Setomaa

Flag of Setomaa

Setomaa (Estonian: Setumaa; Russian: Сетумаа, Seto: Setomaa) is a region south of Lake Peipus and inhabited by the Seto people. The Seto language is a variety of South Estonian. The historic range of Setomaa is located on territories of present-day Estonia and Russia. Estonian Setomaa presently consists of lands in Põlvamaa and Võrumaa counties located in southeastern Estonia and bordering Russia. Pechory has been the historic and cultural centre for the Setos.

Current subdivision

Estonian Setomaa consists of:

• In Põlvamaa:
  • Mikitamäe Parish
  • Värska Parish
• In Võrumaa:
  • Meremäe Parish
  • Luhamaa region of Misso Parish

The Russian part consists of Pechorsky District, part of Pskov Oblast. Between 1918-1944, the area was part of Estonia, administered as Petseri County. After Estonia regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, there has been a dispute between Estonia and Russia over the possession of this territory. Hence Estonia officially considers this territory as being de facto occupied.