Estonia

Natural beauty and digital pioneer with a diverse heritage

A small country in Northern Europe, Estonia is the land of ancient traditions, contemporary technology and incredible beauty of the nature. Whether in its medieval towns, pure forests and islands, Estonia is a hidden country and it appeals to travelers in search of history, adventure and innovation. The small nation, with its beautiful capital Tallinn and its standing as a leader in digital breakthroughs, is a fascinating country in which the old and new have met in the best possible way.

To obtain all information about Estonia, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Estonia

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Geographical Location

Estonia is found in Northern Europe with Finland in the North, Russia to the east, Latvia to the South of Estonia and Baltic Sea to the west. The territory of the country is about 45,000 square kilometers, so it is the smallest of the Baltic States. Having an area of not more than 15,000 square miles, Estonia abounds in natural diversity, boasting of forests, lakes, rivers and over 2,000 islands as part of its coastal territory.

Estonia had a strategic position forming crossroads of Scandinavian, Russian and Germanic civilizations, which popularizes the rich and eclectic background.

Natural Formations and Terrains

The flat terrain covers with dense forests, bogs and lakes characterize the landscape of Estonia mainly. The country is one of the greenest countries in Europe as about 50% of the country consists of forests. Lahemaa National Park and other national parks are marked by crisp forests and coastal cliffs that are perfect to hike and watch birds.

It also has several beautiful islands such as Saaremaa and Hiiumaa that can be found within the country and all these islands are known due to their peaceful scenery, picturesque lighthouses, and picturesque countryside villages. One of the largest lakes in Europe, Lake Peipus is at the border with Russia and offers place of relaxation full of silent nature interest to the adoring eyes.

Climate

Estonia also enjoys maritime climate, which is mainly cold in the winter and warm in summer. Summer weather is moderate 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) whereas winter weather is cold as low as -5°C (23°F) to well below (32°F) degrees. The winters in Estonia are long with snow and the icy conditions thus making it a resort to winter sport lovers and also has ideal summer seasons ideal to exercise outdoors and even getting to the countryside.

Estonia, located in the northern latitudes, also has a pleasure of experiencing such natural events as the midnight sun in summer and northern lights in winter.

Histories of Ancient and the medieval world

Estonia has a very rich history as it goes back to the ancient times when the first human settlements appeared approximately in 8,000 BC. Different Finno-Ugric tribes lived in the region and the language of Estonia the Estonian language belongs to the group of Finno-Ugric languages that is similar to the language of Finland Finnish.

Estonia was under the rule of a number of foreign powers within the context of the Middle Ages when the Danes, Swedes and Germans also established their indelible imprint on the Estonian culture and architecture. The capital Tallinn was a major trade centre in the time and this medieval old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Russian Independence and Ruthsiasm

During the course of the Great Northern War in the 18 th century, Estonia was incorporated into the Russian Empire. Estonia was ruled by the Russian Empire more than 100 years long, and the cultures of the countries and their language was strongly influenced by the Russian ones. Estonia also received its independence in 1918 when the Russian Empire failed after World War I.

Two World Wars however ensued with the Soviet Union occupying Estonia during World War II and holding it until the year 1991, when the country regained its independence after the breakdown of the Soviet Union.

Modern Estonia

After becoming independent once again, Estonia has gone through a boom and now ranks as one of the most developed nations that are located in Europe. It has emerged as a digital innovation leader with a reputation of e-government and a start-up culture. Estonia is commonly referred to as the most developed digital society in the world where e-residency, online voting and the prevalence of digital services in the public sector simplify the everyday lives of the citizens.

Estonia entered the European Union and NATO later in 2004 which made its position even more firm in the modern Europe. The economy of the country has been performing well over the last few years with industries like technology, tourism and manufacturing as the motor of the economy.

Religious and Ethnic Diversity

There is also ethnically homogenous makeup in Estonia a very large percentage of the population is ethnically Estonian. It has a minority population of Russians which forms a large portion in the eastern parts of the country which nears the Russian border.

Most Estonians are Protestants and the largest church is the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Estonia is, however, a secular nation and most of its population has declared that they are either non-religious or agnostic.

Language and literature

The country uses Estonian as its official language and this is very similar to Finnish. It is also a rare Finno-Ugric language worldwide, but it is not easy to acquire as a foreign language so that everybody is more or less a polyglot speaking, in addition to their native languages: English, Russian and the Finnish one.

Estonia possesses a long literary tradition and the main figures in the development of Estonian literature were Jaan Kross and Anton Hansen Tammsaare. The huge national tradition of folk music and song festivals where thousands of people come to sing and dance traditional songs also takes place there.

