|
|
***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Link Sponsorizzati |
| Europa |
| Easyvacanze | ||
| Guida Viaggi | ||
| Itinerari |
| Estonia |
| Soomaa | Narva | Tallinn | Hiumaa |
| Noaroots | Polva |
| Thanks to
http://www.facebook.com/Costasur
Guia de viajes - http://www.costasur.com/ |
| Estonia Europa Estonia, al noroeste de Europa es la más septentrional de las tres repúblicas bálticas y la única que posee islas, casi 1.500. En 1991 logró la independencia de la URSS y en 2004 se incorporó a la Unión Europea. Tallinn, su capital, es la imagen por excelencia de Eastonia. En Estonia, a pesar de ser un país no muy grande, son muchos los lugares en los que perderse en la naturaleza y practicar deportes como el senderismo y los deportes acuáticos. Uno de esos espacios abiertos al turista es el Parque Nacional de Lahemaa, a unos 50 kilómetros de Tallinn. Este parque, además del interés natural, posee importantes monumentos que reflejan la historia del país, desde palacios hasta yacimientos arqueológicos. |
|
| Link Sponsorizzati |
|
| Tallinn bien merece la pena ser
exprimida. Si viene de vacaciones a Estonia, reserve varios días para
conocer a fondo esta ciudad. La capital se ha convertido en un
descubrimiento para el turista europeo. Comience visitando el Vanalinn, la
ciudad antigua, donde encontrará la Raekoja Plats, la plaza del
Ayuntamiento, con su torre octogonal, a la que fue añadido posteriormente
una aguja barroca. Otro de sus grandes atractivos, Kolm Ode, tres edificios
conocidos como las "Tres Hermanas", las casas más famosas de Tallinn. No
deje de ver la Iglesia de San Olaf, que con su larga aguja en la torre,
determina el perfil de la ciudad. En Toompea, el barrio más alto de la ciudad, se levanta la Catedral de Alexander Nevski, monumento al imperio zarista. Antes de irse, haga un recorrido por las murallas y admire algunas de sus torres. Otros lugares que visitar: el palacio presidencial y los jardines de Kadrioru, distrito al este del centro de Tallinn; y el palacio de Maarjamäe, de estilo neogótico, en Pirita, en el noreste de la ciudad. En este último distrito también podrá disfrutar de un centro de vela, de sol y de playa. Algunos de los museos de la ciudad son el Ajaloomuuseum (Museo de la Historia Nacional), el Linnamuuseum (Museo Municipal), el Tarbekunstimuuseum (Museo de Artes Aplicadas)... Además de la capital, siga su viaje por Estonia conociendo las glorias del Haapsalu medieval; la mayor de las islas estonias, Saaremaa; la estación balnearia y termal de Pärnu; o la prestigiosa ciudad universitaria de Tartu. Al este de esta ciudad, se extiende el lago Pepius, que está compartido con su país vecino, Rusia. 1 - 7 de 7 Horario de tiendas en Estonia Horario de tiendas en Estonia Horario de bancos: Generalmente, 9:00-16:00h (de lunes a viernes) y 9:00-15:00h (sábados). Horario de comercios: Generalmente, 9:00-18:00/20:00h (de lunes a viernes) y 10:00-16:00/17:00h (sábados) Horario de restaurantes:... [Ver más] Asistencia Sanitaria en Estonia Asistencia Sanitaria en Estonia Si viaja de vacaciones a Estonia, lleve consigo la Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE), que se expide en los distintos Centros de la Seguridad Social de... [Ver más] Conducir en Estonia Conducir en Estonia (110 (Policía) 112 (Ambulancia y bomberos)) En Estonia se conduce por la derecha. El estado general de las carreteras es muy variable. las luces tienen que ir encendidas las 24 horas del... [Ver más] Electricidad en Estonia Electricidad en Estonia La electricidad en Estonia es de 220 vatios AC, 50 Hz. Los enchufes suelen ser de dos clavijas. [Ver más] Viajar con animales a Estonia Viajar con animales a Estonia Estonia, al ser miembro de la UE, permite la entrada de animales de otros países miembros de la UE. Para ello tendrán que llevar consigo... [Ver más] Cajeros y divisas en Estonia Cajeros y divisas en Estonia La moneda oficial de Estonia es la corona estonia (un euro equivale aproximadamente a 15,5 coronas) En la mayoría de las poblaciones, hay cajeros automáticos. Se... [Ver más] Oficina de Turismo de Estonia Oficina de Turismo de Estonia (+372 6 279 770) Oficina Nacional de Turismo de Estonia en Tallinn, capital del país. [Ver más] |
| Thanks to
http://www.world66.com/ *********************The content is published under a creative commons licence : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 / ). |
