Stamps

Põlva County/ 343-08.02.06

Põlva County is situated in southeastern Estonia, stretching from the Otepää Highlands in the west to Lakes Lämmijärv and Pihkva (Pskov) in the east. In the southeast, the county borders on the Pskov Region of the Russian Federation. The county has a territory of 2,165 square kilometres and a population of 32,800, of these 9,500 in the two towns, Põlva and Räpina. The main sources of livelihood are agriculture, forestry, industry (dairy products, wood, flax and vegetable processing) as well as services to tourists. The county has 14 local governments. The population is very homogeneous, practically all the inhabitants being ethnic Estonians. In parts of the county the people still daily use the ancient South-Estonian dialect. Nearly 40 percent of the territory is arable land, forests making up another 40 percent. Large tracts of the land are in a near-pristine state. The relief is overwhelmingly varied with 125 lakes in valleys between round hillocks mainly in the western part. The Ahja and the Võhandu have beautiful sandstone outcrops along parts of their course. Põlva County is an area of balanced development famous for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful scenery, a safe living and working environment with growing popularity among tourists and holiday-makers.