Estonia briefly about the country. Danish Estonia. Warband. State symbols of Estonia

They will be an excellent opportunity not only to relax in comfort, but also to learn a lot of interesting things about the Baltic neighbor.

Another interesting fact ob is the country with the largest WiFi access in Europe. More than 1100 access points have been created here, which is simply incredible for a country with such a small area.

Wi-Fi literally covers almost the entire country and you can connect to the network in any locality in almost any cafe or store.

There are all conditions for excellent beach holiday and especially for families with children. The mass of playgrounds, the cleanest equipped beaches and wonderful ones attract a lot of tourists here.

Holidays in Estonian

The best observation deck, from where it opens up especially amazing, is located on the bell tower, and the view from here allows you to decorate the travel album with memorable panoramic photos.

The cultural capital of St. John is rightfully considered, in which one of the oldest in Europe has been working since the 17th century. Its main building is a historical and architectural landmark, which all city guests aspire to visit. One of the most photographed places is this, as well as with its clay stucco ornaments, and the most visited is where a strong half of the tourist fraternity is ready, without interrupting, to listen to the guide. In total, at least twenty museums are open, in which both children and adults find a lot of interesting things for themselves.

Mysterious Island

It also has its own islands, rightly called unique nature reserves. The largest one is easily accessible by ferry.

Its pristine beauty overshadows all creation human hands. On there are bays and rocky beaches, where fans of solitude and lovers of natural masterpieces like to relax. Comfortable hotels and guest houses offer visitors real comfort and the opportunity to be one with nature. Sand dunes, cool sea waves, tart pine aroma spreading in the air - it is not in vain that it is considered one of the best Baltic resorts.

The sights of the island are worthy of a separate story. The Sõrve lighthouse has been lighting the way for sailors and fishermen for almost four hundred years, and with windmills it tells inquisitive travelers about ancient folk crafts and gives you the opportunity to try to make a memorable souvenir with your own hands. One of the oldest in Europe, built in the 13th century, has been preserved in the capital of the island. Its museum keeps many interesting exhibits, among which are urban legends about the old fortress.

Tasty and healthy

Traveling around is not complete without visiting its restaurants with national dishes on the traditional menu. The main and favorite dishes of Estonians can be tasted in any local cafe. On the eve of Christmas, the menu will certainly include jelly and blood sausage served with lingonberry sauce, and on Maslenitsa - buns garnished with whipped cream. Always loved here are marinated herring, roast with sauerkraut and fragrant pâtés, soft cheeses and rich soups made from potatoes, cabbage or peas with smoked meats.

Estonians love coffee and know how to make and drink it. After many hours of sightseeing, it's so nice to go to a cafe in any Estonian city, order a cup of a fragrant drink of light Scandinavian roast and, closing your eyes in unearthly bliss, remember the past day and relive its especially bright moments.
And then breathe a sigh of relief, remembering that this evening, fortunately, is not the last ...

goBaltia

The Republic is a state in the northwest of Eastern Europe. In the north it is washed by the Gulf of Finland, in the west by the Baltic Sea. In the east, the country borders on Russia, including on Lake Peipsi, in the south - on Latvia. Estonia owns more than 1500 islands, the largest of which are Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - Estonians.

Official name: Republic of Estonia

Capital:

The area of ​​the land: 45,226 sq. km

Total population: 1.3 mln. people

Administrative division: Estonia is divided into 15 maakunds (counties) and 6 cities of central subordination.

Form of government: Parliamentary republic.

Head of State: The President is elected by Parliament for a term of 5 years.

Composition of the population: 65.% - Estonians, 28.1% - Russians, 2.5% - Ukrainians, 1.5% - Belarusians, 1% - Finns, 1.6 - others.

Official language: Estonian. The language of communication for most non-Estonians is Russian.

Religion: 80% - Lutherans, 18% - Orthodox.

Internet domain: .ee

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +372

Country barcode: 474

Climate

Moderate, transitional from maritime to continental: along the Baltic coast - maritime, away from the sea - closer to temperate continental. The average air temperature in January is -4-7 C, in July +15-17 C. Precipitation is up to 700 mm. per year, mainly in the autumn-winter period (the end of summer is also often rainy). Due to the influence of the sea air masses the weather is quite changeable, and can often change several times a day, especially in spring and autumn.

Due to the shallow water, the water in the sea and lakes warms up quickly and in July reaches +20-24 C, the beach season lasts from early June to late August. The best time to visit the country - from early May to mid-September.

Geography

State in the northeastern part of Europe, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland Baltic Sea. It borders with Latvia in the south and Russia in the east. In the north it is washed by the Gulf of Finland, in the west - by the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea.

The country's territory includes more than 1,500 islands (10% of the territory of Estonia), the largest of which are Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormen, Naisaar, Aegna, Prangli, Kihnu, Ruhnu, Abruka and Vilsandi.

The relief is predominantly flat. Most of the country is a flat moraine plain covered with forests (almost 50% of the territory), swamps and peatlands (almost 25% of the territory). Only in the north and in the central part of the country stretches the Pandivere hill (up to 166 m on the Emumägi mountain), and in the southeastern part of the country there is a narrow strip of hilly hills (up to 318 m on the Suur-Munamägi mountain). The lake network is also extensive - more than 1 thousand moraine lakes. total area country is about 45.2 thousand square meters. km. is the northernmost and smallest of the Baltic states.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Estonia is located in the zone of mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. Few primary forests remain. The most fertile soddy-calcareous soils on which once grew broadleaf forests, are currently occupied by arable land. In general, about 48% of the country's area is under forests. The most characteristic forest-forming species are Scotch pine, Scotch spruce, warty and downy birch, aspen, as well as oak, maple, ash, elm, linden. As part of the undergrowth, mountain ash, bird cherry, and willow grow. Less often, mainly in the west, in the undergrowth there are yew berry, wild apple, Scandinavian mountain ash and aria, blackthorn, hawthorn.

