| Eesti Vabariik Republic of Estonia | ||||||
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| Anthem: Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm (English: "My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy") | ||||||
 Location of Estonia (dark green) – on the European continent (light green & dark grey) | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |  Tallinn | |||||
| Official languages | Estonian1 | |||||
| Demonym | Estonian | |||||
| Government | Parliamentary republic | |||||
| - | President | Toomas Hendrik Ilves | ||||
| - | Prime Minister | Andrus Ansip (RE) | ||||
| - | Current coalition | RE, IRL and SDE | ||||
| Independence from | Russia and Germany | |||||
| - | Autonomy declared | 12 April 1917 | ||||
| - | Independence declared Officially recognised | 24 February 1918 2 February 1920 | ||||
| - | 1st Soviet occupation | 1940-1941 | ||||
| - | German occupation | 1941-1944 | ||||
| - | 2nd Soviet occupation | 1944-1991 | ||||
| - | Independence restored | 20 August 1991 | ||||
| EU accession | May 1, 2004 | |||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total | 45,227 km² (132nd2) 17,413 sq mi | ||||
| - | Water (%) | 4. List of flags of Estonia The national flag of Estonia is a Tricolour featuring three equal horizontal bands of Blue (top Black Coat of Arms of Estonia. The current Coat of arms of Estonia is a golden shield which includes three slim blue leopards (or lions A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's Mu isamaa mu õnn ja rõõm ("My Fatherland My Happiness and Joy" was adopted as the National anthem ((riigihümn of the Republic of Estonia English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The name "Eesti" or Estonia, could be derived from the word " Aestii " the name given by the ancient Germanic people to the peoples living northeast Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place Estonians ( Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting primarily the country For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A parliamentary republic or parliamentary constitutional republic is a form of a Republic which operates under a Parliamentary system of government The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. Toomas Hendrik Ilves (ˈtoːmɑs ˈhendrik ˈilves born 26 December 1953) is the current President of Estonia. The Prime Minister of Estonia ( Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the Head of government of the Republic of Estonia. Andrus Ansip (born 1 October 1956) is the current Prime Minister of Estonia, and chairman of the Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond The Estonian Reform Party (Eesti Reformierakond is a Free market liberal party in Estonia. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the The Estonian Reform Party (Eesti Reformierakond is a Free market liberal party in Estonia. Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (in Estonian Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit) is an Estonian political party The Social Democratic Party ( Estonian: Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond or SDE) is a Social democratic party in Estonia, led The German Empire is the name commonly used in English to describe Germany from 1871 to 1918 when it was a semi- Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the Unification The local autonomy in Estonia (Эстляндия was established as a result of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Manifest Eestimaa rahwastele is the founding act of the Republic of Estonia Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar See also Estonia in World War II After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, the Wehrmacht reached Estonia Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in A Member State of the European Union is any one of the twenty-seven sovereign Nation states that have acceded the European Union (EU since its De facto Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions Areas between 10000 km² and 100000 km² are listed here This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" 56% | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | Jan. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology 01, 2007 estimate | 1,340,602[1] (151th) | ||||
| - | 2000 census | 1,376,743 | ||||
| - | Density | 29/km² (173rd) 75/sq mi | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2007 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $26. List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. 85 billion (103th) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $21,800[2] | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | 2006 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $16,410 billion (91st) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $15,310 (41st) | ||||
| Gini (2005) | 34 (medium) | |||||
| HDI (2007) | ▲ 0. There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' PLEASE NO RANDOM FIGURES THERE ARE NO FIGURES BASED ON NATIONAL STATISTICS IN THIS ARTICLE Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product Per capita at Nominal values, the The Gini coefficient is a measure of statistical dispersion most prominently used as a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 86 (high) (44th) | |||||
| Currency | Estonian kroon (EEK) | |||||
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | |||||
| - | Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .ee3 | |||||
| Calling code | +372 | |||||
| 1 | Võro and Seto in southern counties are spoken along with Estonian. This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The kroon ( sign: KR; code: EEK) is the Currency of Estonia. It is subdivided into 100 senti (singular sent ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established Eastern European Time ( EET) is one of the names of UTC+2 Time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. Daylight saving time ( DST Eastern European Summer Time ( EEST) is one of the names of UTC+3 Time zone, 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E The Võro language ( võro kiil) is a language belonging to the Baltic-Finnic branch of the Finno-Ugric languages. Seto or Setu language ( seto kiil´) is a dialect of the Finnic South Estonian or Võro language (or a separate language which is Võrumaa ( Võru County)( Võro: Võro maakund) officially Võru maakond, is a County in Southern Estonia Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 Russian is widely spoken in Ida-Virumaa due to the Soviet program promoting mass immigration of urban industrial workers from USSR during the occupation. Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. The name "Eesti" or Estonia, could be derived from the word " Aestii " the name given by the ancient Germanic people to the peoples living northeast The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 | |||||
| 2 | 47,549 km² were defined according to the Tartu Peace Treaty in 1920 between Estonia and Russia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Today the remaining 2,323 km² is still illegally annexed by Russia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The ceded areas include the Petserimaa county and the boundary in the north of Lake Peipus as the Lands behind the city of Narva including Ivangorod (Jaanilinn). Pechory (Печоры Estonian and Seto: Petseri) is a town in Pskov Oblast, Russia. Lake Peipus (Peipsi-Pihkva järv Чудско-Псковское озеро (Chud Lake Peipussee is a large fresh water lake on the border between Estonia and Russia Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva For the fortress see Ivangorod fortress. Ivangorod (Ивангород Estonian: Jaanilinn) is a town in Leningrad Oblast [3],[4] | |||||
| 3 | .eu is also shared with other member states of the European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in | |||||
Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Northern Europe is a term for the northern part of Europe. The United Nations defines Northern Europe as (Finland Baltic Seven Islandsgif|right|thumb|330px|A contemporary transnational Euroregion encompasses the islands of the Baltic countries It is bordered to the north by Finland across the Gulf of Finland, to the west by Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by the Russian Federation. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. The Gulf of Finland ( Finnish: Suomenlahti, Russian: Финский залив, Finskiy zaliv, Swedish: Finska viken "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The territory of Estonia covers 45,227 km² and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate.
The Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns, with the Estonian language sharing many similarities to Finnish. Estonians ( Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting primarily the country Finnic peoples ( Fennic) are a historical linguistic group of peoples Baltic Finns who are Native speakers of Baltic-Finnic The terms Finns and Finnish people ( Finnish: suomalaiset, Swedish: finländare) are used in English to Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 Finnish ( or suomen kieli) is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland (92% As of 2006) and by ethnic Finns outside The modern name of Estonia is thought to originate from the Roman historian Tacitus, who in his book Germania (ca. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (ca 56 &ndash ca 117 was a senator and a Historian of the Roman Empire. The Germania ( Latin title De Origine et situ Germanorum, English for the Origin and Situation of the Germans) written by Gaius AD 98) described a people called the Aestii. The Aesti (or Aestii) were a people described by the Roman historian Tacitus in his treatise Germania (ca Similarly, ancient Scandinavian sagas refer to a land called Eistland. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well The sagas (from Icelandic saga, plural sögur) are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history about early Viking voyages Early Latin and other ancient versions of the name are Estia and Hestia. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Until the late 1930s, the name was often written as "Esthonia" in most English speaking countries.
Estonia is a democratic parliamentary republic and is divided into fifteen counties (Maakonnad). Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system A parliamentary republic or parliamentary constitutional republic is a form of a Republic which operates under a Parliamentary system of government A County (maakond is an administrative subdivision of Estonia. The capital and largest city is Tallinn. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Estonia has been a member of the United Nations since 17 September 1991,[5] of the European Union since 1 May 2004,[6] and of NATO since 29 March 2004. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The North Atlantic Treaty Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " [7] Estonia has also signed the Kyoto protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing Greenhouse gases in an effort With only 1. 3 million inhabitants, it comprises one of the smallest populations of the European Union countries. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in
The settlement of modern day Estonia began around 8500 BC, immediately after the Ice Age. An ice age is a period of long-term reduction in the Temperature of the Earth 's surface and atmosphere resulting in an expansion of continental Ice sheets Over the centuries, the Estonians were subjected to Danish, Teutonic, Swedish and Russian rule. The term Danish Empire can refer to Canute the Great 's rule over Denmark, Norway and England during the 11th century The Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order. Sweden was between 1611 and 1718 one of the Great powers of Europe Foreign rule in Estonia began in 1227, when as a consequence of the Northern Crusades the area was conquered by Danes and Germans. The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were Crusades undertaken by the Catholic kings of Denmark and Sweden, the German Livonian The term Dane may refer to People with a Danish ancestral or ethnic identity whether living in Denmark, emigrants or the descendants of emigrants The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as From 1228-1562, parts or most of Estonia were incorporated into the loosely organized Livonian Confederation of Teutonic Knights, during which time economic activity centered around the Hanseatic League. The Livonian Confederation was established in 1418 covering the territories of present day Estonia and Latvia. The Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order. The Hanseatic League (also known as the Hansa) was an alliance of trading cities and their Guilds that established and maintained trade In the 1500s, Estonia passed to Swedish rule until 1721, when it was ceded to the Russian Empire. Sweden was between 1611 and 1718 one of the Great powers of Europe The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The Estophile Enlightenment Period (1750-1840) led to a national awakening in the mid-19th century. Estophilia (from Greek: φίλος, 'dear loving') refers to the ideas and activities of people not of Estonian descent sympathetic to or interested in The Estonian Age of Awakening (Ärkamisaeg is a period in history where Estonians came to acknowledge themselves as a Nation deserving the right to govern themselves In 1918 the Estonian Declaration of Independence was issued, to be followed by the Estonian War of Independence, which resulted in the Tartu Peace Treaty recognising Estonian independence in perpetuity. The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Manifest Eestimaa rahwastele is the founding act of the Republic of Estonia The Estonian War of Independence (Vabadussõda literally "freedom war" which occurred in 1918-1920 took place during the Russian Civil War, was the Tartu Peace Treaty ( Estonian: Tartu rahu, literally "Tartu peace" or Treaty of Tartu was a peace treaty between Estonia and Russian During World War II, Estonia was occupied and annexed first by the Soviet Union[8][9][10] and subsequently by Nazi Germany, only to be re-occupied by the Soviet Union in 1944. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers
Estonia regained its independence on 20 August 1991. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. It has since embarked on a rapid program of social and economic reform. Today, the country has gained recognition for its economic freedom,[11] its adaptation of new technologies,[12] and as one of the world's fastest growing economies. [13]
Contents |
History
Human settlement in Estonia became possible 11,000 to 13,000 years ago, when the ice from the last glacial era melted away. Ancient Estonia refers to a period covering History of Estonia from the middle of the 8th millennium BC until the conquest and subjugation of the Estonian people An ice age is a period of long-term reduction in the Temperature of the Earth 's surface and atmosphere resulting in an expansion of continental Ice sheets The oldest known settlement in Estonia is the Pulli settlement, which was located on the banks of the river Pärnu, near the town of Sindi, in southern Estonia. Pulli settlement, located on the right bank of the Pärnu River, is the first known human settlement in Estonia. The Pärnu (Pärnu jõgi is a River in Estonia that drains into the Gulf of Riga at Pärnu. Sindi is a town in Pärnu County, Estonia with a population of 4049 as of 2006 According to radiocarbon dating, it was settled around 11,000 years ago, at the beginning of the 9th millennium BC.
Prehistory
Evidence has been found of hunting and fishing communities existing around 6500 BC near the town of Kunda in northern Estonia. Kunda is a town (founded May 1, 1938) in Estonia, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Bone and stone artifacts similar to those found at Kunda have been discovered elsewhere in Estonia, as well as in Latvia, northern Lithuania and in southern Finland. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. The Kunda culture belongs to the middle stone age, or Mesolithic period. Kunda Culture, with its roots in Swiderian culture is a Mesolithic Hunter-gatherer communities of the Baltic forest zone extending eastwards The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age was a period in the development of human technology in between the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age and the Neolithic or New Stone Age
The end of the Bronze Age and the early Iron Age were marked by great cultural changes. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. The most significant was the transition to farming, which has remained at the core of Estonian economy and culture. From approximately the first to 5th centuries AD, resident farming was widely established, the population grew, and settlement expanded. Cultural influences from the Roman Empire reached Estonia, and this era is therefore also known as the Roman Iron Age. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Roman Iron Age ( 1 - 400) is the name that Swedish Archaeologist Oscar Montelius gave to a part of the Iron Age in
A more troubled and war-ridden middle Iron Age followed with external dangers coming both from the Baltic tribes, who attacked across the southern land border, and from overseas. This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. The Balts or Baltic peoples (People who live by the Baltic Sea) defined as speakers of one of the Baltic languages, a branch of the Indo-European Several Scandinavian sagas refer to campaigns against Estonia. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well The sagas (from Icelandic saga, plural sögur) are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history about early Viking voyages Estonian pirates conducted similar raids in the Viking age and sacked and burned the Swedish town of Sigtuna in 1187. The Oeselians (or Osilians) were a historical Finnic people inhabiting Saaremaa ( Latin: Oesel or Osilia) in Estonia A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Sigtuna is a city in the Uppland part of Stockholm County, central Sweden. [14]
In the first centuries AD political and administrative subdivisions began to emerge in Estonia. Two larger subdivisions appeared: the province (Estonian: kihelkond) and the land (Estonian: maakond). A province is a territorial unit almost always an Administrative division. A parish is a Local church; it is an administrative unit typically found in episcopal or presbyterian churches A County (maakond is an administrative subdivision of Estonia. The province comprised several elderships or villages. Nearly all provinces had at least one fortress. Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for The defense of the local area was directed by the highest official, the king or elder. A king is a male Monarch, or a Head of state, who may or may not depending on the style of government of a nation exercise monarchal powers over a territory usually The terra was composed of one or several provinces, also headed by an elder, king or their collegium. By the 13th century the following major lands had developed in Estonia: Revala, Harjumaa, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Läänemaa, Alempois, Sakala, Ugandi, Jogentagana, Soopoolitse, Vaiga, Mõhu, Nurmekund, Järvamaa and Virumaa. Revala ( Revalia, Revelia, Rävälä) was an Ancient Estonian county Harjumaa, Harrien (1200 hides) was an Ancient Estonian county Saare County ( Estonian: Saare maakond) or Saaremaa, ( Latin: Osilia or Oesel) is one of 15 counties Hiiu County (Hiiu maakond or Hiiumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Läänemaa ( Latin: Rotalia, Maritima, Low German: Wiek) was an independent country on the east coast of Baltic Alempois ( Latin: Alumbus) was a small independent Landlocked country in Ancient Estonia, bordered by Harjumaa, Ugandi ( Latin: Ungannia or Ugaunia; Latvian: Ugaunija; Low German: Uggn) was an independent Jogentagana was a small Landlocked Ancient Estonian county in the eastern part of the territory of Estonia. Soopoolitse was a small Landlocked Ancient Estonian county in the eastern part of the territory of Estonia. Vaiga was a small Landlocked Ancient Estonian county in the eastern part of the territory of Estonia. Mõhu was a small Landlocked ancient Estonian county in the central part of the territory of Estonia. Nurmekund ( Low German: Nurmegunde) was a small independent country on the north coast of Lake Võrtsjärv in Central Estonia, Järva County (Järva maakond or Järvamaa, ( Latin: Jervia) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Virumaa ( Latin: Vironia; Low German: Wierland; Old Norse: Virland) is a former independent County [15]
Estonia retained a pagan religion centered around a deity called Tharapita. Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world Tharapita or Taarapita or Taara is a god of war in Estonian mythology. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia mentions Tharapita as the superior god of Oeselians (inhabitants of Saaremaa island), also well known to Vironian tribes in northern Estonia. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia ( Latin: Heinrici Cronicon Lyvoniae) is a historic document describing the history of Livonia and surrounding areas from Tharapita or Taarapita or Taara is a god of war in Estonian mythology. Saaremaa is the largest Island belonging to Estonia, measuring 2673 km². Saaremaa is the largest Island belonging to Estonia, measuring 2673 km². The Vironians (Virulased were one of the Finnic tribes that later formed the Estonian nation According to the chronicle, when the crusaders invaded Vironia in 1220, there was a beautiful wooded hill in Virumaa, where locals believe the Oeselian god Tharapita was born and from which he flew to Saaremaa. The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were Crusades undertaken by the Catholic kings of Denmark and Sweden, the German Livonian Virumaa ( Latin: Vironia; Low German: Wierland; Old Norse: Virland) is a former independent County Saaremaa is the largest Island belonging to Estonia, measuring 2673 km². The hill is believed to be the Ebavere Hill (Ebavere mägi) in modern Lääne-Viru County. Lääne-Viru County (Lääne-Viru maakond or Lääne-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia.
