Aizkraukle

Aizkraukle
Town

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Coat of arms
Aizkraukle

Location in Latvia

Coordinates: 56°36′15″N 25°15′14″E / 56.60417°N 25.25389°E / 56.60417; 25.25389Coordinates: 56°36′15″N 25°15′14″E / 56.60417°N 25.25389°E / 56.60417; 25.25389
Country  Latvia
Municipality Aizkraukle Municipality
Town rights 1967
Area
  Total 11.83 km2 (4.57 sq mi)
Population
  Total 8,606
  Density 727/km2 (1,880/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code LV-510(1-3)
Calling code +371 651

Aizkraukle (German: Ascheraden) is a town in Vidzeme region in Latvia, the administrative centre of Aizkraukle Municipality on the right bank of the Daugava River.

History

In the second half of the 14th century Livonian Order built the Aizkraukle Castle, a few kilometres downstream from the ancient hillfort of Livs. The ruins of the castle still remain today. Before World War I, the settlement that stood near the site of modern-day Aizkraukle was known by its German name of Ascheraden.

The modern town was established in 1961 as a settlement to house the builders of the nearby hydroelectric power plant of Pļaviņas.[1] It was originally called Stučka[2] (or "Стучка", Stuchka[3] and "имени Петра Стучки", imeni Petra Stuchki[1] in Russian), for Pēteris Stučka, a Latvian communist.[1] Town status was granted to it in 1967,[1][2] which is also when it became the administrative center of Stučkas District. In 1990, it was renamed Aizkraukle, after the nearest railway station.[1] The name literally means beyond the Kraukle River.[1]

Economy

General industries in the area include power generation, woodworking, printing, and agriculture.

In 2004 Aizkraukle was awarded "The tidiest town in Latvia 2004" in its size group.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pospelov, p. 24
  2. 1 2 Latvijas PSR Administratīvi Teritoriālais Iedalījums, p. 47
  3. Latvijas PSR Administratīvi Teritoriālais Iedalījums, p. 118

Sources

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