Language: Estonian
Currency: Estonian kroon (EEK)
Calling Code: 372
Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a Baltic republic located in northern Europe. Since 2004, it has been part of the European Union (EU) and NATO. It is bordered on the south by Latvia, on the east by Russia, on the north by the Gulf of Finland and on the west by the Baltic Sea. The territory of Estonia comprises a continental region and a set of 2 222 islands and islets within the Baltic Sea, covering a total of 45 228 km2. It is divided politically into 15 counties, and the capital of the country is its largest city, Tallinn With a population of 1.3 million, Estonia is one of the least populated countries within the European Union. The Estonian people are ethnically and linguistically related to the Finnish and have historical and cultural ties with the Nordic countries as well as the other two Baltic countries, this despite the fact that the Nordic countries do not yet recognize their affiliation to this group, although they are negotiations to join the Nordic Council, being the member countries observers of the Nordic bloc. Estonia adopted the euro on January 1, 2011, replacing the Estonian crown.
Until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
Estonians called themselves maarahvas, which literally means “the
people of the earth,” that is, engaged in agriculture. The term
eestlane comes from Latin (Aesti). So called Tacitus in "Germany"
the people inhabiting the far coast of the Baltic Sea. Ancient
Scandinavian sagas contain a mention of a land called Eistland - so
Estonia is still called in the Icelandic language, which is close to
the Danish, German, Dutch, Swedish and Norwegian versions of the
name - Estland. Early Latin sources also contain versions of the
name of the territory of Estia and Hestia (Estia and Hestia).
After independence in 1918, the country received the name
"Estonia" (Esthonia), under this name it joined the League of
Nations in 1921. After joining the USSR in 1940, the country was
renamed the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, and after the
collapse of the USSR in 1991, it became known as the Republic of
Estonia.
| North Estonia | |
| Rakvere Paldiski Kunda Tapa Käsmu Türi Võsu Aruküla Kaberneeme Laulasmaa |
Lahemaa National Park Paide Castle Toolse Castle |
| East Estonia | |
| Narva Narva-Jõesuu Jõhvi Sillamäe |
Mustvee Toila Kohtla-Järve Kuremäe Püssi |
| West Estonia and Islands | |
| Pärnu Haapsalu Kuressaare Kärdla Kabli Noarootsi Valgeranna Nõva |
Saaremaa
Island Hiiumaa Island Matsalu National Park Vilsandi National Park |
| South Estonia | |
| Tartu Viljandi Otepää Valga Võru Obinitsa Tõrva Elva |
Soomaa National Park Laiuse Castle Sangaste Manor Taevaskoja Sandstone Cliffs |
Geography of EstoniaEstonia is a state in the North East of Europe on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. It is one of the youngest countries on the continent gaining their independence from USSR in 1991. It shares its borders with Russia and Latvia. Estonia has more than 1,500 islands, the largest of which are Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The relief of the country is mainly flat with a large network of rivers and lakes left since the recent Ice Age. Politics of EstoniaEstonia is a republic. The head of the state is the president, legislature is the State Assembly. Despite being separated from the USSR for over 20 years many problems still linger in political and social life. The status of the non- Estonian population as well as historic importance of European events such as World War II still stir a great deal of debates. Recent events such as removing a bronze monument to Soviet soldiers who fought against Nazi Germany further adds fuel. |
Language in EstoniaOfficial language of the country is Estonia. However Russian is also wide spread. Besides many local communities speak German and Fininish. Religion in EstoniaMost of the believers are Lutheran at about 70%, while 20% are Estern Orthodox. The religious are usually divided along ethnic lines. So native Estonian are predominantly Lutheran, while Russian population is predominantly Orthodox. While the country also has a great number of atheists and agnostic years of atheistic propaganda made religion a symbol of struggle. So even if people don't necessarily follow any religious laws, they nevertheless respect institutes of religious organizations. TelephonePolice 110 Fire and Ambulance 112 |
The first human settlements arose in the territory
where modern Estonia is located, approximately 9500–9600 years BC.
in the framework of the so-called Kunda culture. By the X-XIII
centuries, an early feudal structure of society had developed, where
the elders and leaders of military squads stood at the head of the
lands.
In the XIII century, the crusaders, suppressing the
resistance of the Estonians, included their lands in the lands of
the Livonian Order. Since that time, the Germans have for several
centuries occupied key positions in Estonia in power structures,
culture, economics, and so on. In the sixteenth century, Estonia
went through the era of the Reformation, since then Protestantism
has become the main religious denomination in its territory. In the
same century, following the results of the Livonian War, northern
Estonia became part of Sweden, and half a century later, southern
Estonia was also included in Sweden.
After the Northern War
between Sweden and the Russian Empire, according to the Nystadt
Peace Treaty, Estonia was incorporated into Russia in 1721, and
later became the Estland province. According to the census of 1897,
958,000 people lived in the Estland province, of which a little more
than 90% were Estonians, 4% Russians, and 3,5% Germans.
After
the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Republic of Estonia was
proclaimed on February 24, 1918. Independence was achieved during
the War of Independence. On February 2, 1920, Soviet Russia and
Estonia signed a peace agreement on mutual recognition.
September 22, 1921 Estonia became a member of the League of Nations.
As a result of the division of spheres of influence between the
USSR and Germany in 1939, in September 1939, the Soviet Union
imposed a Mutual Assistance Pact on Estonia, and on August 6, 1940,
Estonia was incorporated into the USSR. Between July 7, 1941 and
November 24, 1944, Estonian territory was occupied by Nazi Germany.
After the Soviet troops regained control of the territory of
Estonia, it was again included in the USSR. The USA and a number of
other countries recognized this inclusion de facto and did not
recognize de jure.
On May 8, 1990, the Supreme Council of the
Estonian SSR adopted a law on the restoration of the Constitution of
the independent Republic of Estonia in 1938. On August 20, 1991,
Estonia reaffirmed its independence. On September 17, 1991, Estonia
was admitted to the UN. In 2004, Estonia became a member of the
European Union and NATO.
On December 9, 2010, Estonia was the
first among the post-Soviet countries to become a member of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. From January
1, 2011, Estonia switched to the use of the euro....