põhjalased

Põhjalased is an Estonian term that generally refers to people from Northern Estonia. It is not a formal or strictly defined ethno-linguistic group but rather a regional designation. Historically, the inhabitants of Northern Estonia have shared certain cultural and linguistic characteristics that distinguish them from other regions of Estonia, though these differences have become less pronounced with increased mobility and national integration.

The region of Northern Estonia includes areas surrounding the capital city, Tallinn, as well as coastal and inland territories. Dialectal variations within Northern Estonian have been studied by linguists, with some of these dialects exhibiting unique features. Culturally, Northern Estonia has been influenced by its proximity to the Baltic Sea and its historical connections with trading partners and ruling powers, including Sweden and Germany.

In contemporary usage, "põhjalased" can be used colloquially to describe someone who originates from or has strong ties to Northern Estonia. It is often used in contrast to other regional identifiers within Estonia, such as "lõunalased" (southerners) or "saarlased" (people from Saaremaa island). The term emphasizes a shared regional identity and can evoke a sense of local pride.