Zemgale Planning Region

Zemgale Planning Region (Latvian: Zemgales plānošanas reģions) is a planning region of Latvia located within the south-center of the country.^[4] Established in 2002, the planning region contains 22 municipalities: 20 local governments and two major cities, the largest being Jelgava.^[5][6] As of 2020, the region's population was 228,409.^[7]

Zemgale Planning Region Zemgales plānošanas reģions
Planning Region
Jelgava the biggest city in region Bauska Castle Jēkabpils second largest city in region
Flag Coat of arms
Zemgale Planning Region in blue
Coordinates: 56°30′0″N 23°30′0″E
Country	Latvia
Established	2002
Largest city	Jelgava
Area
• Planning Region	10,742 km2 (4,148 sq mi)
• Urban	645 km2 (249 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[1]
• Planning Region	225,017
• Density	26.11/km2 (67.6/sq mi)
GDP [2]
• Total	€2.904 billion (2022)
• Per capita	€12,859 (2022)
HDI (2022)	0.861[3] very high · 5th
Website	zemgale.lv

Geography

Zemgale is located within the historical region of Semigallia, which encompasses the southern-central portion of the country. The planning region has a total area of 10,742 km² (4,148 mi²), making up 16% of the nation's total territory.^[8] Zemgale shares a 270 km (170 mi) border with the Republic of Lithuania, which sits directly to its south.^[9]

With a population of 62,800, Jelgava is the largest city in the planning region

Zemgale is noted for its rich soil, unpolluted resources, and natural areas; 40% of the region is forested.^[9][8]

Administrative divisions

Subdivision	Area km2	Population[10]	GDP[11]	GDP per capita
Jelgava	60	54,694	€740 million	€13,462
Bauska Municipality	2,175	41,392	€383 million	€9,228
Jēkabpils Municipality	2,996	39,984	€433 million	€10,753
Jelgava Municipality	1,604	31,899	€321 million	€10,071
Aizkraukle Municipality	2,274	29,055	€353 million	€12,095
Dobele Municipality	1,629	27,993	€361 million	€12,778
Zemgale Planning Region	10,739	225,017	€2,707 million	€11,974

Demography

As of 2010, the region has a population of 280,494, which makes up 12.5% of Latvia's total population.^[9] About half of Zemgale's population lives in the region's two largest cities: Jelgava and Jēkabpils.