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Paldiski linn

Flag Coat of arms
County	Harjumaa
Mayor	Kaupo Kallas
Area	60.17 km²
Population (as of 2004)  - Density	4,224 70.2/km²
Coordinates	59°21' N 24°03' E
Location of Paldiski

Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the Pakri peninsula of north-western Estonia. Originally a Swedish settlement known as Rågervik, it became a Russian naval base in the 18th century. The Russians renamed it Балтийский Порт – Baltiyskiy Port (i.e., Baltic Port) – in 1762, and the Estonian pronunciation, Paldiski, became the official name in 1933.

In 1962, Paldiski became a Soviet Navy nuclear submarine training centre. With two land-based nuclear reactors, and employing some 16,000 people, it was the largest such facility in the Soviet Union. Because of its importance, the whole city was closed off with barbed wire until the last Russian warship left in August 1994. Russia finally relinquished control of the nuclear reactor facilities in September 1995. Now the town has only 4,000 inhabitants; amenities are limited to a supermarket, a hotel and a small pub. Derelict Soviet-style apartment buildings make up much of the town, and the relics of military occupation are widespread. For those interested in such things, it is easily accessible from Tallinn, and provides a grim and atmospheric feel, befitting its post-Soviet status.

Located some 45 km west of Tallinn, Paldiski is a municipality within Harju County and has a regular ferry connection with Kapellskär in Sweden (operated by Tallink).

A great deal of investment has been put into the port facilities with a number of new berths having been created. Transfennica run a number of ships into the port from Hanko (Finland) and Lubeck (Germany).

• The 2002 film Lilya 4-ever, set in an un-named 'former republic of the Soviet Union' was filmed in Paldiski.

• Paldiski Town official website (in Estonian)
• In Your Pocket article about Paldiski
• Photo essay of the city

		Municipalities of Harju County Urban municipalities: Keila | Loksa | Maardu | Paldiski | Saue | Tallinn Rural municipalities: Aegviidu | Anija | Harku | Jõelähtme | Keila | Kernu | Kiili | Kose | Kuusalu | Kõue | Nissi | Padise | Raasiku | Rae | Saku | Saue | Vasalemma | Viimsi