The Middle Ages period
At the beginning of the 13th century, Lembitu of Lehola, a chieftan of Sakala sought to unify the Estonian people and thwart Danish and Germanic conquest during the Livonian Crusade. Lembitu (died September 21 1217) was an ancient Estonian elder of Sakala County and military leader in the struggle against conquest Sakala County ( Estonian: Sakala, Latin: Saccalia was an Ancient Estonian county, first mentioned in print by Henry of Livonia The Livonian Crusade refers to the German and Danish conquest and colonization of medieval Livonia, the territory constituting modern Latvia He managed to assemble an army of 6,000 Estonian men from different counties, but he was killed during the Battle of St. Matthew's Day in September, 1217. The Battle of St Matthew's Day (Madisepäeva lahing was fought near Viljandi on September 21 1217 during the Livonian Crusade. [16]
Estonia was a part of the Livonian Confederation from 1228 to the 1560s. The Livonian Confederation was established in 1418 covering the territories of present day Estonia and Latvia. The country was Christianized when the German "Livonian Brothers of the Sword" conquered southern Estonia as part of the Northern Crusades in the early thirteenth century. The historical phenomenon of Christianization (or Christianisation &mdash see spelling differences) the conversion of individuals to Christianity Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Bishop Albert of Riga founded the Military order of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Fratres militiæ Christi Livoniae Schwertbrüderorden in 1202 The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were Crusades undertaken by the Catholic kings of Denmark and Sweden, the German Livonian In Music or Music theory, a thirteenth is the Note thirteen Scale degrees from the Root of a chord. A century (from the Latin centum, meaning one hundred is One hundred consecutive Years Centuries are numbered ordinally (e At the same time, Denmark attempted to take possession of northern Estonia. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Estonia was consolidated under the two forces by 1227. Northern Estonia remained a possession of Denmark until 1346. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Reval (known as Tallinn since 1918) was given its Lübeck Rights in 1248 and joined an alliance of trading guilds called the Hanseatic League at the end of the thirteenth century. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names The Lübeck law was the constitution of a municipal form of government developed at Lübeck in Schleswig-Holstein after it was made a free city in 1226 The Hanseatic League (also known as the Hansa) was an alliance of trading cities and their Guilds that established and maintained trade In 1343, the people of northern Estonia and Saaremaa rebelled against German rule in the St. George's Night Uprising, which was put down by 1344. Saaremaa is the largest Island belonging to Estonia, measuring 2673 km². Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. St George’s Night Uprising ( Estonian: Jüriöö ülestõus, ˈjyriøː ˈylestɤus denotes a series of rebellions in 1343 - 1345 by the indigenous Russia attempted unsuccessful invasions in 1481 and 1558. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending
The Reformation period
The Reformation in Europe officially began in 1517 with Martin Luther (1483-1546) and his 95 Theses. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Martin Luther (November 10 1483 February 18 1546 was a German Monk, theologian, university professor Father of Protestantism, and church reformer The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power of Indulgences, commonly known as The Ninety-Five Theses, were written by Martin Luther in 1517 The Reformation resulted in great change in the Baltic region. Ideas entered the Livonian Confederation very quickly and by the 1520s they were well known. The Livonian Confederation was established in 1418 covering the territories of present day Estonia and Latvia. Language, education, religion, and politics were greatly transformed. A language is a dynamic set of visual auditory or tactile Symbols of Communication and the elements used to manipulate them Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions The Church services were now given in the local vernacular, instead of Latin, as was previously used. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. [17] During the Livonian War in 1561, northern Estonia submitted to Swedish control, while southern Estonia briefly came under the control of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 1580s. The Livonian War of 1558–1582 was a lengthy military conflict between the Tsardom of Russia and variable coalition of Denmark–Norway, Grand Duchy of The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic In 1625, mainland Estonia came entirely under Swedish rule. Estonia was administratively divided between the provinces of Estonia in the north and Livonia in southern Estonia and northern Latvia, a division which persisted until the early twentieth century. Livonia (Līvõmō Latvian and Livonija Estonian: Liivimaa; Finnish: Liivinmaa; German and Swedish: Livland Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on
In 1631, the Swedish king Gustaf II Adolf, Gustavus Adolphus, forced the nobility to grant the peasantry greater rights, although serfdom was retained. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. A king is a male Monarch, or a Head of state, who may or may not depending on the style of government of a nation exercise monarchal powers over a territory usually For the other Swedish kings known as Gustavus Adolphus see Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden or Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden For the other Swedish kings known as Gustavus Adolphus see Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden or Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden In 1632 a printing press and university were established in the city of Dorpat (known as Tartu since 1918). The University of Tartu (Tartu Ülikool Тартуский университет Universität Dorpat is a classical University in the city of Tartu, Estonia Tartu is the second largest City of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual Tartu is the second largest City of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual This period is known in Estonian history as "the Good Old Swedish Time. "
Estonia in the Russian Empire
Following the Great Northern War, the Swedish empire lost Estonia to Russia (1710 de facto, and 1721 de jure, by the Treaty of Nystad). The Great Northern War (1700-21 was fought between Russia and Sweden for supremacy in the Baltic Sea. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Treaty of Nystad (Ништадтский мир Uudenkaupungin rauha was signed in 1721 in the then Swedish town of Nystad (which is called Uusikaupunki However, the upper classes and the higher middle class remained primarily Baltic German. The Baltic Germans (Deutschbalten or Baltendeutsche) were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today The war devastated the population of Estonia, but it recovered quickly. Although the rights of peasants were initially weakened, serfdom was abolished in 1816 in the province of Estonia and in 1819 in Livonia. Livonia (Līvõmō Latvian and Livonija Estonian: Liivimaa; Finnish: Liivinmaa; German and Swedish: Livland
Declaration of independence
As a result of the abolition of serfdom and the availability of education to the native Estonian-speaking population, an active Estonian nationalist movement developed in the nineteenth century. The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar It began on a cultural level, resulting in the establishment of Estonian language literature, theatre and professional music and led into the formation of the Estonian national identity and late 1800s' Age of Awakening. Literature is the Art of written works Literally translated the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one Music is an Art form in which the medium is Sound organized in Time. The Estonian Age of Awakening (Ärkamisaeg is a period in history where Estonians came to acknowledge themselves as a Nation deserving the right to govern themselves Among the leaders of the movement were Johann Voldemar Jannsen, Jakob Hurt and Carl Robert Jakobson. Johann Voldemar Jannsen ( May 16, 1819 Vana-Vändra - July 13, 1890, Tartu) was an Estonian journalist and poet Jakob Hurt ( 22 July 1839 in Vana-Koiola - 13 January 1907 in St Petersburg) was a notable Estonian Folklorist Carl Robert Jakobson ( July 26, 1841 Tartu, Estonia - March 19, 1882 Kurgja, Estonia was an Estonian writer
Significant accomplishments were the publication of the national epic, Kalevipoeg, in 1862, and the organization of the first national song festival in 1869. Kalevipoeg is an epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald held to be the Estonian National epic. The Estonian Song Festival (laulupidu is an event which takes place in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, every five years in the month of July In response to a period of Russification initiated by the Russian empire in the 1890s, Estonian nationalism took on more political tones, with intellectuals first calling for greater autonomy, and later, complete independence from the Russian empire. Russification (in Russian: русификация rusifikátsiya)is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1990 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya Following the Bolshevik takeover of power in Russia after the October Revolution of 1917 and German victories against the Russian army, between the Russian Red Army's retreat and the arrival of advancing German troops, the Committee of Elders of the Maapäev issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence[18] in Pärnu on February 23 and in Tallinn on February 24, 1918. The Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists ( Большевик Большевист (singular, derived from bolshe, "more" were a faction Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The October Revolution (Октябрьская революция Oktyabrskaya revolyutsiya) also known as the Soviet Revolution The German Empire is the name commonly used in English to describe Germany from 1871 to 1918 when it was a semi- Constitutional monarchy: beginning with the Unification The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Manifest Eestimaa rahwastele is the founding act of the Republic of Estonia Pärnu (Pernau Пярну formerly Пернов Parnawa is a City in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay an inlet of the Gulf of Riga Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
After winning the Estonian Liberation War against Soviet Russia and at the same time German Freikorps volunteers (the Tartu Peace Treaty was signed on 2 February 1920), Estonia maintained its independence for twenty-two years. The Estonian War of Independence (Vabadussõda literally "freedom war" which occurred in 1918-1920 took place during the Russian Civil War, was the Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The designation of Freikorps ( German for "Free Corps " was originally applied to voluntary armies formed in German lands from the middle of 18th century Tartu Peace Treaty ( Estonian: Tartu rahu, literally "Tartu peace" or Treaty of Tartu was a peace treaty between Estonia and Russian Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Initially a parliamentary democracy, the parliament (Riigikogu) was disbanded in 1934, following political unrest caused by the global economic crisis. A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which TalkParliament#Screen-size. -->A parliament is a Legislature, especially in those The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. Subsequently the country was ruled by decree by Konstantin Päts, who became President in 1938, the year parliamentary elections resumed. Konstantin Päts VR I/1 and III/1 ( February 23 1874 &ndash January 18 1956) was a Politician and the first President
Estonia in World War II
The fate of Estonia in World War II was decided by the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact and its Secret Additional Protocol of August 1939. fate of Estonia in World War II was decided by the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact and its Secret Additional Protocol of August 1939 World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including World War II losses in Estonia, estimated at around 25% of population, were among the highest in Europe. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including War and occupation deaths have been estimated at 90,000. These include the Soviet deportations in 1941, the German deportations and Holocaust victims. As the Soviet Union had occupied Estonia in 1940 and retaken it from Nazi Germany again in 1944 tens of thousands of Estonia's citizens suffered deportation The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as [19] World War II began with the invasion and subsequent partition of an important regional ally of Estonia – Poland, by a joint operation of Nazi Germany and Soviet Union. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The history of Poland from 1939 to 1945 encompasses the German invasion of Poland through to the end of World War II Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991
Soviet annexation
The fate of the Republic of Estonia before World War II was decided by the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact of August 1939 after Stalin gained Hitler's agreement to divide Eastern Europe into "spheres of special interest" according to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its Secret Additional Protocol. The occupation of the Baltic states refers to the occupation of the Baltic states ( Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) first by the World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including [20][21][22]
On September 24, 1939, warships of the Red Navy appeared off Estonian ports and Soviet bombers began a patrol over Tallinn and the nearby countryside. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Soviet Navy ( Russian: Военно-морской флот СССР Voyenno-morskoy flot SSSR, literally "Naval military forces of the USSR" was The Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы ( Voenno-Vozdushnye In Military tactics, a patrol is often a small tactical grouping sent out by land sea or air to perform a specific task Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names [23] The Estonian government was forced to give their assent to an agreement which allowed the USSR to establish military bases and station 25,000 troops on Estonian soil for "mutual defence". The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 [24] On June 12, 1940, the order for a total military blockade on Estonia was given to the Soviet Baltic Fleet. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - (Дважды Краснознамённый Балтийский флот was the Imperial later Soviet and is now the Russian Navy's [25][26] On June 14, 1940, while world’s attention was focused on the fall of Paris to Nazi Germany a day earlier, the Soviet military blockade on Estonia went into effect, two Soviet bombers downed a Finnish passenger airplane "Kaleva" flying from Tallinn to Helsinki carrying three diplomatic pouches from the U. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Kaleva was a Junkers Ju 52 transport plane belonging to the Finnish carrier Aero O/Y. S. legations in Tallinn, Riga and Helsinki. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Riga (Rīga riːga) the Capital of Latvia, is situated on the Baltic Sea coast on the mouth of the river Daugava. Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. [27] On June 16, 1940, the Soviet Union invaded Estonia. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. [28] The Red Army exited from their military bases in Estonia on June 17. [29] The following day, some 90,000 additional troops entered the country. In the face of overwhelming Soviet force, the Estonian government capitulated on June 17, 1940 to avoid bloodshed. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [30] The military occupation of Estonia was complete by the June 21 1940. [31] Most of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League surrendered according to the orders believing that resistance would be crushed and were disarmed by the Red Army. The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit is the name of the unified paramilitary armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. Surrender is when Soldiers, nations or other combatants stop fighting and become Prisoners of war, either as Only the Estonian Single Signal Battalion stationed in Tallinn at Raua Street continued to resist. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names In military terminology resistance or organized resistance refers to the ability of a military unit to continue to oppose an attack As the Red Army brought in additional reinforcements supported by six armoured fighting vehicles, the battle lasted several hours until sundown. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya An armoured fighting vehicle ( AFV) is a military Vehicle, protected by armour and armed with Weapons Most AFVs are equipped for driving in rugged There was one dead, several wounded on the Estonian side and about 10 killed and more wounded on the Soviet side. Finally the military resistance was ended with negotiations and the Single Signal Battalion surrendered and was disarmed. For Wikipedia's negotiation policy see WikipediaNegotiation. For other uses see Negotiation (disambiguation. [32]
In August 1940, Estonia was illegally annexed by the Soviet Union as the Estonian SSR. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya Those who had failed to do their "political duty" of voting Estonia into the USSR, specifically those who had failed to have their passports stamped for voting, were condemned to death by Soviet tribunals. [33] The repressions followed with the mass deportations carried out by the Soviets in Estonia on June 14, 1941. Deportation, not to be confused with Extradition, generally means the expulsion of someone from a place or Country. Many of the country's political and intellectual leaders were killed or deported to remote areas of the USSR by the Soviet authorities in 1940-1941. Repressive actions were also taken against thousands of ordinary people.
