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Vidzeme
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>In ancient times, the territory of Vidzeme was inhabited by <a href="/facts/Latgalians/qf6WoHyX">Latgalians</a> and <a href="/facts/Livonians/5z8R60zG">Livs</a> (near the coast of the <a href="/facts/Gulf_of_Riga/epSXDnaG">Gulf of Riga</a> and along the lower reaches of the <a href="/facts/Daugava_River/dXRILBH3">Daugava</a> and <a href="/facts/Gauja/opAmXNTq">Gauja</a> rivers). Until the <a href="/facts/Livonian_Crusade/G0c5vYjx">German conquest</a> in the 13th century the Daugava, which now forms the south-east border of Vidzeme, was the boundary between the lands of the Livs and Latgalians on the right bank and those of the <a href="/facts/Semigallians/LQlBJXGk">Semigallians</a> and <a href="/facts/Selonians/a0WQVw3C">Selonians</a> on the left bank of the river. The most notable Latgalian region in today's Vidzeme was <a href="/facts/T%25C4%2581lava/hKPwIlPI">Tālava</a>. </p><p>After the <a href="/facts/Livonian_War/tXFSVHIN">Livonian War</a>, part of the <a href="/facts/Livonian_Confederation/hseteHpQ">Livonian Confederation</a> on the right bank of the Daugava river and the Patrimony of Riga was ceded to the <a href="/facts/Polish%25E2%2580%2593Lithuanian_Commonwealth/Tt0zAlQD">Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Duchy_of_Livonia/b6YSMtQU">Duchy of Livonia</a> (the left bank forming the <a href="/facts/Duchy_of_Courland_and_Semigalia/499Psc1K">Duchy of Courland and Semigalia</a>). </p><p>Afterwards, the region was invaded by Sweden in <a href="/facts/Polish%25E2%2580%2593Swedish_War_(1600%25E2%2580%25931611)/5YN8sjJV">1600</a>, <a href="/facts/Polish%25E2%2580%2593Swedish_War_(1617%25E2%2580%25931618)/c8Cq46l7">1617</a> and <a href="/facts/Polish%25E2%2580%2593Swedish_War_(1621%25E2%2580%25931625)/f3GAMMtJ">1621</a>. After the Polish-Swedish War concluded by the <a href="/facts/Truce_of_Altmark/1mGftuza">Truce of Altmark</a> in 1629, Sweden acquired the western part of the Duchy of Livonia roughly as far as the <a href="/facts/Aiviekste_River/mqbIR746">Aiviekste River</a>, since then forming Vidzeme's eastern border. </p><p>During the course of the <a href="/facts/Great_Northern_War/YVw3GjYw">Great Northern War</a>, Swedish Livonia was conquered by the <a href="/facts/Russian_Empire/hg1g5SpV">Russian Empire</a> and ceded to Russia at the <a href="/facts/Treaty_of_Nystad/oJCExY5v">Treaty of Nystad</a> in 1721. In place of Livonia the Russians created the Riga Governorate, but in 1796 the Riga Governorate was renamed the <a href="/facts/Governorate_of_Livonia/YKjyUDWq">Governorate of Livonia</a>, administered autonomously by the local German <a href="/facts/Baltic_nobility/8x5lw6ox">Baltic nobility</a> through a feudal <i><a href="/facts/Landtag/MUxX7gP3">Landtag</a></i>. After the end of <a href="/facts/World_War_I/vITTUanQ">World War I</a> it was split between the newly independent countries of Latvia and Estonia. </p><p>During <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>, the region was occupied by the <a href="/facts/Soviet_Union/m7wWsPto">Soviet Union</a> from <a href="/facts/Soviet_occupation_of_Latvia_in_1940/qLqfuSkz">1940</a>, and then by <a href="/facts/Nazi_Germany/8kRbqRpo">Nazi Germany</a> from <a href="/facts/German_occupation_of_Latvia_during_World_War_II/zwcvITCQ">1941 to 1944</a>. </p><p>With the <a href="/facts/Dissolution_of_the_Soviet_Union/Fyn5jw3n">dissolution of the Soviet Union</a>, Vidzeme became part of independent Latvia once more and it remains so to this day. Although Vidzeme is not an administrative entity today, the <a href="/facts/Vidzeme_Planning_Region/ju7Cl02s">Vidzeme Planning Region</a>, with an area of 19,770 square kilometres (7,630 sq mi) and a population of 273,835 in 2024, includes much of the traditional region. The remainder of Vidzeme is part of the <a href="/facts/Riga_Planning_Region/fQ5lm1sx">Riga Planning Region</a>. </p> <h2 id="subregions">Subregions</h2> <p>The territory of the region of Vidzeme is defined by Latvian law as