Population: 27 213

Area: 1319 sq km

Region: Zemgale 

Government of the region: Self-government, Council of 15 elected members

Ethnic diversity: 67% of the local population are Latvians, 18% Russians, 7% Belarusians, 3% Lithuanians and 5% other.

The neighbourhood of Jelgava is historically important region for Latvia and Baltic states. From 1562 to 1791 it was a part of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (Zemgale), which was a vassal state of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Jelgava was the former Capital of the Duchy, the residence of the Dukes. A large number of manor houses that belonged to German barons and counts are situated in the rural area of the municipality.

Jelgava Local Municipality is also noteworthy for the serious battles taking place in this area during the 1st and 2nd World War. Machine-Gun hill (Ložmetējkalns) is still an evidence for the braveness of Latvian Riflemen during the Christmas battles in WW1.

Many distinguished people in Latvian history come from this area – writers, artists, and most of the former Presidents of Latvia. It’s definitely worth visiting „Auči” – the memorial exhibition of the First President of Latvia Jānis Čakste. The cabinet of President is just like it used to be during the time, when we worked here. In September 2009 we celebrated his 150th Anniversary.

Jelgava Local Municipality is located in the plain of Zemgale and has very wide horizon. The river Lielupe and its almost 20 tributaries is crossing this area, making the most dense river network in Latvia.

There are 8 protected nature areas of European significance (Natura 2000) in the municipality’s territory, which are important places for birds and rare plant species.

The most significant part of the territory – 60% – is occupied by the agricultural land, which is one of the most fertile in Latvia (about 26% of the territory is covered by forests). The main sphere of manufacture in Jelgava Local Municipality, considering fertility of the land, is agriculture, where in crop growing the basic directions are cultivation of grain and rape, in cattle breeding – manufacture of milk and meat. Therefore a big number of inhabitants are employed in agriculture production. There are important peat, clay, sand, gravel and dolomite extractions in Jelgava local territory.

Jelgava local municipality has variety of monuments of cultural history (manor houses, churches), as well as rich culture traditions – choir singing, folkdances, craftsmen.

Jelgava Local Municipality is proud of its rich culture history sites. Around 400 cultural monuments of national and local importance tell the history, confirming local inhabitants’ high level of spiritual culture and traditions of the Jelgava neighborhood.

Families of Dukes of Courland and German Barons have left the Manor buildings in Zaļenieki, Blankenfelde, Vircava, Eleja, Vilce, Staļģene, Lielplatone, Lielvircava and many others as the heritage to us. Most of the manors were built during 17th – 19th century.

There is a significant religious heritage in Jelgava Local Municipality, mostly consisting of Lutheran churches. For instance, Lielvircava Lutheran church is the oldest stone building (built in 1595), and Zaļenieki Lutheran church is noted for the biggest bell in the municipality. But there are also Catholic churches situated in the territory, for example, Līvbērze Catholic church is the only wooden church in the municipality. The most outstanding religious site is St. Trinity Sergius Female monastery, were nowadays 60 nuns still live.

Active cultural life is maintained in the municipality which is reflected by 67 artistic groups with 1100 participants including 15 children groups with 309 participants.

Each year in the snowy white silence of January the commemoration events of Christmas battles are taking place in Jelgava Local Municipality – Ložmetējkalns (Machine Gun Hill) and it is the acknowledgement for the valorous fights of Latvian Riflemen during the World War I. Christmas battles took place during the Christmas time in 1916 (or in January according the „new” calendar), and they are considered as the most heroic and bloody.

There are also several outstanding events in Jelgava City. One of the most visited and beloved by citizens and city tourists is International Ice Sculpture Festival held every February that brings together many ice sculptors and more than 40 000 visitors. Also Jelgava City Festival with 30 000 visitors, International Sand Festival and Milk, Bread and Honey Festival in summer (each with more than 20 000 visitors) are remarkable events in our surrounding.