Ainaži
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Ainaži | |
Coat of Arms of Ainaži | |
Location of Ainaži | |
Location | |
Area | 152 km² |
Population (2004) |
1811 |
Density | 12 persons/km² |
City since | 1926 |
Other names | Heinaste; Hainasch; Haynasch; |
Webpage | www.ainazi.lv |
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Ainaži is a harbour town in Latvia located near the Estonian border at the site of a former Livonian fishing village. Before 1917, it was known by its German name Haynasch (in Russian, Gainash).
Ainaži has a long history of shipbuilding and seafaring; the first Latvian nautical school was established there in 1864 on the initiative of Krisjanis Valdemars. In 1905 a commercial harbour was built, but today Ainaži is not a center of maritime activity, since this industry was severely damaged in war time.
Currently, the most important industries are forestry, woodworking and trade. In addition, its location at the Latvia-Estonia border on the Via Baltica international highway favours transit/transport industries.
Today the building of the nautical school hosts a museum, the Ainažu Jūrskolas Muzejs, dedicated to the history of the school and the tradition of shipbuilding along the Vidzeme coast.