Aizkraukle
Aizkraukle (German: Ascheraden) is a town[3] in Aizkraukle Municipality, of which it is the administrative centre. Most of Aizkraukle is situated on the right bank of the Daugava River. As defined by Latvian law, Aizkraukle belongs partially to Vidzeme and partially to Selonia.[4] The population in 2020 was at 7,018.[5] HistoryIn the second half of the 14th century, the Livonian Order built the Aizkraukle Castle, a few kilometres downstream from the ancient hillfort of Livs. The ruins of the castle still remain today. Before World War I, the settlement that stood near the site of modern-day Aizkraukle was known by its German name of Ascheraden. The modern town was established in 1961 as a settlement to house the builders of the nearby hydroelectric power plant of Pļaviņas.[6] It was originally called Stučka[7] (or "Стучка", Stuchka[8] and "имени Петра Стучки", imeni Petra Stuchki[6] in Russian), for Pēteris Stučka, a Latvian communist.[6] Town status was granted to it in 1967,[6][7] which is also when it became the administrative center of Stučkas District.[citation needed] In 1990, it was renamed as Aizkraukle, after the nearest railway station.[6] The name literally means "beyond the Kraukle River."[6] EconomyGeneral industries in the area include power generation, woodworking, printing, and agriculture. In 2004, Aizkraukle was awarded "The tidiest town in Latvia 2004" in its size group.
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