VIDZEME REGION - Geography and history
Strategically important location
The Mesolithic and Neolithic settlements of ancient hunters and fishermen discovered in the region of Vidzeme date back to between the 5th and 2nd millenniums BC. In the early period of feudalism two different ethnic groups, the Latgallians of Baltic origin and the Livs descending from the Western Finns, inhabited this region. The first major settlements were established simultaneously with the building of Latvian wooden castles in the 10th century.
Following the introduction of Christianity, more permanent materials began to be used at the beginning of the 13th century with the construction of stone castles by the Germanic knights. During the period of late feudalism craftsmanship developed in these castles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the whole territory of present-day Latvia was drawn into the Northern War as a result of which Latvia was incorporated into the Russian Empire. Vidzeme and the southern part of Estonia formed one province and during this period stable economic and cultural ties were established between Estonians and Latvians. Fishing and shipbuilding were developed along the Vidzeme seacoast, leading to the founding of the first nautical school in Ainazi in 1864. After the First World War, when Latvia became an independent state, Vidzeme as an ancient Latvian cultural and historical region came under the jurisdiction of the state.
Vidzeme is situated in the northeastern part of Latvia. It borders Estonia to the North and the Russian Federation to the East. The western part of Vidzeme lies on the sea, running along the coast of the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic Sea. The southwestern part of the region is more closely connected to the state capital Riga than to any other town in the region. With regard to North- and Central European markets, the region is strategically located and intersected by the internationally important transport corridor, the Via Baltica. There is also a dense network of local roads. There are 2 minor ports in operation and 1 historical port with a potential for growth. The Riga International Airport serves the region of Vidzeme as well as all other country.
As can be seen from the 2000 Population and Housing Census data the majority of the population speaks Latvian but Russian is also spoken in some of the region?s towns. The Livian language is spoken in the coastal area around the Gulf of Riga.
There are 8 administrative districts in the region of Vidzeme: the districts of Aluksne, Cesis, Gulbene, Limbazi, Madona, Ogre, Valka and Valmiera.
Entrepreneurs in cross-border trade
The region?s principal shortcoming is its lack of large cities as the closeness of Riga city has hampered the development of a regional centre. Valmiera, comparatively the most industrialised town in the region, has become a regional centre.
Inhabitants of the town and district of Ogre as well as those in the southern part of the Limbazi district take advantage of Riga?s proximity as these territories are within commuting distance and the population work in Riga and avail themselves of its market services.
Within Vidzeme, local government has traditionally made an effort to collaborate with entrepreneurs and involve them in cross-border co-operation with Estonia and Russia. Historically, Valka (in Latvia) and Valga (in Estonia) is one town in two countries.
Towns that have historically been strong economically also provide services and employment to the inhabitants of the surrounding rural areas. Further development of these small towns will diversify the employment opportunities of the rural population.
The region has the advantage of having an economically active, adaptable and well-educated population. The relatively higher levels of education, and the cultural and historical traditions of the population have created a situation where, even without big development centres, the unemployment rate is below average. The vast forest resources of the region may also be looked upon as a potential growth area. However, the lack of roads running in an east-west direction and along the state border hinders access between certain parts of the region.
Extensive forests in Latvia?s largest region
Vidzeme is the largest region of Latvia covering an area of 19 791.6 km², or 30.6% of the total territory of the country. The narrow coastal lowland stretches along the coast of the Gulf of Riga. The seashore varies from sandy beaches and steep sandstone banks to coastal meadows near the frontier zone with Estonia. The rest of the territory is an elevated and undulating plain. In the centre of the region there is the hilly Vidzeme Upland, the highest elevated area in Latvia where lakes and small bogs abound. The highest hill, Gaizinkalns, (312 m above sea level) is situated nearby. In the northeastern corner of the region there is the Aluksne Upland, which, though not large, has a varied relief and a great number of lakes.
The region is situated within the drainage basins of three rivers. The Daugava and its tributary, the Ogre, drain the southern part of the region whilst the basin of the Gauja occupies the central part. The basin of the Salaca, one of the purest and unpolluted Latvian rivers and the fourth biggest salmon spawning area in the Baltic, is situated in the northern part of Vidzeme.
Vidzeme, especially in the uplands, is characterised by early frosts in autumn, comparatively longer winters, a late thaw in spring and large amounts of precipitation. The hilly relief causes considerable local climatic variation.
The Kegums HPS, one of the three hydroelectric power stations on the Daugava River, is situated in the region. Peat and firewood are important local energy resources. Furthermore, a stock of explored deposits and construction materials (clay, quartz sand, peat, gravel, sapropel, dolomite and curative mud) is found here.
More than one third of the forest resources of the country are located in Vidzeme, with wooded areas occupying half of the region?s territory. Although the varying growing conditions mean that almost all kinds of forests typical to Latvia are represented here, pine and spruce forests are the most extensive. Some 27.4% of the country?s agricultural land is in Vidzeme and agricultural land constitutes 34% of the territory of the region, while bogs cover 4% and surface waters 3%.
Apart from 8 towns which are administrative centres the following small towns can be found in Vidzeme: Ape, Ligatne, Ainazi, Aloja, Salacgriva, Staicele, Cesvaine, Lubana, Varaklani, Ikskile, Kegums, Lielvarde, Seda, Smiltene, Strenci, Mazsalaca and Rujiena. No other region has such a large number of towns.
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