Latgale
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Latgale is one of the four regions of Latvia recognised in the Constitution of the Latvian Republic.
Historically Latgale formed a separate state, populated by the Latgales, which were formed out of Finno-Ugrics, and some Balts and Slavs. The Latgales spoke a separate language, Latgalian, which was a dialect of the Latvian language. It survives today as a regional characteristic.
During the 10th–12th centuries Latgalia was a part of the states of Jerzika and Atzele. Together with the rest of modern-day Latvia these states were conquered by German crusaders in the late 12th century, and incorporated in Livonia.
In 1561 Latgalia was annexed by Poland. At the treaty of Oliva most of Livonia was ceded to Sweden, but a part of Livonia including Latgalia remained under Polish control. It became known as Inflantia. During this period the Latgalian language developed as separate from the language of other parts of Livonia, as it was highly influenced by Polish.
In 1772 Latgalia was annexed by the Russian Empire, and in 1831 a period of Russification was begun, during which the Latgalian language was forbidden. This ban was lifted in 1904, and a period of Latgalian reawakening began. Latgalian public figures sought a reunification with the rest of Latvia in 1917 at the Congress of Rezekne, and in 1920 Latgalia was finally reunited with Latvia.
At the annexation by Russia in 1940 Latgalia lost the Jaunlatgales shire, a region of 1200 square kilometres, which to this day is a part of Russia.
Due to its history several different names are historically used for Latgalia.
- Other names for the region include Lettigallia, Latgallia, and Latgola.
- The people are called Latgales, Latgalians, Lettigalls, and Latgolans.
- The language is called Latgalian or Lettigalish.de:Lettgallen