General Facts

Tartu County lies between southern and central Estonia, between two big lakes – Lake Peipsi and Lake Võrtsjärv. This is a naturally diverse and economically developed region with rich history and strong traditions.

Tartu County is also situated close to the largest centres of North-Eastern Europe, at the crossing of important international routes: St. Petersburg to Riga and Tallinn to Moscow.

  • Area 3089 sq km
  • Population 148,850 (January 1, 2006)
  • 22 local governments - 3 towns and 19 rural municipalities
  • Administrative centre - City of Tartu (100,000 inhabitants)
  • Regional centres - Elva, Nõo, Kallaste
  • GDP per capita appr. 7000 EUR