Valka

Valka ( German name: Walk ) is a town in northern Latvia exactly at the Estonian border. The greater part of the city is called Estonian Valga.

History

During World War II found in 1944 heavy fighting north of the city instead of on Embach. After the war, until 1991, the city boundary could be crossed without formalities. Valka was county town in the Latvian SSR, and was funded by dispersal of industries. From all over the Soviet Union brought people of diverse origin by Valka, including Estonians who had the lower prices lured to Latvia. In 1989, the population amounted to 8200th

With the independence of Latvia and Estonia in 1991 there was again a state border with customs controls. Valka, suddenly found itself in the rear and lost as a result of problems in the economic conversion of inhabitants. Up to 2004, but more than 100 companies had settled in the city. The main employment areas are wood - and metalworking, light industry and service sectors. In 2007 both countries joined the Schengen agreement, so that today there is freedom of movement and the two sister cities develop many joint activities.

Educational institutions

Already the old Walk had been a university city. Here was, for example, founded by Jānis Cimze Livonian parish school, where it was taught in Latvian and Estonian languages ​​.

Since 2004, there is here a branch of the University of Latvia. In addition, there are a gymnasium, the Latvian- Estonian Institute, an elementary school, the Jānis Cimze School of Music, an art school, and several pre-schools and kindergartens.

Sports

In 1922 the sports club Valka was founded with ten sports departments. 1938 joined the club along with the Sports Club of the Border Guard and the sports club Alūksne.

In the postwar period began in 1959 with the sporting community " Varpa " again a club activity. The sportsmen of the club achieved good results at the level of the Latvian SSR. Today there are with the stadium and modern gymnasiums many opportunities to play sports.

Valkas novads

Since 2009, the city forms with five surrounding municipalities in administrative matters, a Novads or district (see: Administrative divisions of Latvia ). July 1, 2010 10 513 inhabitants were reported. The district area is located in a wooded area at the Estonian border which is marked here by the river Gauja.