Valga | |
---|---|
Motto(s): 1 linn, 2 riiki (1 city, 2 countries) | |
Coordinates: 57°47′N26°02′E / 57.783°N 26.033°E | |
Country | Estonia |
County | Valga County |
Municipality | Valga Parish |
First mention | 1286 |
Area | |
• Total | 16.54 km2 (6.39 sq mi) |
Elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
Population (2021) [1] | |
• Total | 11,792 |
• Rank | 11th |
• Density | 710/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
Ethnicity (2021) | |
• Estonians | 59.2% |
• Russians | 26.3% |
• Latvians | 5.65% |
• Ukrainians | 3.02% |
• other | 5.83% |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Postal code | 68230 |
Valga (German : Walk) is a town in southern Estonia and the capital of Valga County and Valga Parish. Until their separation in 1920, Valga and the town of Valka in northern Latvia were one town. They are now twin-towns. The area of Valga is 16.5 square kilometres (6.4 square miles) and that of Valka is 14.2 km2 (5.5 sq mi). Their populations are respectively 12,261 and 6,164. On 21 December 2007 all border-crossing points were removed and roads and fences opened between the two countries with both countries joining the Schengen Agreement.
The distance to Tartu is 89 km (55 mi), Pärnu 144 km (89 mi), Tallinn 245 km (152 mi), Riga 175 km (109 mi) and Pskov 170 km (106 mi).
Valga is situated at the junction of roads and railways.
The Valga-Võru-Koidula railway runs to the town. Trains stopped running in 2001. [2] Freight trains on the Valga-Võru-Koidula line have been cut back significantly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [3]
The Tartu-Valga railway line also serves this station. After closing April 2008 for extensive repair work Edelaraudtee railway services from other parts of Estonia to Valga re-opened in January 2010. [4] [5]
With the expansion of the Schengen Agreement and the abolition of systematic border controls between Estonia and Latvia, it was announced that common public bus transport would be launched between Valga and Valka. [6]
During the Cold War, Valga was home to Valga air base.
There are six districts of Valga:
Since 1944, a local newspaper, Valgamaalane, has been published (3 times a week). Since 2003, there has also been a local newspaper "Walk" (in the Russian language). There also is a local correspondence office of Estonian Television (Eesti Televisioon) and a local radio – "Raadio Ruut".
The former urban municipality of Valga has established partnerships with many towns, mostly in foreign countries, which are listed in a special subsection below.
Valga is developing quickly. Since 1996, the populace's quality of life has improved due to the renovation of several buildings, including the Central Library, Valga Stadium, the Museum, Valga Hospital, and the Culture and Hobby Centre. Step by step, the schools and kindergartens are also being modernized. Since 2003, a new water treatment plant has improved the quality of water in the town.
In the private sector, there have been extensive investments in trade, light industry, and forestry.
Ethnicity | 1922 [8] | 1934 [9] | 1941 [10] | 1970 [11] | 1979 [12] | 1989 [12] | 2000 [13] | 2011 [14] | 2021 [15] | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | amount | % | |
Estonians | 6997 | 74.0 | 8919 | 82.3 | 7941 | 88.9 | 9635 | 57.4 | 10052 | 54.4 | 9383 | 52.9 | 8970 | 62.6 | 7886 | 64.3 | 7110 | 59.2 |
Russians | 443 | 4.69 | 368 | 3.39 | 209 | 2.34 | 5241 | 31.2 | 6164 | 33.4 | 6140 | 34.6 | 3913 | 27.3 | 3224 | 26.3 | 3160 | 26.3 |
Ukrainians | - | - | 6 | 0.06 | - | - | 554 | 3.30 | 766 | 4.15 | 720 | 4.06 | 421 | 2.94 | 386 | 3.15 | 363 | 3.02 |
Belarusians | - | - | - | - | - | - | 170 | 1.01 | 322 | 1.74 | 307 | 1.73 | 211 | 1.47 | 156 | 1.27 | 159 | 1.32 |
Finns | - | - | 1 | 0.01 | 7 | 0.08 | 121 | 0.72 | 136 | 0.74 | 126 | 0.71 | 99 | 0.69 | 55 | 0.45 | 40 | 0.33 |
Jews | 393 | 4.16 | 262 | 2.42 | 0 | 0.00 | 73 | 0.43 | 31 | 0.17 | 24 | 0.14 | 13 | 0.09 | 7 | 0.06 | 3 | 0.02 |
