A Municipality

Municipality

A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...

is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia

Estonia

Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...

. Each municipality is a unit of self-government with its representative and executive bodies. The municipalities in Estonia cover the entire territory of the country

Country

A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...

.

Municipalities in Estonia are of two types: urban municipalities, or town

Town

A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...

s (Est.

Estonian language

Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...

: linnad, sg. linn) and rural municipalities, or parish

Civil parish

In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...

es (Est.

Estonian language

Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...

: vallad, sg. vald). There is no other status distinction between them.

Municipality may contain one or several populated places

Populated places in Estonia

Populated places in Estonia are settlements or territorial units within a municipality. Populated places have no administrative functions. A group of populated places form a rural municipality with local administration...

. Some urban municipalities are divided into districts (Est.

Estonian language

Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...

: linnaosad, sg. linnaosa) with limited self-government, e.g. Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...

 consists of 8 districts (Haabersti

Haabersti

Haabersti is one of the 8 administrative districts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.It has a population of 41,388 .The most populous part of the district is Väike-Õismäe, a residential area consisting of the big panel houses, which were mostly built in the seventies...

, Kesklinn, Kristiine

Kristiine

Kristiine is one of the 8 administrative districts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It has a population of 29,686 .*Demographic info: Estonians 63%, Russians 24%, Ukrainians 2,3%, Belarusians 1,4%, Finns 0,5%, others 8,8%....

, Lasnamäe

Lasnamäe

Lasnamäe is the most populous administrative district of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The districts' population is about 115,000, the majority of which is Russian-speaking. Local housing is mostly represented by 5-16 stories high panel blocks of flats, built in the 1970-1990s. Lasnamäe is...

, Mustamäe

Mustamäe

Mustamäe is one of the 8 administrative districts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The smallest by area , it is at the same time the second largest district by population with 64,450 inhabitants ....

, Nõmme

Nõmme

Nõmme is one of the 8 administrative districts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It has a population of 38,168 and covers an area of , population density is...

, Pirita

Pirita

Pirita is one of the eight administrative districts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It had a population of 15,379 .Pirita occupies a relatively big area, but compared to other districts of Tallinn its population of 15,379 is relatively small...

, Põhja-Tallinn

Põhja-Tallinn

Põhja-Tallinn is one of the 8 administrative districts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It has a population of 55 656 .-Subdistricts:...

).

Municipalities range in population from Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...

 with 427,500 inhabitants to Ruhnu

Ruhnu

Ruhnu is an island situated in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to Estonia and is an administrative part of Saare County. At 11.9 km2 it has currently less than 100, mostly ethnic Estonian permanent inhabitants...

 with 68. As over two-thirds of the municipalities have a population of under 3,000, many of them have found it advantageous to co-operate in providing services and carrying out administrative functions.

Since October 2005 there are total of 227 municipalities in Estonia, 34 of them are urban and 193 are rural. The municipalities are listed below, by county:

Harju County

Harju County

Harju County , or Harjumaa , nowadays one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in northern Estonia, on the south coast of the Gulf of Finland, and borders Lääne-Viru County to the east, Järva County to the south-east, Rapla County to the south, and Lääne County to the south-west.528,468 people...

Urban municipalities:

• Keila
  Keila
  Keila is a town and an urban municipality in Harju County in north-western Estonia. It is also the administrative centre of the surrounding rural municipality – Keila Parish.-History:...
  
  
• Loksa
  Loksa
  Loksa is a town and municipality in Harju County, northern Estonia. It has a population of 3,403 and covers an area of 3.81 km².The Valgejõgi river runs through Loksa and drains there into Hara Bay.-History:...
  
  
• Maardu
  Maardu
  Maardu is a town and a municipality in Harju County, Estonia. It is part of Tallinn metropolitan area. The town covers an area of 22.76 km² and has a population of 16,529 ....
  
  
• Paldiski
  Paldiski
  Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the Pakri peninsula of north-western Estonia. Originally a Swedish settlement known as Rågervik, it became a Russian naval base in the 18th century. The Russians renamed it Балтийский Порт Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the...
  
  
• Saue
  Saue
  Saue is a town in north-western Estonia. Administratively it constitutes a separate urban municipality in Harju County.The territory of Saue is and population about 5,600. Closest centres are Tallinn , Keila , Saku and Laagri ....
  
  
• Tallinn
  Tallinn
  Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Aegviidu
  Aegviidu
  Aegviidu is a borough in northern Estonia. Administratively it constitutes Aegviidu Parish — a rural municipality within Harju County. The municipality has a population of 873 and covers an area of...
  
   (borough)
• Anija Parish (includes the town of Kehra
  Kehra
  Kehra is a town in Harju County, northern Estonia. It's the administrative cntre of Anija Parish. Kehra has a population of 3,060 .Kehra has a station on the Elektriraudtee rail line....
  
  )
• Harku Parish
• Jõelähtme Parish
• Keila Parish
• Kernu Parish
• Kiili Parish (includes the borough of Kiili
  Kiili
  Kiili is a borough in Harju County, northern Estonia. It is the administrative center of Kiili Parish. Kiili has a population of 1,337 .-External links:*...
  
  )
• Kose Parish
• Kuusalu Parish
• Kõue Parish
• Nissi Parish
• Padise Parish
• Raasiku Parish
• Rae Parish
• Saku Parish
• Saue Parish
• Vasalemma Parish
• Viimsi Parish

Hiiu County

Urban municipality:

• Kärdla
  Kärdla
  Kärdla is the largest town on the Estonian island of Hiiumaa and the capital of Hiiu County.-Geography:Kärdla is located on the north-eastern coast of Hiiumaa, by the Gulf of Tareste . Southeast of the town is the Kärdla meteorite crater, which is 455 million years old.Several small rivers flow...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Emmaste Parish
• Kõrgessaare Parish
• Käina Parish
• Pühalepa Parish

Ida-Viru County

Ida-Viru County

Ida-Viru County , or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is the most north-eastern part of the country. The county contains large deposits of oil shale - the main mineral mined in Estonia. As oil shale is used in thermal power plants, the earth in Ida-Viru literally holds the largest...

Urban municipalities:

• Kiviõli
  Kiviõli
  Kiviõli is an industrial town in Ida-Viru County, Estonia with a population of 7000 . The main industry is oil shale mining, which gives the town its name...
  
  
• Kohtla-Järve
  Kohtla-Järve
  Kohtla-Järve is a city and municipality in north-eastern Estonia, founded in 1924 and incorporated as a town in 1946. The city is highly industrial, and is both a processor of oil shales and is a large producer of various petroleum products. The city is also very diverse ethnically: it contains...
  
