The Daugava or Western Dvina is a large river rising in the Valdai Hills of Russia that flows through Belarus and Latvia into the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea. The Daugava rises close to the source of the Volga. It is 1,020 km (630 mi) in length, of which 352 km (219 mi) are in Latvia and 325 km (202 mi) in Russia. It is a westward-flowing river, tracing out a great south-bending curve as it passes through northern Belarus.

Jēkabpils is a state city in Jēkabpils Municipality in southeastern Latvia, located roughly halfway between the capital Riga and Daugavpils, and spanning the Daugava River. The name of the city literally translates into "City of Jacob". Historic Jēkabpils lies on the left bank, in Selonia, while the historic Krustpils lies on the right bank, in Latgale. The two cities were united during the Soviet rule in 1962 under the Jēkabpils name, but retain their distinct regional character.