Liepāja (Lithuanian Liepoja, Polish Lipawa, German Libau, Russian Либава Libava or Лиепая Liyepaya, Yiddish ליבאַװע Libave; population 89,448 in 2000 census) is a city in Latvia, on the Baltic sea. Fishermen founded the city in 1253. Its name was first recorded in 1263, and it passed, along with Courland, to the control of Russia in 1795. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe, bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Eastern Europe and Central Europe, and the Danish islands. ... For broader historical context, see 13th century. ... Events Detmold, Germany was founded. ... Courland, Kurland, Couronia, or Curonia, a former Baltic province of the Teutonic Order state in Livonia (ca. ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Liepāja has historical military importance. The Soviet seaport Karosta is now open for visitors, not only for people interested in the Soviet history, but also for the cathedral undergoing restoration. The city now hosts Latvia's largest naval flotilla. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: (СССР)  listen; tr. ... Karosta (from Latvian Kara Osta, War Port) is an area north of Liepaja in western Latvia, on the Baltic sea. ... A cathedral is a Christian church building, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy (such as the Roman Catholic Church or the Anglican churches), which serves as the central church of a bishopric. ... The Latvian National Armed Forces (Latvian: Nacionalie Brunotie Speki) consist of 5910 personnel in uniform. ...

Some parts of Liepāja have a "special economic zone" designation to attract investors, and Liepaja International Airport, one of the three international airports in Latvia, is located in the city. Liepaja International Airport is located in Liepaja, Latvia. ...

Notable natives

• Maris Verpakovskis
• The father of Oliver Kahn
• Morris Halle

Māris Verpakovskis (born October 15, 1979) is a striker who plays for the Latvia national football team. ... Oliver Kahn (born June 15, 1969 in Karlsruhe, Germany) is a German football goalkeeper. ... Morris Halle, né Pinkowitz, is an American linguist. ...

External links

• www.liepaja.lv - official website
• Virtual Liepaja (http://www.virtualliepaja.lv/) - news in Latvian
• www.liepajniekiem.lv - news in Latvian
• http://dmoz.org/Regional/Europe/Latvia/Localities/Liepaja/