LIEPAJA (Latvia)

Liepaja is situated by the Baltic Sea in the south-western part of the Republic of Latvia, by the lake Liepaja. As far as the number of inhabitants is concerned (87 000), it is the third largest Latvian city. The beginning of the city dates back to the 13th century. In 1625 Liepaja received the city rights along with trade privileges. The true heyday of the city, however, took place at the end of the 19th century. In 1697 the building of Liepaja port started. The city is a place where Swedish, German, Russian and Finnish influence meet. For some time in its history Liepaja was even the capital of Latvia.

Among the places worth visiting in Liepaja, the St.Trinity Church must be mentioned. The organs that can be seen in this church are one of world's biggest mechanic instruments. In St. Anna Church one can admire the largest wooden altar in Latvia. Liepaja Theatre is the oldest professional theatre in Latvia. Liepaja is also a city which has the country's greatest number of wooden buildings. Karosta (the Naval Port) is the largest historical military area in the Baltic countries. At first it was a military base of the Tsar Russia and then it belonged to the USSR.

Liepaja is Latvian second most industrialised city. Among the industries of the city there is metallurgy, textile and food industry as well as furniture, timber and port industry. In 1997 the city received a status of free economic zone. Entrepreneurs from Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden and Lithuania have their companies on the premises of the zone.

The agreement on co-operation between the cities was signed in Gdynia on 12th October 1999 for the two-year period. On 31st May 2001 this agreement was prolonged for an indefinite period of time. The agreement stresses development of direct contacts between the inhabitants of both cities, co-operation of cultural, scientific, educational and sport institutions, as well as firms, economic and financial institutions, social and self-governmental organizations.