:Rakvere Parish
{{Short description|Municipality of Estonia (2017)}}
{{expand Estonian|date=August 2023|topic=geo}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Rakvere Parish
| native_name = Rakvere vald
| settlement_type = Municipality of Estonia
| image_skyline = Rakvere Estonia View over the city.JPG
| imagesize = 200px
| image_caption = View of the town of Rakvere
| image_flag = Rakvere valla lipp.svg
| flag_size = 125px
| image_shield = Rakvere valla vapp.jpg
| shield_size = 75px
| image_map = File:Rakvere vald 2017.png
| mapsize =
| map_caption = Rakvere Parish within Lääne-Viru County.
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = 25px Estonia
| subdivision_type1 = County
| subdivision_name1 = 25px Lääne-Viru County
| seat_type = Administrative centre
| seat = Sõmeru
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor of the municipality
| leader_name = Maido Nõlvak
| area_total_km2 = 295
| population_total = 5619
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_density_km2 = auto
| website = [http://www.rakverevald.ee www.rakverevald.ee]
| official_name =
| iso_code = EE-661
}}
Rakvere Parish ({{langx|et|Rakvere vald}}) is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne-Viru County. Rakvere municipality surrounds the city of Rakvere and is located in north east Estonia. The shape of the municipality resembles to a butterfly. Rakvere Parish is one of the smallest local governments in Estonia in terms of population, being the 54th largest local government (in Estonia is 79 local governments).{{Cite web|title=RV0240: RAHVASTIK 2017. AASTA HALDUSREFORMI JÄRGSELT, 1. JAANUAR|url=https://www.stat.ee/|access-date=2022-01-05}}
Settlements
Rakvere Parish has 4 small boroughs and 47 villages.
;Small borough
Lepna, Näpi, Sõmeru and Uhtna.
;Villages
Aluvere, Andja, Aresi, Arkna, Eesküla, Järni, Jäätma, Kaarli, Karitsa, Karivärava, Karunga, Katela, Katku, Kloodi, Kohala, Kohala-Eesküla, Koovälja, Kullaaru, Kõrgemäe, Lasila, Levala, Muru, Mädapea, Nurme, Paatna, Papiaru, Päide, Rahkla, Raudlepa, Raudvere, Roodevälja, Rägavere, Sooaluse, Sämi, Sämi-Tagaküla, Taaravainu, Tobia, Toomla, Tõrma, Tõrremäe, Ubja, Ussimäe, Vaeküla, Varudi-Altküla, Varudi-Vanaküla, Veltsi and Võhma.
Religion
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Rakvere Rural
Parish (2021) [https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__usk/RL21452]
|label1 = Unaffiliated
|value1 = 86.7
|color1 = White
|label2 = Lutheran
|value2 = 8.0
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|label3 = Orthodox
|value3 = 2.7
|color3 = Pink
|label4 = Others Christians
|value4 = 0.6
|color4 = LightBlue
|label5 = Others Religions or Unknown
|value5 = 2.1
|color5 = Yellow
|label6 =
|value6 =
|color6 =
}}
Geography
Rakvere Parish is a parish with diverse landscape and landforms. There are karst areas, karst rivers and beautiful natural stands. Two rivers - Selja and Kunda - passes through municipality. In the municipality is lake Päide.{{Cite web|title=RAKVERE VALLA ARENGUKAVA 2019-2035|url=https://www.rakverevald.ee/documents/108607/31466365/Rakvere+valla+arengukava+2019-2035.pdf/2cd2522c-fd5c-4763-bfb3-cf08a111c42d|access-date=2022-01-05}}
Transport
Tallinn-Narva highway passes the municipality. This highway is part of the European route E20. The Tallinn-Narva railway passes also the municipality but closest train station is in Rakvere. By bus is also best connection with Rakvere.
Closest port that is cargo port is in Kunda.
Main landmarks
References
{{Reflist}}