 18th century. AIRPORT Daugavpils International Airport is located 12 km northeast of Daugavpils , near village of Lociki . As of today, airport is under development to allow both international and domestic passenger traffic, as well as international and domestic cargo transport and charter flights. It might be operational by 2013 . SPORTS The Football clubs Dinaburg FC and FK Daugava Daugavpils play at Celtnieks Stadium in Daugavpils. See also: Speedway Grand Prix Of Latvia NOTABLE RESIDENTS
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