  
• Narva
  Narva
  Narva is the third largest city in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border, on the Narva River which drains Lake Peipus.-Early history:...
  
  
• Narva-Jõesuu
  Narva-Jõesuu
  Narva-Jõesuu is a town in Ida-Viru County, Estonia, located on the country's northern Baltic Sea coast near the Russian border. The name of the town in Estonian and Russian means "mouth of the Narva River"....
  
  
• Püssi
  Püssi
  Püssi is an urban municipality in Ida-Viru County, Estonia, with a population of 1,838. A large brown heathland is located just to the south of the town, and the Tallinn-Narva railway runs right through the centre of the municipality, before disappearing into the dense forest typical of the...
  
  
• Sillamäe
  Sillamäe
  Sillamäe is a town in Ida-Viru County in the northern part of Estonia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. It has a population of 16,183 and covers an area of 10.54 km²...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Alajõe Parish
  Alajõe Parish
  Alajõe Parish is a rural municipality ofIda-Viru County in northern Estonia. It has a population of 1024 and an area of .-Villages:Alajõe - Karjamaa - Katase - Remniku - Smolnitsa - Uusküla - Vasknarva...
  
  
• Aseri Parish
  Aseri Parish
  Aseri Parish is a rural municipality of Ida-Viru County in northern Estonia. It has a population of 2210 and an area of .-Settlements:Small borough:AseriVillages:Aseriaru, Kalvi, Kestla, Koogu, Kõrkküla, Kõrtsialuse, Oru and Rannu....
  
  
• Avinurme Parish
  Avinurme Parish
  Avinurme Parish is a rural municipality of Ida-Viru County in northern Estonia. It has a population of 1536 and an area of .-Settlements:Small borough:AvinurmeVillages:...
  
  
• Iisaku Parish
  Iisaku Parish
  Iisaku Parish is a rural municipality of Ida-Viru County in northern Estonia. It has a population of 1425 and an area of 258 km².-Settlements:Small borough:IisakuVillages:...
  
  
• Illuka Parish
  Illuka Parish
  Illuka Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 1013 and an area of 517 km².-Villages:Agusalu, Edivere, Illuka, Jaama, Kaatermu, Kaidma, Kamarna, Karoli, Kuremäe, Kivinõmme, Konsu, Kuningaküla, Kurtna, Ohakvere, Ongassaare, Permisküla, Puhatu, Rausvere,...
  
  
• Jõhvi Parish
  Jõhvi Parish
  Jõhvi Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 13,174 and an area of 124 km² .-Settlements:Town:JõhviSmall borough:TammikuVillage:...
  
   (includes the town of Jõhvi
  Jõhvi
  Jõhvi is a town in north-eastern Estonia, and the capital of Ida-Viru County. The town is also an administrative centre of Jõhvi Parish. It is situated 50 km from the Russian border....
  
  )
• Kohtla Parish
  Kohtla Parish
  Kohtla Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 1,491 and an area of 101 km².-Villages:Amula, Järve, Kaasikaia, Kaasikvälja, Kabelimetsa, Kohtla, Kukruse, Mõisamaa, Ontika, Paate, Peeri, Roodu, Saka, Servaääre, Täkumetsa, Valaste, Vitsiku.- External...
  
  
• Kohtla-Nõmme
  Kohtla-Nõmme
  Kohtla-Nõmme is a borough in northeastern Estonia. Administratively it constitutes Kohtla-Nõmme Parish — a rural municipality within Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 1,047 and an area of 4.64 km².-External links:* *...
  
   (borough)
• Lohusuu Parish
  Lohusuu Parish
  Lohusuu Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 818 and an area of 102 km².- Villages :Jõemetsa - Kalmaküla - Kärasi - Ninasi - Piilsi - Raadna - Separa - Tammispää - Vilusi- External links :*...
  
  
• Lüganuse Parish
• Maidla Parish
  Maidla Parish
  Maidla Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 772 and an area of 332.3 km².- Villages :...
  
  
• Mäetaguse Parish
  Mäetaguse Parish
  Mäetaguse Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 1,556 and an area of 285 km² .-Villages:...
  
  
• Sonda Parish
  Sonda Parish
  Sonda Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 1,019 and an area of 161 km².-Settlements:Small boroughs:Erra - SondaVillages:...
  
  
• Toila Parish
  Toila Parish
  Toila Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 2,304 and an area of 164 km².-Villages:Altküla, Konju, Martsa, Metsamägara, Päite, Pühajõe, Uikala, Vaivina, Voka.-External links:...
  
  
• Tudulinna Parish
  Tudulinna Parish
  Tudulinna Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Ida-Viru County. It has a population of 629 and an area of 270 km².- Villages :Kellassaare, Lemmaku, Oonurme, Peressaare, Pikati, Rannapungerja, Roostoja, Sahargu, Tagajõe.- External links :...
  
  
• Vaivara Parish
  Vaivara Parish
  Vaivara Parish is a municipality of Ida-Viru County in northern Estonia. It has a population of 1,800 and an area of 397.97 km².-Settlements:Small boroughs:Olgina , Sinimäe Villages:...
  
  

Järva County

Järva County

Järva County , or Järvamaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in central part of the country and borders Lääne-Viru County to the east, Jõgeva County to the south-east, Viljandi County to the south, Pärnu County to the south-west, Rapla County to the west, and Harju County to the...

Urban municipalities:

• Paide
  Paide
  Paide is the capital of Järva County, Estonia.A castle built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword is located here. The town was formally founded 30 September 1291 by Halt, master of the Livonian Order....
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Albu Parish
  Albu Parish
  Albu is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 1410 and an area of .-Villages:Albu has 16 villages:...
  
  
• Ambla Parish
  Ambla Parish
  Ambla is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 2423 and an area of .-Villages:#Roosna - 133#Jõgisoo - 111#Kurisoo - 107#Märjandi - 74#Sääsküla - 73#Reinevere - 68#Raka - 65#Kukevere - 49#Mägise - 35...
  
  
• Imavere Parish
  Imavere Parish
  Imavere Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 1,025 and an area of 139 km².-Villages:Imavere has 12 villages:...
  
  
• Järva-Jaani Parish
  Järva-Jaani Parish
  Järva-Jaani Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 1,643 and an area of 126 km² .-Populated places:Järva-Jaani has a borough, Järva-Jaani, and 9 villages:*Jalalõpe*Jalgsema...
  
