Jelgava (; also known as
Mitau, see also other names) is a city in central
Latvia about southwest of
Riga with about 63,000 inhabitants. It is the largest town in the region of
Zemgale (Semigalia). Jelgava was the capital of the united
Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (1578-1795) and the administrative center of the
Courland Governorate (1795-1918).