Forests are most widespread in the east of the country - in central and southern Estonia, where they are represented by spruce forests and mixed spruce-deciduous forests. On the sandy soils grow in the southeast of the country pine forests. In the west of Estonia, large areas are occupied by peculiar landscapes - a combination of upland meadows with areas of sparse forests. Meadow vegetation is widespread in the northwest and north of the country. The low-lying, periodically flooded coastal strip is occupied by coastal meadows. A specific flora that tolerates soil salinity is widespread here.

The territory of Estonia is heavily swamped. Bogs (mostly lowlands) are common in the valleys of the Pärnu, Emajõgi, Põltsamaa, Pedja rivers, along the shores of Lake Peipus and Pskov. Raised bogs are confined to the main watershed of Estonia. To the north of Lake Peipus, swampy forests are widespread.

Flora of Estonia includes 1560 species of flowering, gymnosperms and ferns. Of these, about three-quarters of the species are concentrated in the western coastal areas and islands. big species diversity the flora of mosses (507 species), lichens (786 species), fungi (about 2500 species), algae (more than 1700 species) is distinguished.

Animal world

Species diversity wildlife small - ok. 60 species of mammals. The most numerous are moose (about 7,000 individuals), roe deer (43,000), hares, and wild boars (11,000). In the 1950s–1960s, maral, Noble deer, raccoon dog. In the largest forest areas in many parts of Estonia are found Brown bear(about 800 individuals) and lynx (about 1000 individuals). There are also foxes in the forests, pine marten, badger, squirrels. The forest ferret, ermine, weasel are widespread, along the banks of reservoirs - the European mink and otter. Very common hedgehog, shrew, mole.

Coastal waters abound with game animals such as ringed seal (in the Gulf of Riga and off the West Estonian archipelago) and long-snouted seal (in the Gulf of Finland).

The avifauna is the most diverse. It has 331 species, of which 207 species nest permanently in Estonia (about 60 live all year round). The most numerous are capercaillie and hazel grouse (in coniferous forests), woodcock (in swamps), black grouse (in forest clearings), coot, bittern, shepherd, warblers, mallards and other ducks (on lakes and sea ​​coast), as well as the tawny owl, woodpeckers, larks, kestrel.

Such rare species of birds as white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, short-toed eagle, greater and lesser spotted eagle, osprey, white and black stork, gray crane are under protection. On the islands of the western archipelago, common eider, crested duck, shoveler, big merganser, scoter, gray goose, seagulls. Birds are especially numerous during the spring and autumn mass migration to summer nesting sites or wintering in tropical countries.

There are 3 species of lizards and 2 species of snakes, including the common viper.

More than 70 species of fish live in fresh water and coastal waters (carp, salmon, smelt, vendace, Chud whitefish, bream, roach, perch, pike perch, burbot, trout, crucian carp, tench, carp, herring, sprat, cod, flounder, sea ​​whitefish, eel, etc.). Many of them are of commercial importance.

In general, Estonia is characterized careful attitude to nature. In order to study it, preserve the gene pool and protect landscapes, several national parks and state reserves and preservers. In total, approximately 10% of the territory of Estonia is under protection. In 1995, the parliament passed a law on the sustainable development of the country, and in 1996 the government approved a strategy for environmental protection.

Attractions

Tourists come to Estonia primarily to get acquainted with the ancient and original culture of this country, to visit the wonderful song performances that this land is so famous for, and also to relax on seaside resorts Baltic coast.

Banks and currency

The monetary unit is the euro (coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents, 1 and 2 euros; banknotes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros).

Banks are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00 and in the morning on Saturday.

Currency exchange offices are open on working days from 9:00 to 18:00, on Saturdays - from 9:00 to 15:00. Some exchange offices are open on Sunday.

Useful information for tourists

Of interest to tourists are, first of all, numerous shops with folk art, needlework, jewelry, leather goods, souvenirs, and antiques. These shops are located mainly in the old parts of the cities and are usually open from 9.00 to 18.00. In large cities, department stores and supermarkets are open until 20.00. Many shops are also open on Sundays. AT recent times there were chain stores with a round-the-clock work schedule.

In restaurants, hotels and taxis, tips are included in the cost of services. But you have the right to reward the attendants for good service additionally.

The history of the emergence of Estonia begins with the oldest settlements on its territory, which appeared 10,000 years ago. were found near Pulli near present-day Pärnu. Finno-Ugric tribes from the east (most likely from the Urals) came centuries later (probably in 3500 BC), mixed with the local population and settled in present-day Estonia, Finland and Hungary. They liked the new lands and rejected the nomadic life that characterized most other European peoples for the next six millennia.

Early history of Estonia (briefly)

In the 9th and 10th centuries AD, Estonians knew the Vikings well, who seemed to be more interested in trade routes to Kyiv and Constantinople than by conquering the land. The first real threat came from Christian invaders from the west. Fulfilling papal calls for crusades against northern pagans, Danish troops and German knights invaded Estonia, conquering Otepää Castle in 1208. locals resisted fiercely, and it took more than 30 years before the entire territory was conquered. By the middle of the 13th century, Estonia was divided between Danish in the north and German in the south by the Teutonic Orders. The Crusaders, heading east, were stopped by Alexander Nevsky from Novgorod on the frozen Lake Peipsi.

