Latvia is divided into five planning regions (Latvian: Latvijas plānošanas reģioni): Kurzeme, Latgale, Riga, Vidzeme, and Zemgale. The boundaries of these regions correspond to the borders of Latvia's municipalities. However, the planning regions are not considered administrative territorial divisions, as they are not mentioned in the law governing Latvia's administrative territorial structure.[1]
Following the 2021 reform, certain areas of the Riga Region were incorporated into the Kurzeme and Vidzeme regions. Notably, the statistical regions of Latvia align with the planning regions.[2]
List
| Regions | Largest city | Population[3] | Area (km2) | Density (per km2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riga Planning Region | Riga | 860,142 | 3,158 | 272.37 |
| Kurzeme Planning Region | Liepāja | 276,317 | 16,046 | 17.22 |
| Vidzeme Planning Region | Valmiera | 276,449 | 19,770 | 13.98 |
| Latgale Planning Region | Daugavpils | 245,053 | 14,549 | 16.84 |
| Zemgale Planning Region | Jelgava | 225,047 | 10,733 | 20.97 |
| Latvia | Riga | 1,883,008 | 64,256 | 29.30 |
History
Regional institutions began formation 1997 according to municipal initiatives on the planning of common development. Following legislation on regional development, the five planning regions were created according to the 5 May 2009 decision no. 391 of the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers: "Decisions on Territories of the Planning Regions.[4][5]
- Planning regions before 2021
| Regions | Largest city | Area | Population | (per km²)[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riga | Riga | 10,132 km² | 989,525 | (98/km²) |
| Kurzeme | Liepāja | 13,596 km² | 233,229 | (17/km²) |
| Latgale | Daugavpils | 14,549 km² | 247,220 | (17/km²) |
| Zemgale | Jelgava | 10,733 km² | 225,017 | (21/km²) |
| Vidzeme | Valmiera | 15,246 km² | 180,766 | (12/km²) |
| Latvia | Riga | 64,256 km² | 1,875,757 | (29/km²) |
The 2021 reformed territories of the planning region are determined by the Cabinet of Ministers' regulations of 22 June 2021 No. 418: "Rules on the Territories of the Planning Region".[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Administratīvo teritoriju un apdzīvoto vietu likums" (in Latvian). Latvijas Vēstnesis. 2020-06-23. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "Par Latvijas Republikas statistiskajiem reģioniem un tajos ietilpstošajām administratīvajām vienībām" (in Latvian). Latvijas Vēstnesis. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ^ "Population by ethnicity in regions, State cities and municipalities at the beginning of year 2012 - 2023". Oficiālās statistikas portāls.
- ^ "Plānošanas reģioni" (in Latvian). Ministry of Regional Development and Local-governments. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ "Noteikumi par plānošanas reģionu teritorijām" (in Latvian). Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia. 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ "Population by ethnicity in regions, cities and municipalities at the beginning of year (After administrative-territorial reform in 2021) 2021 - 2022".
- ^ "Plānošanas reģioni | Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija". www.varam.gov.lv.
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