Skrunda

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This article is about the existing town. For the ghost town, see Skrunda-1.
Skrunda
Town

Flag
Coat of arms
Skrunda
Location in Latvia
Coordinates: 56°40′N 22°0′E / 56.667°N 22.000°E / 56.667; 22.000Coordinates: 56°40′N 22°0′E / 56.667°N 22.000°E / 56.667; 22.000
Country  Latvia
District Kuldīga District
Town rights 1996
Government
 • Mayor Nellija Kleinberga
Area
 • Total 7.912 km2 (3.055 sq mi)
 • Rural territory 257.908 km2 (99.579 sq mi)
Elevation 50 m (160 ft)
Population
 • Total 2,637
 • Density 333/km2 (860/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code LV-3326
Calling code +371 633
Number of city council members 9

Skrunda ( pronunciation (help·info); German: Schrunden) is a town in Latvia. It lies 150 km west of the capital city Riga.

Skrunda-1

Skrunda is best known as the town nearest the former Soviet secret city, Skrunda-1, which housed two major radar installations during the cold war period. Skrunda-1 is currently a ghost town, as the last remaining residents abandoned the town in 1998. The Soviet Union, when building secret installations, usually left the name of the settlement off the map and referred to them literally by the name of the nearest town, plus a number (usually a 1).

In February 2010 the town was sold to an unknown Russian investor for $3.1 Million. No word yet on what the winning bidder will do with 110-acre (45 hectare) property that is located in western Latvia about 95 miles (150 kilometers) from Riga.

See also

  • List of cities in Latvia

References

    External links

    Skrunda municipality
    Towns with town rights in Latvia
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