The conquerors settled in new cities, transferring most of the power to the bishops. By the end of the 13th century, cathedrals rose over Tallinn and Tartu, and monasteries were built by the Cistercian and Dominicans to preach to and baptize the local population. Meanwhile, the Estonians continued to rebel.

The most significant uprising began on the night of St. George (April 23), 1343. It was started by Danish-controlled Northern Estonia. The history of the country is marked by the plundering of the Cistercian monastery of Padise by the rebels and the murder of all its monks. Then they laid siege to Tallinn and the episcopal castle in Haapsalu and called on the help of the Swedes. Sweden did send naval reinforcements, but they arrived too late and were forced to turn back. Despite the resolve of the Estonians, the uprising of 1345 was put down. The Danes, however, decided that they had had enough and sold Estonia to the Livonian Order.

The first craft workshops and merchant guilds appeared in the 14th century, and many cities such as Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi and Pärnu flourished as members of the Hanseatic League. Cathedral of St. John in Tartu, with its terracotta sculptures, is a testament to wealth and western trade connections.

Estonians continued to practice pagan rites at weddings, funerals, and nature worship, although by the 15th century these rites had become associated with Catholicism and were given Christian names. In the 15th century, the peasants lost their rights and by the beginning of the 16th they became serfs.

Reformation

The Reformation, which originated in Germany, reached Estonia in the 1520s with the first wave of Lutheran preachers. By the middle of the 16th century, the church was reorganized, and the monasteries and temples came under the auspices of the Lutheran church. In Tallinn, the authorities closed a Dominican monastery (its impressive ruins remain); In Tartu, the Dominican and Cistercian monasteries were closed.

Livonian War

In the 16th century, the greatest threat to Livonia (now northern Latvia and southern Estonia) came from the east. Ivan the Terrible, who proclaimed himself the first tsar in 1547, pursued a policy of expansion to the west. Russian troops led by the ferocious Tatar cavalry in 1558 attacked in the Tartu region. The battles were very fierce, the invaders left death and destruction in their path. Russia was joined by Poland, Denmark and Sweden, and periodical fighting were carried on throughout the 17th century. A brief overview of the history of Estonia does not allow us to dwell on this period in detail, but as a result, Sweden emerged victorious.

The war laid a heavy burden on the local population. In two generations (from 1552 to 1629) half of the rural population died, about three-quarters of all farms were deserted, diseases such as plague, crop failure, and the famine that followed increased the number of victims. Apart from Tallinn, every castle and fortified center of the country was sacked or destroyed, including Viljandi Castle, which was one of the strongest fortresses in Northern Europe. Some cities were completely destroyed.

Swedish period

After the war, the history of Estonia was marked by a period of peace and prosperity under Swedish rule. Cities, thanks to trade, grew and prospered, helping the economy quickly recover from the horrors of war. Under Swedish rule, Estonia for the first time in history was united under a single ruler. By the middle of the 17th century, however, things began to deteriorate. An outbreak of plague, and later the Great Famine (1695-97) claimed the lives of 80 thousand people - almost 20% of the population. Soon Sweden was threatened by an alliance of Poland, Denmark and Russia, who sought to regain the lands lost in Livonian War. The invasion began in 1700. After some successes, including the defeat of the Russian troops near Narva, the Swedes began to retreat. In 1708 Tartu was destroyed, and all the survivors were sent to Russia. In 1710 Tallinn capitulated and Sweden was defeated.

Education

The history of Estonia began as part of Russia. It did not bring anything good to the peasants. The war and the plague of 1710 claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Peter I abolished the Swedish reforms and destroyed any hope of freedom for the surviving serfs. Attitudes towards them did not change until the Enlightenment period at the end of the 18th century. Catherine II limited the privileges of the elite and carried out quasi-democratic reforms. But only in 1816 the peasants were finally freed from serfdom. They also received surnames, greater freedom of movement, and limited access to self-government. By the second half of the 19th century, the rural population began to buy farms and earn income from crops such as potatoes and flax.

national awakening

The end of the 19th century was the beginning of a national awakening. Guided by the new elite, the country was moving towards statehood. The first newspaper in Estonian, Perno Postimees, appeared in 1857. It was published by Johann Voldemar Jannsen, one of the first to use the term "Estonians" rather than maarahvas (rural population). Another influential thinker was Carl Robert Jacobson, who fought for equal political rights for Estonians. He also founded the first national political newspaper, Sakala.

Insurrection

Late 19th century became a period of industrialization, the emergence of large factories and an extensive network of railways that connected Estonia with Russia. The harsh working conditions caused discontent, and the newly formed workers' parties led demonstrations and strikes. Events in Estonia repeated what was happening in Russia, and in January 1905 an armed uprising broke out. Tensions mounted until the fall of that year, when 20,000 workers went on strike. The tsarist troops acted brutally, killing and wounding 200 people. Thousands of soldiers arrived from Russia to suppress the uprising. 600 Estonians were executed and hundreds sent to Siberia. Trade unions and progressive newspapers and organizations were closed, and political leaders fled the country.

More radical plans to populate Estonia with thousands of Russian peasants thanks to the First World War were never realized. The country paid a high price for participating in the war. 100 thousand people were called up, of which 10 thousand died. Many Estonians went to fight because Russia promised to give the country statehood for the victory over Germany. Of course it was a hoax. But by 1917, this issue was no longer decided by the tsar. Nicholas II was forced to abdicate, and the Bolsheviks seized power. Chaos gripped Russia, and Estonia, seizing the initiative, declared its independence on February 24, 1918.