When the German Operation Barbarossa started against the Soviet Union, about 34,000 young Estonian men were forcibly drafted into the Red Army. Operation Barbarossa ( Unternehmen Barbarossa) was the Codename for Nazi Germany 's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Less than 30% of them survived the war. Political prisoners who could not be evacuated were executed by the NKVD. The NKVD ( НКВД, ru Народный Комиссариат Внутренних Дел ''Narodnyy Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del'') or People's Commissariat [34]
Many countries, including the United States, did not recognize the annexation of Estonia by the USSR. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Such countries recognized Estonian diplomats and consuls who still functioned in many countries in the name of their former governments. Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting Negotiations between representatives of groups or states Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire These diplomats persisted in this anomalous situation until the ultimate restoration of Baltic independence. Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising [35]
Contemporary Russian politicians deny that the Republic of Estonia was illegally annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. They state that the Soviet troops had entered Estonia in 1940 following the agreements and with the consent of the government of the Republic of Estonia, regardless of how their actions can be interpreted today. They maintain that the USSR was not in a state of war and was not waging any combat activities on the territory of Estonia, therefore there could be no occupation. The official Soviet and current Russian version claims that Estonians voluntarily gave up their statehood. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Freedom fighters of 1944-1976 are labeled "bandits" or "nazis". This article is about Baltic WWII anti-Soviet resistance movement This is about the film bandits as a general term refers to thieves. Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German The Russian position is not recognized internationally. [36][37]
German occupation
After the Third Reich invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941,the Wehrmacht reached Estonia in (July 1941). See also Estonia in World War II After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, the Wehrmacht reached Estonia Germanisation (also spelled Germanization) is either the spread of the German language, people and culture either by force or Assimilation The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as Reichskommissariat Ostland was the German name for the Nazi civil administration of part of the occupied Eastern territories of the Third Reich, occupied Generalplan Ost ( GPO) was a secret Nazi plan of Genocide and Ethnic cleansing to be realised in the territories occupied Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Wehrmacht (literally "defense force" was the name of the unified Armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945 The German Army crossed the Estonian southern border on 7th July. Wehrmacht (literally "defense force" was the name of the unified Armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945 Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions such as Governments States or subnational administrative The Red Army retreated behind the Pärnu River- the Emajõgi line on 12 July. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya The Pärnu (Pärnu jõgi is a River in Estonia that drains into the Gulf of Riga at Pärnu. The Emajõgi (Embach Mētra is a River in Estonia which flows from Lake Võrtsjärv through Tartu County into Lake Peipus, Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
At the end July the Germans resumed their advance in Estonia working in tandem with the Estonian Forest Brothers. The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as This article is about Baltic WWII anti-Soviet resistance movement Both German troops and Estonian partisans took Narva on 17 August and the Estonian capital Tallinn on 28 August. Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Events 475 - The Roman General Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his Capital After the Soviets were driven out from Estonia German troops disarmed all the partisan groups. [38] Although initially the Germans were perceived by most Estonians as liberators from the USSR and its repressions, and hopes were raised for the restoration of the country's independence, it was soon realized that they were but another occupying power. The Germans pillaged the country for the war effort and unleashed the Holocaust. The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as For the duration of the occupation Estonia was incorporated into the German province of Ostland. Reichskommissariat Ostland was the German name for the Nazi civil administration of part of the occupied Eastern territories of the Third Reich, occupied This led to many Estonians, unwilling to side with the Nazis, join the Finnish Army to fight against the Soviet Union. The Finnish Army ( Finnish: Maavoimat, Swedish: Armén) is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Finnish Infantry Regiment 200 (Estonian: soomepoisid) was formed out of Estonian volunteers in Finland. Infantry Regiment 200 (Fin Jalkaväkirykmentti 200 JR 200) (Est Jalaväerügement 200 JR 200) was a unit of the Finnish army during World War Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Although many Estonians were recruited in to the German armed forces (including Waffen-SS), the majority did so only in 1944 when the threat of a new invasion of Estonia by the Red Army had become imminent and it was clear that Germany could not win the war. 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian (German 20 The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers [39]
By January 1944, the front was pushed back by the Red Army almost all the way to the former Estonian border. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Narva was evacuated. Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Jüri Uluots, the last legitimate prime minister of the Republic of Estonia (according to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia) prior to its fall to the Soviet Union in 1940, delivered a radio address that appealed to all able-bodied men born from 1904 through 1923 to report for military service (Before this, Jüri Uluots had opposed Estonian mobilization. Jüri Uluots ( January 13, 1890 - January 9, 1945) was an Estonian Prime minister, Journalist, and prominent The Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 28 June 1992. Composition Preamble The Preamble to the Constitution of Estonia reads The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Jüri Uluots ( January 13, 1890 - January 9, 1945) was an Estonian Prime minister, Journalist, and prominent ) The call drew support from all across the country: 38,000 volunteers jammed registration centers. [40] Several thousand Estonians who had joined the Finnish Army came back across the Gulf of Finland to join the newly formed Territorial Defense Force, assigned to defend Estonia against the Soviet advance. The Finnish Army ( Finnish: Maavoimat, Swedish: Armén) is the land forces branch of the Finnish Defence Forces The Gulf of Finland ( Finnish: Suomenlahti, Russian: Финский залив, Finskiy zaliv, Swedish: Finska viken It was hoped that by engaging in such a war Estonia would be able to attract Western support for the cause of Estonia's independence from the USSR and thus ultimately succeed in achieving independence. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 [41]
Soviet occupation
The Soviet forces reconquered Estonia in the autumn of 1944 after fierce battles in the northeast of the country on the Narva river and on the Tannenberg Line (Sinimäed) as part of the Baltic Strategic Offensive Operation, a twofold military-political operation to rout forces of the Wehrmacht and the so-called "liberation of the Soviet Baltic peoples"[42]. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya The occupation of the Baltic states refers to the occupation of the Baltic states ( Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) first by the The Estonian Government in Exile refers to the formally declared governmental authority of the Republic of Estonia in exile existing from 1953 until the reestablishment of A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. Wehrmacht (literally "defense force" was the name of the unified Armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945
In the face of the country being re-occupied by the Red Army, tens of thousands of Estonians (including mayority of the education, culture, science, political and social specialists) (estimates as much as 80,000) chose to either retreat together with the Germans or flee to Finland or Sweden. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Estonians ( Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting primarily the country Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Definition In the absence of agreement about its meaning the term "social" is used in many different senses referring among other things to attitudes The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. On 12 January 1949 the Soviet Council of Ministers issued a decree "on the expulsion and deportation" from Baltic states of "all kulaks and their families, the families of bandits and nationalists", and others. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Council of Ministers of the USSR (Совет Министров СССР tr The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the Kulaks ( Russian: кула́к kulak " Fist ", by extension "tight-fisted" were a category of rich Peasants in later [43] More than 200,000 people are estimated to have been deported from the Baltic in 1940-1953. In addition, at least 75,000 were sent to Gulag. The Gulag was the government agency that administered the penal labor camps of the Soviet Union. More than 10% of the entire adult Baltic population was deported or sent to Soviet labor and deathcamps. For the 2008 British film by Noel Clarke see Adulthood (film. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology The Gulag was the government agency that administered the penal labor camps of the Soviet Union. [43] In response to the continuing insurgency against Soviet rule,[44] more than 20,000 Estonians were forcibly deported either to labor camps or Siberia (see Gulag). A labor camp is a simplified detention facility where inmates are engaged in Penal labor. Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving The Gulag was the government agency that administered the penal labor camps of the Soviet Union. [45] Within the few weeks that followed, almost all of the remaining rural households were collectivized. Collectivization in the Soviet Union was a policy pursued under Stalin, between 1928 and 1940(much later for areas further away from capital to consolidate individual After World War II, as part of the goal to more fully integrate Baltic countries into the Soviet Union, mass deportations were concluded in the Baltic countries and the policy of encouraging Soviet immigration to the Baltic states continued. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 [46] In addition to the human and material losses suffered due to war, thousands of civilians were killed and tens of thousands of people deported from Estonia by the Soviet authorities until Joseph Stalin's death in 1953. A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. In Politics, authority ( Latin Auctoritas, used in Roman law as opposed to Potestas and Imperium Joseph Stalin ( ნამდვილი გვარი ჯუღაშვილი|Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili; March 5 1953 was General Secretary of the Communist Party
Half of the deported perished, the other half were not allowed to return until the early 1960s (years after Stalin's death). Communist terrorism (or Communist terror) is Terrorism committed by Communist organizations or Communist states against Civilians to achieve Estonians ( Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting primarily the country The Gulag was the government agency that administered the penal labor camps of the Soviet Union. Spassk may refer to Spassk Penza Oblast, a town in Penza Oblast, Russia Spassk Kemerovo Oblast, an urban-type settlement in The various repressive activities of Soviet forces in 1940-1941 and after reoccupation sparked a guerrilla war against the Soviet authorities in Estonia which was waged into the early 1950s by "forest brothers" (metsavennad) consisting mostly of Estonian veterans of both the German and Finnish armies as well as some civilians. Guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat with which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics (ambushes raids etc This article is about Baltic WWII anti-Soviet resistance movement Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. [47] Material damage caused by the world war and the following Soviet era significantly slowed Estonia's economic growth, resulting in a wide wealth gap in comparison with neighboring Finland and Sweden. A planned economy or directed economy is an Economic system in which the Government or Workers' councils manages the Economy. Economic growth is the increase in the amount of the goods and services produced by an economy over time Economic inequality refers to disparities in the distribution of Economic Assets and Income. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. [48]
Militarization was another aspect of the Soviet regime. Militarization, or militarisation, is the process by which a Society organizes itself for Military conflict and Violence. Large parts of the country, especially the coastal areas were restricted to all but the Soviet military. Most of the sea shore and all sea islands (including Saaremaa and Hiiumaa) were declared "border zones". Saaremaa is the largest Island belonging to Estonia, measuring 2673 km². Hiiumaa is the second largest Island (989 km² belonging to Estonia. People not actually resident there were restricted from traveling to them without a permit. A notable closed military installation was the city of Paldiski which was entirely closed to all public access. Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea Port situated on the Pakri peninsula of north-western Estonia. The city had a support base for the Soviet Baltic Fleet's submarines and several large military bases, including a nuclear submarine training centre complete with a full-scale model of a nuclear submarine with working nuclear reactors. The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - (Дважды Краснознамённый Балтийский флот was the Imperial later Soviet and is now the Russian Navy's A nuclear submarine is a Submarine powered by Atomic energy. Previously conventional submarines used diesel engines that required air for moving on the This article is a subarticle of Nuclear power. A nuclear reactor is a device in which Nuclear chain reactions are initiated controlled The Paldiski reactors building passed into Estonian control in 1994 after the last Soviet troops left the country. [49],[50] Immigration was another effect of Soviet occupation. Population transfer in the Soviet Union may be classified into the following broad categories deportations of " Anti-Soviet " categories of population often classified Hundreds of thousands of migrants were relocated to Estonia from other parts of Soviet Union to assist industrialization and militarization, contributing an increase of about half million people within 45 years. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 [51] By 1980, when the Olympic Regatta of the 1980 Olympic Games was held in Tallinn, russification and immigration had achieved a level at which it began to spark popular protests. Sailing (also called Yachting) at the 1980 Summer Olympics was represented by six events Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Russification (in Russian: русификация rusifikátsiya)is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term
Restoration of independence
The United States, United Kingdom and the majority of other western democracies considered the annexation of Estonia by USSR illegal. The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1990 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania "Baltic Way" (also Baltic chain, Balti kett Baltijas ceļš Baltijos kelias is the event which occurred on August 23, 1989 when The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Stimson Doctrine is a policy of the United States federal government, enunciated in a note of January 7 1932 to Japan and They retained diplomatic relations with the representatives of the independent Republic of Estonia, never de jure recognized the existence of the Estonian SSR, and never recognized Estonia as a legal constituent part of the Soviet Union. [52]Estonia's return to independence became possible as the Soviet Union faced internal regime challenges, loosening its hold on outer empire. As the 1980s progressed, a movement for Estonian autonomy started. In the initial period of 1987-1989, this was partially for more economic independence, but as the Soviet Union weakened and it became increasingly obvious that nothing short of full independence would do, the country began a course towards self-determination.
