Eestis

Estonia, known in Estonian as Eesti, is a country in Northern Europe on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. It is bordered by Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, and has maritime borders with Sweden and Finland across the Baltic Sea. The capital and largest city is Tallinn. As of the mid-2020s, the population is about 1.3 million. The official language is Estonian; Russian is widely used, and Swedish and Finnish have historical presence in coastal areas.

The country has a mix of flat to low-lying terrain, numerous lakes and forests, and about 2,200 islands, including Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The climate is temperate and maritime, with relatively mild summers and cold winters.

Its territory has prehistoric roots and was ruled by Denmark, the Livonian Order, Sweden, and the Russian Empire at different times. Estonia declared independence in 1918, was occupied during World War II, and regained independence in 1991. It joined the European Union and NATO in 2004, and the eurozone in 2011.

Estonia is a parliamentary republic. The Riigikogu, a unicameral parliament with 101 members, elects the prime minister. The president serves a largely ceremonial role. The state is renowned for its digital government, e-services, and cyber security.

Estonia has a high-income, market-based economy with a strong information technology sector. It is home to a vibrant startup scene, including fintech and software companies. The euro is the currency. Public services are known for their digital infrastructure and online governance.

Estonian culture emphasizes nature, music, and literature. The country hosts national festivals, folk music, and a tradition of song and dance. Notable UNESCO sites include the Historic Centre of Tallinn and the Struve Geodetic Arc.