Latvians | - | - | 1037 | 9.56 | 606 | 6.79 | 382 | 2.27 | 448 | 2.43 | 456 | 2.57 | 334 | 2.33 | 262 | 2.14 | 679 | 5.65 |
Germans | 182 | 1.92 | 143 | 1.32 | - | - | - | - | 273 | 1.48 | 241 | 1.36 | 36 | 0.25 | 27 | 0.22 | 34 | 0.28 |
Tatars | - | - | 0 | 0.00 | - | - | - | - | 28 | 0.15 | 27 | 0.15 | 18 | 0.13 | 13 | 0.11 | 10 | 0.08 |
Poles | - | - | 35 | 0.32 | 20 | 0.22 | - | - | 68 | 0.37 | 68 | 0.38 | 35 | 0.24 | 24 | 0.20 | 15 | 0.12 |
Lithuanians | - | - | 6 | 0.06 | 4 | 0.04 | 34 | 0.20 | 24 | 0.13 | 41 | 0.23 | 32 | 0.22 | 29 | 0.24 | 23 | 0.19 |
unknown | 13 | 0.14 | 18 | 0.17 | 4 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 46 | 0.32 | 30 | 0.24 | 102 | 0.85 |
other | 1427 | 15.1 | 47 | 0.43 | 139 | 1.56 | 585 | 3.48 | 162 | 0.88 | 189 | 1.07 | 195 | 1.36 | 162 | 1.32 | 312 | 2.60 |
Total | 9455 | 100 | 10842 | 100 | 8930 | 100 | 16795 | 100 | 18474 | 100 | 17722 | 100 | 14323 | 100 | 12261 | 100 | 12010 | 100 |
Year | 1881 | 1897 | 1922 | 1934 | 1959 | 1970 | 1979 | 1989 | 2000 | 2011 | 2017 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | 4,200 | 10,900 | 9,500 | 10,800 | 13,300 | 17,000 | 18,500 | 17,700 | 14,323 | 12,261 | 12,452 | 12,010 |
Language | 2000 census [16] | 2011 census [17] | 2021 census [18] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Estonian | 8,772 | 61.24 | 7,573 | 61.77 | 6,818 | 56.76 |
Russian | 4,744 | 33.12 | 4,113 | 33.55 | 4,095 | 34.09 |
Latvian | 259 | 1.81 | 191 | 1.56 | 531 | 4.42 |
Ukrainian | 192 | 1.34 | 159 | 1.30 | 134 | 1.12 |
Belarusian | 75 | 0.52 | 23 | 0.19 | 24 | 0.20 |
Total | 14,323 | 12,261 | 12,010 |
Valga is home to several notable Estonian sports teams.
Warrior Valga is a football club that currently plays in the III liiga. Warrior Valga played in the Meistriliiga from 2003 to 2006.
Valga is a basketball club that currently plays in the Estonian top-tier Korvpalli Meistriliiga and the Baltic Basketball League.
Valga lies within the temperate humid continental climate zone.
Climate data for Valga (normals 1991–2020, extremes 1925–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 10.1 (50.2) | 10.9 (51.6) | 21.3 (70.3) | 27.4 (81.3) | 30.7 (87.3) | 33.2 (91.8) | 34.4 (93.9) | 34.3 (93.7) | 29.5 (85.1) | 21.7 (71.1) | 15.2 (59.4) | 11.9 (53.4) | 34.4 (93.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.6 (29.1) | −1.1 (30.0) | 3.8 (38.8) | 11.6 (52.9) | 17.7 (63.9) | 21.2 (70.2) | 23.6 (74.5) | 22.2 (72.0) | 16.6 (61.9) | 9.5 (49.1) | 3.5 (38.3) | 0.1 (32.2) | 10.6 (51.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.0 (24.8) | −4.3 (24.3) | −0.4 (31.3) | 6.0 (42.8) | 11.6 (52.9) | 15.6 (60.1) | 18.0 (64.4) | 16.5 (61.7) | 11.6 (52.9) | 5.9 (42.6) | 1.3 (34.3) | −2.0 (28.4) | 6.3 (43.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.6 (20.1) | −7.4 (18.7) | −4.2 (24.4) | 0.9 (33.6) | 5.5 (41.9) | 10.0 (50.0) | 12.6 (54.7) | 11.5 (52.7) | 7.3 (45.1) | 2.8 (37.0) | −0.9 (30.4) | −4.2 (24.4) | 2.3 (36.1) |
Record low °C (°F) | −38.5 (−37.3) | −38.2 (−36.8) | −30.1 (−22.2) | −17.8 (0.0) | −5.6 (21.9) | −1.6 (29.1) | 2.5 (36.5) | 1.5 (34.7) | −6.5 (20.3) | −14.4 (6.1) | −21.9 (−7.4) | −40.5 (−40.9) | −40.5 (−40.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 52 (2.0) | 42 (1.7) | 38 (1.5) | 37 (1.5) | 52 (2.0) | 82 (3.2) | 67 (2.6) | 78 (3.1) | 53 (2.1) | 71 (2.8) | 56 (2.2) | 50 (2.0) | 675 (26.6) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.6 | 9.8 | 9.2 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.4 | 9.8 | 10.4 | 9.2 | 12.0 | 11.4 | 12.4 | 123.2 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 89 | 86 | 78 | 70 | 68 | 73 | 76 | 79 | 84 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 81 |
Source: Estonian Weather Service [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] |
The former municipality of Valga, Estonia was twinned with: [27]
|
|
|
