ESTONIA AUTHORS: MARKUS KUUSE, CHRISTOFHER ARKO KÖST FACTS ABOUT ESTONIA • Estonia is about 50% forest • Estonia has over 2000 islands • Estonia was the first country in the world to use online political voting. HISTORY • Humans settled in the region of Estonia near the end of the last glacial era • In the Middle Ages, Estonia became a battleground for centuries where Denmark, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Poland fought their many wars • Estonians declared their independence in February 1918 RECENT HISTORY • In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Estonia • Nazi Germany occupied Estonia in 1941; later in World War II the Soviet Union reoccupied it (1944). GEOGRAPHY • The two largest islands are Saaremaa and Hiiumaa • The highest point in Estonia is Suur Munamägi ESTONIA CITIES • Capital: Tallinn • Tartu • Pärnu
least-populous member states of the European Union. The Estonians are a Finnic people, and the official language, Estonian, is a Finno-Ugric language closely related to Finnish The history of Estonia is a part of the history of Europe. Estonia was settled near the end of the last glacial era, beginning from around 8500 BC. Before the Germans invaded in the 13th century proto-Estonians of the Ancient Estonia worshipped the spirits of nature Starting with the Northern Crusades Estonia became a battleground for centuries where Denmark, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Poland fought their many wars over controlling the important geographical position of the country as a gateway between East and West. Estonia is often seen as the world’s leading innovator against the backdrop of untouched nature and rich medieval heritage.One of the most popular things Estonians have invented is Skype. The story goes deeper, and it might just be that Estonia with its diverse background and Nordic
The Foundation of Estonia Estonia The history of Estonia The history of Estonia is a part of the history of Europe. Estonia was settled near the end of the last glacial era, beginning from around 8500 BC. Before the Germans invaded in the 13th century proto-Estonians of the Ancient Estonia worshipped the spirits of nature. Since the Northern Crusades Estonia became a battleground for centuries where Denmark, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Poland fought their many wars over controlling the important geographical position of the country as a gateway between East and West. Being conquered by Danes and Germans in 1227, Estonia was ruled initially by Denmark in the north, by the Livonian Order, an autonomous part of the Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights and Baltic German ecclesiastical states of the Holy Roman Empire.
It represents the blue sky, the dirt, purity or snow. • The national bird is a swallow. • The national flower is a cornflower. History • The first settelments in Estonia came by supposedly about 11 000 years ago. • In the past most Estonians worshipped spirits of nature and their beliefs were seen as unholy by christian crusaders. Taara is believed to have been the name of the old Estonian god. • Starting with the Northern Crusades in the Middle Ages, Estonia became a battleground for centuries where many countries fought their wars over controlling the important geographical position of the country as a gateway between East and West, despite this the country has survived. • Estonia first got it’s independence in 1918 wich lasted 22 years. • The first president of Estonia during this period was Konstantin Päts. • Metsavennad( the forest brothers) were freedom fighters who fought in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during World War II and later even after the
the country. In total, there are 47 linna, with "linn" in English meaning both "cities" and "towns". More than 70% of the population lives in towns. History • Estonia was settled near the end of the last glacial era, beginning from around 8500 BC. Before the German invasions in the 13th century proto-Estonians of the Ancient Estonia worshipped the spirits of nature. Since the Northern Crusades Estonia became a battleground for centuries where Denmark, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Poland fought their many wars over controlling the important geographical position of the country as a gateway between East and West. Being conquered by Danes and Germans in 1227, Estonia was ruled initially by Denmark in the north, by the Livonian Order, an autonomous part of the Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights and Baltic German ecclesiastical states of the Holy Roman Empire
by the sea, they are real nesting sanctuaries for a diversity of birds. The first inhabitants came to the area that now forms present-day Estonia some 11 000 years ago. Estonians were one of the last pagan people in Europe. Estonia was incorporated into Christendom at the beginning of the 13th century, under the pressure of crusaders from Denmark and Northern Germany. Estonians were reduced to the status of peasantry until the 19th century. From 1558 onwards, Estonia became the battleground for the Livonian War involving Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Poland. Sweden emerged as the winner and Estonia remained under its influence until the beginning of the 18th century. During Swedish rule, the first university in Estonia was founded at Tartu in 1632. Tartu University is still widely considered the most important university in Estonia. The period is still often remembered by Estonians as "the Good old Swedish time".
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