• Population: 243 039
• Area: 15,346 sq km
• Administrative division: 26 local municipalities , incl. Valmiera city municipality.
• Ethnic diversity: 87% - Latvians, 10.3% - Russians, 2.7% - others.

Vidzeme is a dynamic and competitive region of the European Union with a varied nature, culture and history heritage and development potential. The inhabitants of the region dispose of all necessary resources for the provision of qualitative life operation and they can find work and education possibilities that correspond to their qualification and personal growth interests. Vidzeme lies in the north-east of Latvia. Vidzeme has the border with Estonia in the north and with Russia in the east. Vidzeme region has a homogenous national character of its inhabitants. It is the most Latvian region in the country.

Vidzeme is one of the four historical territories in Latvia. It is famous with its beauty of nature, heritage relating to the history of civilization and ethnical traditions. Vidzeme is called the culture cradle of Latvia as many outstanding Latvian writers, poets, musicians and public activists have grown up here. In the middle of the 19th century the choir singing and Latvian Song Festival tradition started in Vidzeme. In Valmiera, though, there operates the only professional theatre in Vidzeme region – Valmiera Drama Theatre.

In Vidzeme you can enjoy the picturesque beauty of rivers and lakes, to rejoice at the landscapes made by woods, meadows, hills and lowlands. The ancient towns, each with its charm, its history and culture, keep significant heritage of culture and architecture. Because of its rich historical and cultural background, the Vidzeme Region is a natural tourist destination. Its location within the Gauja National Park and on the banks of the picturesque Gauja River, and its excellent rail, bus and road connections to the Latvian capital of Riga, make it an ideal centre for tourism development. Visitors can touch castle ruins and re-live the times of the Livonian Order and hear one of Latvia’s finest old organs in St. John’s church in Cesis.

Forests, rivers and lakes provide opportunities for an outstanding eco-tourism experience in the Region. The dual attractions of the Gauja National Park and the Gauja River provide opportunties for hiking, camping, canoeing and kayaking, bird-watching and wildlife viewing, skiing and bob-sledding.

Visitors can also enjoy traditional choirs, folk dancing, artists and artisans. Events such as choir festivals, performaces of the Latvian National Opera, the summer music festival, the Festivity of Brothers of the Sword and the Song and Dance Festival have great potential to attract visitors in future years.

The strategic priorities of Vidzeme region were established based on the needs of the region and the balance between the branches that create and those which consume resources:

• infrastructure and service development;
• economic development, raising of competitiveness and movement towards knowledge-based economy;
• development of human resources and increasing of employment; rural development.