Administrative divisions of Latvia

The Administrative divisions of Latvia Republic includes nine cities ( Latvian Republikas Pilsetas ) and 110 districts ( novadi ).

• 2.1 From the Middle Ages to the First World War
• 2.2 1919-2009

Administrative Reform (1999-2009)

Discussions about a reform of territorial administration began immediately after Latvian independence. As a result, a single-stage model was decided by consolidating several municipalities and the districts should be abolished.

Back in 1996 the first municipal administrations combined with Kandava. As the reform came to a standstill, the municipal elections were set 2009 as the deadline. At this time, the remaining 424 municipalities ( pagasti ) and 50 district towns to 110 districts ( novadi ) and nine Republic cities were reshaped. However, the old municipalities are partly on.

Republic of Cities

Districts

Historical Development

From the Middle Ages to the First World War

• The Livonian confederation of the Middle Ages consisted of the territories of the bishops and the Livonian Order. The land of the Order was there divided into commanderies.
• 1561 the state was divided: In the Duchy of Courland and Zemgallen passed 10 circles. The Polish-Lithuanian Duchy of Livonia, however, was divided first into four circles, and from 1598 in three provinces. The Swedes taught in 1629 in the conquered territory the districts of Riga and Cesis one. The remaining part was used for voivodship in Poland Livonia.
• After the 18th centuries were all historical Latvian territories to Russia, the government passed Livonia and Courland Governorate which - both were divided into circles.
• In the Middle Ages arose in the places of goods deliveries to the overlords, the Latvian communities. The parish ( Latvian pagasts ) had no powers but regulated matters and disputes among the peasants. Only after the abolition of serfdom in the 19th century it received an official function.

1919-2009

In independent Latvia a new administrative division was carried out in 1924: The country consisted of 19 circles ( apriņķi ​​) and 519 municipalities ( pagasti ). With the establishment of Soviet power in 1945 first was the number of counties (now Rajons ) increased, and in 1949 the communities were dissolved. For the establishment of the Kolchoswirtschaft there were now cities, workers' settlements and settlements, the beginning had no fixed territorial limits. Only in 1990 was a reform and after Latvian independence, the communities were re-established. The rural areas of the cities were now designated as a community. 1999, a reform was adopted with the aim of a single-stage administrative divisions.

Until 1 July 2009, the country was divided into 26 districts listed below ( rajoni ):

Aizkraukles rajons, Alūksnes rajons, Balvu rajons, Bauskas rajons, Ventspils rajons, Daugavpils rajons, Dobeles rajons, Gulbenes rajons, Jēkabpils rajons, Jelgava rajons, Krāslavas rajons, Kuldīgas rajons, Liepaja rajons, Limbažu rajons, Ludzas rajons, Madona rajons, Ogres rajons, Preiļu rajons, Rēzeknes rajons, Rigas rajons, Saldus rajons, Talsu rajons, Tukuma rajons, Valkas rajons, Valmieras rajons, Ventspils rajons