Dobele

In today's world, Dobele is a topic of increasing relevance and debate. With the passage of time, it has acquired increasing importance in society, influencing different aspects of daily life. Whether in the field of politics, economics, technology, culture or any other, Dobele has become a central topic that arouses conflicting opinions and diverse positions. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Dobele, analyzing its impact on society and reflecting on the implications it has for our present and future.

Dobele
Town
Dobele castle ruins.
Dobele castle ruins.
Flag of Dobele
Flag
Coat of arms of Dobele
Coat of arms
Dobele is located in Latvia
Dobele
Dobele
Location in Latvia
Coordinates: 56°37′N 23°16′E / 56.617°N 23.267°E / 56.617; 23.267
Country Latvia
MunicipalityDobele Municipality
Town rights1917
Government
 • MayorIvars Gorskis
Area
[1]
 • Total
8.03 km2 (3.10 sq mi)
 • Land7.91 km2 (3.05 sq mi)
 • Water0.12 km2 (0.05 sq mi)
Population
 (2024)[2]
 • Total
8,589
 • Density1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
LV-370(1-2)
Calling code+371 637
ClimateDfb
Websitewww.dobele.lv
Proportional distribution of different ethnicities in Dobele

Dobele (pronunciationⓘ; German: Doblen) is a town in the Semigallia region of Latvia. It is located near the center of Latvia on the banks of the river Bērze. It received town rights in 1917 whilst being a part of the German occupied Courland Governorate during the First World War.[3] As of 2020, the population was 8,856.[4]

Name origin

In a German document from 1254 a place name Dubelene or Dubelone has been used. Later the names Doblene, Doblenen and Doblen also have been used for this inhabited location. The original place name can be reconstructed as Dobelene or Dobeliene, but its origins are linked to the place name duobe (pit or delve) and duobele (dip, dimple). Most likely, the reconstructed place name Dobelene meant 'populated area in a dimple'.[5]

History

Dobele is first mentioned in historical sources in 1254; however, at that time it was only a wooden fortress which was destroyed during the Semigallian War of Independence (1279–1290), the final phase of the Northern Crusades in Latvia. On its spot, a new stone castle was erected in 1335 and a small settlement grew up around it. The ruins of this fortress are still visible and are in the process of being restored. The original church was constructed in 1495, and eventually, the fortress developed into a trading post. In the 17th century, a watermill, sawmill, a cardigan mill, and a vinegar-works were constructed during the reign of duke Jacob Kettler. In 1927, the Jelgava–Liepāja Railway connected the city to other important towns and a period of development resulted.

Industry

Dobele is the home of many large enterprises, such as mills, the "Seal" chemical plant, and the "Baltic Candles" candle factory.[6]

Schools

Culture

The town of Dobele has a Cultural Centre as well as a museum. The town is also the location of 8 nationally protected monuments, such as the old castle, church, and town hall.[7]

There are several annual festivals and holidays celebrated including the Ielīgosim Jāņus, the Midsummer celebration, and the jubileja, or festival, which changes yearly.

Climate

Dobele has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb).

