Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the

Historical Latvian Lands Historical Latvian Lands ( lv, Latviešu vēsturiskās zemes) or formerly Cultural regions of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas kultūrvēsturiskie novadi) are several areas within Latvia formally recognised as distinct from the rest of the country. While som ...

. The capital of

Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...

Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...

, is situated in the southwestern part of the region. Literally meaning "the Middle Land", it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the

Daugava River , be, Заходняя Дзвіна (), liv, Vēna, et, Väina, german: Düna , image = Fluss-lv-Düna.png , image_caption = The drainage basin of the Daugava , source1_location = Valdai Hills, Russia , mouth_location = Gulf of Riga, Baltic Se ...

. Sometimes in

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

, it was also known as ''Livland'', the German form from Latin ''Livonia'', though it comprises only a small part of

Medieval Livonia Terra Mariana (Medieval Latin for "Land of Mary") was the official name for Medieval Livonia or Old Livonia ( nds, Oolt-Livland, liv, Jemā-Līvõmō, et, Vana-Liivimaa, lv, Livonija). It was formed in the aftermath of the Livonian Crusade, a ...

and about half (the Latvian part) of Swedish Livonia. Most of the region's inhabitants are

Latvians Latvians ( lv, latvieši) are a Baltic ethnic group and nation native to Latvia and the immediate geographical region, the Baltics. They are occasionally also referred to as Letts, especially in older bibliography. Latvians share a common Latvi ...

(85%), thus Vidzeme is the most ethnically Latvian region in the country. The historic

Governorate of Livonia The Governorate of Livonia, also known as the Livonia Governorate, was a Baltic governorate of the Russian Empire, now divided between Latvia and Estonia. Geography The shape of the province is a fairly rectangular in shape, with a maximum ...

is also larger than Vidzeme, since it corresponds roughly to Swedish Livonia.

History

In ancient times, the territory of Vidzeme was inhabited by

Latgalians Latgalians (, nds, Letti, Lethi, modern ; variant translations also include Latgallians, Lettigalls or Lettigallians) were an ancient Baltic tribe. They likely spoke the Latvian language, which probably became the ''lingua franca'' in present-d ...

and Livs (near the coast of the Gulf of Riga and along the lower reaches of the

Daugava , be, Заходняя Дзвіна (), liv, Vēna, et, Väina, german: Düna , image = Fluss-lv-Düna.png , image_caption = The drainage basin of the Daugava , source1_location = Valdai Hills, Russia , mouth_location = Gulf of Riga, Baltic Se ...

and

Gauja The Gauja River ( et, Koiva jõgi, german: Livländische Aa) is a river in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. It is the only large river of Latvia that begins and ends its flow in Latvia. Its length is 460 km, of which 93.5 km (approxim ...

rivers). Until the German conquest 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

Semigallians Semigallians ( Latvian ''Zemgaļi''; lt, Žiemgaliai, also ''Zemgalians, Semigalls, Semigalians'') were the Baltic tribe that lived in the southcentral part of contemporary Latvia and northern Lithuania. They are noted for their long resistance ...

and

Selonians The Selonians ( lv, sēļi; lt, sėliai, from liv, sälli – "highlanders") were a tribe of Baltic peoples. They lived until the 15th century in Selonia, located in southeastern Latvia and northeastern Lithuania. They eventually merged with ...

on the left bank of the river. The most notable Latgalian region in today's Vidzeme was

Tālava Tālava was a Latgalian country in the northern Vidzeme and northern Latgale region of today's Latvia. It was bordered by the Latgalian Principality of Jersika to the south, the Livonian counties of Metsepole and Idumeja to the west, the Estonian ...

. After the

Livonian War The Livonian War (1558–1583) was the Russian invasion of Old Livonia, and the prolonged series of military conflicts that followed, in which Tsar Ivan the Terrible of Russia (Muscovy) unsuccessfully fought for control of the region (pre ...

, part of the Livonian Confederation on the right bank of the Daugava river and the

Patrimony of Riga Patrimony may refer to: Law * Patrimony, or property, the total of all personal and real entitlements, including movable and immovable property, belonging to a real person or a juristic person * Patrimony, or inheritance, a right or estate inher ...

was ceded to the

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, formally known as the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and, after 1791, as the Commonwealth of Poland, was a bi-confederal state, sometimes called a federation, of Crown of the Kingdom of ...

