It is one of three parishes comprising the county, along with Muhu and Ruhnu parish. It was formed following the 2017 Estonian municipal reform on 21 October 2017, on the basis of all twelve former Saaremaa municipalities: Kuressaare town and Lääne-Saare, Kihelkonna, Laimjala, Leisi, Mustjala, Orissaare, Pihtla, Pöide, Salme, Torgu and Valjala parishes.[1][2]