Estonia, at 45,227 sq. km, is the smallest
and the most northerly of the three Baltic states, with Latvia
to the south and Lithuania to the south of Latvia. Estonia also
shares a border with Russia and is only 80km across the Gulf
of Finland from Helsinki.
Travel Insurance for Estonia:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Estonia
The country is mostly flat, the highest
peak being the hill Suur Munamagi at 318m (the highest in all
the Baltic states) in the south east of the country. Lake Peipsi
on the Estonian-Russian border is the fourth largest lake in
Europe at 3555 sq. km (but just an average of 7.9m deep), although
Vortsjarv in the south of the country is the biggest lake lying
totally in Estonia, at 266 sq. km, but just 6m deep.
Estonians have been living in this tiny portion
of the Baltic lands since approximately 2,500 B.C., making them
the longest settled of the European peoples. Due to Estonia’s
strategic location as a link between East and West, it has been
highly coveted through the ages by rapacious kings and conquerors.
At the beginning of the 13th century, Estonia
was subjugated by the Teutonic knights. Their castles still dot
the countryside, in varying states of eerie decay. By 1285, Tallinn
was part of the Hanseatic League. Trading activities were dominated
by the German merchant families which settled there, and successive
generations of Germans built their manor houses across the country.
But the Germans were only the first of successive
waves of conquerors. Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians all swept
across Estonia, setting up successive regimes, fortifying their
towns and castles, and shipping their goods through Estonian
ports.
In the late 19th century a powerful Estonian nationalist
movement arose. Eventually, on 24 February 1918, Estonia declared
its independence. Its period of independence was brief, however,
and Estonia was forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940.
But in 1991 Estonians again reasserted their independence, and
peacefully broke away from the Soviet Union.
Weather
The climate in Estonia is temperate, characterised by warm summers
and fairly severe winters. The weather is often breezy and
humid due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea. Average temperatures
range from 20.9° C in summer (usually July is the hottest
month) to - 8°C in winter. Although occasionally the temperature
may rise to 30°C and above in summer or sink below - 23°C
in winter, it is very usual at our latitude. Bring your umbrella
and a light raincoat in case of occasional showers.
Estonia
driving guide
Road traffic accidents are common. Extra care must be taken at
all times when driving, particularly after dark and on major
highways.
By law, headlights of vehicles must be on at all times, including
daylight hours. Winter tyres are a legal requirement from 1 December
to 1 March every year, but if there are severe weather conditions
outside these dates (likely in most years) the dates will change
accordingly. You should therefore check local conditions if driving
in Estonia between October and April.
Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is zero. Those found
over the limit face a fine and possible imprisonment. |
