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'''Liepāja''' is a city in western [[Latvia]] on the [[Baltic sea]]. It is the third-largest city in Latvia and an important [[ice-free port]]. As of [[1 January]] [[2006]], Liepāja has a population of 85,915.
'''Liepāja''' ([[German language|German]]: ''Libau'') is a city in western [[Latvia]] on the [[Baltic sea]]. It is the third-largest city in Latvia and an important [[ice-free port]]. As of [[1 January]] [[2006]], Liepāja has a population of 85,915.
Liepāja is located directly at 21° longitude.
Liepāja is located directly at 21° longitude.


Revision as of 10:15, 28 September 2007

Liepāja (German: Libau) is a city in western Latvia on the Baltic sea. It is the third-largest city in Latvia and an important ice-free port. As of 1 January 2006, Liepāja has a population of 85,915. Liepāja is located directly at 21° longitude.

Liepāja
Flag of Liepāja
Flag
Coat of arms of Liepāja
Coat of arms
Founded1625
Government
 • MayorUldis Sesks
Area
 • City60.4 km2 (23.3 sq mi)
 • Water10.87 km2 (4.20 sq mi)  18.0%
Population
 (2006)
 • City85,710
 • Density1,419/km2 (3,680/sq mi)
 • Urban
85,710
 • Metro
85,710
 Metro pop of 2006
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Websitehttp://www.liepaja.lv

The Coat of Arms of Liepāja was adopted four days after it gained city rights on 22 March 1625.[1] The Coat of Arms is described as: "on a silver background, the lion of Kurzeme (Courland) with a divided tail, who leans upon a Linden tree with its forelegs." The flag of Liepāja has the coat of arms in the center, with red in the top half and green in the bottom. Images are available at the Liepāja homepage.

History

Original settlement in the place of modern Liepāja was founded by Curonian fishermen and known by the name Lyva (from the name of river Lyva on which Liepāja was located). The oldest written text mentioning the name is dated 1253. The Livonian Order under the aegis of the Teutonic Order established the settlement as the town of Libau in 1263. The name Liepāja began to increase in usage after 1560. In 1625 Duke Friedrich Kettler of Courland granted the town city rights, which were affirmed by King Sigismund III of Poland in 1626.

Under Duke Jacob Kettler (ruled 1640-1681), Liepaja became one of the main ports of Courland as it reached the height of its prosperity. Jacob was an eager proponent of mercantilist ideas. Metalworking and ship building became much more developed and trading relations developed not only with nearby countries, but also with Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

Liepāja and Courland passed to the control of Imperial Russia in 1795 during the Partitions of Poland.

Vecliepāja (1875)

Growth during the nineteenth century was rapid. The city became a major port of the Russian Empire on the Baltic Sea, as well as popular resort. By the orders of Nicholas II Liapaja was fortified against possible seaborne attacks. In the early 20th century on the northern edge of the city a major military base was established, including formidable seaside fortifications and quarters for extensive military personnel. As part of the militray development a separate military port was excavated. This area became known as Karosta (War Port) and has served military needs throughout twentieth century.

In the 1870s the rapid development of Russian railways and the 1876 opening of the Liepaja - Romni railway ensured that a large proportion of central Russian trade passed through Liepeja. By 1900, 7% of Russian exports were passing through Liepaja.


Early in the twentieth century the port of Liepaja became a central point of embarcation for immigrants travelling to the United States.In 1906 a direct service to the United States was used by 40,000 migrants a year.

By 1913, 1738 ships entered Liepaja with 1,548,119 tonnes of cargo passing through the Port. The population had increased from 10,000 to over 100,000 in about 60 years.

During World War I Liepaja was occupied by the German army. After the war, when the independent state of Latvia was founded, Liepaja became the capital of Latvia for six months when the interim government of Latvia fled from Riga on a ship.

World War II devastated the city. The Soviet occupation of Latvia brought great misery with many thousands arrested and deported to Siberia and thousands fleeing to North America, Australia and western Europe. In 1941 Liepaja was among the first cities captured by Army Group North when Nazi Germany began war with Soviet Union. The local Jewish population, which numbered about 7,000 before the war, was virtuallly exterminated by German Nazis and Latvian collaborators. Most of the mass murder took place in the dunes of Škēde north of the city. Fewer than 30 Jews remained alive in Liepaja by the end of the war. Film footage of an Einsatzgruppen execution of local Jews was made at Liepaja (and is available at the link indicated [2]).

Top secret USSR document about creating closed military port in Liepāja. Signed by Stalin. (1951)

During the Soviet occupation, Liepaja was a closed city and even nearby farmers and villagers needed a special permit to enter the city. The Soviet military set up its main Baltic naval base there, and closed it completely to commercial traffic in the late 1960s. One third of the city was occupied by the Soviet Naval Base with 26 thousand military staff.

After Latvia regained independence, Liepaja has worked hard to change from a military city into a modern port city marked on European maps. The commercial port was re-opened in 1991. In 1994 the last Russian Federation troops left Liepaja.

Since then, Liepaja has engaged in international co-operation, has found 11 twin and partner cities and is an active partner in several co-operation networks. Facilities are being improved as the city hosts Latvia's largest naval flotilla and is increasingly important to NATO.


Coastline

Liepāja's coastline consists of an unbroken sandy beach as does most of Latvia's coastline. The beach of Liepāja is not as exploited as other places e.g. the Gulf of Riga but also lacks the tourist infrastructure one would expect of a beach resort in Europe.

Economy

In 1997 the Liepaja Special Economic Zone providing a low tax environment was established for 20 years in order to attract foreign investments and facilitate the economic development of Liepaja. The main industries in Liepāja is the steel producer Liepājas Metalurgs and the underwear brand Lauma.

Liepāja harbour

Economy of Liepaja relies heavily on its port which accepts wide range of cargo and has several passenger lines. City also hosts Liepāja International Airport, one of the three international airports in Latvia.

Culture

Liepāja is known throughout Latvia as "the city where the wind is born," possibly due to the constant sea breeze. A song of the same name (Pilsētā, kurā piedzimst vējš) was composed by Imants Kalniņš. The reputation of Liepāja as the windiest city in Latvia has been further endorsed as the biggest wind power plant in Latvia (33 Enercon wind turbines) was constructed nearby.

Liepaja features the regionally acclaimed annual music festival Liepājas Dzintars presenting bands from Baltic states as well as internationally famous guests. The city is also a place of the annual Baltic Beach Party which features a stage for rock bands raised directly on the beach and draws thousands of fans each year.

Liepaja is also a place of Organ Music festival and other musical events.

In 1998 an icehall was built in the city which has since hosted regular ice hockey games including several World championship games. It also serves as a concert hall.

Liepaja encourages tourism the main attraction being pristine beaches with white sand and rolling dunes, but it also offers number of historical sites including protestant and orthodox churches and the ruins of military fortifications from the times of the Russian Empire.


Notable natives

Liepaja in other languages

  • German: Libau
  • Lithuanian: Liepoja
  • Polish: Lipawa,
  • Yiddish: ליבאַװע / Libave
  • Russian: Либава / Libava or Лиепая / Liyepaya)

Sister cities

Liepāja maintains sister city relationships with the following cities:

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liepaja.


Template:List of latvian's district

56°31′N 21°01′E / 56.517°N 21.017°E / 56.517; 21.017

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