Ainaži

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Ainaži



City rights	1926

Location of Ainaži within Latvia
Location	57°52′N, 24°21′E
Other names	Heinaste; Hainasch; Haynasch;
District	Limbaži District
Area	152 km² (59 sq mi)
Population	1,794
Density	12 /km² (31 /sq mi)
Postal code	LV-4035
Calling code	+371 40
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Homepage of Ainaži

Ainaži (IPA: [ai:naʒi]) is a harbour town in Latvia located near the Estonian border at the site of a former Livonian fishing village. Before 1917, it was known by its German name Haynasch (in Russian, Gainash).

Ainaži has a long history of shipbuilding and seafaring; the first Latvian nautical school was established there in 1864 on the initiative of Krisjanis Valdemars. In 1905 a commercial harbour was built. Ainaži is not a center of maritime activity, since this industry was severely damaged in war time.

The most important industries are forestry, woodworking and trade. In addition, its location at the Latvia-Estonia border on the Via Baltica international highway favours transit/transport industries.

Today the building of the nautical school hosts a museum, the Ainažu Jūrskolas Muzejs, dedicated to the history of the school and the tradition of shipbuilding along the Vidzeme coast.