In accordance with the Constitution of the Latvian Republic and the law of its administrative and territorial set up the Republic of Latvia comprises of Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Latgale and Zemgale. On the east Latgale borders on Russia and Belarus. Geographically Latgale is located in the Latgale Uplands and in the Lowlands of eastern Latvia, Velikaya and Polock. In depressions there are numerous lakes.
Dolomite is used for road construction.
Its largest deposits are found in the vicinity of Jekabpils. There are large sand deposits in the valley of the Daugava and its vicinity. The Livani white quartz is used at the local glassware factory. The climate in Latgale is more continental than in the rest of Latvia. Winters are somewhat colder and a blanket of snow is formed earlier and it is thicker than that in Kurzeme and Zemgale, though summers are warmer.