follows:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/%25C4%2580da%25C5%25BEi_Municipality/yhEkT7sH">Ādaži Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/C%25C4%2593sis_Municipality/886hI8MJ">Cēsis Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Gulbene_Municipality/szAqkAQH">Gulbene Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Limba%25C5%25BEi_Municipality/mVmG34q5">Limbaži Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Riga/PCWbJn2h">Riga</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ropa%25C5%25BEi_Municipality/5wuv4rv5">Ropaži Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Salaspils_Municipality/SAdvPoID">Salaspils Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Saulkrasti_Municipality/M1PxY2fa">Saulkrasti Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sigulda_Municipality/36wNHL7f">Sigulda Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Smiltene_Municipality/V9SPzl5z">Smiltene Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Valka_Municipality/buMMxBWr">Valka Municipality</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Valmiera_Municipality/tKccCKoh">Valmiera Municipality</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/Aiviekste_Parish/kSM8ns9U">Aiviekste Parish</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/Aizkraukle_Parish/FFHPCb3l">Aizkraukle Parish</a></li> <li>The Part of <a href="/facts/Aizkraukle/VvAv9Xur">Aizkraukle</a> on the right bank of the <a href="/facts/Daugava/dXRILBH3">Daugava</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Bebri_Parish/SmlvMWWT">Bebri Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ir%25C5%25A1i_Parish/v5mBuCDH">Irši Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Klintaine_Parish/UvmgdTyl">Klintaine Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Koknese_Parish/oh0cof6z">Koknese Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Koknese/6GzDfGQz">Koknese</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/P%25C4%25BCavi%25C5%2586as/aRG10sMr">Pļaviņas</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Skr%25C4%25ABveri_Parish/qLD6x3yJ">Skrīveri Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Vietalva_Parish/canp6G6W">Vietalva Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Alsvi%25C4%25B7i_Parish/TL0nBnd5">Alsviķi Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Al%25C5%25ABksne/SVFct4At">Alūksne</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Anna_Parish/Hb0V3Gj1">Anna Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ilzene_Parish/JtRRRkT9">Ilzene Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jaunal%25C5%25ABksne_Parish/Km07cEEM">Jaunalūksne Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jaunanna_Parish/NMlDppKX">Jaunanna Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jaunlaicene_Parish/zNIqMzjh">Jaunlaicene Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Kalncempji_Parish/13DSk4pN">Kalncempji Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Maliena_Parish/5bDbeFpW">Maliena Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/M%25C4%2581lupe_Parish/BKSoNRnR">Mālupe Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/M%25C4%2581rkalne_Parish/Ec52Tjmr">Mārkalne Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Pededze_Parish/PT5CduNT">Pededze Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Veclaicene_Parish/mu7AkCMl">Veclaicene Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Zelti%25C5%2586i_Parish/AY1eufx2">Zeltiņi Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ziemeri_Parish/EC3xfET9">Ziemeri Parish</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/Baldone_Parish/xhyorzUG">Baldone Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Baldone/P8yQdFIS">Baldone</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Balo%25C5%25BEi/abhw1Krn">Baloži</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/%25C4%25B6ekava_Parish/fHUUBlrK">Ķekava Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Arona_Parish/V7gcJx5A">Arona Parish</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/Barkava_Parish/9mDyM7gC">Barkava Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/B%25C4%2593rzaune_Parish/clHoEVGN">Bērzaune Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Cesvaine_Parish/tql5kUp0">Cesvaine Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Dzelzava_Parish/aS89mfXK">Dzelzava Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/%25C4%2592rg%25C4%25BCi_Parish/Fn8YGB9M">Ērgļi Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Indr%25C4%2581n_Parish/JSE1dMXu">Indrān Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jumurda_Parish/q0FguSGd">Jumurda Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Kalsnava_Parish/ydRleIEF">Kalsnava Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lazdona_Parish/97A9b15r">Lazdona Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Liez%25C4%2593re_Parish/Vu1TCYFa">Liezēre Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lub%25C4%2581na/1jsyllku">Lubāna</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/%25C4%25BBaudona_Parish/a1ErPutd">Ļaudona Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Madona/VVvglzTJ">Madona</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/M%25C4%2581rciena_Parish/vkjIAmRR">Mārciena Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/M%25C4%2593triena_Parish/cUYoJwtv">Mētriena