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REDIRECT [[Kurzeme]]
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'''Kurzeme''' or '''Courland''' ({{lang-de|Kurland}}; [[Latin]]: ''Curonia'' / ''Couronia''; {{lang-lt|Kuršas}}; {{lang-et|Kuramaa}}; {{lang-pl|Kurlandia}}; {{lang-ru|Курляндия}}; {{lang-be|Курляндыя}}; {{lang-fi|Kuurinmaa}}) is one of the cultural and [[historical regions of Latvia]]. The regions of [[Zemgale]] and [[Sēlija]] are sometimes considered as part of Kurzeme.

== Geography and climate ==
[[Image:Latvian regions and latvians.png|thumb|right|350px|Historical regions of Latvia, together with Latvian cultural groups.]]
[[Image:Rundale Pilsrundale Eingangsportal.jpg|thumb|275px|Entrance to the [[Rundale Palace]], the seat of the Dukes of Courland.]]
Situated in western [[Latvia]], it roughly corresponds to the [[Counties of Latvia|counties]] of [[Kuldiga District|Kuldīga]], [[Liepaja District|Liepāja]], [[Saldus District|Saldus]], [[Talsi District|Talsi]], [[Tukums District|Tukums]] and [[Ventspils District|Ventspils]].

When combined with Zemgale and Sēlija, Kurzeme's northeastern boundary is the river [[Daugava]], which separates it from the regions of [[Latgale]] and [[Vidzeme]]. To the north, Kurzeme's boundary is the [[Gulf of Riga]]. On the west it is bordered by the [[Baltic Sea]], and on the south by [[Lithuania]]. It lies between 55° 45′ and 57° 45′ [[Latitude|North]] and 21° and 27° [[Longitude|East]].

The area comprises 27,286 km² (10,535 sq.mi.), of which 262 km² (101 sq.mi.) is made up of lakes. The landscape generally has a low and undulating character, with flat and marshy coastlands. The interior features wooded dunes, covered with [[pine]], [[fir]], [[birch]], and [[oak]], with swamps and lakes, and fertile patches between. Kurzeme's elevation never rises more than 213 m (700 ft) above sea level.

The [[Jelgava]] plain divides Kurzeme into two parts:
* the western side, fertile and densely inhabited, except in the north
* the eastern side is less fertile and thinly inhabited.

Nearly one hundred rivers drain Kurzeme, but only three of these rivers -- the Daugava, the [[Lielupe]] and the [[Venta River|Venta]]–are navigable. They all flow northwestward and discharge into the [[Baltic Sea]].

Owing to its numerous lakes and marshes, Kurzeme has a damp, often foggy, and changeable climate, with severe winters.

== History ==
=== Early history ===
In ancient times the [[Curonians]], a [[Baltic peoples|Baltic tribe]], inhabited Kurzeme. The [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword|Brethren of the Sword]], a German [[military order]], subdued the Curonians and converted them to [[Christianity]] in the first quarter of the 13th century. In 1237 the area passed into the rule of the [[Teutonic Knights]] owing to the amalgamation of this order with that of the Brethren of the Sword.

=== Livonian Confederation ===
{{main|Livonian Confederation }}
The Livonian Confederation was a loosely organized confederation formed by the German-led [[Livonian Order]] and various bishoprics that encompassed much of present-day [[Estonia]] and Latvia. It existed from 1228 to the 1560s, when it was dismembered during the [[Livonian Wars]].

=== Duchy of Courland, 1561 – 1795 ===
[[Image:Duchy of Courland & Semigallia 1740.svg|thumb|right|340px|The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia as it appeared in 1740.]]
{{main|Duchy of Courland and Semigallia|Courland colonization}}
The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was a semi-independent [[duchy]] that existed from 1561 until 1795, encompassing the areas of Courland and Semigallia. Although nominally a [[vassal]] state of the [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]], the dukes operated autonomously. In the 18th century Russia acquired great influence over the Duchy.

The Duchy was one of the smallest European nations to colonize overseas territories, establishing short-lived outposts on the [[Caribbean]] island of [[Tobago]] and at the mouth of [[Gambia river]] in [[Africa]].

In 1795, the last Duke, [[Peter von Biron]], ceded the Duchy to the [[Russian Empire]].

=== Courland as part of Russia ===
After annexation by [[Russian Empire]] the territory of the former Duchy formed the [[Courland Governorate]].

From the time of the [[Northern Crusades]] in the early 13th century, most of land was owned by nobles descended from the German invaders. In 1863, the Russian authorities issued laws to enable Latvians, who formed the bulk of the population, to acquire the farms which they held, and special banks were founded to help them. By this means, some occupants bought their farms, but the great mass of the population remained landless, and lived as hired labourers, occupying a low position in the social scale.

