'Zemgale', also known under Latinized names 'Semigalia' or 'Semigallia' (; ; ) is an historical region of
Latvia, sometimes also including a part of
Lithuania. The region takes its name from the
Baltic people known as
Zemgaļi. Zemgale lies left of the
Daugava River and borders
Selonia, Lithuania, and
Courland.
Within Latvia, Zemgale has the status of one of five
cultural regions. It lies in the middle of the southern part of the Republic of Latvia, and consists of
Bauska,
Dobele, and
Jelgava counties (rajons). The land is mostly flat. The
Lielupe is the most important river after the Daugava. Important towns are
Jelgava, the former capital of the Duchy of Courland and Semigalia, and
Bauska.
In the
Middle Ages Semigalia was included within Courland and passed with that territory to Latvia after
World War I.
The region of
Selonia is often included as part of Semigalia. Selonia comprises the eastern part of the 1939 province of Semigalia, an area completely located south of the Daugava River. Traditional Selonia also includes a portion of northeastern Lithuania. It takes its name from the Baltic tribe of the
Selonians.