Fact about Estonia
Before we embark on a new adventure, we study a little bit about the country and then compare it to what we encounter or learn when being there. Estonia is one of those countries many people forget exists. Or many throw it in the same basket as the neighboring countries Latvia and Lithuania, but they differ.
Estonia is a small country located in Northern Europe, with a population of approximately 1.3 million people. Despite its size, Estonia has a rich history and culture and is known for its advancements in technology and education. Here are some interesting facts about Estonia you should know before visiting.
Basic Facts about Estonia
- Name: The Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariik)
- Capital: Tallinn
- Land area: 45,340 km² (17,506 square miles)
- Population: 1,331,000 (as of 2021)
- Official language: Estonian
- Regions of Estonia: there are 10 small regions.
- Estonian flag: the flag of Estonia is a tricolor featuring three equal horizontal bands of blue, black, and white. In Estonian, it is colloquially called the sinimustvalge.
Islands, islands, and more islands
Estonia has a lot of islands! According to the Estonia Tourism Board, there are over 2000 of them in the Baltic Sea. What is interesting is that each island has its unique sight and also culture to share. Saaremaa is the largest island with unique historical, cultural, and natural attractions. It is home to about 30 000 people who speak in their own distinct dialect that even mainlanders can struggle to understand. And one of the most incredible things you can find in Saaremaa, but also the rest of Estonia, are meteorite craters. Saaremaa has, across the span of 1 square kilometer in the center of the island, nine craters caused by the impact of a meteorite hitting the island.
Skype comes from Estonia
Estonia is famous for inventing Skype, even though Estonians didn’t invent it. That honor belongs to a Swede and a Dane who invested in Estonian technology and went on to create the first video-calling app. If you don’t already know, Skype was the forerunner of FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. In March 2020, 100 million people were using Skype every month. In 2019, it was named the 6th most downloaded app of the decade (2010-2019).
Technology is in
Estonia is very progressive. First, it is famous for being the first nation to use online voting (also known as “e-voting”). It was in the year 2007, Estonians could cast their vote online. It was made possible by Estonia’s forward-thinking digital presence and the use of ID cards, which are mandatory in Estonia. Since then, using digital ID authenticators has grown in the rest of Northern Europe, where most people use ID numbers to log into banks, make secure transactions, or even sign documents.
Forests everywhere
Estonia is known for its rich and abundant forests, which cover about 50% of Estonia’s surface. As a result, Estonia is also famous for having some of the cleanest air in the world. And the forests have even a special place in Estonia’s culture. For centuries, Estonians offered gifts to the woods, a practice that continues today. The Estonian pagan religion of Maausk reveres forests as sacred sites.
You’ve probably realized by now that Estonia takes its forests very seriously. But they aren’t the only ones! Estonia is famous for having some of the tallest pine trees in the world, with the tallest at 46.6 meters (150ft).
Funny law
In each county, you find one funny law which does not seem to make sense, and Estonia is no exception. Most Estonian laws make sense; for example, it is a legal requirement for pedestrians and cyclists to wear reflectors when it’s dark. Other Estonian laws are just unusual. Like the law that it is illegal to engage in sexual activity while playing chess. Let’s leave it there.
Independence days
Estonia has two independence days. Both are crucial to understanding Estonian history.
The first and most-celebrated Estonian Independence Day occurs on 24 February, which marks the first day Estonia declared itself independent.
The second is on 20 August, when the Soviet Union’s control in Estonia fell, and independence was restored.
Tall people everywhere
Another thing Estonia is famous for is its tall population. Although Estonia is the third-smallest population in Europe, what they lack in numbers they more than make up for in other areas. Estonians are the 3rd tallest population on earth. The average Estonian is 175.13cm (5 feet 8.94 inches) tall.
Most spas per capita
While saunas are a huge deal in Estonia, there’s more to the spa culture than smoke and steam. Estonia is famous for having the most spas per capita in the world, which you should take advantage of as a tourist.
The island of Saaremaa didn’t gain the nickname “spaaremaa” for nothing. There are over forty spas on the island using ancient and modern methods – think steam rooms, saunas, mud, salt baths, and massage facilities. Check out the Estonia “spa trail” map here.
More women than men
Estonia is famous for its sweet, nutty candy called marzipan. Made from almonds and powdered sugar; marzipan was originally sold in Tallinn as a medicine. The first record of marzipan sold in Tallinn goes back to 1422.
These days, doctors won’t tell you to take marzipan. A shame because marzipan is so deliciously sweet that it feels like it should have some healing benefit.
Estonian Language
The closest language to Estonian is Finnish. These languages are known as “Finno-Ugric languages.” Their closest major cousin is Hungarian.
Thankfully, a considerable percentage of the population speaks at least passing English. For instance, if you’re visiting Tallinn, you’ve got a good chance of getting help in English. Other likely useful languages to know are German and Russian.
Some useful phrases include Tere, which is ‘Hello’; Aitäh which is ‘Thank you’; Palun for ‘Please’; and Ja and Ei for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.
Read also: Things to know about Denmark before you visit
Free public transport for locals
One of the most interesting facts about Tallinn is that its residents can use the capital city’s public transport network for free. Unfortunately, that privilege does not extend to visitors. Still, the system is easy to use and offers excellent value for money if you’re up to getting around the local way.
Other interesting facts include.
Craft beer in Tallinn. The quality and variety of craft beer in Tallinn and elsewhere. Even in a small mini-market, you can find a decent selection of craft beers alongside the national fare. While plenty of IPAs and APAs often dominate the craft beer market, they did also have plenty of lighter ales like pale, blonde, and amber ales.
Education is important. Estonia has a high literacy rate, with nearly 100% of the population being able to read and write. Education is highly valued in Estonia, and the country has a well-developed education system.
High living standards. Estonia has a high standard of living and is ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. The country also has a strong social welfare system and offers universal healthcare to its citizens.
