Ann Marksoo

Abstract

This paper deals with North-East Estonia as the only urban agglomeration in the Baltic states that sprang up on the basis of mining industry. The focus is on three aspects: the phases of development that this relatively young industrial area has evolved through so far; how the mobility of the population and its composition have changed in the complicated political situation of the region; how industrialization has affected the environment and to what extent the local population is aware of it. Three trends — industrialization, urbanization and mobility of the population lie at the root of the peculiarities of the social environment.

Keywords: Population, environment, agglomeration, oil-shale

Ann Marksoo, Institute of Geography, University of Tartu, 46 Vanemuise St., Tartu EE-2400, Estonia
Juri Roosaare, Institute of Geography, University of Tartu, 46 Vanemuise St., Tartu EE-2400, Estonia