Aizkraukle

Aizkraukle
—  City  —
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Ascheraden; Stučka;
Aizkraukle Location in Latvia
Coordinates: 56°39′N 25°15′E / 56.65°N 25.25°E / 56.65; 25.25
Country	Latvia
District	Aizkraukle District
Town rights	1967
Area
- Total	11.7 km2 (4.5 sq mi)
Population
- Total	8,962
- Density	766/km2 (1,983.9/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
- Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	LV-510(1-3)
Calling code	+371 651

Aizkraukle is a town in Vidzeme region in Latvia, the administrative centre of Aizkraukle municipality on the right bank of the Daugava River.

History

Aizkraukle before the World War I was formerly known by its German name of Ascheraden. The ancient hillfort of Livs was used by the German knights for the building of Aizkraukle Castle in the Middle Ages, of which some ruins still remain.

The present town of Aizkraukle was built in the 1960s as a village for the builders of the nearby hydroelectric power plant of Pļaviņas. It became a town and the centre of the later Aizkraukle District in 1967. It was initially named Stučka (after a Latvian communist) during the Soviet era. In 1991 it was renamed Aizkraukle, the historical local name.

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

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

See also

List of cities in Latvia

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