, and the

Duchy of Livonia The Duchy of Livonia ( or ; lt, Livonijos kunigaikštystė; la, Ducatus Ultradunensis; et, Liivimaa hertsogkond; lv, Pārdaugavas hercogiste; german: Herzogtum Livland), also referred to as Polish Livonia or Livonia ( pl, link=no, Inflanty) ...

(the left bank forming the Duchy of Courland and Semigalia). After the Polish-Swedish War concluded by the

Truce of Altmark __NOTOC__ The six-year Truce of Altmark (or Treaty of Stary Targ, pl, Rozejm w Altmarku, sv, Stillståndet i Altmark) was signed on 16 (O.S.)/26 (N.S.) September 1629 in the village of Altmark (Stary Targ), in Poland, by the Polish–Lithuani ...

in 1629, Sweden acquired the western part of the Duchy of Livonia roughly as far as the

Aiviekste River Aiviekste is a river in Latvia.Latvian Soviet Encyclopedia, p. 1-99. It begins at Lake Lubāns (the largest lake in Latvia) and drains into the Daugava (the largest river in Latvia). Aiviekste is the largest tributary of Daugava in Latvia. Aivie ...

, since then forming Vidzeme's eastern border. During the course of the

Great Northern War The Great Northern War (1700–1721) was a conflict in which a coalition led by the Tsardom of Russia successfully contested the supremacy of the Swedish Empire in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. The initial leaders of the anti-Swedi ...

, Swedish Livonia was conquered by the

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...

and ceded to Russia at the

Treaty of Nystad The Treaty of Nystad (russian: Ништадтский мир; fi, Uudenkaupungin rauha; sv, Freden i Nystad; et, Uusikaupunki rahu) was the last peace treaty of the Great Northern War of 1700–1721. It was concluded between the Tsardom of ...

in 1721. In place of Livonia the Russians created the Riga Governorate, but in 1796 the Riga Governorate was renamed the

, administered autonomously by the local German

Baltic nobility Baltic German nobility was a privileged social class in the territories of today's Estonia and Latvia. It existed continuously since the Northern Crusades and the medieval foundation of Terra Mariana. Most of the nobility were Baltic Germans, bu ...

through a feudal . After the end of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

it was split between the newly independent countries of Latvia and Estonia.

Subregions

The territory of the region of Vidzeme is defined by Latvian law as follows:
Latviešu vēsturisko zemju likums *

Ādaži Municipality Ādaži Municipality ( lv, Ādažu novads) is a municipality in the historical region of Vidzeme, and the Riga Planning Region in Latvia, which consists of Ādaži and Carnikava parishes plus the administrative centre, Ādaži. The municipality ...

Cēsis Municipality Cēsis Municipality ( lv, Cēsu novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Vaive parish and Cēsis town, which became the administrative centre. As of 2020, the population was 16,291. On 1 Ju ...

Gulbene Municipality Gulbene Municipality ( lv, Gulbenes novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by Merger (politics), merging Beļava parish, Dauksti parish, Druviena parish, Galgauska parish, Jaungulbene parish, Lejasciems p ...

Limbaži Municipality Limbaži Municipality ( lv, Limbažu novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Katvari Parish, Limbaži Parish, Pāle Parish, Skulte Parish, Umurga Parish, Vidriži Parish, Viļķene Paris ...

Ropaži Municipality Ropaži Municipality ( lv, Ropažu novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2005 with the reorganization of Ropaži parish. The administrative centre is Ropaži. The population in 2020 was 6,835. On 1 July 2 ...

* Salaspils Municipality *

Saulkrasti Municipality Saulkrasti Municipality ( lv, Saulkrastu novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by reorganization of Saulkrasti town with its countryside territory, with the administrative centre being Saulkrasti. In 201 ...

Sigulda Municipality Sigulda Municipality ( lv, Siguldas novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2003 by merging Sigulda town, Sigulda Parish and More Parish. In 2009 it absorbed Allaži parish, too; the administrative centre b ...

Smiltene Municipality Smiltene Municipality ( lv, Smiltenes novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging the town of Smiltene with the rural parishes of Bilska, Blome, Branti, Grundzāle, Launkalne, Palsmane, Smilten ...

