Jekabpils county

Jekabpils region lies on both the banks of the Daugava in the south-east part of Latvia between Vidzeme and Latgale. In the south it borders on Lithuania and the length of the border is 44km. In the north it borders on Madona region, in the west - Aizkraukle region, in the east - Preili and Daugavpils regions.

The total area of the region is 2998sq.km., the population - 57812, and it is the fifth largest region in Latvia according to the area and population.

The unemployment rate on the 4^th January 2000 is 10,6% from economically active population according to the State Employment Board data. Jekabpils region is divided in two parts by the Daugava - the biggest river of Latvia. The administrative centre of the region is Jekabpils and its population in 1999 was 28540 people.

Jekabpils town is the 8^th largest town in Latvia and could be regarded as a city. There are two more towns in the region - Viesite with 2 230 inhabitants and Akniste with 1 350 inhabitants. Urban population 32 800 people, rural - 25 000 living in 20 rural municipalities and 2 rural town territories.