War for independence

Estonia faced threats from Russia and the Baltic-German reactionaries. War broke out, the Red Army was advancing rapidly, by January 1919 capturing half of the country. Estonia defended stubbornly, and with the help of British warships and Finnish, Danish and Swedish troops, defeated its longtime enemy. In December, Russia agreed to a truce, and on February 2, 1920, the Tartu Peace Treaty was signed, according to which it forever renounced claims to the country's territory. For the first time, a fully independent Estonia appeared on the world map.

The history of the state during this period is characterized by the rapid development of the economy. The country used its natural resources and attracted investments from abroad. The University of Tartu has become the university of Estonians, and the Estonian language has become the lingua franca, creating new opportunities in the professional and academic fields. A huge book industry sprang up between 1918 and 1940. 25 thousand titles of books were published.

However, the political sphere was not so rosy. Fear of communist subversion, such as the failed 1924 coup attempt, led to leadership on the right. In 1934, the leader of the transitional government, Konstantin Päts, together with the commander-in-chief of the Estonian army, Johan Laidoner, violated the Constitution and seized power under the pretext of defending democracy from extremist groups.

The fate of the state was sealed when Nazi Germany and the USSR entered into a secret pact in 1939, essentially passing it on to Stalin. Members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation organized a fictitious uprising and, on behalf of the people, demanded that Estonia be included in the USSR. President Päts, General Laidoner and other leaders were arrested and sent to Soviet camps. A puppet government was created, and on August 6, 1940, he granted the "request" of Estonia to join the USSR.

Deportations and World War II devastated the country. Tens of thousands were drafted and sent to work and die in labor camps in northern Russia. Thousands of women and children shared their fate.

When the Soviet troops fled under the onslaught of the enemy, the Estonians greeted the Germans as liberators. 55 thousand people joined the self-defense units and battalions of the Wehrmacht. However, Germany had no intention of granting Estonia statehood and regarded it as an occupied territory of the Soviet Union. Hopes were dashed after the execution of the collaborators. 75 thousand people were shot (of which 5 thousand were ethnic Estonians). Thousands fled to Finland, and those who remained were called to German army(about 40 thousand people).

In early 1944, Soviet troops bombed Tartu and other cities. The complete destruction of Narva was an act of revenge on the "Estonian traitors".

The German troops retreated in September 1944. Fearing the advance of the Red Army, many Estonians also fled and about 70,000 ended up in the West. By the end of the war, every 10th Estonian lived abroad. In general, the country lost more than 280 thousand people: in addition to those who emigrated, 30 thousand were killed in battle, the rest were executed, sent to camps or destroyed in concentration camps.

After the war, the state was immediately annexed Soviet Union. The history of Estonia is darkened by a period of repression, thousands of people were tortured or sent to prisons and camps. 19,000 Estonians were executed. Farmers were brutally forced to collectivize, and thousands of migrants poured into the country from different regions of the USSR. Between 1939 and 1989 the percentage of native Estonians decreased from 97% to 62%.

In response to the repressions in 1944, a partisan movement was organized. 14 thousand "forest brothers" armed themselves and went underground, working in small groups throughout the country. Unfortunately, their actions did not bring success, and by 1956 the armed resistance was virtually destroyed.

But the dissident movement was gaining strength, and on the day of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Stalin-Hitler pact, a large rally was held in Tallinn. Over the next few months, protests escalated as Estonians demanded the restoration of statehood. Song festivals have become powerful means of struggle. The most massive of them took place in 1988, when 250,000 Estonians gathered at the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn. This brought a lot of international attention to the situation in the Baltics.

In November 1989, the Estonian Supreme Council declared the events of 1940 an act of military aggression and declared them illegal. In 1990, free elections were held in the country. Despite Russian attempts to prevent this, Estonia regained its independence in 1991.

Modern Estonia: the history of the country (briefly)

In 1992, the first general elections were held under the new Constitution, with the participation of new political parties. The Pro Patria Union won by a narrow margin. Its leader, 32-year-old historian Mart Laar, became prime minister. started recent history Estonia as independent state. Laar set about moving the state to a free market economy, introduced the Estonian kroon into circulation, and began negotiations for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops. The country breathed a sigh of relief when the last garrisons left the republic in 1994, leaving devastated land in the northeast, contaminated groundwater around air bases, and nuclear waste at naval bases.

A former Soviet republic, and now one of the countries of the European Union, Estonia is gaining popularity among tourists. And not in vain. This country is rich in virgin forests, clean lakes, icy rivers and unique sights. The words of the Estonian anthem "My homeland, my happiness and joy" are the best way to characterize the attitude of the people towards their country. Estonians treat their cultural heritage and natural wealth with special trepidation.

Estonia is an interesting country in terms of religious self-determination. It is impossible to say what kind of religion the majority of the country's inhabitants adhere to. More than 55% of the population does not recognize any religious tradition. Of the rest of the citizens, only 14% consider themselves Lutherans, 13% - Orthodox, and 6% call themselves atheists. The remaining percentages were distributed among Catholics, Baptists, Muslims, followers of the Taara religion and adherents of non-Christian traditions.

Even though Estonia small country It is divided into 15 counties. The country's largest city is its capital, Tallinn. It is home to almost a third of the citizens of all of Estonia. To others big cities relate Tartu, Narva. Estonia's neighbors on land are Russia and Latvia, and on the sea - Finland. The shores of the country are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Finland.

Not many citizens live in Estonia foreign states, not counting Russia, - 21% of all residents of the country here are Russians.

Capital	Tallinn
Population	1,294 thousand people
	43,211 km 2 (land surface), 2,015 km 2 (water surface)
Population density	29 people/km 2
	Estonian
Religion	undefined
Form of government	parliamentary republic
Timezone	UTC+2 in winter; UTC+3 in summer
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity	230 V, 50 Hz (European style sockets, no adapter required)

Climate and weather

Estonia is a country with a unique climate. And not only because you rarely see such weather anywhere - every year here is different from the previous one. This is due to the influence of the Baltic Sea. The farther from the coastline, the climate becomes milder and less changeable.

