Europe

Estonia
Last reviewed: 31 March 2009

Country information

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GEOGRAPHY

Estonia, at 45,227 sq km, is the smallest and the most northerly of the 3 Baltic states, with Latvia to the south. Estonia borders Russia to the east and is only 80km South across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki. The country is mostly flat, the highest peak being Suur Munamägi hill at 318m (the highest in all the Baltic states) in the south east of the country. Lake Peipsi on the Estonian-Russian border is the fourth largest lake in Europe at 3555 sq. km (but just an average of 7.9m deep), although Võrtsjärv in the south of the country is the biggest lake lying totally in Estonia, at 266 sq km, but just 6m deep.

Tallinn, the capital (population 411,600), is situated on the north western tip of the country. The old town is well preserved within its original walls, both the upper town (Toompea) where the parliament and the Lutheran cathedral are located, and the lower merchant town. The city was an important medieval port and trading centre. In 1234 it joined the Hanseatic League, the trading union, which was the dominant commercial and cultural link across northern Europe. It is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Tartu (population 100,577) in the south east, is Estonia's second largest city, and is famous for its university, which was founded in 1632.