[1] The city of Tartu is the centre of the county located at a distance of 186 km (116 mi) from Tallinn.

Archaeological findings suggest that people first inhabited the territory of the current Tartu County about 5000 years ago.

[3] In 1224, after the conquest of the stronghold by the German invaders, Tartu became the capital of a diocese, stretching from Northern Estonia to Latvia.

Since the 13th century, Tartu belonged to the Hanseatic League, and the town became a well-known trade centre in the Baltic Sea region.

In 1598 Tartu became capital of the Dorpat Voivodeship, which remained part of the PLC until the 1620s, when the city was conquered by the Swedes.

Economic development of the region was further encouraged by the construction of the railway connecting Tartu with Tallinn, Riga and St. Petersburg.

In 1987–1989, the students' environmental and cultural heritage movement in Tartu initiated Estonia's Singing Revolution and restoration of the country's independence.

A significant part of these jobs are in the public sector – especially education and medicine – and the biggest employer in the county is Tartu University Clinics with around 3000 employees, incl 455 doctors.

The biggest private sector employer is Tarmeko, producing furniture and components, with 900 employees.

Typical products of Tartu County are furniture, foodstuffs, clothes, building materials, glass and plastics.

In order to facilitate innovation and technology transfer, Tartu Science Park is offering incubation and consultation services to research-based and high-tech oriented companies, and promoting cooperation between research institutions.

In the City of Tartu, Estonia's oldest professional theatre, Vanemuine, stages drama, opera and ballet.

Today Tartu Song Festival arena hosts various open-air concerts in summer.

[5] As for the Eastern Orthodox Church, under the administration of the Tallinn Diocese of  the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church there are  Kavilda, Nõo, Tartu Saint Alexander's congregations and Tartu Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral congregation.

[7] There are Old Believer congregations in Raja, Kallaste, Kasepää,  Suur-Kolkja, Väike-Kolkja, Kükita, Piirissaar, Varnja and in the city of Tartu.