Country Latvia Website kurzemesregions.lv Largest city Liepāja | Population 301,621 Area 13,596 km² | |
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Kurzeme Region (Latvian: Kurzemes reģions), officially Kurzeme Planning Region (Latvian: Kurzemes plānošanas reģions) is one of the five planning regions of Latvia, it is situated in the western part of Latvia, at the shores of the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga. The state institution was founded on 2 October 2006, based on the creation of the region territory as prescribed by Regulations No. 133 of the Cabinet of Ministers as of 25 March 2003, the "Regulations on Territories of Planning Regions".
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Organisation
According to the "Law on Regional Development Kurzeme Planning Region", Kurzeme Region is supervised by the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government, the decision-making authority is Kurzeme Planning Region Development Council (KPRDC), which consists of 19 deputies appointed by the heads of the local municipalities comprising the region.
Geography
The territory of the Kurzeme Region was created in 2006 utilising the administrative boundaries of the now defunct districts of Latvia: Dobele, Liepāja, Talsi, Saldus and Ventspils as well as the cities of Liepāja and Ventspils. As of 1 July 2009 the region consist of 17 municipalities and 2 cities within an area of 13,596 km².
Demography
Kurzeme Region had a population of 301,621 inhabitants in 2009 and a population density of 22.2/km².
Tourism
The Pedvale Open Air Museum, near Sabile is a national sculpture park. It preserves the historic landscape, and is a showcase for contemporary sculpture.