Editing Courland (section)

== Geography and climate ==
[[Image:Latvian regions and latvians.png|thumb|right|Historical regions of Latvia, together with Latvian cultural groups; Courland (''Kurzeme'') and [[Semigallia]] (''Zemgale'') in yellow]]

Situated in western [[Latvia]], Courland roughly corresponds to the former [[districts of Latvia|Latvian districts]] of [[Kuldīga district|Kuldīga]], [[Liepaja district|Liepāja]], [[Saldus district|Saldus]], [[Talsi district|Talsi]], [[Tukums district|Tukums]] and [[Ventspils district|Ventspils]].

When combined with Semigallia and Selonia, Courland's northeastern boundary is the [[Daugava]] River, which separates it from the regions of [[Latgale]] and [[Vidzeme]]. To the north, Courland's coast lies along the [[Gulf of Riga]]. On the west it is bordered by the [[Baltic Sea]], and on the south by [[Lithuania]]. It lies between 55° 45′ and 57° 45′ [[Latitude|North]] and 21° and 27° East.

The name is also found in the [[Curonian Spit]] and Lithuanian ''Karšuvos giria'' - the Courland wood.

The area comprises {{convert|27,286|km²}}, of which {{convert|262|km²}} is made up of lakes. The landscape generally has a low and undulating character, with flat and marshy coastlands. The interior features wooded dunes, covered with [[pine]], [[spruce]], [[birch]], and [[oak]], with swamps and lakes, and fertile patches between. Courland's elevation never rises more than {{convert|213|m}} above sea level.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

The [[Jelgava]] plain divides Courland into two parts, the western side, which is fertile and densely inhabited, except in the north, and the eastern side, less fertile and thinly inhabited.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

Nearly one hundred rivers drain Courland, but only three of these rivers – the Daugava, the [[Lielupe]] and the [[Venta (river)|Venta]] – are navigable. They all flow northwestward and discharge into the [[Baltic Sea]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

Owing to its numerous lakes and marshes, Courland has a damp, often foggy, and changeable climate; its winters are severe.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}