In 1989, during the "Singing Revolution", in a landmark demonstration for more independence, called The Baltic Way, a human chain of more than two million people was formed, stretching through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1990 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania "Baltic Way" (also Baltic chain, Balti kett Baltijas ceļš Baltijos kelias is the event which occurred on August 23, 1989 when Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. All three nations had similar experiences of occupation and similar aspirations for regaining independence. Estonia formally declared independence on August 20, 1991, reconstituting the pre-1940 state, during the Soviet military coup attempt in Moscow. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt ( August 19 - August 21, 1991) also known as the August Putsch or August Coup was a three-day The first country to diplomatically recognize Estonia's reclaimed independence was Iceland. Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland ( ( Ísland or Lýðveldið Ísland ( The last Russian troops left on 31 August 1994. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar)
Geography
Topography
Estonia lies on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea immediately across the Gulf of Finland from Finland on the level northwestern part of the rising east European platform between 57. The Baltic Sea is a Brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N Latitude and from 20°E to 26°E Longitude. 3° and 59. 5° N and 21. 5° and 28. 1° E. Average elevation reaches only 50 meters (164 ft) and the country's highest point is the Suur Munamägi in the southeast at 318 meters (1,043 ft). Suur Munamägi (in translation "Big Egg Hill" is the highest peak in Estonia (and the Baltic states) reaching above Sea level. [53] Estonia boasts over 1,400 lakes. This is a list of Lakes in Estonia. A Aabra - Aastajärv - Aastejärv - Adriska - Agali - Aheru Most are very small, with the largest, Lake Peipus, (Peipsi in Estonian) being 3,555 km² (1372 sq mi). Lake Peipus (Peipsi-Pihkva järv Чудско-Псковское озеро (Chud Lake Peipussee is a large fresh water lake on the border between Estonia and Russia There are many rivers in the country. The largest are the Võhandu (162 km), Pärnu (144 km), and Põltsamaa (135 km). [53] Estonia also boasts numerous bogs, and 3,794 kilometers (2,357 mi) of coastline marked by numerous bays, straits, and inlets. A bog or mire is a Wetland type that accumulates Acidic Peat, a deposit of dead plant material &ndash usually Mosses but also The number of islands and islets is estimated at some 1,500. Two are large enough to constitute their own counties: Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Saaremaa is the largest Island belonging to Estonia, measuring 2673 km². Hiiumaa is the second largest Island (989 km² belonging to Estonia. [53]
Climate
Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and in the transition zone between maritime and continental climate. An oceanic climate (also called marine west coast climate and maritime climate) is the Climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes Continental climate is a Climate that is characterized by Winter Temperatures cold enough to support a fixed period of Snow cover each Year Because Estonia (and all of Northern Europe) is continuously warmed by the Gulf Stream it has a milder climate despite its northern latitude. Northern Europe is a term for the northern part of Europe. The United Nations defines Northern Europe as (Finland The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that The Baltic Sea causes differences between the climate of coastal and inland areas. The Baltic Sea is a Brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N Latitude and from 20°E to 26°E Longitude. The average annual temperature in Estonia is 5 °C. The average temperature in February, the coldest month of the year, is -5. 2 °C. The average temperature in July, which is considered the warmest month of the year, is 18 °C. The climate is also influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the North-Atlantic Stream and the Icelandic Minimum, which is an area known for the formation of cyclones and where the average air pressure is lower than in neighbouring areas. The North Atlantic Current ( North Atlantic Drift and the North Atlantic Sea Movement) is a powerful warm Ocean current that continues the Gulf Stream Estonia is located in a humid zone in which the amount of precipitation is greater than total evaporation. There are about 160 to 190 rainy days a year, and average precipitation is most plentiful on the western slopes of the Sakala and Haanja Uplands. Haanja or Haani ( Hahnshof in German) is a village in Haanja Parish, Võru County, Estonia. Snow cover, which is deepest in the south-eastern part of Estonia, usually lasts from mid-December to late March.
Wildlife
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Phytogeographically, Estonia is shared between the Central European and Eastern European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. Phytogeography, also called geobotany is the branch of Biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution of Plant Species, or more generally Vaccinium vitis-idaea 20060824 003jpg|thumb|right| Vaccinium vitis-idaea ]]Alnus-viridis Rhododendron-palustreJPG|thumb|right| Rhododendron tomentosum ]]The Boreal Kingdom or Holarctic Kingdom ( Holarctis) is a Floristic kingdom According to the WWF, the territory of Estonia belongs to the ecoregion of Sarmatic mixed forests. An ecoregion ( ecological region) sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area smaller than a "realm" or " Sarmatic mixed forests constitute an Ecoregion within the Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests zone according to the WWF classification (ecoregion PA0436
Estonia's sparse population and large areas of forest have allowed stocks of European Lynx, Wild Boar, Brown Bears, Wolves and moose to survive, among other animals [54]. The Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx) is a medium-sized cat native to European and Siberian forests where it is one of the predators The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. The Brown Bear ( Ursus arctos) is an Omnivorous Mammal of the family Ursidae, distributed across much of northern Eurasia and The grey wolf or gray wolf ( Canis lupus) also known as the timber wolf or simply wolf, is a Mammal of the order Carnivora The moose (North America or elk (Europe Alces alces, is the largest extant Species in the Deer family. Its birdlife includes Golden Eagles and White Storks. The Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere The White Stork ( Ciconia ciconia) is a large wading Bird in the Stork family Ciconiidae, breeding in the warmer parts of Europe It has around a dozen national parks and protected areas, including Lahemaa National Park, the country’s largest park, on the northern coast. Lahemaa National Park (established 1971 is located on Northern Estonia, 70 kilometers east from capital Tallinn. Soomaa National Park, near Pärnu, is known for its ancient wetlands. Soomaa National Park is National park in south-western Estonia. Pärnu (Pernau Пярну formerly Пернов Parnawa is a City in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay an inlet of the Gulf of Riga Reserves such as Käina Bay Bird Reserve and Matsalu Nature Reserve (a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention) are also popular with locals and tourists and support a wide variety of birdlife [55]. Matsalu National Park (previously Matsalu Nature Reserve, Matsalu rahvuspark often just Matsalu) is a Nature reserve and National park The Ramsar Convention is an international Treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Wetlands i
Counties
The Republic of Estonia is divided into fifteen counties (Maakonnad) which are the administrative subdivisions of the country. A County (maakond is an administrative subdivision of Estonia. A County (maakond is an administrative subdivision of Estonia. The first documented mentioning of Estonian political and administrative subdivisions comes from the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia, written in the 13th century during the Northern Crusades. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia ( Latin: Heinrici Cronicon Lyvoniae) is a historic document describing the history of Livonia and surrounding areas from The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were Crusades undertaken by the Catholic kings of Denmark and Sweden, the German Livonian [56]
| 50 km |
A maakond (county) is the biggest administrative subdivision. A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. The county government (Maavalitsus) of each county is led by a county governor (Maavanem), who represents the national government at the regional level. For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A governor is a governing official usually the executive (at least nominally to different degrees also politically and administratively of a non-sovereign level of government For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. Governors are appointed by Eesti Valitsus (government) for a term of five years. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the Several changes were made to the borders of counties after Estonia became independent, most notably the formation of Valga County (from parts of Võru, Tartu and Viljandi counties) and Petseri County (area acquired from Russia with the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty). Valga County (Valga maakond or Valgamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Võrumaa ( Võru County)( Võro: Võro maakund) officially Võru maakond, is a County in Southern Estonia Tartu County ( Estonian: Tartu maakond) or Tartumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Viljandi County ( Estonian: Viljandi maakond or Viljandimaa) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Pechory (Печоры Estonian and Seto: Petseri) is a town in Pskov Oblast, Russia.
During the Soviet rule, Petseri County was annexed and ceded to the Russian SFSR in 1945 where it became one the Pskovs districts. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya Pechory (Печоры Estonian and Seto: Petseri) is a town in Pskov Oblast, Russia. Pskov (Псков ancient Russian spelling Пльсковъ Pleskov) in Latvian Pleskava, in Estonian Pihkva, is an ancient city located in Oblast (во́бласць oblast о́бласт oblast о́бласть област/ oblast; oblasť област о́бласть is a type of Administrative division Counties were again re-established in 1 January 1990 in the borders of the Soviet-era regions. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Due to the numerous differences between the current and historical (pre-1940) layouts, the historical borders are still used in ethnology, representing cultural and linguistic differences better.
Municipalities and cities
| An omavalitsus (municipality) is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia. Pechory (Печоры Estonian and Seto: Petseri) is a town in Pskov Oblast, Russia. A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly denotes a City, Town, or Village, or Each county is further divided into municipalities which are of two types: urban municipality,or linn (town), and rural municipality, or vald (parish). A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. A Municipality (omavalitsus is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia. A town is a type of settlement ranging from a few to several thousand (occasionally hundreds of thousands inhabitants although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan A rural municipality, often abbreviated RM, is a form of Municipality in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, perhaps A parish is a Local church; it is an administrative unit typically found in episcopal or presbyterian churches There is no other status distinction between them. Each municipality is a unit of self-government with its representative and executive bodies. Self-governance is an abstract concept that refers to several scales of Organization. In Political science and Constitutional law, the executive is the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day management of the State. The municipalities in Estonia cover the entire territory of the country. A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly denotes a City, Town, or Village, or In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Municipality may contain one or several populated places. Populated places in Estonia are settlements or territorial units within a Municipality. Some urban municipalities are divided into linnaosad (districts) with limited self-government, e. Districts are a type of Administrative division, in some countries managed by a Local government. Self-governance is an abstract concept that refers to several scales of Organization. g. Tallinn consists of 8 districts (Haabersti, Kesklinn, Kristiine, Lasnamäe, Mustamäe, Nõmme, Pirita and Põhja-Tallinn). Kesklinn (Town Center is one of the 8 administrative districts ( linnaosa in Estonian of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Sport Ajax Lasnamäe football club represents the district in Estonian Meistriliiga. Geography Mustamäe covers 81 km² and is located 5km from the center of Tallinn History Earlier Nõmme was a town of its own in the beginning of the Soviet occupation ( 1940) unified to Tallinn and not restituted until today Gallery Põhja-Tallinn is one of the 8 administrative districts ( linnaosa in Estonian of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Municipalities are ranging in size from Tallinn with 400,000 inhabitants to Ruhnu with as few as 60. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Ruhnu (Runö is an Island situated in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. As over two-thirds of the municipalities have a population of under 3,000, many of them have found it advantageous to co-operate in providing services and carrying out administrative functions. Since March 2008 there are total of 227 municipalities in Estonia, 33 of them are urban and 194 are rural. Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. Estonian cities by population All data from 2000 census It lies on the northern coast of Estonia, along the Gulf of Finland. The Gulf of Finland ( Finnish: Suomenlahti, Russian: Финский залив, Finskiy zaliv, Swedish: Finska viken The city is an important industrial, political and cultural center, and seaport. ||-||-|-||-||-||-||-||-||-|} A port is a facility for receiving Ships and transferring cargo There are currently 33 cities and several town-parish towns in the county. The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status More than 70% of the entire population lives in the towns. The 20 largest cities are shown on the table below: |
| Rank | City | Location | Population | Rank | City | Location | Population |  Tallinn  Narva   Valga | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tallinn | Harjumaa | 403,500 | 11 | Võru | Võrumaa | 14,555 | |||
| 2 | Tartu | Tartumaa | 101,169 | 12 | Valga | Valgamaa | 13,930 | |||
| 3 | Narva | Ida-Virumaa | 68,680 | 13 | Haapsalu | Läänemaa | 11,774 | |||
| 4 | Kohtla-Järve | Ida-Virumaa | 47,679 | 14 | Jõhvi | Ida-Virumaa | 11,455 | |||
| 5 | Pärnu | Pärnumaa | 45,500 | 15 | Paide | Järvamaa | 9,751 | |||
| 6 | Viljandi | Vilandimaa | 20,274 | 16 | Keila | Harjumaa | 9,386 | |||
| 7 | Rakvere | Lääne-Virumaa | 16,698 | 17 | Kiviõli | Ida-Virumaa | 6,925 | |||
| 8 | Sillamäe | Ida-Virumaa | 16,567 | 18 | Tapa | Lääne-Virumaa | 6,559 | |||
| 9 | Maardu | Harjumaa | 16,570 | 19 | Põltsamaa | Põlvamaa | 6,510 | |||
| 10 | Kuressaare | Saaremaa | 14,919 | 20 | Jõgeva | Jõgevamaa | 6,349 | |||
| 2008 Census | ||||||||||
Politics
Politics of Estonia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Estonia is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different The following is a list of cities and towns in Estonia. Many of these locations have been known specially before 1918 by their German or Russian names occasionally quite different Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Harju County (Harju maakond or Harjumaa, ( Latin: Harria) nowadays one of 15 counties of Estonia. Võru ( Võro Võro) is a town and a municipality in south-eastern Estonia. Võrumaa ( Võru County)( Võro: Võro maakund) officially Võru maakond, is a County in Southern Estonia Tartu is the second largest City of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual Tartu County ( Estonian: Tartu maakond) or Tartumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Valga County (Valga maakond or Valgamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Haapsalu ( German and Hapsal Хаапсалу formerly Гапсаль is a seaside Resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. Lääne County (Lääne maakond or Läänemaa, ( Latin: Rotalia) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Kohtla-Järve is a City and municipality in north-eastern Estonia, founded in 1924 and incorporated as a town in 1946 Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Jõhvi (Jewe is a town in north-eastern Estonia, and the Capital of Ida-Viru County. Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Pärnu (Pernau Пярну formerly Пернов Parnawa is a City in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay an inlet of the Gulf of Riga Pärnu County (Pärnu maakond or Pärnumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Paide (Weißenstein Biały Kamień is the capital of Järva County, Estonia. Järva County (Järva maakond or Järvamaa, ( Latin: Jervia) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Viljandi (Fellin Felin is a town and municipality in southern Estonia. Viljandi County ( Estonian: Viljandi maakond or Viljandimaa) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Keila (Kegel is a town and an urban municipality in Harju County in north-western Estonia. Harju County (Harju maakond or Harjumaa, ( Latin: Harria) nowadays one of 15 counties of Estonia. Rakvere (Wesenberg or Wesenbergh) is a Town in northern Estonia and the county seat of Lääne-Viru County, 20 km south of the Gulf Lääne-Viru County (Lääne-Viru maakond or Lääne-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Kiviõli is an industrial town in Ida-Viru County, Estonia with a population of 7400 Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Sillamäe is a town in Ida-Viru County in the northern part of Estonia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Lääne-Viru County (Lääne-Viru maakond or Lääne-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Maardu is a town and a municipality in Harju County, Estonia. Harju County (Harju maakond or Harjumaa, ( Latin: Harria) nowadays one of 15 counties of Estonia. Põltsamaa (Oberpahlen is a town in Jõgeva County, Estonia. It is located at around. Põlva County (Põlva maakond or Põlvamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Kuressaare (Arensburg is a town and a municipality on Saaremaa island in Estonia. Saare County ( Estonian: Saare maakond) or Saaremaa, ( Latin: Osilia or Oesel) is one of 15 counties Jõgeva is a small town in Estonia with a population of around 6000 people Jõgeva County (Jõgeva maakond or Jõgevamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Politics of Estonia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Estonia is Political parties in Estonia lists political parties in Estonia. Estonia elects a Legislature on the national level The Riigikogu has 101 members elected for a four year term by Proportional Politics of Estonia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Estonia is A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principles of the people's representatives A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its The Prime Minister of Estonia ( Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the Head of government of the Republic of Estonia. This article focuses on the cases where the Head of Government is a separate office from the Head of State A multi-party system is a system in which three or more political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition
Parliament
Toompea Castle at Toompea. The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. Toompea Castle (also Latin: Castrum Danorum, Toompea loss (previously probably Taani linn, literally "The Danish castle" is a Castle
The Parliament of Estonia (Estonian: Riigikogu) or the legislative branch is elected by people for a four year term by proportional representation. The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. A legislature is a type of representative Deliberative assembly with the power to create amend and change Laws The law created by a legislature is called Legislation Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation or PR is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes Estonia is a parliamentary, representative democratic republic. A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principles of the people's representatives Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its The Estonian political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1992 constitutional document. A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity The Estonian parliament has 101 members and influences the governing of the state primarily by determining the income and the expenses of the state (establishing taxes and adopting the budget). At the same time the parliament has the right to present statements, declarations and appeals to the people of Estonia, ratify and denounce international treaties with other states and international organisations and decide on the Government loans. [59]
The Riigikogu elects and appoints several high officials of the state, including the President of the Republic. In addition to that, the Riigikogu appoints, on the proposal of the President of Estonia, the Chairman of the National Court, the Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Estonia, the Auditor General, the Legal Chancellor and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces. The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. A member of the Riigikogu has the right to demand explanations from the Government of the Republic and its members. This enables the members of the parliament to observe the activities of the executive power and the abovementioned high officials of the state.