   (includes the borough of Järva-Jaani
  Järva-Jaani
  Järva-Jaani is a borough in Järva County, central Estonia. It is the administrative center of Järva-Jaani Parish.-External links:*...
  
  )
• Kareda Parish
  Kareda Parish
  Kareda Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 846 and an area of 91 km².-Populated places:...
  
  
• Koeru Parish
  Koeru Parish
  -Settlements:1 small borough: Koeru.26 villages: Abaja, Aruküla, Ervita, Jõeküla, Kalitsa, Kapu, Koidu-Ellavere, Kuusna, Laaneotsa, Liusvere, Merja, Norra, Preedi, Puhmu, Rõhu, Salutaguse, Santovi, Tammiku, Tudre, Udeva, Vahuküla, Väinjärve, Valila, Vao, Visusti and Vuti.-External links:...
  
  
• Koigi Parish
  Koigi Parish
  Koigi is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 1,177 and an area of 204.45 km².-Villages:...
  
  
• Paide Parish
  Paide Parish
  Paide Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 1935 and an area of 300 km².-Villages:...
  
  
• Roosna-Alliku Parish
  Roosna-Alliku Parish
  Roosna-Alliku Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Järva County. It has a population of 1238 and an area of 132 km².-Settlements:1 small borough: Roosna-Alliku....
  
  
• Türi Parish
  Türi Parish
  Türi Parish is a rural municipality in Järva County, Estonia.On 16 October 2005 Kabala Parish, Oisu Parish, Town of Türi and the former Türi Parish were united to form the current Türi Parish....
  
   (includes the town of Türi
  Türi
  Türi is a town in Järva County, Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Türi Parish. Since 2000, Türi is known as the "spring capital" of Estonia.- History :*1347 Türi first mentioned in historical records by the name of Turgel...
  
  )
• Väätsa Parish

Jõgeva County

Jõgeva County

Jõgeva County , or Jõgevamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in eastern part of the country and borders Ida-Viru County to the north-east, Lake Peipus to the east, Tartu County to the south, Viljandi County to the south-west, Järva County to the north-west and Lääne-Viru County to...

Urban municipalities:

• Jõgeva
  Jõgeva
  Jõgeva is a small town in Estonia with a population of around 6000 people. It is the administrative centre of Jõgeva County.It is known as the coldest place in Estonia with the lowest temperature of...
  
  
• Mustvee
  Mustvee
  Mustvee is a town and municipality in Estonia. It lies on the shore of Lake Peipus in Jõgeva County. Its population of 1,600 is approximately half Estonian and half Russian. The name of Mustvee was first recorded in 1343 at the time of reign of Livonian order. It became a haven for Russian Old...
  
  
• Põltsamaa
  Põltsamaa
  -External links:...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Jõgeva Parish
  Jõgeva Parish
  Jõgeva Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 5340 and an area of 458 km² .- Villages :...
  
  
• Kasepää Parish
  Kasepää Parish
  Kasepää is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 1381 and an area of 40.87 km².-Villages:Kaasiku, Kasepää, Kükita, Metsaküla, Nõmme, Omedu, Raja and Tiheda.- External links :...
  
  
• Pajusi Parish
  Pajusi Parish
  Pajusi is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 1623 and an area of 232.4 km².-Villages:Pajusi Parish has 23 villages:...
  
  
• Pala Parish
• Palamuse Parish
  Palamuse Parish
  Palamuse is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 2,509 and an area of 216 km².-Populated places:Palamuse Parish has one small borough, Palamuse, and 25 villages: Änkküla, Eerikvere, Ehavere, Imukvere, Järvepera, Kaarepere, Kaiavere, Kassivere, Kivimäe, Kudina,...
  
  
• Puurmani Parish
• Põltsamaa Parish
  Põltsamaa Parish
  Põltsamaa is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 2722 and an area of 416.9 km² .-Villages:...
  
  
• Saare Parish
  Saare Parish
  Saare is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 1,391 and an area of 224.7 km².-Villages:Saare Parish has 22 villages: Halliku , Jaama , Kääpa , Kallivere , Kiisli , Koseveski , Levala , Maardla , Nautrasi , Odivere , Pällu , Pedassaare , Putu , Ruskavere ,...
  
  
• Tabivere Parish
  Tabivere Parish
  Tabivere is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 2468 and an area of 201 km².-Villages:Elistvere - Juula - Kaiavere - Kaitsemõisa - Kärksi - Kassema - Kõduküla - Kõnnujõe - Koogi - Kõrenduse - Lilu - Maarja-Magdaleena - Otslava - Õvanurme - Pataste -...
  
  
• Torma Parish
  Torma Parish
  Torma Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Jõgeva County. It has a population of 2,472 and an area of 349.3 km².-Villages:Iravere - Kantküla - Kodismaa - Koimula - Kõnnu - Leedi - Liikatku - Lilastvere - Näduvere - Ookatku - Oti - Rääbise - Rassiku - Reastvere - Sätsuvere - Tähkvere -...
  
  

Lääne County

Lääne County

Lääne County , or Läänemaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is located in western Estonia and borders Baltic Sea to the north, Harju County to the north-east, Rapla County to the east, Pärnu County to the south, and the island counties of Saare and Hiiu to the west...

Urban municipality:

• Haapsalu
  Haapsalu
  Haapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It's the administrative centre of Lääne County and has a population of 11,618 ....
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Hanila Parish
  Hanila Parish
  Hanila is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 1679 and an area of 232 km².-Populated places:...
  
  
• Kullamaa Parish
  Kullamaa Parish
  Kullamaa is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 1398 and an area of 224.6 km².-Populated places:Kullamaa Parish has 14 villages:...
  
  
• Lihula Parish
  Lihula Parish
  Lihula Parish is a rural municipality in Lääne County, Estonia. It has a population of 2,652 and an area of 367.31 km².-Settlements:TownLihulaVillages...
  
   (includes the town of Lihula
  Lihula
  Lihula is a town in Estonia with population of 1,614 . It is a centre of a rural municipality in Lääne County.The castle of Leal was first mentioned in 1211. It was the centre of Diocese Saare-Lääne...
  
  )
• Martna Parish
  Martna Parish
  Martna is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 996 and an area of 269 km².-Villages:Martna Parish has 33 villages:...
  
  
• Noarootsi Parish
• Nõva Parish
  Nõva Parish
  Nõva is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 465 and an area of 129.6 km².-Populated places:Nõva Parish has 8 villages: Hindaste, Nõmmemaa, Nõva, Peraküla, Rannaküla, Tusari, Vaisi, Variku.-References:...
  
