Rakvere, Estonia

The 770-year history of Rakvere is about life and death, growing and fading away, building and destruction and war and peace for many generations. During these times, citizens have through periods of hope, despair and renewed hope. The biggest event in recent history occured in 1991, when Estonia became independent from Soviet rule and began reconstruct and develop its economy and culture as a European country. Rakvere also regained its municipal status that year.

Rakvere is situated in north Estonia on the northern foot of the Pandivere upland, 20 km south of the Gulf of Finland. The Tallinn - Narva - St. Peterburg railway runs through the town and the Tallinn - Narva - St. Peterburg highway is located just north of the town. The Rakvere - Pärnu highway begins in Rakvere. Rakvere is located 98 km from Tallinn, 181 km from Helsinki, 274 km from St. Peterburg, 364 km from Riga and 503 km from Stockholm.

The town of Rakvere is the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Lääne-Viru county. On April 2006 there were 17 328 inhabitants in Rakvere. The area of the town is 10.64 km2. There are more than 200 streets with a total length of 84,2 km in the town limits (a little more than the maritime route from Tallinn to Helsinki)

1.28.15.WP26