DAUGAVPILS in FACTS:

Daugavpils is the second-largest city in Latvia, home to 78,126 residents and located 232 km from the capital, Riga.

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The city is situated on the banks of the Daugava River in the southeastern part of the country, a region often referred to as the land of blue lakes. Daugavpils encompasses fourteen lakes within its municipal territory, contributing to its distinctive natural landscape.

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Daugavpils has a strong industrial heritage, grew as an industrial center, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the city continues to develop economically with a diverse mix of business activity. Daugavpils remains a key economic center in the Latgale region, supported by its strategic location with five railway lines and major roads that link it to regional and international markets.

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There are more than 4,000 active enterprises in the city, with strong sectors in trade, transport, manufacturing, professional services, and construction. Around 9% of businesses operate in manufacturing, including metal and mechanical engineering, textiles, electronics, optical equipment, chemical fibers, wood products, food and beverage production, and other sectors. Many of these companies export goods to markets abroad to over 40 countries.

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DAUGAVPILS – Driving force for economic development in the Eastern Baltic

New development projects are shaping the future of Daugavpils. To support continued growth, the city has established modern industrial zone — ALTOP Smart Technology Industrial Park — designed to attract investment, foster innovation, and create jobs in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors. The city is also part of the Latgale Special Economic Zone, which offers tax incentives to businesses and encourages economic expansion. EU-funded infrastructure projects and local entrepreneurship programmes further strengthen business development and employment, positioning Daugavpils as an emerging technology and manufacturing hub in the Latgale region.

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Throughout its long history, the city has carried several names — Dinaburg (1275), Borisoglebsk (1656–1667), Dvinsk (1893–1920) — and since 1920 it has been known as Daugavpils, reflecting the many historical layers that continue to shape its identity.

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The Daugavpils Fortress, one of the largest and best-preserved 19th-century military fortifications in Northern Europe, was constructed in the early 1800s as a strategic stronghold of the Russian Empire. Designed as a classical bastion-type fortress, it has retained its original layout, including ramparts, gates, and defensive structures, and today represents a unique example of military architecture that has largely survived without significant alteration.

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Within the fortress complex is located the Rothko Museum, a contemporary cultural venue dedicated to the world-renowned abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, who was born in Daugavpils. The centre hosts original works by Mark Rothko, alongside changing international exhibitions, artist residencies, and cultural events, making it a significant driver of the city’s creative and cultural development.