Positive and negative cultural practices and traditions

The Song and Dance Festival which is held after an interval of 5 years within Estonia is one of the most important and memorable cultural events there as they get the chance to enjoy the Estonian folk music and dance. The UNESCO places the festival on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Estonia is a country with Scandinavian, Russian and German neighbors, so Estonian cuisine reflects their influence as well, with the kama (a flour and cereal mix), seljanka (thick soup) and black bread all being among the classic Estonian food you would find in the kitchen. Vodka and beer are favorite beverages and the world of craft beer in Estonia is expanding fast.

Religious Festivals

In Estonia Christmas and Easter are widely celebrated and are characterized by church services, family gatherings and festive dinners. One of the greatest festivals of the country is Midsummer Day which is celebrated on 24 th June with bonfires, dancing and music held in fields of the countryside to celebrate the summer solstice.

Special days and National Holidays

One of the most noteworthy national holidays existing in Estonia is Independence Day (February 24th) marking the day when the country got independent of Russia in 1918. Victory Day (June 23rd) marks an occasion of the triumph of the nation in the War of Independence against the Soviets.

Cultural Festivals

Estonia is highlighted in the Tallinn Music Week, and Parnu Film Festival is two major cultural events that attract foreign artists and filmmakers. The Tallinn Old Town Days is one of such major events that display the city medieval like history through music, dance and craft works.

Economic Development

Estonia provides the Baltic area with the most advanced economy where laser focus is dedicated to technology, finance, and digital innovation. The start-up culture in the country has produced some popular companies including Skype, TransferWise, and Bolt.

Tourism

Estonia counts tourism as one of its biggest industries with people thronging Tallinn, Tartu, as well as the beautiful islands and the national parks in Estonia. The Lahemaa National Park and the Saaremaa Island are the areas where nature lovers will fall in love.

Production and commerce

The industry of Estonia has been based on high-tech production, energy, and information technology. It is also one of the most digitally connected countries in the world because the country leads in green energy and digital infrastructure.

Major Sights in Estonia

1. Tallinn

Estonia Talinn includes the UNESCO World Heritage medieval Old Town with its old narrow cobblestone streets, St. Olaf Church, and Tallinn cathedral.

2. Saaremaa Island

Saaremaa is famous because of windmills, castles, and fabulous scenery of the coastal area, so it is an ideal destination to explore Estonian countryside.

3. The National Park of Lahemaa

There are forests, waterfalls, wildlife in the national park, and there are excellent hiking opportunities there.

4. Tartu

The second-biggest city of Estonia, Tartu, is a cultural and academic center, which has the known University of Tartu and Tartu Art Museum.

5. Parnu

The city of Parnu is the summer capital of Estonia. Parnu is famous in regard to its beaches, spas and nightlife.

6. Lake Peipus

The lake is a huge body of water bordering Russia that provides a calm terrain and is a perfect destination to boat, fish and watch birds.

Healthcare System

Estonia provides universal healthcare by using state-financed healthcare. Healthcare is well-developed and the nation has a robust emphasis on preventive care and online health services.

Education System

The education system of Estonia is ranked among the finest education systems in the world, characterized by concentration in e-learning, innovation and equality. The best universities in the country include Trinity College Tallinn and Tartu University.

Transport Network

Estonia boasts of a fine transport system with trains, buses and ferries. Tallinn Airport is a large hub that makes the country connected to the other main cities in Europe.

Urban Development

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia which is a combination of medieval and modern architecture, well-developed infrastructure and the kind of urban life. The Canadian city is innovative, with regard to being eco-friendly and Smart City leading.

Ideal Seasons

The most favorable period to visit Estonia is in spring (April to June) and fall (September to November), that is, when weather is fine and the sceneries are the most acceptable.

Special Events and Festivals

One should not miss such main cultural events as Tallinn Music Week, Tartu Literature Festival, or Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

In summary, a Nation of Creativity, Nature and History

Estonia is a nation which has rich combination of old history, modern age technology and nature. Browse the historic center of Tallinn, explore one of the national parks or take a spa visit on the island of Saaremaa why you will find the Estonian landscapes very special and fulfilling to the soul.

Questions and answers

When is it best to go to Estonia?

To experience enjoyable weather and to avoid going in a crowd of people, spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) is the best time to go to visit.

Which are the best places to visit in Estonia?

The major things to visit are Tallinn, Saaremaa Island, Lahemaa National Park, and Tartu.

What languages do Estonia speak?

It has official language as Estonian, although English Russian and Finnish is spoken.

Is Estonia tourist friendly?

Yes, Estonia is ranked as one of the safest nations where tourists could travel with minimal risks of crimes.

Which are the cultural festivals to be experienced in Estonia?

Tallinn music week, Tartu literature festival, and Tallinn black nights film festival are the big cultural events to live.