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Tartu

Second most populous city in Estonia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Tartu[lower-alpha 1] is the second largest city in Estonia after Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021).[3] It is 186 kilometres (116 miles) southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of Riga, Latvia. Tartu lies on the Emajõgi river, which connects the two largest lakes in Estonia, Lake Võrtsjärv and Lake Peipus. From the 13th century until the end of the 19th century, Tartu was known in most of the world by variants of its historical name Dorpat.

Aerial view of Toomemägi, Tartu cathedral and Tartu downtown

Quick facts: Tartu, Country, County, Municipality, First s...
Tartu
City
Tartu
Tartu_kesklinn.jpg
Heart_of_Tartu.jpg
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From top: View of Tartu from the Emajõgi River, Tartu old town, Estonian National Museum, University of Tartu, Town Hall Square
Nickname: 
Capital of Southern Estonia[1][2]
Motto(s): 
Heade mõtete linn
("City of good thoughts")
Tartu is located in Europe
Tartu
Tartu
Location within Europe
Tartu is located in Baltic Sea
Tartu
Tartu
Location within Baltic Sea region
Tartu is located in Estonia
Tartu
Tartu
Location within Estonia
Coordinates: 58°23′N 26°43′E
CountryEstonia
CountyTartu County
MunicipalityTartu
First settled5th century AD
First mentionedca. 1030
City rightsbefore 1262
Area
  Total38.80 km2 (15 sq mi)
  Land37.9 km2 (14.6 sq mi)
  Water1.3 km2 (0.5 sq mi)  3.39%
Elevation
57.2 m (188 ft)
Highest elevation
79 m (259 ft)
Population
 (2021)[3]
  Total91,407
  Rank2nd
  Density2,400/km2 (6,100/sq mi)
Resident registration (2023)
  Total97 712
Ethnicity
  Estonians80.3%
  Russians13.4%
  other5.3%
Time zoneUTC+02:00 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Postal code
50050 to 51111
Vehicle registrationT
WebsiteCity of Tartu
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Tartu, the largest urban centre of southern Estonia, is often considered the "intellectual capital city" of the country,[1][2][5][6][7] especially as it is home to the nation's oldest and most renowned university, the University of Tartu (founded in 1632). [8][9] Tartu also houses the Supreme Court of Estonia, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Estonian National Museum, and the oldest Estonian-language theatre, Vanemuine. It is also the birthplace of the Estonian Song Festivals.

Tartu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2024.[2][10][11][12]