Tukums

Tukums ( pronunciation ; German: Tuckum; Livonian: Tukāmō) is a town in Latvia. Three regions of Latvia meet in the vicinity of Tukums – Vidzeme, Zemgale and Courland.

History

The historical center of Tukums developed between trade routes leading from the mouth of the Daugava River to Prussia. The oldest part is today's Talsi Street that originated at the river named Zvirgzdupite where there used to be a castle mound with a wooden castle. Since 1253 Tukums was ruled by the Livonian Order. A masonry castle was built on the bank of the Slocene river in the end of the 13th century. The castle was surrounded by settlements of German tradesmen and craftsmen. A marketplace was formed in front of the castle and some new streets appeared later running in various directions from the market place.

With the development of trade in the 16th century a new straighter trade route to Prussia was built along a new street that is called Liela (large) Street today. This street had an important role in the life of the settlement. Public buildings, major business, workshops and shops were concentrated in it.

Jūrmala airport

Jūrmala airport (ICAO: EVJA) is an airport located 5 km (3 mi) in the Engure parish, Latvia, southeast of Tukums.

All of the airport's technical infrastructure, runway and buildings are what was left of the former Soviet military Tukums air base, which was a spartan military airfield with a single long ramp and reveted area. The base was completely abandoned, but in 2010 the conversion of the base to a civil airport with passenger terminals started.

History

The aviation history in the area starts in early 1930s, when the first hangar and workshop were constructed. During World War II an airfield was built for German Luftwaffe.

After the war it was operated by the Soviet Navy, flying Su-24 (Fencer) aircraft operated by 668 MShAP (668 мшап, 668th Naval Shturmovik Aviation Regiment) . Another source gives 240 MShAP (240th Naval Shturmovik Aviation Regiment).

In the spring of 1993 the airfield was recognized as Reserve Airfield of Tukums (RAT) of the Latvian Air Forces. Since July 31, 2001 the Tukums airfield belonged to Smārde parish. On March 15, 2005 Tukums Airport Ltd. was established. In 2005–2006 renovation of the runway and in 2009–2010 construction of the passenger terminal has started. In 2011 ILS and VOR/DME installation and light-signal system certification has been completed.

FK Tukums 2000

FK Tukums 2000 is Latvian football club located in Tukums. Since its foundation, the club has been training young boys and girls. In 2007 the club formed a men's team that could play in the second-highest division of Latvian football (the Latvian First League).

History

FK Tukums was founded on May 20, 2000 as "FK Tukums-2000. The club started its participation in the Latvian Second League in 2004, finishing in 4th place. In 2005, FK Tukums-2000 played in the Latvian First League and finished in 13th place at the end of the season. The 2008 season was yet again spent in the Second League, the third tier of Latvian football. The club finished in 3rd place. Several players with Latvian Higher League experience were invited to join, and not surprisingly the team won the Latvian First League that year, being promoted to the Latvian Higher League. At the end of the 2014 season they were relegated to the Latvian First League.

Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.