Government and e-Government
Stenbocks House at Toompea. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the The Prime Minister of Estonia ( Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the Head of government of the Republic of Estonia. The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. Toompea (Domberg or "Cathedral Hill" is a Limestone Hill in the central part of the city of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
The Government of Estonia (Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) or the executive branch is formed by the Prime Minister of Estonia, nominated by the president and approved by the parliament. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the In Political science and Constitutional law, the executive is the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day management of the State. The Prime Minister of Estonia ( Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the Head of government of the Republic of Estonia. The government exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution of Estonia and the laws of the Republic of Estonia and consists of 12 ministers, including the prime minister. The Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 28 June 1992. Composition Preamble The Preamble to the Constitution of Estonia reads The prime minister also has the right to appoint other ministers, whom he or she will assign with a subject to deal with and who will not have a ministry to control, becoming a minister without portfolio who currently is the Minister of Regions. The prime minister has the right to appoint a maximum of 3 such ministers, as the limit of ministers in one government is 15. It is also known as the cabinet. A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of Government, typically representing the executive branch. The cabinet carries out the country’s domestic and foreign policy, shaped by parliament; it directs and co-ordinates the work of government institutions and bears full responsibility for everything occurring within the authority of executive power. The government, headed by the Prime Minister, thus represents the political leadership of the country and makes decisions in the name of the whole executive power. The Prime Minister of Estonia ( Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the Head of government of the Republic of Estonia.
Estonia has pursued the development of the e-state and e-government. E-state is used to refer to a location with superior Internet and/or Mobile phone connectedness e-Government (from electronic Government, also known as e-gov, digital government, online government or in a certain context Internet voting is used in elections in Estonia. Electronic voting (also known as e-voting) is a term encompassing several different types of Voting, embracing both electronic means of casting a vote and electronic [60] The first Internet voting took place in the 2005 local elections and the first in a parliamentary election was made available for the 2007 elections, in which 30,275 individuals voted over the Internet. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks Parliamentary elections took place in Estonia on Sunday March 4 2007 to elect members of the Riigikogu. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks Voters have a chance to invalidate their vote in traditional elections, if they wish to. In its 2007 Worldwide Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders ranked Estonia 3rd out of 169 countries.
Law and court
According to the Constitution of Estonia (Estonian: Põhiseadus) the supreme power of the state is vested in the people. The Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 28 June 1992. Composition Preamble The Preamble to the Constitution of Estonia reads The Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 28 June 1992. Composition Preamble The Preamble to the Constitution of Estonia reads Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 The Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 28 June 1992. Composition Preamble The Preamble to the Constitution of Estonia reads The people exercise their supreme power of the state on the elections of the Riigikogu through citizens who have the right to vote. [61] The supreme judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court or Riigikohus, with 17 justices. In Law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of Courts which administer Justice in the name of the sovereign or State A supreme court, also called a court of last resort or high court, is in some Jurisdictions the highest judicial body within that jurisdiction's The Supreme Court of Estonia is a court of Cassation, also fulfilling the functions of a Constitutional court. The Chief Justice is appointed by the parliament for nine years on nomination by the president. The official Head of State is the President of Estonia, who gives assent to the laws passed by Riigikogu, also having the right of sending them back and proposing new laws. Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. The president, however, does not use these rights very often, having a largely ceremonial role. He or she is elected by Riigikogu, with two-thirds of the votes required. The Riigikogu (from riigi-, of the state and kogu, assembly is the Parliament of Estonia. If the candidate does not gain the amount of votes required, the right to elect the president goes over to an electoral body, consisting of the 101 members of Riigikogu and representatives from local councils. As other spheres, Estonian law-making has been successfully integrated with the Information Age. Information Age is a term that has been used to refer to the present era
Foreign relations
Since regaining independence, Estonia has pursued a foreign policy of close cooperation with its Western European neighbors. Following restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia was one the first nations to recognize Estonia 's independence (the first country to do so was Estonia (re-established a foreign ministry on 12 April 1990 while the country was slowly becoming independent from the Soviet Union, with the symbols and instruments of Soverignty Estonia-United States relations are Bilateral relations between Estonia and the United States.
The two most important policy objectives in this regard have been accession into NATO and the European Union, achieved in March and May of 2004 respectively. The North Atlantic Treaty The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Estonia's international realignment toward the West has been accompanied by a general deterioration in relations with Russia, most recently demonstrated by the controversy surrounding relocation of the Bronze Soldier WWII memorial in Tallinn. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Bronze Soldier (Pronkssõdur Бронзовый Солдат originally "Monument to the Liberators of Tallinn" ("Tallinna vabastajate monument" [62]
An important element in Estonia's post-independence reorientation has been closer ties with the Nordic countries, especially Finland and Sweden. The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe called the Nordic region, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Indeed, Estonians consider themselves a Nordic people rather than Balts,[63][64] based on their historical ties with Sweden, Denmark and particularly Finland. The Baltic states (Balti riigid Baltijas valstis Baltijos valstybės or Baltic countries are three countries in Northern Europe, all members of the In December 1999 Estonian foreign minister (and since 2006, president of Estonia) Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered a speech entitled "Estonia as a Nordic Country" to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs. The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. Toomas Hendrik Ilves (ˈtoːmɑs ˈhendrik ˈilves born 26 December 1953) is the current President of Estonia. The Swedish Institute for International Affairs (Utrikespolitiska Institutet (UI is a public-service organization located in central Stockholm, Sweden. [65] In 2003, the foreign ministry also hosted an exhibit called "Estonia: Nordic with a Twist". A minister for foreign affairs, or foreign minister, is a governmental cabinet minister who helps form the Foreign policy of a sovereign nation [66] And in 2005, Estonia joined the European Union's Nordic Battle Group. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The Nordic Battlegroup (NBG is one of eighteen European Union Battlegroups. It has also shown continued interest in joining the Nordic Council. The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers is an intergovernmental forum for co-operation between the Nordic countries.
Whereas in 1992 Russia accounted for 92% of Estonia's international trade,[67] today there is extensive economic interdependence between Estonia and its Nordic neighbors: three quarters of foreign investment in Estonia originates in the Nordic countries (principally Finland and Sweden), to which Estonia sends 42% of its exports (as compared to 6. Foreign direct investment ( FDI) in its classic definition is defined as a company from one country making a physical investment into building a factory in another country 5% going to Russia, 8. 8% to Latvia, and 4. 7% to Lithuania). On the other hand, the Estonian political system, its flat rate of income tax, and its non-welfare-state model distinguish it from the other Nordic states, and indeed from many other European countries. A flat tax (short for flat rate tax is a Tax system with a constant tax rate [68]
Military
Estonian military - the Estonian Defence Forces - is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia with Maavägi (Army), Merevägi (Navy), Õhuvägi (Air Force) and a paramilitary organization Kaitseliit (Defence League). The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Maavägi, (Ground Forces is the name of the unified ground forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Navy (Eesti Merevägi is the name of the unified naval forces of Estonia The Estonian Air Force ( Estonian: Õhuvägi, literally "Air Force") is the name of the unified aviation forces of Estonia The Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit is the name of the unified paramilitary armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The national defence policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state, the integrity of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising Sovereignty is the exclusive Right to control a Government, a country, a people or oneself Integrity is Consistency of actions values methods measures and principles Its main goals remain the development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation's vital interests and development of the Defence Forces in a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of NATO and European Union member states and their capability to participate in the full range of Alliance missions. The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together (inter-operate The North Atlantic Treaty The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The North Atlantic Treaty [69]
Ajateenistus (Military Service) is compulsory for men between 18 and 28, and conscripts serve eight-month to eleven-month tours of duty depending on the army branch they serve in. Military service in its simplest sense is service by an individual or group in an Army or other military organization whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary In mathematics 8 is a Composite number, its Proper divisors being 1, 2, and 4. An army (from Latin Armata "act of arming" via Old French armée) in the broadest sense is the land-based Armed forces A branch ( American English ˈbræntʃ British English ˈbrɑːntʃ or tree branch (sometimes referred to in Botany as a ramus Estonia has retained conscription unlike Latvia and Lithuania and has no plan to transition to a contract armed forces. Conscription (also known as the draft, the call-up or national service) is a general term for involuntary labor demanded by some established authority Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the
In 2008, the military spending will reach to 1. The Maavägi, (Ground Forces is the name of the unified ground forces of the Republic of Estonia. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, In Military tactics, a patrol is often a small tactical grouping sent out by land sea or air to perform a specific task 85% - 5 billion krones of the GDP and will continue to increase till 2010 when the 2. The kroon ( sign: KR; code: EEK) is the Currency of Estonia. It is subdivided into 100 senti (singular sent 0% level is achieved. [70] As of January 2008, the Estonian military had almost 300 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of various international peacekeeping forces, including 35 Defence League troops stationed in Kosovo; 120 Ground Forces soldiers in the NATO-led ISAF force in Afghanistan; 80 soldiers stationed as a part of MNF in the Iraq; and 2 Estonian officers in Bosnia-Herzegovina and 2 Estonian military agents in Israel in Golan Heights. The Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit is the name of the unified paramilitary armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Maavägi, (Ground Forces is the name of the unified ground forces of the Republic of Estonia. The North Atlantic Treaty International Security Assistance Force (10 ( ISAF) is a NATO -led security and development mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Monday Night Football ( MNF) is a Live television broadcast of the National Football League. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Latin script: Bosna i Hercegovina, Cyrillic script: Босна и Херцеговина is a country on the Balkan For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Borders of Israel The Golan Heights ( الجولان al-Jawlān, הגולן ha-Golan) is a strategic Plateau and mountainous [71] The Estonian Defence Forces have had previously military missions also in Croatia from March till October 1995, in Lebanon from December 1996 till June 1997 and in Macedonia from May till December 2003. Croatia (Hrvatska ˈxȓvatska officially the Republic of Croatia ( Republika Hrvatska) is a southern Central European country at the crossroads between Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The Republic of Macedonia (Република [72] Estonia participates in the Nordic Battlegroup and has announced readiness to send soldiers also to Sudan to Darfur if necessary, creating the very first African peacekeeping mission for the armed forces of Estonia. The Nordic Battlegroup (NBG is one of eighteen European Union Battlegroups. Sudan (officially the Republic of Sudan) ( السودان al-Sūdān is a country in northeastern Africa. Darfur (دار فور daar foor, lit "realm of the Fur " is a region in Sudan. Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace
E-Military
The Military of Estonia is introducing a new 21st century based cyber warfare and defence formation in order to protect the vital infrastructure and e-infrastructure of Estonia. The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. Cyberattacks on Estonia (also known as the Estonian Cyberwar) refers to a series of Cyber attacks that began April 27, 2007 and swamped websites The Estonian Defence Forces ( Eesti Kaitsevägi is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. Cyber-warfare (also known as cybernetic war, or cyberwar) is the use of Computers and the Internet in conducting Warfare in Cyberspace Infrastructure typically refers to the technical structures that support a society such as Roads Water supply, Wastewater, Power grids The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks Currently the leading organization in the Estonian cyber defence is the CERT (the Computer Emergency Response Team of Estonia), established in 2006, as an organisation responsible for the management of security incidents in . ee computer networks. Its task is to assist Estonian internet users in the implementation of preventive measures in order to reduce possible damage from security incidents and to help them in responding to security threats. The unit deals with security incidents that occur in Estonian networks, are started there, or have been notified of by citizens or institutions either in Estonia or abroad. [73]
On June 25, 2007, Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with the president of USA, George W. Bush. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Toomas Hendrik Ilves (ˈtoːmɑs ˈhendrik ˈilves born 26 December 1953) is the current President of Estonia. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. [74] Among the topics discussed were the attacks on Estonian e-infrastructure. [75] The attacks triggered a number of military organisations around the world to reconsider the importance of network security to modern military doctrine. On June 14, 2007, defence ministers of NATO members held a meeting in Brussels, issuing a joint communiqué promising immediate action. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The North Atlantic Treaty Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is A message in its most general meaning is an object of Communication. First public results are estimated to arrive by autumn 2007. [76]
