Harju county is the second largest of Estonia and is located on the
northern coast of the country along the Gulf of Finland. The coastline is
approximately 320 km and includes several peninsulas as well as a number of
islands, as Naissaar, Prangli and Aegna are close to Tallinn, the Pakri islands
are close to Paldiski. The capital of Tallinn is in Harju and the county has the
highest population density.
Most of Harju county is located on the flat north Estonian plateau. The
Baltic limestone cliff runs parallel to the sea giving a varying character to
the landscape.
The above average wooded and forested areas limits the amount of land
available for agriculture in Harjumaa.
Harju was significantly larger than it is today covering a major part
of the present Rapla county that came into being in 1962.