Summer is a fabulous time. The sky is blue, it rarely rains, the air heats up to +30 °С, while the average summer temperature is +14.4…+18.4 °С. The sun shines brightly and for a long time, up to 19 hours a day. White nights are business card not only St. Petersburg, but also Estonia. Water in the sea and numerous lakes quickly warms up to +19…+24 °С. best time for beach season from the beginning of June to the end of August.

Spring and autumn are the time of light but frequent rains. This is not the best time to visit Estonia. The air temperature at this time of the year is between 0 and +10 °C.

Winter is a period of mild frosts and crisp snow. At this time, Estonia becomes like a fairy tale: the roofs are covered with snow, the inhabitants go skiing and sleighing. The thermometer usually shows a temperature of -6 ... 0 ° C. Most cold month year is February. This is due not only to the air temperature (-8 ... -5 ° C), but also to cold winds.

Nature

Estonia is a country with a truly wonderful nature. blooming spring, bright summer, lush autumn and snowy winter– every season in Estonia is beautiful and unique in its own way.

This country combines pine forests and sea sandy beaches, rich healing mud and crystal clear lakes. It is worth noting that Estonians are very respectful of the surrounding nature: there is no land reclamation, forests are not massively cut down. Therefore, nature here is pristine and impressively magnificent.

But not only forests are the untouched value of the Estonian people. river system also little changed by human activity. The special value of Estonia is the lakes. There are about 1500 of them in this country. Also in Estonia there are thousands of small, neat reservoirs and swamp lakes. The fifth largest lake in all of Europe is located here. This is Lake Peipsi. It is famous for the battle of the Russian prince Alexander Nevsky.

Estonia has a very rich world of animals and plants. Approximately 2000 years ago, the entire territory of Estonia was covered with forests. Today, forests that provide shelter and food for animals such as bears, wolves, lynxes, squirrels, moose, foxes make up 30% of Estonia. Rivers sheltered otters and minks, salmon and carps. The sea is rich in flounder and cod, sprat and herring, eel and salmon. Hundreds of bird species nest in Estonia. Here you can observe the life of wild animals and birds.

Attractions

Throughout Estonia, a large number of architectural monuments of the XII-XVI centuries have been preserved: castles, fortresses, ruins of fortifications. It is rich in exquisite cathedrals, majestic churches, luxurious churches. Each city is unique in its architectural uniqueness.

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is one of those cities that should be visited by anyone, even the most sophisticated tourist. His Old city, which has been towering here since the Middle Ages, is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This part of the city is saturated with the spirit of the Middle Ages. There are no modern buildings here, and the Old Town itself is carefully protected and restored. By the way, many murals, frescoes, bas-reliefs and sculptural decorations were smeared with a decent layer of plaster during the Soviet era and restored quite recently by restorers.

The historical center of Tallinn is called Vyshhorod castle. Dozens of buildings of the XIII-XVII centuries are included in this large-scale complex. The Vyshhorod castle is interesting because it "intertwined" the styles of architecture of different eras. Here you can meet "representatives" and Gothic, and classicism, and baroque. The most famous buildings of the complex are Toomkirk Dom Cathedral, fortress walls and Pikk Hermann Tower. Another significant attraction of the city is the Town Hall, built at the beginning of the 15th century. It is located on Raekoya square. The main decoration of the Town Hall is a weather vane depicting the symbol of Tallinn Old Thomas. There are a lot of museums in the capital that can acquaint an inquisitive tourist with the history of the city, traditions and culture of the country's inhabitants.

Narva. This city stands on the banks of the Narova River on the border of Estonia and Russia. This city is a meeting point of two cultures, two worlds: Catholic Europe and Orthodox Slavic East. Since ancient times, the city of Narva has been a center of trade and therefore many countries wanted to get it. Narva was in the possession of Denmark, Russia, Germany. All this left an imprint on the history and architectural art of the city.

In Narva, it is worth visiting the Narva medieval castle. It was built in the XIII-XV centuries by the Danes. Significant cultural monument of the city - north yard, which is a kind of "time machine" in medieval city masters. Here people walk in medieval clothes, the interior and tools are also from the Middle Ages. Tourists can even be taught some of the tricks of the craft they like. There are many majestic Orthodox and Lutheran cathedrals here. Museums and monuments of the city tell about the military past. The city is amazing beautiful nature. Not far from it, on the Narova River, the Narva waterfall “seething” is one of the largest waterfalls in Northern Europe.

Tartu is not only the second largest city in Estonia. But also one of oldest cities throughout the Baltics. Tartu is an "intellectual city". It was here that the first theater arose, many famous scientists were born and brought up. By the way, one of the first universities in Europe, the University of Tartu, was also built here. This city offers its guests a stroll through the Botanical Garden, visit many museums.

The islands of Estonia are a natural landmark of the country. On them you can see stone churches surrounded by rich forests, windmills in small settlements. Hiiumaa surprises with an old 600-year-old lighthouse 104 meters high. It is the third tallest lighthouse in the world.

Nutrition

Estonian cuisine is not very diverse and sophisticated. She absorbed elements of the culinary art of Germany, Russia, Sweden. Its distinctive feature is that any dish has an Estonian character. So, you can order pancakes, but they will not be the same as in Russia, they will have exactly the Estonian taste.

The food in this country is simple and uncomplicated. Most often it is boiled, without spices or with a small amount of spices. Therefore, if you are a fan of spicy food, Estonian cuisine is not for you.