Parish</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/O%25C5%25A1upe_Parish/UGgTR0Fv">Ošupe Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Prauliena_Parish/fDTKma36">Prauliena Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sarka%25C5%2586i_Parish/0VjNDhn4">Sarkaņi Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sausn%25C4%2593ja_Parish/fqj3AfbP">Sausnēja Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Vestiena_Parish/CflaLBJE">Vestiena Parish</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/Bab%25C4%25ABte_Parish/uPHhrHaR">Babīte Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/M%25C4%2581rupe_Parish/CRxpGVCm">Mārupe Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sala_Parish%2c_Bab%25C4%25ABte_Municipality/vQLuPl80">Sala Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ik%25C5%25A1%25C4%25B7ile/1zwLUvYP">Ikšķile</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jumprava_Parish/L2q5NL8S">Jumprava Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Krape_Parish/BJ4bIm81">Krape Parish</a></li> <li>The part of <a href="/facts/%25C4%25B6egums/KzJHMMeA">Ķegums</a> city of the right bank of the <a href="/facts/Daugava/dXRILBH3">Daugava</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/%25C4%25B6eipene_Parish/ouKo1WP2">Ķeipene Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Laubere_Parish/duTlvMdv">Laubere Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/L%25C4%2593dmane_Parish/NcINektd">Lēdmane Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lielv%25C4%2581rde_Parish/LL8othum">Lielvārde Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Madliena_Parish/D0VGlhuK">Madliena Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Mazozoli_Parish/puvM1h4z">Mazozoli Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Me%25C5%2586%25C4%25A3ele_Parish/j2RVYWHd">Meņģele Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ogre/D7Thx74S">Ogre</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ogresgals_Parish/1VsGkA93">Ogresgals Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rembate_Parish/ESH9BMo8">Rembate Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sunta%25C5%25BEi_Parish/6mQyb0yN">Suntaži Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Taurupe_Parish/ozW9TYNU">Taurupe Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/T%25C4%25ABn%25C5%25AB%25C5%25BEi_Parish/HzcE6jQn">Tīnūži Parish</a></li> <li>Part of <a href="/facts/Olaine_Parish/UM8KIjV2">Olaine Parish</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Olaine/IQT4tNJH">Olaine</a> and <a href="/facts/Lapme%25C5%25BEciems_Parish/NrJ6lPUm">Lapmežciems Parish</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/J%25C5%25ABrmala/WWNhoABH">Jūrmala</a></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/North_Vidzeme_Biosphere_Reserve/uIWeEtoo">North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Vidzeme_University_of_Applied_Sciences/era3fcVI">Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Vidzeme_Upland/XFUgAwax">Vidzeme Upland</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vidzeme. <ul><li><a href="http://www.vidzeme.com/en/">Vidzeme Tourism Association</a></li> <li><a href="https://va.lv/en">Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Līvõkīel-ēstikīel-lețkīel sõnārōntõz: Vidzeme <a href="http://www.murre.ut.ee/liivi/dict.cgi?word=Vidzeme&lang=lv" target="_blank">http://www.murre.ut.ee/liivi/dict.cgi?word=Vidzeme&lang=lv</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Vidzeme (Northern Latvia): Cities, Towns and Sights". OnLatvia.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022. <a href="https://www.onlatvia.com/topics/regions-of-latvia/vidzeme" target="_blank">https://www.onlatvia.com/topics/regions-of-latvia/vidzeme</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>[1] Latviešu vēsturisko zemju likums <a href="https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2021/121B.3" target="_blank">https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2021/121B.3</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>