As to the placement of a newly planned NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCD COE), Bush proclaimed the policy of USA as supporting Estonia as this centre's location. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the [77] In the aftermath of the Cyberattacks on Estonia 2007, plans to combine network defence with Estonian military doctrine, and related NATO plans to create a Cybernetic Defence Centre in Estonia, have been nicknamed the "Tiger's Defence" (Estonian: Tiigrikaitse), in reference to Tiigrihüpe. Cyberattacks on Estonia (also known as the Estonian Cyberwar) refers to a series of Cyber attacks that began April 27, 2007 and swamped websites The North Atlantic Treaty Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 [78]
Economy
The Republic of Estonia is currently a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and its economy is rated as ▲high income by the World Bank. Estonia is a member of the European Union and a developed market economy The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The World Bank Group (WBG is a family of five International organizations responsible for providing Finance and advice to countries for the purposes of economic Level of the Estonian economy Estonian economic miracle has been often being described as the Baltic Tiger. In Economics, the term boom and bust refers to the movement of an economy through Economic cycles. Vilnius skyline at nightLithuaniaJPG|thumb|250px| Vilnius Financial Center is a symbol of rapid economic growth in Lithuania By 1929, a stable currency, the Kroon (crown), was established. The kroon ( sign: KR; code: EEK) is the Currency of Estonia. It is subdivided into 100 senti (singular sent It is issued by the Bank of Estonia, the country's central bank. The Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank is the Central bank of Estonia, which is a member of the European Union organisation and the European System of Central A central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is the entity responsible for the Monetary policy of a country or of a group of member states Trade focused on the local market and the West, particularly Germany and the United Kingdom. Only 3% of all commerce was with the USSR. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Before the Second World War Estonia was mainly an agriculture country whose products such as butter, milk and cheese was widely known on the western European markets. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Butter is a Dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented Cream or Milk. Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. Cheese is a Food made from Milk, usually the milk of cows, Buffalo, Goats or sheep, by coagulation. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Sao Paulo Stock Exchangejpg|thumb| Virtual market arena where buyer and seller are not present and trade via intemediates and electronical information The USSR's forcible annexation of Estonia in 1940 and the ensuing Nazi and Soviet destruction during World War II crippled the Estonian economy. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Post-war Sovietization of life continued with the integration of Estonia's economy and industry into the USSR's centrally planned structure. Post-War is the fifth studio album by M Ward. It was released on August 22 2006 by Merge Records. Sovietization is term that may be used with two distinct (but related meanings the adoption of a political system based on the model of soviets (workers' councils The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991
Since re-establishing independence, Estonia has styled itself as the gateway between East and West and aggressively pursued economic reform and integration with the West. Estonia's market reforms put it among the economic leaders in the former COMECON area. A balanced budget, almost non-existent public debt, flat-rate income tax, free trade regime, fully convertible currency backed by currency board and a strong peg to the euro, competitive commercial banking sector, hospitable environment for foreign investment, innovative e-Services and even mobile-based services are all hallmarks of Estonia's free-market-based economy. Budget (from French bougette, purse generally refers to a list of all planned expenses and revenues Government debt (also known as public debt or national debt) is Money (or credit) owed by any level of government either Central government Free trade is a system in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is A currency board is a Monetary authority which is required to maintain a Fixed exchange rate with a foreign currency Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e Foreign direct investment ( FDI) in its classic definition is defined as a company from one country making a physical investment into building a factory in another country The term innovation means a new way of doing something It may refer to incremental radical and revolutionary changes in thinking products processes or organisations e-Services or "eServices" is a highly general/generic term usually referring to the provision of services via the Internet (the prefix 'e' standing for "electronic" Estonia also has made excellent progress in regard to structural adjustment. Structural adjustment is a term used to describe the policy changes implemented by the International Monetary Fund (IMF and the World Bank (the Bretton
Resources
Oil shale (or kukersite) and limestone deposits, along with forests which cover 47% of the land, play key economic roles in this generally resource-poor country. Kukersite is a marine type Oil shale of Ordovician age found in the Baltic Oil Shale Basin in Estonia and North-West Russia Limestone is a Sedimentary rock composed largely of the Mineral Calcite ( Calcium carbonate: CaCO3 In 1994, Estonia became one of the first countries in the world to adopt a flat tax, with a uniform rate of 26% regardless of personal income. A flat tax (short for flat rate tax is a Tax system with a constant tax rate In January 2005 the personal income tax rate was reduced to 24%. A subsequent reduction to 23% followed in January 2006. The income tax rate will be decreased by 1% annually to reach 18% by January 2010. The Government of Estonia finalized the design of Estonia's euro coins in late 2004, and is now intending to adopt the euro as the country's currency between 2011 and 2013, later than planned due to continued high inflation. The Government of the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian: Vabariigi Valitsus) exercises executive power pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the Linguistic Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e In economics inflation or price inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time In 1999, Estonia experienced its worst year economically since it regained independence in 1991, largely because of the impact of the August 1998 Russian financial crisis. Estonia joined the WTO in November 1999. With assistance from the European Union, the World Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank, Estonia completed most of its preparations for European Union membership by the end of 2002 and now has one of the strongest economies of the new member states of the European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The World Bank is an internationally supported Bank that provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development programs (e The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB provides long-term loans and guarantees to private and public projects that strengthen competitiveness and enhance the environment The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in
Infrastructure and e-Infrastructure
Transport and logistics play a vital role in the Estonian economy. Railways Rail transport in Estonia total 1018 km common carrier lines only does not include dedicated industrial lines broad gauge 1018 km 1520mm Transport or transportation is the movement of people and goods from one place to another Logistics is the management of the flow of Goods, Information and other resources including Energy and people between the point of origin and the point Estonia is a member of the European Union and a developed market economy The country’s favorable geographic location, along with its well-developed infrastructure, offers excellent opportunities for all transport and logistics related activities. Infrastructure typically refers to the technical structures that support a society such as Roads Water supply, Wastewater, Power grids Estonia has become an important transit center as its location is ideal for the creation of efficient transportation links and distribution chains of goods and services for companies in Europe and in other parts of the world. "The world " is a proper noun for the planet Earth envisioned from an Anthropocentric or Human Worldview, as a place Approximately 7. 5% of the country’s workforce is employed in transportation and road management, and over the past years the share of transportation and telecommunications in the economic activity has steadily increased and currently constitutes ca. Workforce (Voyager episode The workforce is the labour pool in Employment. 15% of the GDP. Railway transport dominates the cargo sector, comprising 70% of all carried goods, domestic and international. Road transport is the one that prevails in the passenger sector, accounting for over 90% of all transported passengers. The Estonian transportation and logistics sector is a successful combination of transportation services, transit trade, distribution centers and value-added logistics. Transit services constitute a profitable form of exports for the nation, and their future success ranks highly among the priorities of Estonia’s economic policy.
Located in the Baltic Sea region, Estonia has captured an increasing share of the rapidly growing trade through the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is a Brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N Latitude and from 20°E to 26°E Longitude. 5 major cargo ports offer easy navigational access, deep waters, and good ice conditions. Cargo (or freight) refers to goods or produce transported generally for Commercial gain by ship, aircraft, train, ||-||-|-||-||-||-||-||-||-|} A port is a facility for receiving Ships and transferring cargo There are 12 airports and 1 heliport in Estonia. An airport is a location where Aircraft such as airplanes, Helicopters and blimps take off and land A heliport is a small Airport suitable only for use by Helicopters Heliports typically contain one or more Helipads and may have limited facilities such Tallinn International Airport is the largest airport in Estonia, providing services to a number of international carriers flying to 23 destinations. Tallinn Airport or Ülemiste Airport ( IATA: TLL, ICAO: EETN; Estonian: Tallinna lennujaam) is the largest |}
Estonia has a strong information technology (IT) sector, partly due to the Tiigrihüpe project undertaken in mid 1990s, and has been mentioned as the most "wired" and advanced country in Europe in the terms of e-government. Tallinn Airport or Ülemiste Airport ( IATA: TLL, ICAO: EETN; Estonian: Tallinna lennujaam) is the largest Information technology ( IT) as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA is "the study design development implementation support Tiigrihüpe ( Estonian for Tiger's Leap) was a project undertaken by Republic of Estonia to heavily invest in development and expansion of computer and network [79]
Energetics, industry and pollution
Although the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily the air is polluted with sulphur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast Estonia due the mining industry which was created by the Soviets in early 1950s. See also Oil shale Oil shale industry is a industry of mining and processing of Oil shale —a fine-grained Sedimentary rock, containing significant Wind power in Estonia amounts to an installed capacity of 581 MW, whilst roughly 399 MW worth of projects are currently being developed Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 2000 the emissions were 80% smaller than in 1980 and the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies was one twentieth the level of 1980. With the start-up of new water purification plants the pollution load of wastewater has decreased. Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and man-made lakes. The coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations, mainly in East-Estonia. [80] One of the main goals of long-term national development programme of fuel and energy management and goal programme of energy saving is the reduction of environmental impacts. The main tasks in the area are to raise the efficiency of energy production and transport and to use more environment-friendly fuels and reduce special consumption of energy in all branches of economy and households. There are plans to establish new power stations and to provide higher efficiency in oil shale based energy production with the concurrent and significant reduction of the harmful environmental impact via the renovation of combustion technology. [81]
Trade and investment
Proximity to the Nordic markets, location between Eastern and Western Europe, competitive cost structure and high-skill labour force have been the major Estonian comparative advantages since the 1990s. Estonia has a modern market-based economy and one of the highest per capita income levels in Central Europe. A market economy is a realized Social system based on the Division of labour in which the prices of Goods and Services are determined in a An economy is the realized social system of production exchange distribution and consumption of goods and services of a country or other area Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' Income, refers to consumption opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame which is generally expressed in monetary terms Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden and Germany. Electronics refers to the flow of charge (moving Electrons through Nonmetal conductors (mainly Semiconductors, whereas electrical Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The current government has pursued relatively sound fiscal policies, resulting in balanced budgets and low public debt. Government debt (also known as public debt or national debt) is Money (or credit) owed by any level of government either Central government In 2007, however, a large current account deficit and rising inflation put pressure on Estonia's currency, which is pegged to the euro, highlighting the need for growth in export-generating industries. The kroon ( sign: KR; code: EEK) is the Currency of Estonia. It is subdivided into 100 senti (singular sent Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e
Estonia exports machinery and equipment (33% of all exports annually), wood and paper (15% of all exports annually), textiles (14% of all exports annually), food products (8% of all exports annually), furniture (7% of all exports annually), and metals and chemical products. Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an The M acro E xpansion T emplate A ttribute L anguage complements TAL, providing macros which allow the reuse of code across A chemical substance is a Material with a definite chemical composition. [82] Estonia also exports 1. 562 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The watt (symbol W) is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one Joule of energy per Second. [82]
| Estonia imports machinery and equipment (33. 5% of all imports annually), chemical products (11. 6% of all imports annually), textiles (10. 3'% of all imports annually), food products (9. 4% of all imports annually), and transportation equipment (8. 9% of all imports annually). [82] Estonia imports 200 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually. [82] |
Demographics
With only 1. The name "Eesti" or Estonia, could be derived from the word " Aestii " the name given by the ancient Germanic people to the peoples living northeast 3 million inhabitants, Estonia is one of the least populous countries in the European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The current fertility rate is 1. The total fertility rate ( TFR, sometimes also called the fertility rate, period total fertility rate (PTFR or total 41 children per mother. [83] Estonia has a small number of larger cities, the most populous being Tallinn, Tartu, Narva, Kohtla-Järve and Pärnu. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Tartu is the second largest City of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual Narva is the third largest City in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border on the Narva Kohtla-Järve is a City and municipality in north-eastern Estonia, founded in 1924 and incorporated as a town in 1946 Pärnu (Pernau Пярну formerly Пернов Parnawa is a City in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay an inlet of the Gulf of Riga
By far the largest conurbation is the Tallinn region, including cities of Maardu, Saue and smaller municipalities of Viimsi, Tabasalu, Vääna-Jõesuu and Männiku. A conurbation is an Urban area or Agglomeration comprising a number of Cities, large Towns and larger urban areas that through Population Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Maardu is a town and a municipality in Harju County, Estonia. Saue is a town in north-western Estonia. Administratively it constitutes a separate urban municipality in Harju County. Viimsi Parish (Viimsi vald is a rural municipality in northern Estonia. Tabasalu is a rather small Borough in Harku Parish in Harju County in northern Estonia with population of 3219 (2008 Vääna-Jõesuu is a Village in Harku Commune in Harju County in northern Estonia. Männiku is a Village in Valjala Commune in Saare County in western Estonia.
