Demene - Latvia

District Demene is located in the south of Augszeme in Daugavpils region. The first pieces of information about district Demene were found in 1493. Before 1830 district Demene belonged to Lorighover's family. Demene was founded in 1885, having united Brigene, Snemberg, Behov and Faltof. The area of district Demene was 10870 hectares in 1935. In 1945 were formed councils in Demene, Yaunciem and Lidumnieki. In 1979 Demene was united with Yaunciem, forming the center in Demene. In 1990 district Demene was restored. In the autumn of 1998 district Demene was joined with district Lidumnieki, which territory was formed by the Soviet regime, having united a part of former territories of districts Demene and Silene.

The territory of the district occupies 18125,2 hectares, from which 8893,2 hectares occupies agricultural land, 5609,40 occupy forests, which are used by 1624 owners and users.
The center of the district is village Demene, which is located about 265 km far from Riga and 18 km far from Daugavpils, which is the center of Daugavpils region.

The nature is very picturesque; gullies, lakes and hills, which are 150 m high, if you climb on the top of them, you will see a very beautiful view. If the weather is good, you will see Zarasus and Ignalina nuclear power stations in Lithuania.
In Demene are many lakes: Ricu lake (area 588,3 hectares), Brigene (area 136,5 hectares), Skirnas (area 84,5 hectares), Cernavas (area 86,2 hectares) and DervaniSku (area 68,7 hectares).
The one third part of Demene is occupied by forests (Kumbuju, Demenes, Pastorata). There are many hares, deer, foxes and beavers. The numbers of wild boars are increased last years. There are many species of birds and there is a much greater chance of seeing there are black stork.
Some parts of the area of Demene are occupied by marshes: Krugliski (area 125 hectares), Ricu (area 116 hectares), Kumbules ( area 105 hectares). There are mined sand and granite in Kumbuli and Yaunciem.
In 1999 in Silene was founded environment park Silene. There are 370 m high lime tree groves near the hill Turmont. The trees are older more than 100 hundred years.

In Demene is located border sign "Sunflower". It is the southern point of Latvia.
In 2004 in Demene lived 2072 people.
Ethic composition:
Latvian 229 - 11%
Russian 936 - 45%
Belorussian - 268 - 13%
Polish   - 619-30%
Other nationalities - 20 - 1%

Largest religious

confessions are Roman Catholic, Russian Ortodox and Old Believers.

During the years of Soviet Regime in Demene Roman Catholic Church was used as a club but in 1992 it was reopened as a church. In Yaunciem is Russian Ortodox Fabijanova Church.

In 2002 on July 30 bishop Just consecrated Catholic Church in Kumbuli, which is located in the former building of basic school.

In 2003 on May 30 started to function Zemgale Catholic Church in the former building of railway station.

Historical monuments : The First World War German Cemeteries; Labina (1915. -1918.), Kovaliski (1915 - 1918), Pakapinu (1915-1918_, Kotscargi (1915 - 1918), Grenztal (1915-1918).

The Second World War soldiers who have died monumentwchich is situated in Demene and Kumbuli.

Institutions in Demene.

Zemgale secondary school
In 2005 there studied 302 students

Posts:
-Post office in Demene
-Post office in Kumbuli
-Post office in Jaunciem

Public organization:
“The center of social support” in Demene

Shops:
SIA firm “Antaris”, Demene
IU “Vita DP”, Jaunciem
SIA “Valodze VP”, in Demene, Kumbuli

Companies:
-SIA “Igels”( sawmill in Kumbuli)
- IU “Olana”( sawmill in Demene)
- SIA ‘ Flais”( sawmill in Demene)
- “ Bar”
- “ Krastkalni”- “Zana”