According to countryaah, Estonia is located in the northeast ofEurope and is the smallest and easternmost country of the Baltic States. Estonia is a member of the European Union and is also one of the Schengen countries. Since 2011, the euro has been the country’s official currency. The country has been inhabited for many thousands of years, first by the Kunda culture and later by the Narva culture. From the Middle Ages, parts of the country were occupied by Denmark, Germany and Sweden. However, it was the Danes who gave the country its current name. The different parts of the country changed hands regularly over the centuries until Estonia came under Russian rule after the Great Northern War. The Estonian people revolted against this in the early twentieth century and proclaimed the Republic of Estonia in 1918. However, it would take another two years before this independence was recognized. However, at the end of World War II, the country was again occupied by the Soviet Union. It was not until 1990 that the Latvian people revolted against this en masse and a year later the Republic of Estonia was formed. Estonia has a healthy economy and has had one of the lowest budget deficits in Europe for years.The tourist economy in Estonia is still very small, the tourists who come to the country can mainly be found in the capital Tallinn or on one of the Estonian islands. The capital Tallinn is particularly popular with tourists due to its historic center.
Sights
The capital of Estonia, Tallinn is one of the most beautiful sights of the country. The historic center of the city in particular is very special. There are always a lot of tourists in this part of the city. The city of Tartu is located in the east of Estonia, which is the second largest city in the country. This city is home to the country’s most important university. The city also houses the former headquarters of the KGB. In the south of Estonia not far from the Latvian border is the open air museum Mõniste. This is the oldest open-air museum in the country and old times are revived here. Soomaa National Park is located in the southwestern part of the country. This area mainly consists of raised bogs and riparian forests. A so-called fifth season occurs in this area. At the end of the winter, the large amount of melt water causes large parts of the area to be flooded. The place Kuressaare on the island of Saaremaa has been known as a health resort since the nineteenth century. The castle of Kuressaare can also be found near the city. This is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country. The places Tallinn, Pärnu, Tartu and Kuressaare are the most popular with tourists visiting the country.
UNESCO
There are two inscriptions on the World Heritage List in Estonia, one of which must be shared with no fewer than ten other countries. This is the Struve geodesic arc. The arch was built in the early nineteenth century and runs from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, passing ten countries along the way, including Estonia. This arc consists of 258 triangles and 265 fixed points. 34 of these points are on the World Heritage List. The other registration in Estonia is a lot better known. This is the historic center of Tallinn. This part of the city was built in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and is still in an exceptional condition. The old historic center of Tallinn is also known as Vanalinn.
Climate
Estonia has a temperate maritime climate. The winter months are cold and wet. The mercury will remain below freezing for most of the winter period. During the winter period, the precipitation will mainly come down as snow or wet snow. The more inland parts of the country are generally slightly less cold than the parts near the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The summer months are pleasant, but rarely really hot. The average temperature in this period is just above twenty degrees Celsius. The average precipitation is highest in the second half of the year. Due to the maritime climate that prevails in Estonia, real weather extremes rarely occur in the country.
Due to the cool winters, the summer season is the best time to travel to Estonia. Wine would go specifically for June, July or August. When it comes to a city trip, for example to Tallinn, May and September can also be great travel months.
Geography
Estonia is a small country in northeastern Europe. It has land borders with Latvia and Russia and is separated from Finland by the Gulf of Finland. The western part of Estonia borders the Baltic Sea. Off the coast of Estonia are several hundred small islands that are mostly uninhabited. The two largest islands belonging to Estonia are the island of Saaremaa and the island of Hiiumaa. These are both inhabited. Permanent habitation also takes place on the islands of Muhu, Vormsi, Vilsandi, Abruka, Kihnu and Ruhnu. The mountain Suur Munamägi is the highest point in Estonia at 318 meters. On the mountain there is a lookout tower from which you have a magnificent view over the country. The longest river in the country is the Emajõgi which runs alongside the city of Tartu. The Pärnu and Narva are two other important rivers in Estonia. The Capital Tallinn is the largest city in the country. Other major cities in Estonia are Tartu, Narva, Kohtla-Järve and Pärnu.
Travel advice
There are no special security risks when visiting Estonia. There is virtually no serious crime and there are no unsafe areas. You do have to watch out for pickpockets and pickpockets in the larger cities and tourist areas. If you go to Estonia by car, you must be in possession of registration documents part 1 and 2. Furthermore, it is mandatory to always drive with your lights on and there is a zero tolerance for alcohol and driving.
Travel documents
Estonia is one of the Schengen countries, which ensures that residents of other Schengen countries can travel freely between the different countries. Tourists from outside one of the Schengen countries can apply for a standard visa, which has a duration of 3 months and money for all Schengen countries. However, you must be in possession of a valid ID and since 2012 this also applies to children.
Info table
| Capital city | Tallinn |
| Phone (country code) | 372 |
| Internetdomein | .of |
| Language(s) (official) | Estonian |
| Language(s) (colloquial) | Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian and Finnish |
| Religion(s) | Protestant and Russian Orthodox |
| Time zone(s) | UTC+2 |
| Time difference summer | In Estonia it is 1 hour later than in the Netherlands |
| Time difference winter | In Estonia it is 1 hour later than in the Netherlands |
| Daylight Saving Time Control | and |
| Currency | euro |
