Estonia
Europe · Northern Europe
Overview
Estonia lies in Northern Europe on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia and Russia, with its northern coastline on the Gulf of Finland, across from Finland. The country regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since undergone rapid digital development, becoming the first country to introduce online voting in national elections in 2005. The Estonian language belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family, closely related to Finnish, setting it apart linguistically from its neighboring Baltic states, Latvia and Lithuania. Estonia has been a member of the European Union and NATO since 2004, and part of the eurozone since 2011.
Tallinn's medieval old town, whose foundations date back to the 13th century, with well-preserved city walls, towers, and Gothic churches, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Toompea Hill, in the upper part of Tallinn's old town, is home to government buildings and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, offering views over the red rooftops of the lower town. Tartu, the country's second-largest city and university hub, home to a university founded in 1632, is a central location for Estonia's intellectual and cultural life. Kuressaare Castle on the island of Saaremaa, a well-preserved medieval bishop's fortress, is one of the most intact structures of its kind in the Baltic region.
About half of Estonia is covered by forest, one of the highest forest coverage rates in Europe, with numerous national parks, including Lahemaa National Park, which combines bogs, forests, and coastal landscapes. The islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, the largest Estonian islands in the Baltic Sea, offer a slower pace of life and unspoiled landscapes, providing a different travel experience from the capital. The country's digital development is also reflected in daily life, with programs such as e-Residency allowing foreigners to digitally establish and manage an Estonian business. Local cuisine is built around rye bread, potatoes, and fish, with smoked fish and dark bread as signature items, often served with traditional butter and cheese.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn
The origins of Tallinn date back to the 13th century, when a castle was built there by the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order. It developed as a major centre of the Hanseatic League, and its wealth is demonstrated by the opulence of the public buildings (the churches in particular) and the domestic architecture of the merchants' houses, which have survived to a remarkable degree despite the ravages of fire and war in the intervening centuries.
Struve Geodetic Arc
The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through 10 countries and over 2,820 km. These are points of a survey, carried out between 1816 and 1855 by the astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve, which represented the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian. This helped to establish the exact size and shape of the planet and marked an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. It is an extraordinary example of scientific collaboration among scientists from different countries, and of collaboration between monarchs for a scientific cause. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points. The listed site includes 34 of the original station points, with different markings, i.e. a drilled hole in rock, iron cross, cairns, or built obelisks.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Estonia?
The capital of Estonia is Tallinn.
What is the area of Estonia?
The area of Estonia is 45,227 km².
What is the population of Estonia?
The population of Estonia is 1,372,341.
What is the currency of Estonia?
The currency of Estonia is Euro (EUR).
What is the official language of Estonia?
The official language of Estonia: Estonian.
What side of the road does Estonia drive on?
Estonia: Right-hand traffic.
Is Estonia a member of the European Union?
Yes, Estonia is a member of the European Union.
Is Estonia a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Estonia is a member of the United Nations.