Ventspils
Ventspils (estimated 2004 population: 39,600) is a city in Northwestern Latvia, on the coast of the Baltic sea. It is named after the Venta river, which passes through Ventspils.Ventspils is an important ice-free Baltic Sea port. Large amounts of oil and other mineral resources from Russia are loaded aboard ships at Ventspils. The revenue from port services has made Ventspils the wealthiest city in Latvia.
The city has a university college (Venstpils Augstskola) and a basketball team that has won Latvian championship for last several years.
Ventspils was first mentioned in chronicles in 1290. Called '\Windau' at that time, it was a part of the Hanseatic League.