Ethnic and cultural diversity
Tolerance and democracy are illustrated by the Law on the Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities, passed already in 1925, which was not only the first in Europe at the time but also very progressive. The Baltic Germans (Deutschbalten or Baltendeutsche) were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today The Estonian Swedes, Estonia-Swedes, or Coastal Swedes ( Swedish: Estlandssvenskar, or "Estonia Swedes" colloquially Aibofolke History of the Jews in Estonia starts with individual reports of Jews in what is now Estonia from as early as the 14th century. Setos ( setoq) are an Autochthonous ethnic and linguistic minority in south-eastern Estonia and north-western Russia Võros ( võrokõsõq,) are an autochthonous linguistic minority in south-eastern Estonia. Prior to World War II, Estonia was a relatively homogeneous society – ethnic Estonians constituted 88% of the population, with national minorities constituting the remaining 12%. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including [84] The largest minority groups in 1934 were Russians, Germans, Swedes, Latvians, Jews, Poles, Finns and Ingrians. The Russian people (Русские— Russkie) are an East Slavic Ethnic group, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as Latvians or Letts (latvieši the indigenous Baltic people of Latvia, occasionally refer to themselves by the ancient name of Latvji, which PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The Polish people, or Poles, (Polacy) are a Western Slavic Ethnic group of Central Europe, living predominantly in Poland. The terms Finns and Finnish people ( Finnish: suomalaiset, Swedish: finländare) are used in English to Cultural autonomies could be granted to minorities numbering more than 3,000 people with longstanding ties to the Republic of Estonia. Prior to the Soviet occupation, the Germans and Jewish minorities managed to elect a cultural council. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya The Law on Cultural Autonomy for National Minorities was reinstated in 1993. In 2005, the Ingrian Finnish minority in Estonia elected a cultural council and was granted cultural autonomy. The Ingrian Finns (inkeriläinen or inkerinsuomalainen were the Finnish rural Peasant population of Ingria (now the central The Estonian Swedish minority similarly received cultural autonomy in 2007. The Estonian Swedes, Estonia-Swedes, or Coastal Swedes ( Swedish: Estlandssvenskar, or "Estonia Swedes" colloquially Aibofolke
| Historically, large parts of Estonia’s north-western coast and islands have been populated by indigenous ethnically Rannarootslased (Coastal Swedes). The Estonian Swedes, Estonia-Swedes, or Coastal Swedes ( Swedish: Estlandssvenskar, or "Estonia Swedes" colloquially Aibofolke The majority of Estonia's Swedish population of 3,800 fled to Sweden or were deported in 1944, escaping the advancing Red Army. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya In the recent years the numbers of Coastal Swedes has risen again, numbering in 2008 almost 500 people, due to the property reforms in the beginning of 1990s. World War II along with Soviet and Nazi occupations interrupted the natural development of inter-ethnic relations, deforming the inner features of Estonian society. A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German By 1989, minorities constituted more than 1/3 of the population, the number of non-Estonians had grown almost 5-fold, while the percentage of ethnic Estonians in the total population decreased by 27%. At the end of the 1980s, Estonians perceived their demographic change as a national catastrophe. Estonians ( Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting primarily the country A disaster is the impact of a natural or human-made hazard that negatively affects society or environment. This was a result of the migration policies essential to the Soviet Nationalisation Programme aiming to russify Estonia – forceful administrative and military immigration of non-Estonians from the USSR coupled with the mass deportations of Estonians to the USSR. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya Russification (in Russian: русификация rusifikátsiya)is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 During the purges up to 110,000 Estonians were killed or deported. According to the 2000 census, altogether 109 languages are spoken in Estonia. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population 83. 4% of Estonian citizens speak Estonian as their mother tongue, 15. 3% – Russian and 1% speak other languages. Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Of Estonian residents, 83. 6% are Estonian citizens, 7. 4% are citizens of other countries and 9% – citizens with undetermined citizenship. The number of Estonian citizens who have become citizens through naturalization process (more than 140,000 persons) exceeds the number of residents of undetermined citizenship (120,000 persons). Naturalization is the acquisition of Citizenship or Nationality by somebody who was not a citizen or national of that country when he or she was born [85] |
The country's official language is Estonian, which belongs to the Finnic branch of the Finno-Ugric languages. Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 Finno-Ugric (ˌfɪnoʊˈjuːgɹɪk is a grouping of languages in the Uralic language family comprising Finnish, Estonian, Hungarian and Estonian is thus closely related to Finnish, spoken on the other side of the Gulf of Finland, and is one of the few languages of Europe that is not of an Indo-European origin. Finnish ( or suomen kieli) is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland (92% As of 2006) and by ethnic Finns outside The Gulf of Finland ( Finnish: Suomenlahti, Russian: Финский залив, Finskiy zaliv, Swedish: Finska viken Despite some overlaps in the vocabulary due to borrowings, in terms of its origin, Estonian is not related to its nearest neighbours, Swedish, Latvian and Russian, which are all Indo-European languages. Russian is widely spoken as a secondary language by thirty- to seventy-year-old ethnic Estonians, because Russian was the unofficial language of the occupied Estonia from 1944 to 1991 taught as a compulsory second language during the Soviet era. The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика Estonskaya A soviet (сове́т, "council" originally was a workers' local council in late Imperial Russia. First and second generation of industrial immigrants from various parts of the former Soviet Union (mainly Russia) do not speak Estonian. Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 [86] The latter, mostly Russian-speaking ethnic minorities, reside predominantly in the capital city (Tallinn) and the industrial urban areas in Ida-Virumaa. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names Ida-Viru County (Ida-Viru maakond or Ida-Virumaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. Most common foreign languages learned by Estonians are English, German, Russian, Swedish, Finnish and in recent years also Latvian. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the Finnish ( or suomen kieli) is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland (92% As of 2006) and by ethnic Finns outside
Science
Education
The history of formal education in Estonia dates back to the 13–14th centuries when the first monastic and cathedral schools were founded. The history of formal education in Estonia dates back to the 13–14th centuries when the first Monastic and Cathedral schools were founded Monasticism (from Greek μοναχός, monachos, derived from Greek monos, alone is the religious practice in which one The first cathedral schools originated in the Early Middle Ages. The first primer in the Estonian language was published in 1575. The oldest university is the University of Tartu, founded in 1632. The University of Tartu (Tartu Ülikool Тартуский университет Universität Dorpat is a classical University in the city of Tartu, Estonia In 1919, university courses were first taught in the Estonian language. A wide network of schools and supporting educational institutions has been established. Institutions are structures and mechanisms of Social order and Cooperation governing the Behavior of a Set of Individuals The Estonian educational system consists of state, municipal, public and private educational institutions:
- preschool children’s institutions
- kindergarten-primary schools
- primary schools
- basic schools
- secondary schools (gümnaasium)
- vocational educational institutions
- professional higher schools
- universities
- further education institutions
- hobby schools and other educational institutions.
The Education Act states that in accordance with the UNESCO international standard of education classification, education has the following levels:
- preprimary education
- basic education
- secondary education
- higher education. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16
IT industry
The IT industry of Estonia began with the first computers manufacturing and installing in late 1950s. Kazaa Media Desktop (once capitalized as " KaZaA " but now usually written " Kazaa " is a Peer-to-peer File sharing application Tiigrihüpe ( Estonian for Tiger's Leap) was a project undertaken by Republic of Estonia to heavily invest in development and expansion of computer and network Skype (skaɪp is Software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [87] The first computer centers were established in University of Tartu (1959), Institute of Cybernetics (1960) and Tallinn Technical University. The University of Tartu (Tartu Ülikool Тартуский университет Universität Dorpat is a classical University in the city of Tartu, Estonia Tallinn University of Technology (TUT (Estonian Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (TTÜ) is the only University of Technology in Estonia, and In the 1980s specialists from Estonia participated in the development of standard software engineering, CASE tools, for different ministries of the Soviet Union. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) [88]
Estonia among many other nations has seen information technology (IT) as an important tool to improve the case of extremely fast recovery of Estonian economy. [89]
Culture and arts
The culture of Estonia incorporates indigenous heritage, as represented by the country's rare Finno-Ugric national language Estonian and the sauna, with mainstream Nordic and European cultural aspects. The culture of Estonia incorporates indigenous heritage as represented by the country's rare Finno-Ugric national language Estonian and the Sauna, with This is a list of notable Estonians Architects See also List of Estonian architects Tõnu Altosaar (born 1945 (Canada The culture of Estonia incorporates indigenous heritage as represented by the country's rare Finno-Ugric national language Estonian and the Sauna, with Finno-Ugric (ˌfɪnoʊˈjuːgɹɪk is a grouping of languages in the Uralic language family comprising Finnish, Estonian, Hungarian and Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 A sauna (ˈsɔːnə or as Finnish) is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe called the Nordic region, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Due to its history and geography, Estonia's culture has been influenced by the traditions of the adjacent area's various Finnic, Baltic and Germanic peoples as well as the cultural developments in the former dominant powers Sweden and Russia. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Traditionally, Estonia has indeed been seen as an area of rivalry between western and eastern Europe on many levels. An example of this geopolitical legacy is an exceptional combination of nationally recognized Christian traditions: a western Protestant and an eastern Orthodox Church. The Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (Estonian Eesti Evangeelne Luterlik Kirik) is a Christian Protestant church following the teachings of the German theologian The Church of Estonia or Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church ( Eesti Apostlik-Õigeusu Kirik) is an autonomous Orthodox church whose primate Like the mainstream culture in the other Nordic countries, Estonian culture can be seen to build upon the ascetic environmental realities and traditional livelihoods, a heritage of comparatively widespread egalitarianism out of practical reasons (see: Everyman's right and universal suffrage), and the ideals of closeness to nature and self-sufficiency (see: summer cottage). Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning equal) is a political doctrine that holds that all people should be treated as equals and have The freedom to roam, or everyman's right is a term describing the general public's right to access certain public or privately owned land for recreation and Exercise Universal suffrage (also universal adult suffrage, general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of the right to vote to Self-sufficiency refers to the state of not requiring any outside aid support or interaction for survival it is therefore a type of personal or collective autonomy. In modern usage a cottage is a dwelling typically in a rural or semi-rural location (although there are cottage-style dwellings in cities [90]
The literature of Estonia refers to literature written in the Estonian language (ca. Estonian literature refers to literature written in the Estonian language (c Estonian (; ˈeːsti ˈkeːl is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1 1 million speakers). [91] The domination of Estonia after the Northern Crusades, from the 13th century to 1918 by Germany, Sweden, and Russia resulted few early written literary works in Estonian language. The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were Crusades undertaken by the Catholic kings of Denmark and Sweden, the German Livonian The oldest records of written Estonian date from the 13th century. Originates Livoniae in Chronicle of Henry of Livonia contains Estonian place names, words and fragments of sentences. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia ( Latin: Heinrici Cronicon Lyvoniae) is a historic document describing the history of Livonia and surrounding areas from The Liber Census Daniae (1241) contains Estonian place and family names. The Danish Census Book or the Danish book of land taxation (Liber Census Daniæ (Kong Valdemars Jordebog from the 13th Century consist of notes for practical use [92]
The cultural stratum of Estonian, was originally characterised by a largely lyrical form of folk poetry based on syllabic quantity. Apart from a few albeit remarkable exceptions, this archaic form has not been much employed in later times. The most outstanding achievements in this field are the national epic Kalevipoeg. Kalevipoeg is an epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald held to be the Estonian National epic. At a professional level, traditional folk song reached its new heyday during the last quarter of the 20th century, primarily thanks to the work of composer Veljo Tormis. Veljo Tormis (b August 7, 1930) is an Estonian Composer, regarded to be one of the greatest living choral composers and one of the most important In modern times Jaan Kross and Jaan Kaplinski remain to be Estonia's best known and most translated writers. Jaan Kross ( February 19, 1920 – December 27, 2007) was the most eminent contemporary Estonian Writer. Jaan Kaplinski (born January 22, 1941, Tartu) is an Estonian Poet, Philosopher, and culture critic [93]
Media
The cinema of Estonia started in 1908 with the production of a newsreel about Swedish King Gustav V’s visit to Tallinn. The culture of Estonia incorporates indigenous heritage as represented by the country's rare Finno-Ugric national language Estonian and the Sauna, with Cinema in Estonia (Total population 13 million started in 1896 when the first "moving pictures" were screened in Tallinn. This is a list of most notable Films produced in Estonia and in the Estonian language in chronological order This is the list of War films produced in Estonia during the period of independence from 1918 to 1940 and from 1991 and beyond Cinema in Estonia (Total population 13 million started in 1896 when the first "moving pictures" were screened in Tallinn. Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year A newsreel is a Documentary film that is regularly released in a public presentation place containing filmed News stories "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names [94]
The first public TV broadcast in Estonia was in July 1955. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic For the band see Broadcast (band Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and/or Video signals which transmit Regular, live radio-broadcasts began already in December 1926. Deregulation in the field of electronic media has brought radical changes compared to the beginning of 1990s. The first licenses for private TV broadcasters were issued in 1992. The first private radio station went on the air in 1990.
Today the media is a vibrant sector at the forefront of change in Estonian society. There is a plethora of weekly newspapers and magazines. Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally Estonians face a choice of 9 domestic TV channels and a host of radio stations. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the fact that Estonia does have a free press is recognized by various international press freedom bodies, like the US-based Freedom House. Freedom House is a United States -based international Non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on Democracy, political Estonia has two news agencies. The Baltic News Service (BNS), founded in 1990, is a private regional news agency covering Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the The ETV24 is a agency owned by Eesti Rahvusringhääling who is a publicly funded radio and television organization created on 31 June 2007 to take over the functions of the formerly separate Eesti Raadio and Eesti Televisioon under the terms of the Estonian National Broadcasting Act. Eesti Rahvusringhääling ( ERR) &ndash Estonian Public Broadcasting &ndash is a publicly funded radio and television organization created in Estonia Events in June Madaraka Day June 1 to commemorate when Kenya gained internal self-rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Eesti Televisioon ( ETV) is the national public Television station of Estonia.
