2006Definitive Stamp - Pärnu County - Set

Pärnumaa, lying in the southeast of Estonia on the Gulf of Riga, has the largest territory among Estonian counties (4,807 square kilometres), being home to nearly 90,000 people. The county has the oldest known settlement sites in Estonia, Pulli and Reiu, that are dated back to 11,000 years ago. It was established on the basis of the 13th to 16th century Pärnu commandery of the Teutonic Order as well as later Polish, Swedish and Russian administrative units. In the 19th century Pärnu was one of the centres of the national movement. The first president of the Republic of Estonia, Konstantin Päts, was born in Tahkuranna. The history of the county seat of Pärnu goes back to 1251. It is known as a resort town since the mid-19th century and is nowadays declared the summer capital of the country for the summer months. Besides, the county has two towns and 19 other local governments, including the Gulf of Riga island of Kihnu. The device on the golden shield of the Pärnu County coat of arms is a black bear standing up on its hind legs, with the eye, fangs and claws in silver and the tongue red.