  
• Oru Parish
  Oru Parish
  Oru is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 932 and an area of 197.7 km².-Settlements:Oru Parish has 15 villages:...
  
  
• Ridala Parish
  Ridala Parish
  Ridala is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 3,017 and an area of 253.4 km².- Villages :Aamse, Allika, Ammuta, Emmuvere, Erja, Espre, Haeska, Herjava, Hobulaiu, Jõõdre, Kabrametsa, Kadaka, Kaevere, Kiideva, Kiltsi, Kiviküla, Koheri, Koidu, Kolila, Kolu,...
  
  
• Risti Parish
  Risti Parish
  Risti is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 863 and an area of 167.8 km².-References:*This article includes content from the Estonian Wikipedia article Risti vald.-External links:*...
  
  
• Taebla Parish
  Taebla Parish
  Taebla is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 2911 and an area of 141 km².The painter Ants Laikmaa lived in the parish for much of his later career.- Villages :Nigula ,Kirimäe ,Vidruka ,...
  
  
• Vormsi Parish
  Vormsi Parish
  Vormsi Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It covers the area of Vormsi island. The population of Vormsi is 245 and has an area of 92.93 km².-Settlements:...
  
  

Lääne-Viru County

Urban municipalities:

• Kunda
• Rakvere
  Rakvere
  Rakvere is a town in northern Estonia and the county seat of Lääne-Viru County, 20 km south of the Gulf of Finland.-History:The earliest signs of human settlement dating back to the 3rd-5th centuries AD have been found on the present theatre hill. Probably to protect that settlement, a wooden...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Haljala Parish
  Haljala Parish
  Haljala Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 2858 and an area of 183.02 km².-Villages:...
  
  
• Kadrina Parish
• Laekvere Parish
  Laekvere Parish
  Laekvere Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 1837 and an area of 352.42 km².-Villages:...
  
  
• Rakke Parish
  Rakke Parish
  Rakke Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 1924 and an area of 226 km².-Settlements:Rakke Parish has 1 small borough and 30 villages.Small borough:RakkeVillages:...
  
  
• Rakvere Parish
  Rakvere Parish
  Rakvere Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 2288 and an area of 127.69 km².-Settlements:Rakvere Parish has 1 small borough and 19 villages.Small borough:LepnaVillages:...
  
  
• Rägavere Parish
  Rägavere Parish
  Rägavere Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 993 and an area of 173.74 km².-Villages:...
  
  
• Sõmeru Parish
  Sõmeru Parish
  Sõmeru Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 3,885 and an area of 168.29 km².-Settlements:...
  
  
• Tamsalu Parish
  Tamsalu Parish
  Tamsalu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 4,554 and an area of 214.61 km².-Settlements:TownTamsaluSmall boroughSääseVillages...
  
   (includes the town of Tamsalu
  Tamsalu
  Tamsalu is a town in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia, it's the administrativ centre of Tamsalu Parish.-History:The town was first mentioned in 1512, but remained an insignificant village until 1876. After that it was on the railroad line from Tartu to Tallinn...
  
  )
• Tapa Parish
  Tapa Parish
  Tapa Parish is a rural municipality in Lääne-Viru County in northern Estonia. On January 1, 2008, the parish had 8,894 residents, down from 9,067 one year earlier.The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Tapa...
  
   (includes the town of Tapa
  Tapa, Estonia
  Tapa is a town in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia. Located at the junction of the country's Tallinn-Narva and Tallinn-Tartu-Valga railway lines, it is an important centre of transit for freight as well as rail passengers...
  
  )
• Vihula Parish
  Vihula Parish
  Vihula Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 1,939 and an area of 364.28 km².-Settlements:...
  
  
• Vinni Parish
  Vinni Parish
  Vinni Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 5,630 and an area of 486.65 km².-Settlements:...
  
  
• Viru-Nigula Parish
  Viru-Nigula Parish
  Viru-Nigula Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 1,293 and an area of 234.05 km².-Settlements:Viru-Nigula small borough....
  
  
• Väike-Maarja Parish
  Väike-Maarja Parish
  Väike-Maarja Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. It has a population of 5,421 and an area of 457.39 km².-Settlements:Small boroughsKiltsi, Simuna, Väike-MaarjaVillages...
  
  

Pärnu County

Pärnu County

Pärnu County , or Pärnumaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in south-western part of the country, on the coast of Gulf of Riga, and borders Lääne and Rapla counties to the north, Järva and Viljandi counties to the east, and Latvia to the south...

Urban municipalities:

• Pärnu
  Pärnu
  Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
  
  
• Sindi

Rural municipalities:

• Are Parish
  Are Parish
  Are is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Small borough:AreVillages:Eavere, Elbu, Kurena, Lepplaane, Murru, Niidu, Parisselja, Pärivere, Suigu, Tabria, Võlla....
  
  
• Audru Parish
  Audru Parish
  Audru is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Small borough:AudruVillages:Ahaste, Aruvälja, Eassalu, Jõõpre, Kabriste, Kärbu, Kihlepa, Kõima, Lemmetsa, Liiva, Lindi, Liu, Malda, Marksa, Oara, Papsaare, Põhara, Põldeotsa, Ridalepa, Saari, Saulepa,...
  
  
• Halinga Parish
  Halinga Parish
  Halinga is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Borough:Pärnu-JaagupiVillages:Aasa, Altküla, Anelema, Arase, Eametsa, Eense, Eerma, Enge, Ertsma, Halinga, Helenurme, Kablima, Kaelase, Kangru, Kodesmaa, Kuninga, Langerma, Lehtmetsa, Lehu, Libatse,...
  
   (includes the borough of Pärnu-Jaagupi
  Pärnu-Jaagupi
  Pärnu-Jaagupi is a borough in Pärnu County, Estonia, the administrative centre of Halinga Parish. It has a population of 1,291 .-References:...
  
  )
• Häädemeeste Parish
  Häädemeeste Parish
  Häädemeeste is a municipality located in Pärnu County of Estonia.Nigula Nature Reserve is partly located in Häädemeeste Parish.-Settlements:Small borough:HäädemeesteVillages:...
  
  
• Kihnu Parish
  Kihnu
  Kihnu is an island in the Baltic Sea. With an area of 16,4 km² it is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga and the seventh largest island of Estonia. The length of the island is 7 km and width 3.3 km, the highest point is at 8.9 m above sea level.The island belongs to the Pärnu...
  
