Jelgava

Jelgava (German: Mitau; Russian: ?????? / ??????; Polish: Mitawa) is a town in central Latvia about 50km southwest of Riga with approximately 66,000 inhabitants. It is the largest town in Semigallia. Jelgava is often remembered as the former capital of the Duchy of Courland (as Mitau), and was the capital of the Courland region until 1919.

Related Topics:
German - Russian - Polish - Latvia - Riga - Semigallia - Duchy of Courland - 1919

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jelgava is situated on a fertile plain rising only 12 ft. above sea level on the right bank of the river Lielupe (formerly the Kurländische Aa). At high water the plain and sometimes the town as well can be inundated. Jelgava is surrounded by a canal known as Jacob's Channel (initiated by Jacob Kettler) occupying the locations of former fortifications. It is a railway center and an important market for grain and timber.

Related Topics:
Lielupe - Jacob Kettler - Grain - Timber

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~