[[Agriculture]] was the chief occupation, with the principal crops being [[rye]], [[barley]], [[oat]]s, [[wheat]], [[flax]], and [[potato]]es. The large estates conducted agriculture with skill and scientific knowledge. Fruit grew well. Excellent breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs were kept. [[Liepāja]] and [[Jelgava]] operated as the principal industrial centres, with [[ironwork]]s, agricultural machinery works, [[tanning|tanneries]], glass and soap works. Flax [[spinning (textiles)|spinning]] took place mostly as a domestic industry. Iron and [[limestone]] were the chief minerals; a little [[amber]] was found on the coast. The only seaports were Liepāja, [[Ventspils]] and [[Palanga]], there being none on the Kurzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga.

==== Population ====
The population was 619,154 in 1870; 674,437 in 1897, of whom 345,756 were women; 714,200 (estimate) in 1906. Of the whole, 79% were [[Latvians]], 8.4% [[Baltic Germans]], 1.4% [[Russians]], and 1% each [[Poland|Poles]] and [[Lithuanians]]. In addition, there were about 8% [[Jews]]<ref name=jewsofcourland>Herman Rosenthal [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=831&letter=C Courland] [[Jewish Encyclopedia]]</ref>, and some [[Livonians]].

The chief towns of the ten districts were [[Jelgava]] (Mitau), Courland's capital (pop. 35,011 in 1897); [[Liepāja]] (Libau) (pop. 64,500 in 1897); [[Bauska]] (6,543); [[Jaunjelgava]] (Friedrichstadt) (5,223); [[Kuldīga]] (Goldingen) (9,733); [[Grobiņa]] (1,489); [[Aizpute]] (Hasenpoth) (3,338); [[Ilūkste]] (Illuxt) (2,340); [[Talsi]] (Talsen) (6,215); [[Tukums]] (Tuckum) (7542); and [[Ventspils]] (Windau) (7,132).

75% of the population belonged to the prevailing denomination, [[Lutheranism]]; the rest belonged to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Roman Catholic]] churches. There was a small but vigorous Jewish population.

=== Duchy of Courland, 1918 ===

[[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (1918)]]

=== Kurzeme as part of Latvia ===

After [[World War I]], Kurzeme became a part of the newly-formed nation of [[Latvia]]. In 1940 the [[USSR]] annexed the region, but [[Germany]] occupied it during [[World War II]]. With the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], Kurzeme became part of independent Latvia once more and it remains so to this day.

=== Kurzeme during World War II ===
At the start of [[Operation Barbarossa]] in 1941, Kurzeme, along with the rest of the [[Baltic region|Baltic]] area belonging to the [[Soviet Union]], was overrun by [[Army Group North]] headed by [[Field Marshal]] [[Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb]]. In 1944, the [[Red Army]] lifted the [[Battle of Leningrad|siege of Leningrad]] and re-conquered the Baltic area along with much of [[Ukraine]] and [[Belarus]]. However, some 200,000 [[Germany|German]] troops held out in Kurzeme. With their backs to the [[Baltic Sea]]. they were trapped in what became known as the [[Courland Pocket]], blockaded by the Red Army and the Red Baltic Fleet. [[Colonel-General]] [[Heinz Guderian]], the Chief of the [[German General Staff]], insisted to [[Adolf Hitler]] that the troops in Courland should be evacuated by sea and used for the defense of the [[German Reich]]. Hitler refused, and ordered the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine forces in Courland to continue the defence of the area. Hitler believed them necessary to protect Kriegsmarine submarine bases along the Baltic coast. On [[January 15]], [[1945]], [[Army Group Courland]] (''Heeresgruppe Kurland'') was formed under [[Colonel-General]] Dr. [[Lothar Rendulic]]. The blockade by elements of the [[Leningrad Front]] remained until [[May 8]], [[1945]], when the Army Group Courland, then under its last commander, [[Colonel-General]] [[Carl Hilpert]], surrendered to Marshal [[Leonid Govorov]], the commander of the [[Leningrad Front]] (reinforced by elements of the [[2nd Baltic Front]]) on the Courland perimeter. At this time the group consisted of the remnants of some 31 divisions. After [[May 9]], [[1945]], approximately 203,000 troops of Army Group Courland began moving to Soviet prison camps in the East. The majority of them never returned to Germany (Haupt,1997).

== Notable residents ==
*[[George Henry Loskiel]], (1740-1814), born in Ance (''Angermuende'') in Kurzeme, [[Moravian Church|Moravian]] [[clergyman]] who obtained complete separation of the European and American branches of the church.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}</ref>

== References & publications ==
* Murray, John, ''Russia, Poland, and Finland, - Handbook for Travellers'', 3rd revised edition, London, 1875. (Includes Kurland).
* Hollmann,H, ''Kurlands Agrarverhältnisse'', Riga, 1893.
* Seraphim,E, ''Geschichte Liv-, Esth-, und Kurlands'', Reval, 1895–1896 (2 vols).
* Christiansen, Eric, ''The Northern Crusades'' - the Baltic & the Catholic Frontier 1100-1525, London, 1980, ISBN 0-333-26243-3
* Hiden, John, ''The Baltic States and Weimar Ostpolitik'', Cambridge University Press, 1987, ISBN 0-521-32037-2
* Kirby, David, ''Northern Europe in the Early Modern Period'' - The Baltic World 1492 -1772, Longman, London, 1990, ISBN 0-582-00410-1
* Hiden, John W., & Patrick Salmon, ''The Baltic Nations & Europe'', Longman, London, 1991, ISBN 0-582-08246-3
* Haupt, Werner, ''Army Group North: The Wehrmacht in Russia 1941-1945'', Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, PA.,1997. ISBN 0-7643-0182-9