  
• Koonga Parish
  Koonga Parish
  Koonga is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Villages:Emmu - Hõbeda - Irta - Iska - Jänistvere - Järve - Joonuse - Kalli - Karinõmme - Karuba - Kibura - Kiisamaa - Kõima - Koonga - Kuhu - Kurese - Lõpe - Maikse - Mihkli - Naissoo - Nätsi - Nedrema...
  
  
• Lavassaare
  Lavassaare
  Lavassaare is a borough in southwestern Estonia. Administratively it constitutes Lavassaare Parish , a rural municipality within Pärnu County. It has a population of 539 and an area of 8.00 km².-External links:*...
  
   (borough)
• Paikuse Parish
  Paikuse Parish
  Paikuse is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Small borough:PaikuseVillages:Põlendmaa, Seljametsa, Silla, Tammuru, Vaskrääma....
  
  
• Saarde Parish
  Saarde Parish
  Saarde is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Town:Kilingi-NõmmeSmall borough:TihemetsaVillages:...
  
   (includes the town of Kilingi-Nõmme
  Kilingi-Nõmme
  Kilingi-Nõmme is a town in south-western Estonia. It is a centre of Saarde Parish in Pärnu County.Kilingi-Nõmme borough became a town in 1 May 1938....
  
  )
• Sauga Parish
  Sauga Parish
  Sauga Parish is located at the Pärnu County Center. Its south neighbour is Pärnu city, west neighbour Audru Parish; its north side resides with Halinga and Are, its east side with town of Sindi....
  
  
• Surju Parish
  Surju Parish
  Surju is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Villages:Ilvese - Jaamaküla - Kalda - Kikepera - Kõveri - Lähkma - Metsaääre - Rabaküla - Ristiküla - Saunametsa - Surju...
  
  
• Tahkuranna Parish
  Tahkuranna Parish
  Tahkuranna is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Small borough:VõisteVillages:Laadi - Leina - Lepaküla - Metsaküla - Piirumi - Reiu - Tahkuranna - Uulu...
  
  
• Tootsi
  Tootsi
  Tootsi is a borough in southwestern Estonia. Administratively it constitutes Tootsi Parish — a rural municipality within Pärnu County. It has the population of 951 and an area of 1.76 km².-External links:*...
  
   (borough)
• Tori Parish
  Tori Parish
  Tori is a municipality located in Pärnu County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.-Settlements:Small borough:ToriVillages:Aesoo - Elbi - Jõesuu - Kildemaa - Kõrsa - Kuiaru - Levi - Mannare - Muraka - Muti - Oore - Piistaoja - Randivälja - Rätsepa - Riisa - Selja - Taali - Tohera - Urumarja - Võlli...
  
  
• Tõstamaa Parish
  Tõstamaa Parish
  Tõstamaa Parish is a rural municipality in southwestern Estonia. It is a part of Pärnu County. The municipality has a population of 1,572 and covers an area of 261.01 km²....
  
  
• Varbla Parish
  Varbla Parish
  Varbla is an Estonian municipality located in Pärnu County. It has a population of 1013 and an area of 314 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Vändra Parish
  Vändra Parish
  Vändra Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Pärnu County. It has a population of 3126 and an area of 642 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Vändra
  Vändra
  Vändra is a borough with a municipality status in Pärnu County, Estonia. Vändra is surrounded by Vändra Parish in which the borough itself is not part of. It has a population of 2,500 and an area of 3.28 km²....
  
   (borough)

Põlva County

Põlva County

Põlva County , or Põlvamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in south-eastern part of the country and borders Tartu, Valga and Võru counties. The county also shares a common border with Russia...

Urban municipality:

• Põlva
  Põlva
  Põlva , is the capital of Põlva County , one of 15 counties of Estonia. The county is situated in south-eastern part of the country and borders Tartu, Valga and Võru counties...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Ahja Parish
  Ahja Parish
  Ahja Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1,115 and an area of .-Settlements:Small borough:AhjaVillages:Akste - Ibaste - Kärsa - Kosova - Loko - Mõtsküla - Mustakurmu - Vanamõisa...
  
  
• Kanepi Parish
  Kanepi Parish
  Kanepi Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 2,511 and an area of 231.43 km²...
  
  
• Kõlleste Parish
  Kõlleste Parish
  Kõlleste Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 997 and an area of 150.42 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Laheda Parish
  Laheda Parish
  Laheda Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1,355 and an area of 91.47 km².Ridali Airfield is located in Laheda Parish]].-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Mikitamäe Parish
  Mikitamäe Parish
  Mikitamäe Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 998 and an area of 104.41 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Mooste Parish
  Mooste Parish
  Mooste Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1542 and an area of 185.12 km².-Settlements:Small borough:MoosteVillages:...
  
  
• Orava Parish
• Põlva Parish
  Põlva Parish
  Põlva Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 3,882 and an area of 228.63 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Räpina Parish
  Räpina Parish
  Räpina Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 5,533 and an area of 265.93 km².-Settlements:Town:RäpinaSmall borough:VõõpsuVillages:...
  
   (includes the town of Räpina
  Räpina
  Räpina is a town in Põlva County, Estonia. The administrative centre of Räpina Parish, it has a population of 2,867 .-External links:*...
  
  )
• Valgjärve Parish
  Valgjärve Parish
  Valgjärve Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1,562 and an area of 143.02 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Vastse-Kuuste Parish
  Vastse-Kuuste Parish
  Vastse-Kuuste Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1,255 and an area of 123.01 km².-Settlements:Small borough:Vastse-KuusteVillages:...
  
  
• Veriora Parish
  Veriora Parish
  Veriora Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1,521 and an area of 200.42 km².-Settlements:Small borough:VerioraVillages:...
  
  
• Värska Parish
  Värska Parish
  Värska Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Põlva County. It has a population of 1,344 and an area of 187.82 km².-Settlements:Small borough:VärskaVillages:...
  
  

Rapla County

Rapla County

Rapla County , or Raplamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in western part of the country and borders Järva County to the east, Pärnu County to the south, Lääne County to the west, and Harju County to the north...

Rural municipalities:

• Juuru Parish
  Juuru Parish
  Juuru Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 1627 and an area of 152,4 km².-Settlements:...
  
  
• Järvakandi (borough)
• Kaiu Parish
  Kaiu Parish
  Kaiu Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 1,700 and an area of 261 km².-Settlements:Small borough:KaiuVillages:...
  
