PARNU

Russian Pyarnu, formerly (until 1918) Pernov, city, Estonia, at the mouth of the Prnu River on Prnu Bay of the Gulf of Riga. First mentioned in 1251 as a member of the Hanseatic League, Prnu was successively controlled by the Teutonic Knights, the Poles, the Swedes, and the Russians. It is now significant as an Estonian port, holiday resort, and centre of light industry, including food, wood, and leather processing. Pop. (1987 est.) 53,000.