The former municipality of Valga was a founding member of City Twins Association that was founded in Imatra, Finland on 13 December 2006. In addition to sister towns, Valga had a cooperation through the association with following cities: [28]
Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 17,407 in 2019. It is the capital of Viljandi County and is geographically located between two major Estonian cities, Pärnu and Tartu. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe. The town became a member of the Hanseatic League at the beginning of the 14th century, and is one of five Estonian towns and cities in the league. The once influential Estonian newspaper Sakala was founded in Viljandi in 1878.
Pärnu is the fourth-largest city in Estonia. Situated in southwest Estonia, Pärnu is located 128 kilometres (80 mi) south of the Estonian capital, Tallinn, and 176 kilometres (109 mi) west of Estonia's second-largest city, Tartu. The city sits off the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga, which is a part of the Baltic Sea. In the city, the Pärnu River drains into the Gulf of Riga.
Saue is a town in north-western Estonia. It's the administrative centre of Saue Parish in Harju County.
Haapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Lääne County, and on 1 January 2020 it had a population of 9,375.
Rapla (German: Rappel is a town in north-central Estonia, the capital of Rapla County and the centre of Rapla Parish.
Tapa is a town in Tapa Parish, Lääne-Viru County, Estonia, located at the junction of the country's Tallinn–Narva (west–east) and Tallinn–Tartu–Valga (north–south) railway lines. Tapa has the Estonian Defense Forces nearby Keskpolügoon. The Valgejõgi River passes Tapa on its northeastern side. Tapa has been known as both a railway and a military town throughout its history.
Jõhvi is a town in northeastern Estonia, and the administrative seat of Ida-Viru County and Jõhvi Parish. The town is located about 50 km west of the Estonia–Russia international border.
Keila is a town and an urban municipality in Harju County in north-western Estonia, 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Tallinn. As of 2021, the town has a population of 10,499 inhabitants.
Võru is a town and a municipality in south-eastern Estonia. It is the capital of Võru County and the centre of Võru Parish.
Loksa is a town and municipality in Harju County, Estonia, most known for its shipping industry.
Kärdla is the only town on the island of Hiiumaa, Estonia. It is the capital of Hiiu County and the administrative center of Hiiumaa Parish.
Kallaste is a town in Peipsiääre Parish, Tartu County, Estonia. It is located on the western shore of Lake Peipus. Most of the population are Russians, 15% being Estonians.
Jõgeva is a small town in Estonia with a population of around 5000 people. It is the capital of Jõgeva Parish and Jõgeva County.
Kunda is a town in the Viru-Nigula Parish of Estonia, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Kunda is best known for its cement factory, port, and archaeological heritage.
Paide is a town in Estonia and the capital of Järva County, one of the 15 counties of Estonia.
Põltsamaa is a town in Põltsamaa Parish, Jõgeva County, Estonia. The town stands on the Põltsamaa River, and it features a 13th-century castle.
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. It has a railway station on the Tallinn - Viljandi railway line operated by Elron.
Põlva is a town in southeastern Estonia, the county seat of Põlva County, and the centre of Põlva Parish.
Mustvee is a town in Mustvee Parish, 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 Believers after the Russian government declared them outlaws in 1658. Mustvee has held fairs for the past two centuries. Due to its position at the broadest part of the lake, this traditional fishing town is increasingly popular as a tourist centre. The new Harbour of Mustvee was opened 18 December 2014.
Tamsalu is a town in Tapa Parish, Lääne-Viru County, Estonia.