  
• Kehtna Parish
• Kohila Parish
  Kohila Parish
  Kohila Parish is the northernmost municipality of Rapla County, Estonia. It has a population of 5,925 and an area of 230.20 km².-Settlements:Borough:KohilaSmall boroughs:Hageri - PrillimäeVillages:...
  
   (includes the borough of Kohila
  Kohila
  Kohila is a borough in Rapla County, northern Estonia. It is the administrative center of Kohila Parish. Kohila has a population of 3,505 .Kohila has a station on Edelaraudtee's westward line.-Notable residents:...
  
  )
• Käru Parish
  Käru Parish
  Käru Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 676 and an area of 214.91 km² .-Settlements:Small borough:KäruVillages:Jõeküla - Kädva - Kändliku - Kõdu - Kullimaa - Lauri - Lungu - Sonni...
  
  
• Märjamaa Parish
  Märjamaa Parish
  Märjamaa Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 7,542 and an area of 871.62 km²...
  
   (includes the borough of Märjamaa
  Märjamaa
  Märjamaa is a borough in Rapla County, Estonia. It is the administrative center of Märjamaa Parish. Märjamaa had a population of 3,108 as of 1 January 2008.-External links:*...
  
  )
• Raikküla Parish
  Raikküla Parish
  Raikküla Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 1,754 and an area of 224.2 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  
• Rapla Parish
  Rapla Parish
  Rapla Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 9,652 and an area of 243.3 km².-Settlements:Town:RaplaSmall boroughs:Alu - Hagudi - KuusikuVillages:...
  
   (includes the town of Rapla
  Rapla
  Rapla is a town in central Estonia, the administrative centre of Rapla County and Rapla Parish. It has a population of 5,618 .-External links:*...
  
  )
• Vigala Parish
  Vigala Parish
  Vigala Parish is an Estonian municipality located in Rapla County. It has a population of 1,547 and an area of 269.81 km².-Settlements:Villages:...
  
  

Saare County

Saare County

Saare County , or Saaremaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It consists of Saaremaa , the largest island of Estonia, and several smaller islands near it. The county borders Lääne County to the east and Hiiu County to the north...

Urban municipality:

• Kuressaare
  Kuressaare
  Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706 Kuressaare is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. It is the capital of Saare County. The current population is about 14,706...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Kaarma Parish
• Kihelkonna Parish
• Kärla Parish
• Laimjala Parish
• Leisi Parish
• Lümanda Parish
• Muhu Parish
  Muhu
  Muhu , is an island in the Baltic Sea. With an area of 198 km² it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia, after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa....
  
  
• Mustjala Parish
• Orissaare Parish
• Pihtla Parish
• Pöide Parish
• Ruhnu Parish
  Ruhnu
  Ruhnu is an island situated in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It belongs to Estonia and is an administrative part of Saare County. At 11.9 km2 it has currently less than 100, mostly ethnic Estonian permanent inhabitants...
  
  
• Salme Parish
• Torgu Parish
• Valjala Parish

Tartu County

Tartu County

Tartu County , or Tartumaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia.It is located in eastern Estonia bordering Põlva County, Valga County, Viljandi County and Jõgeva County....

Urban municipalities:

• Elva
  Elva, Estonia
  Elva is a town and a municipality in Tartu County, Estonia. It has a population of 5,762 and an area of 9.92k m².Elva has two larger lakes. Lake Verevi has a sandy and well-developed beach area that is very popular in the summer and is host to many outdoor events. Lake Arbi has wet reed grown shores...
  
  
• Kallaste
  Kallaste
  Kallaste is a town and a municipality in Tartu County, Estonia. It is located on the western shore of Lake Peipus. Most of the population are Russians, 15% being Estonians.-History:...
  
  
• Tartu
  Tartu
  Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Alatskivi Parish
  Alatskivi Parish
  -Settlements:Small borough:AlatskiviVillages:Alasoo - Haapsipea - Kesklahe - Kõdesi - Kokora - Kuningvere - Lahe - Lahepera - Linaleo - Naelavere - Nina - Orgemäe - Padakõrve - Päiksi - Passi - Peatskivi - Pusi - Pärsikivi - Riidma - Ronisoo - Rootsiküla - Rupsi - Saburi - Savastvere - Savimetsa -...
  
  
• Haaslava Parish
  Haaslava Parish
  -Settlements:Small borough:RoiuVillages:Aadami - Aardla - Aardlapalu - Alaküla - Haaslava - Igevere - Ignase - Kitseküla - Kõivuküla - Koke - Kriimani - Kurepalu - Lange - Metsanurga - Mõra - Päkste - Paluküla - Tõõraste - Uniküla...
  
  
• Kambja Parish
  Kambja Parish
  -Settlements:Small borough:KambjaVillages:Aakaru - Ivaste - Kaatsi - Kammeri - Kavandu - Kodijärve - Kõrkküla - Kullaga - Lalli - Madise - Mäeküla - Oomiste - Paali - Palumäe - Pangodi - Pulli - Pühi - Raanitsa - Rebase - Reolasoo - Riiviku - Sipe - Sirvaku - Sulu - Suure-Kambja - Talvikese - Tatra...
  
  
• Konguta Parish
  Konguta Parish
  -Settlements:Villages:Annikoru - Kapsta - Karijärve - Kobilu - Konguta - Külaaseme - Kurelaane - Lembevere - Mäeotsa - Majala - Mälgi - Metsalaane - Poole - Pööritsa - Vahessaare - Vellavere...
  
  
• Laeva Parish
  Laeva Parish
  -Settlements:Villages:Kämara - Kärevere - Laeva - Siniküla - Väänikvere - Valmaotsa-External links:...
  
  
• Luunja Parish
  Luunja Parish
  -Settlements:Small borough:LuunjaVillages:Kabina - Kakumetsa - Kavastu - Kikaste - Kõivu - Lohkva - Muri - Pajukurmu - Pilka - Poksi - Põvvatu - Rõõmu - Sääsekõrva - Sääsküla - Sava - Savikoja - Sirgu - Sirgumetsa - Veibri - Viira-Notable people:...
  
  
• Meeksi Parish
  Meeksi Parish
  -Settlements:Small borough:MehikoormaVillages:Aravu - Haavametsa - Järvselja - Jõepera - Meeksi - Meerapalu - Parapalu - Rõka - Sikakurmu-External links:...
  
