About Estonia

About Estonia and Tallinn

With an area of 45 000 sq. km, Estonia is larger for example than Slovenia, Holland, Denmark or Switzerland; a little smaller, in other words, than New Hampshire and Massachusetts combined. Sea islands form one tenth and lakes about one twentieth of Estonia's territory.

Estonia has the lowest population density in Europe (29.47 people per square km while Spain, for example, has 79.92 and Netherlands 395.11 ) and is full of open spaces. Estonia is mostly flat: over 60 per cent of the country is lower than 50 meters and only 10% is more than 100m above sea level. South Estonia is the hilliest region.

Estonia is a small country with a rich inner life. As a young state that has for long remained in the shadow, the introduction of our inner riches to the whole world is essential in regard to the preservation of Estonia’s uniqueness and the growth of its people. Being part of several different cultural areas at once, our country offers a wide range of sights and experiences.

Tallinn, with its medieval city centre, is Estonia's capital. Over a third of the nation (397 150 people) live in Tallinn and about 70% of the population reside in cities in general. Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, and Toompea is the historical heart of the city. It is covered with cobbled streets with lots of medieval houses and alleyways, and remnants of the city wall can still be seen there and it still protects the lower town spread. Around the wall are green parks perfect for strolling. Tallinn was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.