The earliest mentioning of Estonian singing dates back to Saxo Grammaticus Gesta Danorum (ca. "Saxo" redirects here For the car see Citroën Saxo and for the bank see Saxo Bank Saxo Grammaticus (c 1179). [95] Saxo speaks of Estonian warriors who sang at night while waiting for a battle. The older folksongs are also referred to as regilaulud, songs in the poetic metre regivärss the tradition shared by all Baltic-Finnic peoples. The Baltic-Finnic languages, spoken around the Baltic Sea by about 7 million people are a branch of Finnic languages belonging to the Finno-Ugric group Runic singing was widespread among Estonians until the 18th century, when it started to be replaced by rhythmic folksongs. Professional Estonian musicians emerged in the late 19th century at the time of Estonian national awakening. The Estonian Age of Awakening (Ärkamisaeg is a period in history where Estonians came to acknowledge themselves as a Nation deserving the right to govern themselves Nowadays the most known Estonian composers are Arvo Pärt and Veljo Tormis. WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section --> Arvo Pärt (born 11 September 1935 in Paide, Estonia) (ˈɑr̺vɔ Veljo Tormis (b August 7, 1930) is an Estonian Composer, regarded to be one of the greatest living choral composers and one of the most important Traditional wind instruments derived from those used by shepherds were once widespread, but are now becoming again more commonly played. A wind instrument is a Musical instrument that contains some type of Resonator (usually a tube in which a column of air is set into vibration by the player blowing A shepherd is a person who tends to feeds or guards Sheep, especially in flocks Other instruments, including the fiddle, zither, concertina and accordion are used to play polka or other dance music. The zither is a musical String instrument, most commonly found in Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, the southern regions of Germany, alpine A concertina is a free-reed Musical instrument, like the various Accordions and the Harmonica. The accordion is a portable box-shaped Musical instrument of the hand-held Bellows -driven free-reed aerophone family sometimes referred to as a Squeezebox The polka is a fast lively Central European Dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas The kannel is a native instrument that is now again becoming more popular in Estonia. Kantele (other names kannel, sormikantele) is a Finnish traditional Plucked string instrument. A Native Music Preserving Center was opened in 2008 in Viljandi. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Viljandi (Fellin Felin is a town and municipality in southern Estonia. [96]
The Estonian Song Festival (Laulupidu) is an event which takes place in Tallinns Song Festival Ground (Lauluväljak) every five years in July. The Estonian Song Festival (laulupidu is an event which takes place in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, every five years in the month of July Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names History In 1869 Johann Voldemar Jannsen established the Estonian Song Festival while the nation was still a province of the Russian Empire Events in July The traditional period known as "fence month" (the closed season for deer in England ended July 9 (date varied The last song festival was in 2007 and the next festival will be in 2009. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. This article is about the year For the film see 2009 Lost Memories. Nowadays those festivals are held on The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. History In 1869 Johann Voldemar Jannsen established the Estonian Song Festival while the nation was still a province of the Russian Empire Estonia entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and in 2001, Tanel Padar and Dave Benton's "Everybody" won the contest. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Tanel Padar (born October 27, 1980) is an Estonian singer He is best known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2001. Dave Benton (born January 31, 1951, real name Efren Eugene Benita) is a pop musician and 2001 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. This was the first time any of the Eastern Europe countries has won the contest. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. In 2008 Estonia's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was performed by Kreisiraadio comedy group with a song Leto Svet which created some controversy amongst Estonian and international Eurovision fans. Kreisiraadio ( English: Crazy Radio is an established Estonian comedy act made up of Hannes Võrno, Peeter Oja and Tarmo Leinatamm "Leto svet" was Estonia 's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, performed in Serbian, German and Finnish by Hannes [97]
Sports
Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics, although the National Olympic Committee was established in 1923. The Estonian Olympic Committee (Eesti Olümpiakomitee (EOK is responsible for the Estonia 's participation in the Olympic Games. After declaring independence from Russia in 1918 Estonia first competed as a nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics, although the National Olympic Committee Sailing (also called Yachting) at the 1980 Summer Olympics was represented by six events The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1920 The Estonian Olympic Committee (Eesti Olümpiakomitee (EOK is responsible for the Estonia 's participation in the Olympic Games. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The first Winter Olympics were the 1924 Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympic Games are a winter Multi-sport event held every four years The 1924 Winter Olympics, officially known as the I Olympic Winter Games, were a Winter Multi-sport event which was held in 1924 in Chamonix Estonian athletes took part of the Olympic Games until the country was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 1980 Summer Olympics Sailing regatta was held in the capital city Tallinn. The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event held in Moscow in the Soviet Sailing (also called Yachting) at the 1980 Summer Olympics was represented by six events Tallinn (historically known by the German, Swedish and Danish name Reval or the Polish name Rewal, among other names After regaining independence in 1991, Estonia has participated in all Olympics. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Estonia has won most of its medals in athletics, weightlifting, wrestling and cross-country skiing. [98]
Cuisine
Historically the cuisine of Estonia has been depended heavily on seasons and simple peasant food, which today is influenced by many countries. The traditional cuisine of Estonia uses meat and potatoes varieties which today is influenced by many countries Today it includes many typical international foods. The most typical foods in Estonia are black bread, pork, potatoes and dairy products. Pumpernickel is a type of German Bread traditionally made with coarsely-ground rye meal Pork' is the Culinary name for Meat from the domestic Pig ( Sus scrofa) often specifically the fresh meat but can be used as an all-inclusive The potato is a Starchy Tuberous crop Vegetable from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae A dairy is a facility for the extraction and processing of animal Milk &mdashmostly from goats or cows, but also from buffalo, Sheep [99] Traditionally in summer and spring, Estonians like to eat everything fresh - berries, herbs, vegetables and everything else that comes straight from the garden. The word berry has two meanings one based on a botanical definition the other on common identification A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like Hunting and fishing have also been very common, although nowadays hunting and fishing are more of popular hobbies. Today it is also very popular to grill outside in summer. Traditionally in winter jams, preserves and pickles are brought to the table. JAMS is one of the lines of clothing produced by Jams World Many Baby boomers remember the wildly popular JAMS shorts of the 1960s and 1980s Estonia has been through rough times in the past and thus gathering and conserving fruits, mushrooms and vegetables for winter has always been essential. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. A mushroom is the fleshy Spore -bearing Fruiting body of a Fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however Today gathering and conserving is not that common because everything can be bought from stores, but preparing food for winter is still very popular in countryside and still has somewhat ritual significance. Being a country with large coastal line, fish has also been very important. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two [100]
Society
Further reading
- Hiden, John; and Patrick Salmon (1991). The Baltic Nations and Europe: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the Twentieth Century. London: Longman. ISBN 0-582-08246-3.
- Laar, Mart (1992). Mart Laar (born April 22 1960 in Viljandi) is an Estonian statesman historian and a founding War in the Woods: Estonia's Struggle for Survival, 1944-1956, trans. Tiina Ets, Washington, D. C. : Compass Press. ISBN 0-929590-08-2.
- Lieven, Anatol (1993). Anatol Lieven is a British author journalist and Policy analyst. The Baltic Revolution: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Path to Independence. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-05552-8.
- Raun, Toivo U. (1987). Estonia and the Estonians. Stanford, Calif. : Hoover Institution Press, Stanford University. ISBN 0-8179-8511-5.
- Smith, David J. (2001). Estonia: Independence and European Integration. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26728-5.
- Smith, Graham (ed. ) (1994). The Baltic States: The National Self-determination of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-12060-5.
- Taagepera, Rein (1993). Rein Taagepera (born 28 February 1933) is an Estonian American political scientist Estonia: Return to Independence. Boulder, Colo. : Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-1199-3.
- Taylor, Neil (2004). Estonia, 4th ed. , Chalfont St. Peter: Bradt. ISBN 1-84162-095-5.
- Williams, Nicola; Debra Herrmann, and Cathryn Kemp (2003). Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, 3rd ed. , London: Lonely Planet. ISBN 1-74059-132-1.
- Subrenat, Jean-Jacques (Ed.) (2004). Jean-Jacques Subrenat ( 1940 – is a French Diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the WEU in Brussels (1995-1998 to Estonia, identity and independence. Rodopi. ISBN 90-420-0890-3.
Notes and references
- ^ http://www.stat.ee/main-indicators Estonian Statistics Byroo
- ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Estonia
- ^ Territorial changes of the Baltic states#Actual territorial changes after World War II Soviet territorial changes against Estonia after World War II
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pechory Pechory under Russian control
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_member_states Estonian date of admission into the United Nations
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_member_state Estonian date of admission into the European Union
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nato#Membership Estonian date of admission into the NATO
- ^ U.S.-Baltic Relations: Celebrating 85 Years of Friendship at state. Territorial changes of the Baltic states occurred when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia gained their independence from Russia in the aftermath of gov
- ^ Motion for a resolution on the Situation in Estonia by EU
- ^ European Court of Human Rights cases on Occupation of Baltic States
- ^ Index of Economic Freedom
- ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Tiny Estonia leads internet revolution
- ^ The Estonian Economic Miracle
- ^ Raid on Sigtuna
- ^ Estonia and the Estonians (Studies of Nationalities) Toivo U. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in European Court of Human Rights cases on Occupation of Baltic States are landmark rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, which concern activities of the USSR Raun p. 11 ISBN 0817928529
- ^ eestigiid.ee Lembitu
- ^ Protestant Reformation in the Baltic at University of Washington
- ^ Estonian Declaration of Independence 24 February 1918 at www. president. ee
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica: Baltic states, World War II losses
- ^ The World Book Encyclopedia ISBN 0716601036
- ^ The History of the Baltic States by Kevin O'Connor ISBN 0313323550
- ^ The History of the Baltic States by Kevin O'Connor ISBN 0313323550
- ^ Moscow's Week at Time Magazine on Monday, October 9, 1939
- ^ The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by David J. The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Smith, Page 24, ISBN 0415285801
- ^ (Finnish) Pavel Petrov at Finnish Defence Forces home page
- ^ (Russian) documents published from the State Archive of the Russian Navy
- ^ The Last Flight from Tallinn at American Foreign Service Association
- ^ Five Years of Dates at Time magazine on Monday, Jun. 24, 1940
- ^ Estonia: Identity and Independence by Jean-Jacques Subrenat, David Cousins, Alexander Harding, Richard C. Waterhouse ISBN 9042008903
- ^ The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by David J. Smith p. 19 ISBN 0415285801
- ^ The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by David J. Smith, Page 27, ISBN 0415285801
- ^ (Estonian)51 years from the Raua Street Battle at Estonian Defence Forces Home Page
- ^ Justice in The Balticat Time magazine on Monday, Aug. 19, 1940
- ^ The Baltic Revolution: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Path to Independence by Anatol Lieven p424 ISBN 0300060785
- ^ Diplomats Without a Country: Baltic Diplomacy, International Law, and the Cold War by James T. McHugh , James S. Pacy ISBN 0313318786
- ^ Russia denies it illegally annexed the Baltic republics in 1940 - Pravda.Ru
- ^ Presidential aide: the term "occupation" inapplicable for Baltic States - Pravda.Ru
- ^ Resistance! Occupied Europe and Its Defiance of Hitler by Dave Lande on Page 188, ISBN 0760307458
- ^ Estonia 1940-1945, Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity, p. 613 ISBN 9949-13-040-9
- ^ Resistance! Occupied Europe and Its Defiance of Hitler (Paperback) by Dave Lande on Page 200 ISBN 0760307458
- ^ The Baltic States: The National Self-Determination of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Graham Smith p. 91 ISBN 0312161921
- ^ Д. Муриев, Описание подготовки и проведения балтийской операции 1944 года, Военно-исторический журнал, сентябрь 1984. Translation available, D. Muriyev, Preparations, Conduct of 1944 Baltic Operation Described, Military History Journal (USSR Report, Military affairs), 1984-9, pp. 22-28
- ^ a b Stephane Courtois; Werth, Nicolas; Panne, Jean-Louis; Paczkowski, Andrzej; Bartosek, Karel; Margolin, Jean-Louis & Kramer, Mark (1999). Stéphane Courtois (born November 25, 1947) is a French Historian. The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression. The Black Book of Communism Crimes Terror Repression is a book which describes a history of Repressions both Political and Civilian, by Harvard University Press. Harvard University Press ( HUP) is a Publishing house, a division of Harvard University, that is highly respected in Academic publishing. ISBN 0-674-07608-7.
- ^ Heinrihs Strods, Matthew Kott, The file on operation "Priboi": A re-assessment of the mass deportations of 1949, Journal of Baltic Studies, Volume 33, Issue 1 Spring 2002 , pages 1 - 36
- ^ Valge raamat, page 18
- ^ Background Note: Latvia at US Department of State
- ^ Valge raamat, pages 25-30
- ^ Valge raamat, pages 125, 148
- ^ [http://www.envir.ee/kiirgus/image/Nonpro_Eesti.pdf Tuumarelvade leviku tõkestamisega seotud probleemidest Eestis]
- ^ Estonia had a nuclear submarine fleet - The Paldiski nuclear object
- ^ Valge raamat
- ^ European Parliament (January 13, 1983). "Resolution on the situation in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania". Official Journal of the European Communities C 42/78. "whereas the Soviet annexias of the three Baltic States still has not been formally recognized by most European States and the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Vatican still adhere to the concept of the Baltic States".
- ^ a b c World InfoZone - Estonia. World InfoZone. World InfoZonek, LTD. .
- ^ Systematic list of Estonian mammals
- ^ Birds Of Estonia
- ^ History of Estonia History of Estonia
- ^ Constitution_of_Estonia#Chapter_1:_General_Provisions Constitution of Estonia "All the territories of Estonia are indivisible and part of a unitary state"
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartu_Peace_Treaty Soviet territorial changes against Estonia
- ^ Riigikogu functions, Riigikogu (English)
- ^ Estonia pulls off nationwide Net voting, Download.com (English)
- ^ Riigikogu introduction, Riigikogu (English)
- ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Estonia blames Russia for unrest
- ^ Estonian foreign ministry publication, 2004
- ^ Estonian foreign ministry publication, 2002
- ^ NATO :: NATO :: Estonia as a Nordic Country
- ^ Estonia - Nordic with a Twist
- ^ The Estonian Economic Miracle
- ^ http://www.investinestonia.com/pdf/ForeignTrade2007.pdf Foreign investment
- ^ http://mil.ee/index_eng.php Estonian National Defence Policy
- ^ http://www.mod.gov.ee/?op=body&id=6 Estonian Defence Budget
- ^ http://operatsioonid.kmin.ee/index.php?page=86& Estonian military missions in Middle-East
- ^ http://www.mil.ee/?menu=operatsioonid&sisu=operatsioonid6 Former operations
- ^ http://www.ria.ee/?id=28201 CERT Estonia
- ^ White House May 4, 2007: President Bush to Welcome President Toomas Ilves of Estonia
- ^ Yahoo/AFP June 25, 2007: Bush, Ilves eye tougher tack on cybercrime
- ^ Eesti Päevaleht June 15, 2007: NATO andis rohelise tule Eesti küberkaitse kavale by Ahto Lobjakas
- ^ Eesti Päevaleht June 28, 2007: USA toetab Eesti küberkaitsekeskust by Krister Paris
- ^ Office of the President of Estonia June 25, 2007: President Ilves kohtus Ameerika Ühendriikide riigipeaga
- ^ Hackers Take Down the Most Wired Country in Europe, August 2007
- ^ http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2005/geos/en.html Environment - current issues in Estonia. Downloadcom is an Internet Download directory Website, launched in 1996 as a part of CNET. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Agence France-Presse ( AFP) is the oldest News agency in the world and one of the three largest with Associated Press and Reuters. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Eesti Päevaleht is a major daily Estonian newspaper Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Eesti Päevaleht is a major daily Estonian newspaper Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The President of the Republic (Eesti Vabariigi President is the Head of state of the Republic of Estonia. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. CIA Factbook(English)
- ^ http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/estonia/env2001/content/soe/air_2-3.htm State Environment in Estonia. The World Factbook ( ISSN; also known as the CIA World Factbook) is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the (English)
- ^ a b c d CIA World Factbook: Estonia
- ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/en.html#Econ CIA Fact book
- ^ Ethnic minorities in Estonia: past and present
- ^ http://www.vm.ee/estonia/kat_399/pea_172/4305.html Population by Nationality
- ^ Kirch, Aksel. "Russians in contemporary Estonia — different strategies of the integration in to the nation-state."
- ^ H. Jaakkola, A. Kalja, Estonian Information Technology Policy in Government, Industry and Research. In: Technology Management: Strategies and Applications. (Vol. 3, No. 3), 1997, pp 299-307
- ^ A. Kalja, J. Pruuden, B. Tamm, E. Tyugu, Two Families of Knowledge Based CAD Environments. In: Software for Manufacturing (North-Holland), 1989, pp 125-134
- ^ http://www.iscn.at/select_newspaper/surveys/estonia.html An Overview of the SPI Activities in Estonia. (English)
- ^ Culture of Estonia, Wikipedia (English)
- ^ Estonian literature at Encyclopædia Britannica
- ^ The Development of Written Estonian By George Kurman ISBN 0700703802
- ^ Jaan Kross at google. ***************************************************************************************** * * The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc books
- ^ Cinema of Estonia
- ^ The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians; p.358 ISBN 0333231112
- ^ Estonian Native Music Preserving Center is opened (Estonian)
- ^ Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Estonia´s entryWikipedia(English)
- ^ Estonia at the Olympics, Wikipedia(English)
- ^ Estonian Food Inforserver (Estonian)
- ^ Cuisine of Estonia, Wikipedia(English)
External links
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