countriesEstonia

Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, in the Baltic region. It borders Latvia to the south and Russia to the east, with a coastline along the Baltic Sea to the north and west. The terrain is mostly flat with extensive forests; the capital and largest city is Tallinn. The population is around 1.3 million.

Estonia is a parliamentary republic. The Riigikogu, with 101 members, elects a prime minister who leads the government; the president serves as head of state with largely ceremonial duties. Estonia is a member of the European Union and NATO; it joined the EU in 2004, NATO in 2004, joined the Schengen Area in 2007, and adopted the euro in 2011.

Estonia has a highly digitalized, open economy with a strong services sector and a growing tech industry. It is known for public-sector e-governance, digital IDs, online voting, and open data. Key sectors include information technology, manufacturing, services, and logistics.

Estonian is the official language; Russian and other minority languages are also spoken. The nation has a vibrant cultural scene, including traditional song and dance festivals. Tallinn's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Estonia is known for its forests, bogs, and protected areas that support outdoor recreation.

Estonia declared independence in 1918, endured occupations during World War II, and restored independence in 1991 after the Soviet era. Since joining Western institutions in the 2000s, Estonia has pursued modernization, digital governance, and regional cooperation within the EU and Baltic states.