Viljandi County
Viljandi County (Estonian: Viljandi maakond or Viljandimaa; German: Kreis Fellin) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is located in southern Estonia bordering Pärnu, Järva, Jõgeva, Tartu and Valga counties.
| Viljandi County Viljandimaa | |
|---|---|
|  | |
|  Coat of arms | |
|  | |
| Country | Estonia | 
| Capital | Viljandi | 
| Government | |
| • Governor | Lembit Kruuse | 
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,422.49 km2 (1,321.43 sq mi) | 
| Population  (Jan 2021) | |
| • Total | 45,877 | 
| • Rank | 6th | 
| • Density | 13/km2 (35/sq mi) | 
| Ethnicity | |
| • Estonians | 95.5% | 
| • Russians | 2.4% | 
| • other | 2.9% | 
| ISO 3166 code | EE-84 | 
| Vehicle registration | D | 
| Website | www | 
History
    
Viljandimaa, under the German name of Kreis Fellin, was an important centre of commerce and power in the Middle Ages. Today, there are numerous castle ruins there dating from that time.
Soomaa National Park is a national park located partially within Viljandi County, Estonia. Soomaa ("land of bogs") protects 390 km2, and is a Ramsar site of protected wetlands. The park was created in 1993.[1]
County government
    
The County government (Estonian: Maavalitsus) is led by Governor (Estonian: maavanem), who is appointed by the Government of Estonia for a term of five years. Currently the Governor position is held by Kalle Küttis.
Municipalities
    
The county is subdivided into municipalities. There is one urban municipality (Estonian: linnad – towns) and three rural municipalities (Estonian: vallad – parishes) in Viljandi County.
| Rank | Municipality | Type | Population (2018)[2] | Area km2[2] | Density[2] | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mulgi Parish | Rural | 7,652 | 881 | 8.7 | 
| 2 | Põhja-Sakala Parish | Rural | 8,203 | 1,153 | 7.1 | 
| 3 | Viljandi Parish | Rural | 13,950 | 1,374 | 10.2 | 
| 4 | Viljandi | Urban | 17,758 | 15 | 1,183.9 | 
Gallery
    
 Arussaare orthodox church, built in 1873 Arussaare orthodox church, built in 1873
 Suure-Kõpu manor main building Suure-Kõpu manor main building
 Heimtali manor distillery kitchen Heimtali manor distillery kitchen
 Reservoir in the town of Suure-Jaani Reservoir in the town of Suure-Jaani
 Võrtsjärv lake; view from the village of Valma Võrtsjärv lake; view from the village of Valma
 Ruins of Viljandi castle Ruins of Viljandi castle
 Õisu manor watermill Õisu manor watermill
 St. John's Church in Viljandi St. John's Church in Viljandi
References
    
- RMK: Soomaa National Park. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- "Elanike demograafiline jaotus maakonniti". Kohaliku omavalitsuse portaal. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
External links
    
|  | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viljandi County. | 
- Viljandimaa – Official website
- Viljandi County Government (in Estonian)

