Espanol
Rezekne - the city of seven hills - is the city of republic signifiance and administrative regional center. It is located in the eastern part of Latvia, in the centre of ethnographical region Latgale, in northern descent of Latgale Highland, in the cross of two international transportation trunk roads Saint-Petersburg - Warsaw and Riga - Moscow ; 242 km from the state capital, 685 km from Moscow 450 km from Saint-Petersburg and 860 km from Warsaw. Favorable geographical location and city's role in industry, culture and education define both rezekne's regional and state significance and development. Rezekne received city's rights in 1773. Rezekne has rich nature resources - river Rezekne, lake Kovsi, green hills, parks and forests.Beautiful landscape creates recreation faciliy for city inhabitants and visitors. City's layout structure reflects some stages of historical development and environment conditions. Valley of river Rezekne and main railway line divide the city's territory into parts.
REZEKNE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The city of Rezekne has grown on the ancient south-northern transit road Lithuania - Pskov. According the archaeologists' investigation since IX-X century until the middle of the XIII century, Latgalian Castle was nearby. German crusaders destroyed this castle and built their own stone castle and town instead. The word "Rezekne" for first time was mentioned in 1285. During centuries the city was under Poland's rule, it was part of Russian Empire. In spring, 1917 there was Latgale's Latvian Congress in Rezekne that decided to separate Latgale from Vitebska's province and join it to other regions of Latvia. With the establishment of Latvia state Rezekne became Latgale's cultural et economical centre. There were Latvian Russian, Polish, Jewish gymnasiums, commercial school, teacher's institute, folk university in the city. There were also Rezekne's Latvian Association, Theatre of Latgale and Museum of Latgale. More than 700 different buildings were built until 1935. During the II World War, 80% of Rezekne was destroyed. Rezekne was one of the three most destroyed cities in Latvia. Reconstruction of the city lasted until 1950. Later, industrial zone over railway line Riga - Moscow developed. During the postwar period Rezekne became an industrial city. As there was a great immigration from Soviet Union, the national structure changed by increasing Russian and decreasing local nationality population. With the third awakening, Rezekne again became the centre of Latgale cultural activities. The restored monument "unit for Latvia" was unveiled in 1992. In 1995, Rezekne became the centre of Catholic clergy.
CITY'S TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Rezekne has all technical infrastructure.
Water supply : Rezekne's water supply system serves 29000 inhabitants. 19 artesian bores are used for supply of drinking water. Total water consumption is 2 260 000 meters cube., the biggest water consumers are inhabitants, public institutions, and SME's.
Heat supply : Thermal energy is generated and distributed by municipal stock company "Siltums". Two sections - central and northern part of the city, provide City's district heating. The company generates about 200 000 MWh thermal energy every year.
Gas supply : For the present it is not possible to use natural gas in R�zekne because there is no gas main. For householders needs people are using liquified gas from gas reserves in the city and individual gas cylinders. 9250 apartments are connected to district gas supply and 6000 consumers receive gas from gas cylinders.
Electric supply : Two substations provide City's electic supply. Maximum load in the city is about 17 MW. There is possibility to get 50% increase in power without big investments.
Telecommunications : Since April 1, 1999, all telephone subscribers of the city are connected to Lattelekom digital network. Besides, Lattelekom affers also fast moving transmission. Internet services are offered by : "latent Serviss", "Apollo" and "Latnet".
Transport : Rezekne is located in the cross of important state trunk road : A12 J�kabpils - Ludza - Russia boarders (Terehova), A13 R�zekne - Daugavpils - Lithuania boarders.
R�zekne is significant transport point in the eastern part of Latvia railway net and is located in the cross of railway trunks roads Saint-Petersburg - Warsaw and Riga - Moscow. Railway station Rezekne II has a wide runway net to industrial enterprises and storage complex.
CITY'S SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Education : The city has wide and developed educational net. There are compulsory educational establishments of all levels and other educational and training institutions : 6 secondary schools, Rezekne's gymnasium, commercial school, Rezekne's Art College, Music College, Rezekne's vocational gymnasium, Rezekne's vocational secondary school no.14, Rezekne Higher Educational Institute.
Social Care : Social care department of Rezekne City Council provides social help such as material aid, social care and social rehabilitation. Department administers : regional old people's care centre, Children's home, night-home for adults, day activity centre for elderly, rehabilitation centre of handicapped kids.
Culture : Cultural centre of the city administers City's Culture house, public library, Latgale Heritage museum, city recreation parks.
Rezekne is famous for Latgale Music Television Festival that carries out evry second year since 1991. There are 34 amateur performances groups with 526 participants.
Sports : Sports activities are co-ordinated by municipal non-profit association - sorts centre "Rezekne". There are 11 sports clubs with 558 participants in Rezekne.534 students until the age of 18 are training in Children - youth sports School. Local sportmen have taken part in world competitions and succeeded in Eastern wrestling and Greek-Roman wrestling. In Europe competitions they have succeeded in chess, draughts and floor ball, in republic - in basketball and footbell.
Health care : There is primary and secondary health care in the city provided by 5 health care establishments. 158 doctors and 371 nurses work in the city. According national "Master" plan Rezekne's hospital should become the multiprofile medicine center of emergency help during the period 2005 - 2007.