  
• Mäksa Parish
  Mäksa Parish
  -Settlements:Villages:Aruaia - Kaagvere - Kaarlimõisa - Kastre - Mäksa - Mäletjärve - Melliste - Poka - Sarakuste - Sudaste - Tammevaldma - Tigase - Vana-Kastre - Veskimäe - Võõpste - Võruküla-External links:...
  
  
• Nõo Parish
  Nõo Parish
  -Settlements:Small boroughs:Nõo - TõravereVillages:Aiamaa - Altmäe - Etsaste - Enno - Illi - Järiste - Kääni - Keeri - Ketneri - Kolga - Laguja - Luke - Meeri - Nõgiaru - Sassi - Tamsa - Unipiha - Uuta - Vissi - Voika-External links:...
  
  
• Peipsiääre Parish
  Peipsiääre Parish
  -Settlements:Small boroughs:Kasepää - Kolkja - VarnjaVillages:Savka - Sipelga-External links:...
  
  
• Piirissaare Parish
  Piirissaare Parish
  Piirissaare Parish is the smallest rural municipality in Tartu County, Estonia, consisting of the Piirissaar island in Lake Peipus.-Settlements:There are 3 villages on Piirissaar: Piiri, Saare and Tooni.-External links: *...
  
  
• Puhja Parish
  Puhja Parish
  -Settlements:Small boroughs:Puhja - UlilaVillages:Härjanurme - Järvaküla - Kaimi - Kureküla - Mäeselja - Mõisanurme - Nasja - Palupõhja - Poriküla - Rämsi - Ridaküla - Saare - Tännassilma - Teilma - Vihavu - Võllinge - Võsivere-External links:...
  
  
• Rannu Parish
  Rannu Parish
  -Settlements:Small boroughs:Kureküla - RannuVillages:Ervu - Järveküla - Kaarlijärve - Kipastu - Koopsi - Kulli - Neemisküla - Noorma - Paju - Sangla - Suure-Rakke - Tamme - Utukolga - Vallapalu - Vehendi - Verevi - Väike-Rakke-External links:...
  
  
• Rõngu Parish
  Rõngu Parish
  -Settlements:Small boroughs:Käärdi - RõnguVillages:Kalme - Käo - Kirepi - Kõduküla - Koruste - Lapetukme - Lossimäe - Piigandi - Raigaste - Rannaküla - Tammiste - Teedla - Tilga - Uderna - Valguta-External links:...
  
  
• Tartu Parish
  Tartu Parish
  Tartu Parish is a rural municipality in Tartu County, Estonia. It has a population of 6,041 and covers an area of 298.69 km². The population density is...
  
  
• Tähtvere Parish
  Tähtvere Parish
  -Settlements:Small boroughs:Ilmatsalu - MärjaVillages:Haage - Ilmatsalu - Kandiküla - Kardla - Pihva - Rahinge - Rõhu - Tähtvere - Tüki - Vorbuse-External links:...
  
  
• Vara Parish
  Vara Parish
  -Settlements:Villages:Alajõe - Ätte - Kargaja - Kauda - Keressaare - Koosa - Koosalaane - Kusma - Kuusiku - Matjama - Meoma - Metsakivi - Mustametsa - Papiaru - Pilpaküla - Põdra - Põldmaa - Põrgu - Praaga - Rehemetsa - Särgla - Selgise - Sookalduse - Tähemaa - Undi - Välgi - Vanaussaia -...
  
  
• Võnnu Parish
  Võnnu Parish
  -Settlements:Small borough:VõnnuVillages:Agali - Ahunapalu - Hammaste - Imste - Issaku - Kannu - Kõnnu - Kurista - Lääniste - Liispõllu - Rookse - Terikeste-External links:...
  
  
• Ülenurme Parish
  Ülenurme Parish
  Ülenurme Parish is a rural municipality in Tartu County, Estonia. It has a population of 4,773 and covers an area of 86.35 km²...
  
  

Valga County

Valga County

Valga County , or Valgamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Its capital is Valga, which is located on the Estonian-Latvian border. It is situated in southern part of the country and borders Põlva County and Võru County to the east, Latvia to the south and to the west, Viljandi County and Tartu...

Urban municipalities:

• Tõrva
  Tõrva
  Tõrva is a town and municipality in Valga County, southern Estonia. It is situated on the banks of Õhne River. Tõrva has an area of and a population of 3,101 , making it the second largest of the three towns in Valga County....
  
  
• Valga

Rural municipalities:

• Helme Parish
• Hummuli Parish
• Karula Parish
• Otepää Parish (includes the town of Otepää
  Otepää
  Otepää is a town in Valga County, southern Estonia, it's the administrative centre of Otepää Parish. Town has a population of 2,189 . Otepää is a popular skiing resort, popularly known as the "winter capital" of Estonia...
  
  )
• Palupera Parish
• Puka Parish
• Põdrala Parish
• Sangaste Parish
• Taheva Parish
• Tõlliste Parish
• Õru Parish
  Oru Parish
  Oru is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 932 and an area of 197.7 km².-Settlements:Oru Parish has 15 villages:...
  
  

Viljandi County

Viljandi County

Viljandi County , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is located in southern Estonia bordering Pärnu, Järva, Jõgeva, Tartu and Valga counties. 55,657 people live in Viljandi County – constituting 4.2% of the total population in Estonia ....

Urban municipalities:

• Mõisaküla
  Mõisaküla
  Mõisaküla is a town and a municipality in south-western Estonia, in Viljandi County.-History:Mõisaküla arose on the fens of Abja manor. It became a town in 1 May 1938....
  
  
• Viljandi
  Viljandi
  Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 19,150 . It is the capital of Viljandi County. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe....
  
  
• Võhma
  Võhma
  Võhma is a town and municipality in central Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 1411 .-History:...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Abja Parish
  Abja Parish
  Abja Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 2,719 and an area of .-Settlements:TownAbja-PaluojaVillages...
  
   (includes the town of Abja-Paluoja
  Abja-Paluoja
  Abja-Paluoja is a town in Viljandi County, Estonia. Joined 1998 with Abja Vald.Abja Rural Municipality is situated in the Halliste Parish, the southern part of Viljandi County. The Halliste River and Kariste Lake are located near the northern border of the rural municipality. The municipality...
  
  )
• Halliste Parish
  Halliste Parish
  Halliste Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 1,808 and an area of 267.09 km².-Settlements:Small boroughsHalliste - ÕisuVillages...
  
  
• Karksi Parish
  Karksi Parish
  Karksi Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 4,041 and an area of 321.45 km².-Settlements:TownKarksi-NuiaVillages...
  
