Estonia is one of those countries that you might not know much about, but in fact has a wealth of interesting facts and figures that aren't just from the history books. As one of the smallest nations in the European Union, it is also one of the most fascinating in many ways.
1. A trip to the Baltic
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Estonia is the most northerly of the three nations that make up the Baltic States along with Latvia and Lithuania. It is a very flat country on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea.
2. European rulers
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At various times in the past Estonia has been ruled by Denmark, Sweden and the German knights of the Livonian Order. In the 18th century it became part of the Russian Empire and didn't have true independence until 1918 following the end of the First World War.
3. Soviet influences
After the Second World War, Estonia once again came under the influence of Russia as part of the USSR until it finally gained its present fully independent status in 1991.
4. Living the high-life
Estonia has an advanced, high-income economy and enjoys high living standards with economic freedom, civil liberties, education, and press freedom all being highly valued.
5. Finding space
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Estonia only has a population of 1.3 million which means it is one of the least-populous member states of the European Union as well as the Eurozone, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the OECD and the Schengen Area, all of which it is also a member.
6. Speaking the language
Ethnic Estonians are Finnic people and the official language is a Finno-Ugric language that is closely similar to Finnish and Sami languages, as well as being distantly to Hungarian.
7. A thriving capital
The capital city is Tallinn, which is also the largest in the country. The city retains its historical roots too, including its walled, cobblestoned Old Town. The Gothic Town Hall is also among the oldest in the Baltic region.
8. Going digital
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The country is sometimes called the most advanced digital society in the world as a result of a programme of massive technological innovation. Although only half of the country had a phone line in 1991, by 1997 97% of Estonian schools were online.
By 2002, the Government had built a free Wi-Fi network that covered most of the populated areas and by 2012 a roll out of nationwide fibre-optic cabling offered ultra-high-speed data connections.
9. Flying with wings
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The national symbol of the country is a barn swallow. The bird regularly appears on stamps and bank notes, among many other items.
10. An export nation
Estonia's main export markets are Sweden, Finland and Latvia and it imports most if its goods from Finland, Germany and Sweden.
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