Valka Municipality Valka Municipality ( lv, Valkas novads; et, Valka piirkond) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Valka town, Ērģeme Parish, Kārķi Parish, Valka Parish, Vijciems Parish and Zvārtava Parish ...

Valmiera Municipality Valmiera Municipality ( lv, Valmieras novads) is one of the 35 municipalities established in Latvia in 2021, located approximately west of the national capital Riga. Its first elected municipal council took office on 1 July 2021. Its seat is th ...

* Part of

Aiviekste Parish Aiviekste Parish ( lv, Aiviekstes pagasts), is an administrative unit of Aizkraukle Municipality, Latvia. As of 2011 population of Aiviekste Parish is 818 people. Latvian law defines Aiviekste Parish as belonging partly to the Vidzeme region and ...

* Part of Aizkraukle Parish * The Part of

Aizkraukle Aizkraukle (german: Ascheraden) is a town in Vidzeme region in Latvia, the administrative centre of Aizkraukle Municipality on the right bank of the Daugava River. The population in 2020 was 7,018. History In the second half of the 14th century ...

on the right bank of the

Bebri Parish Bebri Parish ( lv, Bebru pagasts) is an administrative unit of Aizkraukle Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvia, Riga ...

* Irši Parish *

Klintaine Parish Klintaine Parish ( lv, Klintaines pagasts) is an administrative unit of Aizkraukle Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvi ...

* Koknese Parish *

Koknese Koknese () is a town in Aizkraukle Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, on the right bank of the Daugava River. It has a population of nearly 3,000. According to the provisions of the 2021 Latvian administrative reform, Koknese gained ...

* Part of

Pļaviņas Pļaviņas (; german: Stockmannshof) is a town in Aizkraukle Municipality in Latvia. The town is located on the Daugava river. The population in 2020 was 2,974. Latvian law defines the town of Pļaviņas as belonging partly to the Vidzeme region an ...

Skrīveri Parish Skrīveri Parish ( lv, Skrīveru pagasts) is an administrative unit of Aizkraukle Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. Towns, villages and settlements of Skrīveri Parish * Klidziņa * Līči *Skrīveri – parish administrative cen ...

Vietalva Parish Vietalva Parish ( lv, Vietalvas pagasts) is an administrative unit of Aizkraukle Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvia, ...

* Alsviķi Parish *

Alūksne Alūksne ()) is a town on the shores of Lake Alūksne in northeastern Latvia near the borders with Estonia and Russia. It is the seat of Alūksne municipality. Alūksne is the highest elevated Latvian city, located in East Vidzeme Upland at 217 ...

* Anna Parish * Ilzene Parish * Jaunalūksne Parish * Jaunanna Parish * Jaunlaicene Parish * Kalncempji Parish *

Maliena Parish Maliena Parish ( lv, Malienas pagasts) is an administrative unit of Alūksne Municipality Alūksne Municipality ( lv, Alūksnes novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. It is located in the northeast of the country and borders Ape in the w ...

Mālupe Parish Mālupe Parish ( lv, Mālupes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Alūksne Municipality Alūksne Municipality ( lv, Alūksnes novads) is a municipality in Vidzeme, Latvia. It is located in the northeast of the country and borders Ape in the w ...

* Mārkalne Parish * Pededze Parish *

Veclaicene Parish Veclaicene Parish ( lv, Veclaicenes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Alūksne Municipality, Latvia. Geography Veclaicene parish has several small rivers — Līčupe, and lakes — Dzērve Lake, Ieva Lake, Lake Ilgājs, Koruļu Lake, , ...

* Zeltiņi Parish * Ziemeri Parish * Part of Baldone Parish *

Baldone Baldone (; german: Baldohn) is a town in Ķekava Municipality in the Semigallia region of Latvia. The town is famous for its sulfur water springs and was a spa resort. Viktors Arājs was born there in 1910. Gallery File:Mercendarbes muiža.j ...

Baloži Baloži (; german: Rollbusch) is a town of Latvia situated in the Ķekava Municipality just 12 kilometres from the centre of Riga. In 2021, the city had a population of 6,746. Baloži was founded soon after the Second World War; as a village a ...

* Part of Ķekava Parish * Arona Parish * Part of

Barkava Parish Barkava Parish ( lv, Barkavas pagasts) is an administrative unit of Madona Municipality, Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latv ...

