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Estonia
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Estonia is a Baltic state in Northeastern Europe. It has land borders with Latvia and Russia. With a coastline on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, Estonia also has seaborders with Finland and Sweden.
Cities Tallinn : the capital - in Harjumaa Tartu : second largest city - in Tartumaa Kärdla in Hiiumaa Jõhvi in Ida-Virumaa Paide in Järvamaa Jõgeva in Jõgevamaa Haapsalu in Läänemaa Rakvere in Lääne-Virumaa Pärnu in Pärnumaa Põlva in Põlvamaa Rapla in Raplamaa Kuressaare in Saaremaa Valga in Valgamaa Viljandi in Viljandimaa Võru in Võrumaa Otepää in ValgamaaOther destinationsEstonians have a special love for nature, and many will tell you that they would rather sit under a tree in an empty forest or hike in a national park than almost anything else.
National Parks
Overseen by the country's Ministry of the Environment or "Keskkonnaministeerium", the five renowned national parks are:
Cities Tallinn : the capital - in Harjumaa Tartu : second largest city - in Tartumaa Kärdla in Hiiumaa Jõhvi in Ida-Virumaa Paide in Järvamaa Jõgeva in Jõgevamaa Haapsalu in Läänemaa Rakvere in Lääne-Virumaa Pärnu in Pärnumaa Põlva in Põlvamaa Rapla in Raplamaa Kuressaare in Saaremaa Valga in Valgamaa Viljandi in Viljandimaa Võru in Võrumaa Otepää in ValgamaaOther destinationsEstonians have a special love for nature, and many will tell you that they would rather sit under a tree in an empty forest or hike in a national park than almost anything else.
National Parks
Overseen by the country's Ministry of the Environment or "Keskkonnaministeerium", the five renowned national parks are:
Karula National Park Lahemaa National Park, 50km east of Tallinn, with 1000 sq km of bays, peninsulas and forests. Matsalu National Park Soomaa National Park (Soomaa translates to "Land of Bogs") Vilsandi National Park, covers 238 sq km, including 163 sq km of sea and 75 sq km of land, plus 160 islands and islets.
Baltic Islands
Tranquil, laidback and unspoiled, Estonia's 1,500 Baltic islands provide a splendid getaway to nature. Located off the west coast of Estonia, the two largest islands are:
Saaremaa, including the town of Kuressaare and one of few well-preserved medieval castles in the Baltics Hiiumaa, including the town of Kärdla
Travelers can visit the national parks and islands on their own or as part of an eco-tourism adventure tour, like those led by TrekBaltics.
Jägala Falls
The Jägala Falls is Estonia's largest waterfall.
BackgroundEstonia is a gem of a country offering visitors the chance to see a country that is both ex-Soviet Union and now proudly European Union. The traces of the Soviet era are still there to see - a deserted Soviet army base that was once off-limits to Estonians themselves can easily be visited. Tallinn's old town is in magnificent condition, with the medieval city walls and towers almost complete, and surely rates amongst Europe's best old towns. Glorious beaches are on offer, although the swimming season is short. After all, the Baltics are not renowned for warm weather. And therein lies something that any visitor to Estonia must be aware of - summer is short and winter is severe.
HistoryAfter 8 centuries of Danish, Polish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 through its Singing Revolution, non-violent revolution that overthrew a very violent occupation that collapsed with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It is now one of the more-prosperous former Communist states, enjoying a highly-technological environment, a very open and liberal economy and a transparent government system. On the other hand, it is faced with a fairly low (but growing) GDP per capita in a European Union context, as well as a very low birth rate which is leading to rapid population decline.
Since accession to the EU Estonia is becoming one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe with EU highest, 30% growth in the number of visitors in 2004, according to Eurostat.
Geography- Climate : maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers
; Terrain : marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south- Elevation extremes : lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Suur Munamägi 318 m (in the south east of Estonia, 20km north of the main highway that runs from Riga to Russia close to the borders of Estonia with both countries).
; Geography - note : the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands and islets- Nature : World War II and the subsequent occupation were devastating on humans, but the destruction and the closure of large areas for military use actually increased Estonia's forest coverage from about 25% before the war to more than 50% by 1991. Wolves, bears, elks, deers as well as some rare bird and plant species are abundant in Estonia. The wild animals from Estonia are exported to some EU countries for forest repopulation programmes. Most of the animals are hunted according to yearly quotas.
Holidays National holiday : Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 20 August 1991 was the date of reindependence from the Soviet Union. Each 24 February a grand ball is held in the building of Estonia Theatre by the president for the prominent and important members of society and foreign dignitaries. Jaanipäev : St John's Day or Midsummer Day held on the night of 23-24 June. The evening of the 23rd and well into the morning of the 24th is celebrated with bonfires and a traditional festive menu concentrating on barbeque and drinking. Võidupüha (Victory Day) : 23 June is celebrated to commemorize the decicisive victory over Baltic-German forces in the War of Independence. Christmas : or Jõulud is also celebrated in Estonia, this is strictly family event. New Year's Eve : During the period of Soviet occupations the authorities sought to promote New Year as Christmas was all but forbidden for it alleged "religious" and "nationalist" character. After restoration of independence the significancy of the New Year decreased, but it is still a day-off and celebrated. This day is used by the leaders of the country to address the nation.
From Wikitravel, the free encyclopedia
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By Going Places user
30 days
A wicked long and probably painful trip through UK/Ireland/Scandinavia and then down through every country in Eastern Europe and finishing in Athens before heading home to Aus via Thailand for some volunteering with the Elephants and some fun in the sun!!! (A 90 Day Trip)
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