   (includes the town of Karksi-Nuia
  Karksi-Nuia
  Karksi-Nuia is a town in Viljandi County, southern Estonia close to the Latvian border, it is the administrative centre of Karksi Parish. Karksi-Nuia has a population of 1,841 and an area of 3 km²...
  
  )
• Kolga-Jaani Parish
  Kolga-Jaani Parish
  Kolga-Jaani Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 1,668 and an area of 312.35 km².-Settlements:Small boroughKolga-JaaniVillages...
  
  
• Kõo Parish
  Kõo Parish
  Kõo Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 1,194 and an area of 149.46 km².-Settlements:Villages...
  
  
• Kõpu Parish
  Kõpu Parish
  Kõpu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 802 and an area of 258.78 km².-Settlements:Small boroughKõpuVillages...
  
  
• Paistu Parish
  Paistu Parish
  Paistu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 1,622 and an area of 128.59 km².-Settlements:Villages...
  
  
• Pärsti Parish
  Pärsti Parish
  Pärsti Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 3,824 and an area of 210.62 km².-Settlements:Small boroughRamsiVillages...
  
  
• Saarepeedi Parish
  Saarepeedi Parish
  Saarepeedi Parish is a municipality in south-western Estonia, in Viljandi County.-History:Saarepeedi neighborhood was populated 11th-12th century. there were Naanu fort, which speak of findings that have been used as a fortress of 12th-13th century...
  
  
• Suure-Jaani Parish
  Suure-Jaani Parish
  Suure-Jaani Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 6,178 and an area of 742.83 km².-Settlements:TownSuure-JaaniSmall boroughOlustvereVillages...
  
   (includes the town of Suure-Jaani
  Suure-Jaani
  Suure-Jaani is a town in the northern part of the county of Viljandimaa in Southern Central Estonia, 25 kilometres north of the town of Viljandi. Suure-Jaani is the centre of Suure-Jaani rural municipality.-History:...
  
  )
• Tarvastu Parish
  Tarvastu Parish
  Tarvastu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 4,216 and an area of 409.00 km².-Settlements:Small boroughMustlaVillages...
  
  
• Viiratsi Parish
  Viiratsi Parish
  Viiratsi Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Viljandi County. It has a population of 3,743 and an area of 215.02 km².-Settlements:Small boroughViiratsiVillages...
  
  

Võru County

Võru County

Võrumaa or Võru maakond officially, is a county in Southern Estonia. It is bordered to the north by the Põlva County and the Lake Pihkva; to the west by Valga County; to the south by Latvia; and to the east by the Russian Federation....

Urban municipality:

• Võru
  Võru
  Võru is a town and a municipality in south-eastern Estonia. It is the capital of Võru County and the centre of Võru Parish.-History:Võru was founded on 21 August 1784, according to the wish of the Empress Catherine II of Russia, by the order of Riga Governor general count George Browne, on the...
  
  

Rural municipalities:

• Antsla Parish
  Antsla Parish
  Antsla Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 4,190 and an area of .-Settlements:TownAntslaSmall boroughsKobela - Vana-AntslaVillages...
  
   (includes the town of Antsla
  Antsla
  Antsla is a town in Võru County, southern Estonia, it's the administrative centre of Antsla Parish. Town has a population of 1,650 ....
  
  )
• Haanja Parish
  Haanja Parish
  Haanja Parish is a rural municipality in Võru County, southeastern Estonia.-Settlements:VillagesAla-Palo - Ala-Suhka - Ala-Tilga - Andsumäe - Haanja - Haavistu - Hämkoti - Hanija - Holdi - Horoski - Hulaku - Hurda - Ihatsi - Jaanimäe - Käänu - Kääraku - Kaaratautsa - Kaldemäe - Kallaste - Kaloga -...
  
  
• Lasva Parish
  Lasva Parish
  Lasva Parish is a rural municipality in southeastern Estonia. It is a part of Võru County. The municipality has a population of 1,811 and covers an area of 172.14 km², giving it a population density of 10.52 inhabitants/km²....
  
  
• Meremäe Parish
  Meremäe Parish
  Meremäe Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 1,140 and an area of 131.97 km².Meremäe is a part of the historical region of Setomaa.-Settlements:Villages...
  
  
• Misso Parish
  Misso Parish
  Misso Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 780 and an area of 189.35 km².-Settlements:Small boroughMissoVillages...
  
  
• Mõniste Parish
  Mõniste Parish
  -Settlements:VillagesHürova - Hüti - Kallaste - Karisöödi - Koemetsa - Kuutsi - Mõniste - Parmupalu - Peebu - Sakurgi - Saru - Singa - Tiitsa - Tundu - Tursa - Vastse-Roosa - Villike-External links:...
  
  
• Rõuge Parish
  Rõuge Parish
  Rõuge Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. In 2006, it had a population of 2,045 and an area of 263.7 km².-Settlements:small boroughRõugeVillages...
  
  
• Sõmerpalu Parish
  Sõmerpalu Parish
  Sõmerpalu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 1,874 and an area of 181.93 km².-Settlements:Small boroughSõmerpaluVillages...
  
  
• Urvaste Parish
  Urvaste Parish
  Urvaste Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 1,413 and an area of 139.62 km².There are two main tourist attractions: Tamme-Lauri oak and Pokuland.-Settlements:Villages...
  
  
• Varstu Parish
  Varstu Parish
  Varstu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 1,272 and an area of 170.63 km².-Settlements:Small boroughVarstuVillages...
  
  
• Vastseliina Parish
  Vastseliina Parish
  Vastseliina Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 2,165 and an area of 222.8 km².-Settlements:Small boroughVastseliinaVillages...
  
  
• Võru Parish
  Võru Parish
  Võru Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Võru County. It has a population of 4,770 and an area of 202.23 km².-Settlements:Small boroughsKose - Parksepa - VäimelaVillages...
  
  

Structure of local authorities

In each municipality there is a local government

Local government

Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...

 as well as a council

Local government

Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...

.

The council is a representative body elected by the residents of a municipality for a term of three years. The members of the council elect a chairman , who organises the council’s work and represents the municipality.

The government is an executive body formed by the council. It is headed by a mayor ( in towns, vallavanem in parishes), who is appointed for a four-year term. The mayor cannot be the chairman of the council. Other members of the government are chosen by the mayor with the approval of the council.

External links

• Local Government Reform an Estonian Institute publication
• Local Government Reform an Institute of Baltic Studies publication
• Administrative Division of Estonia Institute of the Estonian Language website