Climate data for Dobele (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1949-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.4
(50.7) 		13.8
(56.8) 		20.0
(68.0) 		26.5
(79.7) 		30.6
(87.1) 		33.1
(91.6) 		35.8
(96.4) 		35.1
(95.2) 		30.7
(87.3) 		23.5
(74.3) 		16.8
(62.2) 		11.5
(52.7) 		35.8
(96.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −0.3
(31.5) 		0.0
(32.0) 		4.5
(40.1) 		12.0
(53.6) 		17.7
(63.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.0
(73.4) 		17.5
(63.5) 		10.7
(51.3) 		4.7
(40.5) 		1.2
(34.2) 		11.3
(52.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.6
(27.3) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		0.7
(33.3) 		6.6
(43.9) 		12.0
(53.6) 		15.6
(60.1) 		18.1
(64.6) 		17.4
(63.3) 		12.6
(54.7) 		7.0
(44.6) 		2.5
(36.5) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		7.2
(45.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.2
(22.6) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		1.9
(35.4) 		6.2
(43.2) 		10.0
(50.0) 		12.7
(54.9) 		12.1
(53.8) 		8.1
(46.6) 		3.6
(38.5) 		0.3
(32.5) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		3.2
(37.7)
Record low °C (°F) −34.1
(−29.4) 		−35.9
(−32.6) 		−25.7
(−14.3) 		−13.2
(8.2) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		0.3
(32.5) 		4.7
(40.5) 		1.9
(35.4) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		−9.2
(15.4) 		−21.7
(−7.1) 		−31.9
(−25.4) 		−35.9
(−32.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38.6
(1.52) 		29.6
(1.17) 		29.6
(1.17) 		32.3
(1.27) 		42.9
(1.69) 		66.6
(2.62) 		77.1
(3.04) 		64.0
(2.52) 		53.8
(2.12) 		62.2
(2.45) 		45.0
(1.77) 		38.8
(1.53) 		580.5
(22.87)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 9 8 8 7 8 9 10 9 9 11 10 10 108
Average relative humidity (%) 88.0 86.0 79.4 71.1 68.6 73.0 75.2 76.2 81.5 86.3 89.9 89.9 80.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 40.1 69.6 147.1 209.2 291.4 286.8 305.5 262.9 175.9 107.7 40.5 30.7 1,967.4
Source 1: LVĢMC[8][9]
Source 2: NOAA (precipitation days, humidity 1991-2020)[10]

Demographics

Latvians make up 75.5% of the population while Russians, at 14%, are a significant minority. Other groups include Belarusians - 3.3%, Lithuanians - 2.3%, Ukrainians -1.8%, Poles - 1.5%, and 1.6% are of other nationalities.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1840 100—    
1881 1,083+983.0%
1914 2,000+84.7%
1915 375−81.2%
1925 1,551+313.6%
1935 2,470+59.3%
1943 2,650+7.3%
1959 6,246+135.7%
1979 13,027+108.6%
1989 15,023+15.3%
1997 12,765−15.0%
2007 11,146−12.7%
2008 11,201+0.5%
2009 11,241+0.4%
YearPop.±%
2010 11,214−0.2%
2011 11,066−1.3%
2012 10,895−1.5%
2013 10,771−1.1%
2014 10,540−2.1%
2015 10,348−1.8%
2016 10,113−2.3%
2017 9,868−2.4%
2018 9,702−1.7%
2019 9,575−1.3%
2020 9,452−1.3%
2021 9,371−0.9%
2022 9,225−1.6%
Source: Latvian Geospatial Information Agency
  • Dobele Lutheran church (1495)
    Dobele Lutheran church (1495)
  • Catholic church (2003)
    Catholic church (2003)
  • Dobele Railway Station
    Dobele Railway Station
  • The main square
    The main square
  • 19th-century buildings in the city center
    19th-century buildings in the city center

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "Reģionu, novadu, pilsētu un pagastu kopējā un sauszemes platība gada sākumā". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Iedzīvotāju skaits pēc tautības reģionos, pilsētās, novados, pagastos, apkaimēs un blīvi apdzīvotās teritorijās gada sākumā (pēc administratīvi teritoriālās reformas 2021. gadā)". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Pilsēta". Dobeles pilsētas dome. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  4. ^ "ISG020. Population number and its change by statistical region, city, town, 21 development centres and county". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  5. ^ Laimute Balode, Ojārs Bušs. No Abavas līdz Zilupei. Vietvārdu cilmes īsā vārdnīca. Rīga : Latviešu valodas aģentūra, 2015, 94.—95. lpp.
  6. ^ Uzņēmumi
  7. ^ "Sākumlapa en | Dobeles novada pašvaldība". www.dobele.lv. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  8. ^ "Klimatisko normu dati". Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Gaisa temperatūras rekordi". Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  10. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 30, 2023.