Aizkraukle

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Aizkraukle
Town rights	1967
Location of Aizkraukle within Latvia
Location	56°39′N 25°15′E / 56.65°N 25.25°E / 56.65; 25.25
Other names	Ascheraden; Stučka;
District	Aizkraukle District
Area	11.7 km2 (5 sq mi)
Population	8,962
Density	766 /km2 (1,984 /sq mi)
Postal code	LV-510(1-3)
Calling code	+371 651
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Homepage of Aizkraukle

Aizkraukle, formerly known by its German name of Ascheraden, lies on the right bank of the Daugava River in Latvia.

The site was used by the German knights for the building of Aizkraukle Castle in the Middle Ages, of which some ruins still remain.

The present town of Aizkraukle was built in the 1960s as a village for the builders of the nearby hydroelectric power plant of Pļaviņas. It became a town in 1967. It was initially named Stučka (after a Latvian communist) during the Soviet era. In 1991 it was renamed Aizkraukle, the historical local name.

General industries in the area are: power generation, woodworking, printing and agriculture.

In 2004 Aizkraukle was awarded "The tidiest town in Latvia 2004" in its size group.

[edit] See also

List of cities in Latvia

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