Estonia

Capital: Tallinn
Total Area: 45,227 km² (17,462 mi²) (131th)
— note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Approximate population: 1,360,546 (157th) - (2024 est.)
Location: Northern Europe
Languages: Estonian (official) 67.2%, Russian 28.5%, other 3.7%, unspecified 0.6% (2021est.)
Religions: Orthodox 16.5%, Protestant 9.2% (Lutheran 7.7%, other Protestant 1.5%), other 3% (includes Roman Catholics, Muslim, Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentecostal, Buddhism, and Taara Believer), none 58.4%, unspecified 12.9% (2021 est.)
Currency: Euro (€) (EUR) Calling code: (+372)
Organizations: United Nations, European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Border countries (2): Latvia 333 km (207 mi), Russia 324 km (201 mi)
Coastline: 3,794 km (2,357 mi)
Maritime boundaries: Baltic Sea, Gulf of Finland

Estonia (Estonian: Eesti) — is a Baltic gem offering visitors the chance to see a tiny dynamic land on the shores of the sea. The northernmost and smallest of the Baltic states, Estonia has charming old towns and heritage back to the Hanseatic League. Tallinn's old town was built in the Middle Ages, but is in magnificent condition, with the city walls and towers almost completely intact, and it rates as one of Europe's best medieval old towns. Visitors can also experience an ex-Soviet republic that is now part of the European Union. Traces of the Soviet era are still there to be seen, e.g. Paldiski, a deserted Soviet army base that was once off-limits to Estonians themselves, can easily be visited on a day trip from the capital, Tallinn. Estonia is renowned for its bucolic islands and extensive bogs that are now national parks with easy access for tourists. Glorious beaches pepper the extensive coastline, although the swimming season is short — after all, the Baltics are not renowned for warm weather.

Administrative divisions of Estonia:
15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald).
Urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru.
Rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, Räpina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru.

Cities, towns, and villages

• Tallinn – is Estonia's capital and largest city. Tallinn is an important port of the Baltic Sea, with the busy passenger section of the port reaching the foothill of the picturesque medieval Old Town, compared to other Estonian towns, expensive.
  Tallinn, lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, only 70 km (43 mi) south of Helsinki. At the historical and medieval heart of the city is the hill of Toompea, covered in cobbled streets and filled with medieval houses and alleyways. The lower town spreads out from the foot of the hill, still protected by the remnants of a city wall. Around the city wall is a series of well-maintained green parks, great for strolling.
  The city's old town has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. It is now in better shape than ever, with the bigger roads converted into fashionable shopping streets reminiscent of Zürich or Geneva. Especially in summer, the Old Town is packed with tourists, with the traditional day-trippers from Helsinki increasingly supplemented by other Europeans taking advantage of cheap flights.
• Tartu – This museum-rich Hanseatic city on the banks of the Emajõgi River, which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia, flows for 10 km within the city limits. It is the oldest city in Estonia, dating back to 1030. Its ancient name of 'Tarbatu' was shortened to 'Tartu' in Estonian and to 'Dorpat' in German. an intellectual hub famous for its universities and lively student atmosphere.
• Narva – Estonia's easternmost and third largest city, on the Narva River, which is the border with Russia. Famous for the Hermann Castle, right opposite Ivangorod's castle, and the Kreenholm factories.
  Due to the heavy damage of the Second World War, Narva had to be almost completely rebuilt. This is why the city is dominated by Soviet architecture today, mostly Krushchevka-type buildings, the quintessential "commie blocks" from the 1960s. Narva's "modern" Town Hall, for example, is a prime example of typical Soviet architecture.
  Over 90% of the current population are Russian-speakers, mostly either Soviet-era immigrants from parts of the former Soviet Union and their descendants.
  There’s plenty to do in Narva, concerts, annual festivals and open-air shows that take place both in the inner yard of the Narva Castle and elsewhere in the town, such as in the newly-built ice skating stadium.
• Pärnu – fourth largest city, is a resort seaside city (and Estonia's summer capital) with a small harbour in south-western Estonia. The city is known for its spas, shallow white sandy beach and beautiful parks. In summer, Pärnu offers beach life, dozens of festivals, night clubs, big party crowds, concerts and funfairs.
• Rakvere – Estonia's fifth largest city, east of Tallinn, famous for its punk and rock festivals and spirit.
• Haapsalu – the "Venice of the north" is a major seaside resort and port city, good for visiting spas, taking mud baths, sailing, and swimming. It also has interesting landmarks, like the cathedral, the castle ruins, and the picturesque railway museum.
• Viljandi – A beautiful, ancient and hilly city, known for its annual folk music festival, old town, and scenic park around the ruined castle.
• Kuressaare – The only town on the island of Saaremaa, the location of Kuressaare Castle. It also has many spas, water parks, and a beach.
• Valga – A town on the border with Latvia, where it literally grows into the Latvian town of Valka.
  
  

Islands

• Saaremaa – The largest Estonian and wild seaside character island with castles and fortresses, one perfectly preserved, a beach, a spa and famous mills. Saaremaa is even sometimes called Sparemaa. Furthermore, the island is surrounded by a myriad of tiny islands.
• Hiiumaa – The second largest Estonian island. Popular for its lighthouses, ancient churches, historical values and the sense of humour of its inhabitants, but scarcely populated. In winter, it can sometimes be reached by car via an ice bridge on the Baltic Sea.
• Kihnu – The southernmost group of islands, Kihnu, is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Cosy and warm yet exotic – folk costumes are worn here every day and the handicraft of older generations remains highly valued.
• Muhu – The third largest Estonian island, and a rural municipality connected to the nearby Saaremaa by an artificial embankment, where ferries to the harbour of Virtsu arrive. Has an open air museum, and its locals are known for still sewing woollen clothes. Sleepy fishing villages, working windmills, thatched cottages, plenty of deer, moose and birds.
• Ruhnu – The communal territory corresponds to that of the homonymous island, formerly known as Runö.
• Vormsi – The fourth largest Estonian island, very close to the mainland. Vormsi is a small island covered with forests and a Swedish community. A unique blend of Soviet and Swedish history mixed with unspoilt nature.
• Osmussaare – A small and mostly inaccessible island in the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, 7.5 km off the mainland, and part of the Noarootsi Parish.
• Pakri – Two islands in the Gulf of Finland: Suur-Pakri and Väike-Pakri (Swedish: Stora Rågö and Lilla Rågö), administratively part of Paldiski.
• Naissaar – An island mostly covered by forest northwest of Tallinn with about 35 residents.
• Prangli – A small island with, harbour (for ferries to Leppneeme on the mainland), mainly fir trees, and a lighthouse from 1923.

Natural resources: oil shale (kukersite), peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud