List of settlements in Estonia facts for kids

Estonia is a beautiful country in Northern Europe, and it has many interesting cities and towns. These places are full of history, and some of them have been important for hundreds of years! You might notice that some of these places had different names in the past, especially German or Russian names, before Estonia became independent.

Tallinn

Tartu

Narva

Kohtla-Järve

Pärnu

Viljandi

Rakvere

Maardu

Estonia's Biggest Cities

Estonia has several large and important cities. These are often centers for culture, education, and business. Let's look at some of the most well-known ones.

Tallinn: The Capital City

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It's a very old city, first getting its "city rights" way back in 1248. This means it was officially recognized as a city with special rules and freedoms. Tallinn is famous for its amazing medieval Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many people visit to see its old walls, churches, and charming streets. In 2010, about 411,980 people lived in Tallinn.

Tartu: The University Hub

Tartu is Estonia's second-largest city and is known as the "intellectual capital." It received its city rights in the 13th century. Tartu is home to the oldest and most famous university in Estonia, the University of Tartu. This makes it a lively city with lots of students and a focus on learning and research. Around 103,284 people called Tartu home in 2010.

Narva: A Border City

Narva is the third-largest city in Estonia, located right on the border with Russia. It got its city rights in 1345. Narva has a rich history, often being a meeting point of different cultures. It's known for its impressive Narva Castle and the Narva River. In 2010, its population was about 65,881.

Pärnu: The Summer Capital

Pärnu is a beautiful city on the coast, often called Estonia's "summer capital." It's a popular place for holidays because of its sandy beaches and spas. Pärnu became a city in 1318. Many Estonians and tourists enjoy spending their summers here. The population in 2010 was around 44,083.

Kohtla-Järve: An Industrial Center

Kohtla-Järve is a city in northeastern Estonia, known for its industrial history, especially related to oil shale mining. It became a city in 1946. While its population has changed over the years, it was home to about 44,492 people in 2010.

What Are City Rights?

You might have noticed that we mentioned "city rights" for many of these places. This is a historical term. In medieval times, a ruler or king would grant a settlement "city rights." This meant the town could build walls, hold markets, have its own laws, and govern itself more. It was a big deal and helped towns grow and become important centers.

Other Important Towns in Estonia

Estonia has many other towns, each with its own unique character and history. Some of these towns are quite old, while others are newer. Some towns, marked with an asterisk (*), are not separate municipalities anymore. This means they have joined with a nearby larger area called a parish for local government.

• This means the town is not its own municipality, but has instead joined with a parish.