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/bal_duke.html Baltic Duchy (1918)]
*[http://www.1uptravel.com/flag/flags/bal_duke.html Baltic Duchy (1918)]
*[http://www.jewishgen.org/Courland/rosenthal.htm Courland]
*[http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/eceurope/courland16411795.html Courland 1641-1795]
*[http://fotw.net/flags/lv-cour.html Courland (Latvia)]
*[http://www.flaggen.com/flags/lv-cour.html Courland (Latvia)]
*[http://www.baltische-ritterschaften.de/genkurland.htm Der Genealoge der Kurländischen Ritterschaft]
*[http://www.baltische-ritterschaften.de/Ritterschaften/Kurland/Kurland.htm Die Kurländische Ritterschaft]
*[http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5539/courland/3jket.html Duchy of Courland]
*[http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5539/courland/1gket.html Duchy of Courland]
*[http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/5539/courland/courland.html Duchy of Courland, 1561-1795]
*[http://www.swajdo.travel.pl/estonia.html ESTONIA GALLERY - LATVIA GALLERY - LITHUANIA GALLERY]
*[http://www.wisdomworld.org/setting/cagliostro.html GREAT THEOSOPHISTS. CAGLIOSTRO]
*[http://www.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/30/0,1872,2012254,00.html Herzog Jakob von Kurland]
*[http://www.viesturdarzs.lv/?lang=eng&tip=cities&c=Kuldiga Kuldīga]
*[http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/campaign%5Fawards/cufftitles/kurland/ Kurland]
*[http://www.agilityfactor.com/COFES2004/ Kurland]
*[http://www.kurland.me/ Kurland - Contemporary Blog for Kurlands]
*[http://www.pacific-fighters.com/ss/screen1-KurlandWinter.jpg Kurland Winter]
*[http://home.arcor.de/klaus.huelse/HTML/DEPK2/ORIGINAL/KURLAND.JPG Leuchtturm in der nordöstl. Spitze Kurlands]
*[http://www.baltictravelcompany.com/main.asp?id=642_2413 Latvia Coastal Holidays]
*[http://www.am.gov.lv/en/ministry/4265/4299/?print=on LATVIA's JEWISH COMMUNITY: HISTORY, TRAGEDY, REVIVAL]
*[http://worldroots.com/brigitte/gifs5/herzeleideprussia1918-2.jpg Prinz Biron von Curland]
*[http://www.netzmarkt.de/gomera-trekking-tours/litauen-lettland.html Radtour von der Kurischen Nehrung über das Kurland nach Riga]
*[http://www.von-stackelberg.de/geschichte/kurland.htm Ritterschaften der Familie in Kurland]
*[http://www.kurlandround.lv/importantinfo.htm Round Kurland Rally]
*[http://www.dailesteatris.lv/index.php?1&269&view=view-show&show_id=24 The Duchy of Courland...]
*[http://depts.washington.edu/baltic/papers/poland.htm The Empire of Poland]
*[http://www.oceanpoint.com/courland.htm ...the mid 1600s the Duchy of Courland...]
*[http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/5539/ The overview on coins, minted or used in Baltic countries since 13th century]
*[http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/tigers-02.htm Tiger I, number 233, sPzAbt.510, Kurland sector, 1944.]

{{1911}}

[[Category:Courland| ]]
[[Category:Baltic states]]
[[Category:Geography of Latvia]]
[[Category:Subdivisions of Latvia]]
[[Category:History of Latvia]]
[[Category:Lithuanian historical regions]]
[[Category:Polish historical regions]]

[[be:Курляндыя]]
[[bg:Курландия]]
[[ca:Curlàndia]]
[[cs:Kuronsko]]
[[da:Kurland]]
[[de:Kurland]]
[[et:Kuramaa]]
[[es:Curlandia]]
[[eo:Kurlando]]
[[fr:Kurzeme]]
[[fy:Kûrlân]]
[[gl:Curlandia]]
[[ko:쿠를란트]]
[[it:Curlandia]]
[[he:קורלנד]]
[[ka:კურლანდია]]
[[lv:Kurzeme]]
[[lt:Kuršas]]
[[hu:Kurzeme]]
[[nl:Koerland]]
[[ja:クールラント]]
[[no:Kurland]]
[[nn:Kurland]]
[[pl:Kurlandia]]
[[pt:Curlândia]]
[[ru:Курземе]]
[[scn:Curlannia]]
[[simple:Courland]]
[[fi:Kuurinmaa]]
[[sv:Kurland]]
[[tr:Kurlandiya]]
[[uk:Курземе]]
[[vec:Curlandia]]
[[bat-smg:Kuržemė]]
[[zh:庫爾蘭]]

Revision as of 12:52, 2 August 2009

REDIRECT Kurzeme

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