Potatoes have a special place in Estonian cuisine. Soups, vegetable porridges, salads are prepared from it. Fish is also a very popular product. Due to the fact that Estonia has both access to the sea and inland river resources, here you can order dishes from river and sea fish. The most popular of them are sprat and herring. It is fried, boiled, baked, salted. But meat dishes are not so diverse. In addition, the meat here is almost never fried, but mostly boiled.

Estonian sweet dishes are jelly with whipped cream, hot apple casserole, pancakes with sweet fillings, cream with bread. Extraordinarily produced in Estonia delicious chocolate with various fillings, as well as the famous Estonian marzipan.

Beer is the national Estonian drink. Most popular light beer "Saku", and the dark "Saare". A special place in Estonian cuisine is occupied by mulled wine with various spices.

Accommodation

In Estonia, you can find a variety of accommodation options at a variety of prices. There are also inexpensive, but cozy rooms in small hotels, and luxurious rooms in luxury hotels. The cost of a room can be 50-250 € depending on the level of the hotel. In Estonia, hotels are divided according to international classification from 1 to 5 stars. But according to the law, such a division is carried out at the request of the hotel owner. Therefore, not all Estonian hotels have stars. Just because a hotel has no stars doesn't mean it's bad. It's just that its owner decided not to be classified.

The high standard of the hotel means that here you will find not only a roof over your head, but also a private bathroom and toilet, internet and telephone, a minibar and an in-room safe. Many extra-class hotels offer their guests spa services, a swimming pool, a sauna, gyms, and a restaurant.

Most often, breakfast is included in the price of a room of any level. However, this is not the case everywhere. Therefore, it is better to clarify in advance whether you need to pay for breakfast separately.

Recently, guest houses have been gaining the most popularity in this country. They are much cheaper than hotels, due to the simple interior and meals for a fee. Youth hostels are another type of affordable accommodation in Estonia. One room can accommodate a large number of people for a small fee. Only in this case you will have to use the common toilet and bathroom for everyone.

You can also rent an apartment or a house. The cost of such housing is different, it all depends on the conditions of residence. You can find an apartment for 50 € or 150 €. Very often, apartments are rented out in the old districts of cities, therefore, by renting such housing, you can fully plunge into the life of the city, feel its “spirit”.

Inexpensive, but "healthy" vacation awaits the tourist staying at the farm. Here you will be offered not only a wonderful cozy room for an overnight stay for 30-40 €, but also a traditional breakfast will be served, local stories will be told, and local culture will be introduced.

Entertainment and recreation

Estonia is a great place for a family vacation. There are no usual amusement parks in this country, but this will not hurt to spend an unforgettable vacation here. There are a lot of amusement parks in Estonia. In them you can walk and ride bicycles, have a picnic and swim in the sea. The country offers a very rich selection of entertainment for children of all ages. For lovers active rest with the spirit of history, we advise you to visit the Viking village. Here tourists are offered to get acquainted with the buildings of the 8th-11th centuries, to shoot from a bow, to go canoeing on the river. Many recreation parks are equipped with hiking trails at various heights, mini-golf courses.

Beach holidays are also not alien to Estonia. Resorts Pärnu, Toila, Haapsalu, Narva and others offer amazing beaches to their guests. Sea air combined with pine forest creates a special unique healing microclimate. And the gentle yellow sand attracts you to lie down and soak up the sun. In addition, there are volleyball courts, swimming pools for the smallest, attractions and even water parks.

Many resorts contribute not only to the relaxation and recreation of tourists, but also to recovery. Therapeutic muds of Estonia have been famous since the times of Tsarist Russia. Modern spas are happy to provide you with natural rejuvenation and healing services. Therapeutic beaches are located on the shores of mirror lakes Varska and Puhajärve.

For those who prefer ski holidays, Estonia can offer the most famous resort in the mountains - Otepaa with its surroundings. Here you can go skiing or snowboarding. And it's at a very nice price.

Estonians are lovers of festivals. Every month in this country you can get to one of the festivals. The Baltic Folk Festival and the Beer Festival are held annually in July, the Estonian Film Week in March, the International Organ Music Festival in August, and the Jazz Festival in February. In Estonia, you can visit festivals with elements of folklore, theatrical art, and many others.

Purchases

Estonia is a true paradise for shoppers. Prices here are much lower than in other countries. Therefore, in Estonian stores you can meet Russians, Finns, and Latvians. Here they accept payment both through bank transfer with Visa or Mastercard (Eurocard) cards, and in cash.

Large shops and shopping centers are open 7 days a week from 09:00 to 22:00, small shops and merchants are open from Monday to Friday, usually from 09:00 to 18:00, and on Saturday until 15:00. Most shopping centers have their own free parking, free Wi-Fi, cafes and restaurants, banks. Some centers even offer caregiver services: parents can leave their child in the playroom for a small fee.

In Estonia, you can buy old books and icons, antique furniture and interior items, textiles and handmade wool products. An excellent souvenir from Estonia will be handmade items made of fabric, wool or wood, ceramics or glass, unique chocolate, marzipan and cheese. And Estonian amber will be a vivid reminder of a unique holiday in this amazing country.

Transport

Estonia is a small country, but with highly developed transport links. Here you can ride both by bus and by train, see the country from a bird's eye view and go on a trip by sea.

Estonia has a number of domestic flights. Basically, they are carried out from Tallinn to distant cities several times a day. The duration of the flight is no more than an hour. In Estonia, the airport in Tallinn has international status, and there are regional airports in Pärnu, Tartu, on the islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa.

