Estonia
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Capital
- Tallinn
- Population
- 1.4 million (2024)
- Area
- 45,227 km²
- Languages
- Estonian
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +372
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Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Estonia is located at the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. The country is known for its castles, churches and forts on the hilltop for it was the former Soviet Union.
The country recorded a population of 1.329 million and covers an area of 45,227 km2.
Its capital and the most populous city is Tallinn. The city has maintained its old town, large town hall, museums and a high TV Tower.
Aerial view of the old city centre of Tallinn.
History
Estonia was formed in 1918. Two years down the line, it signed a peace treaty with Russia in 1920. Soviets invaded the country and assimilated it in 1940.
Then, Germans soldiers invaded the following year and remove the soviets. However, the Soviet Union took over control again in 1944.
Estonia gained independence following the collapse of the Communist rule in 1991.
It joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004
Food & culture
The country’s culture is greatly influenced by German culture. Though, it also has elements of its heritage demonstrated by the Estonian language and also the Nordic culture.
The country mainly grows barley and oats.
The dishes main in the country include rye bread, aspic, smoked fish, semia and kali.
Wildlife
Most common wildlife animals include lynx, wild boars and brown bears.
Festivals & events
The major festivals include Juu Jaab Festival, Haapsalu Tchaikovsky Festival, Into The Valley Festival, Weekend Festival Baltic and XXX Viljandi Music Festival.
Things to see
Tallinn old town has still preserved its primitive architecture which is ranked amongst the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Kadriorg Art Museum is one of the largest and most memorial exhibition centres in the country.
The Kadriorg Palace was built by Peter the Great for Catherine I of Russia designed by Gaetano Chiavari and Mikhail Zemtsov.
Other sites to see are the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea
Interesting facts
The official language is Estonian; Finnic language is also common.
The most common religion in the country is the Eastern Orthodoxy.
The education system has four levels; the pre-school, basic, secondary and higher education.
Cities & towns I’ve visited
Neighbours
My Bucket List goals in Estonia
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.