JēKABPILS DISTRICT

'Jēkabpils district' (Latvian: ''Jēkabpils rajons'') lies on both the banks of the Daugava in the south-east part of Latvia between Vidzeme and Latgale. In the south it borders on Lithuania and the length of the border is 44 km. In the north it borders on Madona District, in the west—Aizkraukle District, in the east—Preili and Daugavpils District.
The total area of the region is 2,998 km², the population 53,473, and it is the fifth largest region in Latvia according to the area and population.
The unemployment rate on 4 January 2000 is 10.6% from economically active population according to the State Employment Board data. Jēkabpils region is divided in two parts by the Daugava—the biggest river of Latvia. The administrative centre of the region is Jēkabpils and its population in 1999 was 28540 people.
Jēkabpils town is the 8th largest town in Latvia and has city rights. There are two more towns in the region—Viesīte with 2,230 inhabitants and Aknīste with 1,350 inhabitants. Urban population 32,800 people, rural 25,000 living in 20 rural municipalities and 2 rural town territories.