Buses are the most common mode of transport in the country. It is worth noting that Estonian buses are very comfortable, and the schedule is observed to the nearest minute. Regular buses between cities are the cheapest form of transport. Trams and trolleybuses also run around the cities.

Public transport starts at 05:30. And travels around the city until 24:00. During public holidays public transport operates on a Sunday schedule. For intracity modes of transport, you can purchase tickets for one trip (from drivers or in special places), as well as travel cards for an hour or for a certain number of trips.

And here Railway Estonia is not so developed. Now trains connect major cities of the country and carry passengers several times a day. By the way, you can get from Moscow to Tallinn by train in 15 hours.

The cost of a taxi ride is low, here taxi drivers take their passengers only according to the meter. Finding out the price list is very simple: just look at the side window of the passenger door of the car.

It is convenient to travel around Estonia by car. The roads are good, except in the countryside. You must have an international driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, international insurance and a passport with you. With the same set of documents, you can rent a car. Just be aware that you may be required to pay a deposit.

The ferry is an interesting, popular type of transport in Estonia and not common in other countries. At the same time, it offers great opportunities for travelers. A ferry connects Tallinn with Helsinki and Stockholm. In summer, you can take a sea trip by ferry several times a day.

An impressive sight opens up to travelers when crossing the sea on a ferry at night. To travel by ferry, you must have your passport with you.

Connection

Telephone communication is very well developed in Estonian cities. Telephone booths are located everywhere. The call quality is excellent, and the connection is fast enough. Calls from pay phones can only be made using a special card with a face value of $30, $50 or €100. You can buy such a card at any newsstand.

Mobile communication is also widespread. Three operators offer this type of communication service: EMT, TELE2 and Radiolinja. These service providers cover the entire territory of Estonia with a mobile network, including numerous islands and sea areas. You can buy a SIM card from one of the mobile operators at R-kiosks or information points of shopping centers for only 10 €.

Estonia is an "electronic" state, all documentation here is kept in in electronic format. Almost everywhere you can get free access to the World Wide Web, be it a cafe, hotel, airport or library, where, by the way, you will be offered to use your computers for free. Internet cafes can be found in major cities. Using its services will cost 2-3 € per hour.

Post offices offer telephone services to their customers, as well as inexpensive commemorative postcards and their forwarding. On Saturday, the post office works, but on a reduced schedule. But on Sunday it is closed.

Security

Despite the fact that the crime rate in Estonia is relatively low, we advise you to leave valuables, large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe. Keep in mind that pickpockets most often operate during festivals or performances, in crowded places.

Business climate

Estonia ranks 17th in the ease of doing business ranking. You can open a business here for a foreigner in just one day. The attractiveness of doing business in Estonia is that the income tax rate is 0%. Thanks to this, all free funds can be directed to the development and expansion own business. An analogue of the Russian VAT - turnover tax - is paid only by organizations whose income exceeded 16,000 €. His rate is 20%. Estonia has a highly developed banking infrastructure. All payments are made electronically, bypassing the paper basis.

The property

In Estonia, foreign citizens are allowed to purchase real estate. It is worth noting that their rights in carrying out such a transaction are not inferior to the rights of Estonian citizens. The specifics of the registration of the purchase and sale of a property is that any document, whether it be a contract, a preliminary agreement or a power of attorney, must be signed and registered with a notary. In the absence of at least one signature of a notary, the transaction may be terminated. In addition, any transfer of money, including the security deposit, takes place under the supervision of a notary. These services are not free: their cost depends on the complexity. The minimum amount is 100 €. All contracts are drawn up in Estonian.

Money for real estate can be paid in whole and at once or in parts. As a rule, the first installment is 10-20% of the cost. In addition to the real estate itself and notary services, you also need to pay a fee for making an entry in the real estate book, as well as realtor services (2-5% of the property price).

Real estate prices in Estonia vary depending on its location and condition. You can find an apartment in a small town for €3,000 or €70,000 in Tallinn, a villa for €30,000 or €3,000,000.

Here are some tips for travelers in Estonia:

• Tips are usually included in the cost of the service, but you can reward the employee for good service.
• Pharmacies are open from 10:00 to 19:00, and on duty are open around the clock. Conventional drugs can be purchased without problems, but without a doctor's prescription, drugs dispensed only in this way will not be sold to you.
• Do not appear on the street in a state of intoxication. In Estonia, this is punished with heavy fines.
• Hailing a taxi while voting on the road is not customary in Estonia. This is a country of advanced technologies. You can order a taxi online or by phone.
• Currency exchange can be carried out in banks, hotels, exchange offices. Banks are open 6 days a week from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 15:00 on Saturday.
• In the event of an emergency, you must call the correct emergency number. Here are the main phone numbers:

110 - police

112 - rescue service (fire department and ambulance)

1188 - paid help desk.

Follow the rules traffic Estonia: speed limit in settlements- 50 km / h, outside the city - 90 km / h, and on the highway - 110 km / h. Do not exceed 30 km/h in residential areas. Violation of these rules will result in a hefty fine. Speeding can cost you between 120€ and 800€. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of 400 € to 1200 €, as well as deprivation of a driver's license for up to a year. Low beam must be on 24 hours a day all year round. The penalty for non-compliance with this rule can be 200 €. Also in Estonia it is forbidden to talk on the phone while driving and to drive without using seat belts.

Smoking in Estonia is allowed only in designated areas. The same applies to the prohibition of drinking alcoholic beverages.

Undeclared amounts cannot be brought into or taken out of Estonia Money more than 10 000 €. Sometimes, when entering the country, it is necessary to prove to the border guard that there is enough money to live in Estonia (56 € per day). From Russia it is forbidden to import meat and dairy products, honey, oysters and mussels, caviar and fish. Duty-free allowed to take to Estonia 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, up to 2 liters of wine, up to 10 liters of beer. You can import weapons only with the appropriate permission.

