Valga county/ Valgamaa in general
Population: 27 557 (01.01.2024),
Population density: 14,4 inhabitants/ km²,
Size: 1917,11 km², 4,5% of the total territory of Estonia,
Administrative distibution: 3 municipalities;
3 main centers - Valga, Tõrva, Otepää
1. Valga Municipality - (15 227 inhabitants). Valga vald was formed on October 22, 2017, by merging the town of Valga, and the municipalities of Karula, Taheva, Tõlliste, and Õru. The municipality borders the external boundaries of these former municipalities and shares a southern border with the Republic of Latvia. Valga Municipality covers an area of 745 km² and is neighbored by Otepää and Tõrva municipalities in Valga County, and Antsla and Rõuge municipalities in Võru County. The center of the municipality is the historical district center and cross-border twin town of Valga. In addition to Valga town, the municipality includes three larger boroughs (Laatre, Tsirguliina, and Õru) and 48 villages. In Valga Municipality, there is a twin town Valga. Valga-Valka is a twin town located on the border of two neighboring republics, Estonia and Latvia. The two towns are separated by a small stream, Konnaoja, and only a keen eye can notice when one town becomes the other.
2. Tõrva Municipality (5941 inhabitants) - Tõrva is a historical summer resort town since 1937 and the largest town in the whole of Mulgimaa. Tõrva has the highest diving tower in the Baltic States, with a height of 11 meters, four lakes, and the Õhne river flows through the town. There is one of Estonia's most beautiful sports complexes with comfortable health trails for skiing, running, and hiking, high-level disc golf courses, a renovated stadium, and a water and sauna center, Tõrva Veemõnula.
3. Otepää Municipality – (6388 inhabitants) - Otepää is the Winter Capital of Estonia, located in Valga County (Southern Estonia). It is renowned for its beautiful nature, clean air, and diverse sporting opportunities. Otepää is situated on a highland, which results in many scenic spots in the area, including Otepää Nature Park and Lake Pühajärv, a popular swimming location. The Estonian sports training center, Kääriku Sports Center, has been located in Otepää parish since 1947. In winter, Otepää becomes a favorite destination for skiers and snowboarders thanks to the Tehvandi, Väike-Munamäe, and Kuutsemäe ski centers and their excellent cross-country and downhill ski trails. In addition to sports, Otepää offers cultural experiences such as the annual Retrobest festival, Otepää Winter Night Song Festival, and Pühajärve Midsummer Bonfire, among others. All of this makes Otepää an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts, sports lovers, and families seeking peace and relaxation.
Vocational education:
Valga County Vocational Training Centre offers study opportunities in the following fields:
Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction
Health and Well-being
Services
Non-stationary General Education
3 more educational centres in neighbouring counties (Viljandi, Võru and Tartu counties).
Distances from Valga by road:
to Tallinn – 250 km, about 3h by car (intl. airport, intl. ferry port),
to Tartu – 85 km, about 1h by car (R&D and educational centre, intl. airport),
to Pärnu Port – 145km,
to Riga – 165 km, about 2h and by car (capital of Latvia, intl. airport and port),
to Berlin – 970km
Directly on the border of the Latvian Republic