* Bērzaune Parish * Cesvaine Parish * Dzelzava Parish *

Ērgļi Parish Ērgļi Parish ( lv, Ērgļu pagasts) is an administrative unit of Madona Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvia, Riga, is ...

* Indrān Parish *

Jumurda Parish Jumurda Parish ( lv, Jumurdas pagasts) is an administrative unit of Madona Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvia, Riga, i ...

Kalsnava Parish Kalsnava Parish ( lv, Kalsnavas pagasts) is an administrative unit of Madona Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvia, Ri ...

* Lazdona Parish * Liezēre Parish *

Lubāna Lubāna (; german: Lubahn) is a town situated in Madona Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, situated by the Aiviekste river. It acquired a town status in 1992, and the current population is 1974. Its emblem is a golden duck on a blue ...

Ļaudona Parish Ļaudona (german: Laudohn) is a village in Ļaudona Parish, Madona Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. The Ļaudona Parish of the former Madona District was merged into the municipality (''novads'') of Madona in 2009. History of Ļa ...

Madona Madona (; german: Modohn) is a town with town rights in the Vidzeme region of Latvia and is the center of the Madona municipality. History The surrounding area of Madona had been populated in earlier times, which is confirmed by discoveries ...

* Mārciena Parish * Mētriena Parish * Part of Ošupe Parish * Prauliena Parish * Sarkaņi Parish * Sausnēja Parish * Vestiena Parish * Part of

Babīte Parish Babīte Parish ( lv, Babītes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Mārupe Municipality, Latvia. From 2009 until 2021, it was part of the former Babīte Municipality. Latvian law defines Babīte Parish as belonging partly to the region of Vidzeme ...

* Mārupe Parish * Sala Parish *

Ikšķile Ikšķile (; german: Uexküll; liv, Ikškilā; et, Üksküla; also known as ''Üxküll'') is a town in Latvia, in Ogre Municipality. It was the first capital of the Roman Catholic Bishopric of Livonia, known by the German name of Üxküll ...

Jumprava Parish Jumprava Parish ( lv, Jumpravas pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republ ...

Krape Parish Krape Parish ( lv, Krapes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, l ...

* The part of

Ķegums Ķegums (; german: Keggum)) is a town in Ogre Municipality situated mostly on the right bank of the Daugava River. Latvian law defines Ķegums town as divided between two regions, Vidzeme on the right bank of the Daugava and Semigallia on the left ...

city of the right bank of the

Ķeipene Parish Ķeipene Parish ( lv, Ķeipenes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme Vidzeme (; Old Latvian orthography: ''Widda-semme'', liv, Vidūmō) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands. The capital of Latvia, Riga, i ...

Laubere Parish Laubere Parish ( lv, Lauberes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika ...

Lēdmane Parish Lēdmane Parish ( lv, Lēdmanes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. History The current territory of Lēdmane was formed by many centuries as a part of Lielvārde county. The first archaeolo ...

Lielvārde Parish Lielvārde Parish ( lv, Lielvārdes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. It was created in 2010 from the countryside territory of Lielvārde Lielvārde (; german: Lennewarden), population 5885, ...

* Madliena Parish * Mazozoli Parish * Meņģele Parish *

Ogre An ogre ( feminine: ogress) is a legendary monster depicted as a large, hideous, man-like being that eats ordinary human beings, especially infants and children. Ogres frequently feature in mythology, folklore, and fiction throughout the wor ...

* Ogresgals Parish *

Rembate Parish Rembate parish is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latve ...

* Suntaži Parish *

Taurupe Parish Taurupe Parish ( lv, Taurupes pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republik ...

Tīnūži Parish Tīnūži Parish ( lv, Tīnūžu pagasts) is an administrative unit of Ogre Municipality, Latvia. It was created in 2010 from the countryside territory of Ikšķile Ikšķile (; german: Uexküll; liv, Ikškilā; et, Üksküla; also known a ...

* Part of Olaine Parish *

Olaine Olaine (; german: Olai) is a city in Olaine Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. Olaine gained town rights in 1967. The name comes from the Saint Olai Church, built by the Misa river under Swedish rule in the 17th century. An old cemete ...

and Lapmežciems Parish.

References

External links

Vidzeme Tourism AssociationVidzeme University of Applied Sciences
{{authority control Historical regions in Latvia Livonia Subdivisions of Latvia

History

Subregions

See also

References

External links