Visa information

Estonia is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, when entering this country, you must apply for a Schengen visa. There are the following types of visas to Estonia:

• an airport transit visa (type A) is issued for transit through the airport's international transit area;
• transit visa (type B) for transit through the territory of Estonia (up to 5 calendar days);
• short-term visa (type C) for single or multiple entry into the country;
• long-stay visa (type D) for certain persons.

To obtain a type C visa, it is necessary to issue a standard set of documents. It is impossible to obtain a short-term visa without paying a consular fee of 35 €. And for those who need to get a visa in a short time, you will have to pay a double fee (70 €) for urgency. Documents for an Estonian visa can be submitted to the consular departments in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

The consular section of the Estonian Embassy in Moscow is located at Kalashny per., 8, tel. (495) 737‑36‑48.

Open from 08:30 to 17:00 every weekday.

In St. Petersburg, you can find the consular department at st. Bolshaya Monetnaya, 14, tel. (812) 702‑09‑24, work time: 08:30-17:00 on weekdays.

Capital - Tallinn

Square - 45,215 sq. km

Total population - 1.5 million people

National composition: Estonians - 62%, Russians - 30%, Ukrainians - 3%, Belarusians - 1.5%, Finns - 1%

Official language - Estonian

State structure - parliamentary republic

Head of State - President of the Republic of Estonia

Religion. O main religion - Lutheranism. Other major denominations include the Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches.

Currency unit: Estonian kroon

general characteristics

Estonia is the northernmost country in the Baltics. It borders with Lithuania in the south and Russia in the east. Estonia is separated from Finland by the Gulf of Finland in the north, and from Sweden by the Baltic Sea in the west.

Administratively, Estonia consists of 15 counties (maakond), 194 rural municipalities and 33 city governments. Large cities: Tallinn, Tartu, Narva, Kohtla-Jarve, Pärnu.

Estonia is a small state on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea. The surface of the country is low-lying, with many lakes and swamps. In the southeastern part there is a strip of moraine uplands.

To The climate of Estonia does not differ from the climate of other countries of the Baltic Sea. Due to the proximity of the sea, the sky is often covered with clouds, in spring and autumn it drizzles, in winter it is replaced by snow. The sea softens the climate: in spring and summer it breathes coolness, the average temperature in July is 17 ° C. At the same time, there are also cases when the temperature in summer reaches 30 ° C. In autumn and winter, the sea gradually releases the heat that has accumulated in it in during the summer and the average temperature is -5°C.

The highest point in Estonia is the Suur-Munamägi hill, the top of which is 318 meters above sea level. One of the most beautiful forms The relief of Estonia is the flagstone coast of the Gulf of Finland, the height of which in some places reaches 50 meters. You will not find such an impressive flagstone ledge anywhere else near the Baltic Sea.

Estonia is almost half covered with forests. The most common types of trees are pine, spruce and birch. The forests are rich in wildlife, it is estimated that approximately 11,700 elk, 50,000 roe deer, 17,000 wild boars, 17,000 beavers, 800 lynxes, 600 bears, 100 wolves live in them.

Estonia, as well as Finland and Sweden, are the most “forested” countries in Europe. The forestry and woodworking industries make up a significant part of the Estonian economy. Almost a third of the forests have been taken under protection. In these protected areas, you can find types of virgin forest that have long since disappeared in the rest of Europe. Such, for example, are the virgin forests of Järvselja in Tartu County and Poruni in Ida-Virumaa County.

Grows much more in meadows various plants than in Western Europe. During the summer, tourists can enjoy the beauty of colorful wildflowers growing in the roadside meadows in the countryside. Forest meadows are distinguished by the greatest diversity of plant species. On one square meter of the Vahenurme forest meadow in Pärnu County, one can count 74 different types. Such botanical abundance is very rare in Europe. A few centuries ago, forest meadows also existed in southern Finland, in Sweden, as well as in other parts of Europe. Today they are only in Estonia.

Estonia is a country of a thousand lakes. The largest of them is Lake Peipsi, which is the fourth largest freshwater lake in Europe. Most Estonian lakes are small and mostly located in the southern part of the country. Large lakes such as Peipsi and Võrtsjärv have large fish populations. AT Lake Peipus such rare species as vendace and smelt live. Võrtsjärv, in turn, is famous for catching zander and eel, which are considered a delicacy fish.

There are over 1,500 islands in Estonia. The largest is Saaremaa, 2,900 square kilometers. A little less is Hiiumaa, followed by Muhu and Vormsi. The islands and the coast of the mainland are interesting in that they are located directly on the path of flight of water birds. Twice a year - in spring and autumn - hundreds of thousands of birds stop in these areas. Barnacle goose, swans (mute and whooper), eider and many other bird species are protected. Due to the mild maritime climate and varied landscape, Saaremaa is rich in flora and fauna. Rare plants grow on the island great views orchids and is home to many rare animals, including seals.

Estonia is an industrial-agrarian country. The most important industries are oil shale mining and oil shale processing, light and food industries, woodworking, mechanical engineering and metalworking, production of building materials. Shale mining and processing is concentrated in the north of the country (Kohtla-Jarve).

Estonian agriculture specializes in meat and dairy farming.

Estonia has a fairly developed transport network. The main load falls on the roads. The main seaport is Tallinn. Ferry service from Helsinki

Sources:
1. www.estemb.ru
2. Finno-Ugric world: Statistical collection. - Syktyvkar, 2004.