Ventspils

 city, first-level administrative division, draw only border

www.ventspils.lv/

The city of Ventspils is located in the northwestern part of Latvia, by the estuary of the River Venta on the coast of the Baltic Sea, 189 km from the capital of Latvia Riga.
The territory of Ventspils city is 55.4 km2, 38% of which is covered with forests, parks and watercourses. Judging by population, Ventspils is the sixth largest city in Latvia (44,085 residents in the beginning of 2004).
Ventspils is one of the oldest cities of Latvia. The Castle of the Livonian Order, first mentioned in historical documents of 1290, is considered to be the first building in the present territory of Ventspils. Near the castle, that was built in an economically and strategically important place, the camp of the German colonists and later the city of Ventspils gradually formed.
Ventspils City Council has done a lot in order to create a business friendly environment in the city.