| Estonia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Main entrance Main entrance Stephan Adelson The northernmost of the three Baltic States, Estonia has fared well since regaining independence. When in the capital Tallinn you notice right away that people are doing well especially with their hosipitality towards visitors. For the visitor Estonia offers some nice natural parks, a few old towns, some remains from the Middle Ages and a lot of Islands just off the coast. Tallinn is a beautiful medieval old city, comparable to Prague with it's multitude of spires and orange-tiled roftops. Estonian language is different from the Indo-European languages; it belongs to the Finno-Ugric group of languages toghether with Finnish and Hungarian. It is very similar to Finnish, which is spoken just over the Gulf of Finland. The easiest way to visit Estonia is either by a cruise ship or a ferry from other Baltic countries as both dock regularly in Tallinn, the capital which is a seaport city. Most of the tourist places will accept the Euro or the American dollar. ________History Edit This Estonians are one of the longest settled European peoples whose forebears known as the "comb pottery" people lived on the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea over 5 000 years ago. Like other early agricultural societies Estonians were organized into economically self-sufficient male-dominated clans with few differences in wealth or social power. By the early Middle Ages most Estonians were small landholders with farmsteads primarily organized by village. Estonian government remained decentralized with local political and administrative subdivisions emerging only during the first century A.D. By then Estonia had a population of over 150 000 people and remained the last corner of medieval Europe to be Christianized. Estonia also managed to remain nominally independent from the Vikings to the west and Kievan Rus to the east subject only to occasional forced tribute collections. However the Danes conquered Toompea the hilled fortress at what is now the center of Tallinn and in 1227 the German crusading order of the Sword Brethren defeated the last Estonian stronghold; the people were Christianized colonized and enserfed. Despite attempts to restore independence Estonia was divided among three domains and small states were formed. Tallinn joined the Hanseatic League in 1248. By 1236 the Sword Brethren allied with the Order of the Teutonic Knights and became known as the Livonian Order of the Teutonic Knights. Finding upkeep of the distant colony too costly the Danes in 1346 sold their part of Estonia to the Livonian Order. Despite successful Russian raids and invasions in 1481 and 1558 the local German barons continued to rule Estonia and since 1524 preserved Estonian commitment to the Protestant Reformation. Northern Estonia submitted to Swedish control in 1561 during the Livonian Wars and in 1582/3 southern Estonia (Livonia) became part of Poland's Duchy of Courland. In 1625 mainland Estonia came entirely under Swedish rule and in 1645 Sweden bought the island of Saaremaa from Denmark. In 1631 the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf granted the peasantry greater autonomy opened the first known Estonian-language school in Tallinn and in 1632 established a printing press and university in the city of Tartu. The Swedish defeat resulting in the 1721 Treaty of Nystad imposed Russian rule in what became modern Estonia. Nonetheless the legal system Lutheran church local and town governments and education remained mostly German until the late 19th century and partially until 1918. By 1819 the Baltic provinces were the first in the Russian empire in which serfdom was abolished spurring the peasants to own their own land or move to the cities. These moves created the economic foundation for the Estonian national cultural awakening that had lain dormant for some 600 years of foreign rule. Estonia was caught in a current of national awakening that began sweeping through Europe in the mid-1800s. A cultural movement sprang forth to adopt the use of Estonian as the language of instruction in schools all-Estonian song festivals were held regularly after 1869 and a national literature in Estonia developed. Kalevipoeg Estonia's epic national poem was published in 1861 in both Estonian and German. More importantly activists who agitated for a modern national culture also agitated for a modern national state. As the 1905 Revolution swept through Estonia the Estonians called for freedom of the press and assembly for universal franchise and for national autonomy. The 1905 uprisings were brutally suppressed and Estonian gains were minimal but the tense stability that prevailed between 1905 and 1917 allowed Estonians to advance the aspiration of national statehood. With the collapse of the Russian empire in World War I Russia's Provisional Government granted national autonomy to Estonia. A popularly elected assembly (Maapaev) was formed but was quickly forced underground by opposing extremist political forces. The Committee of Elders of the underground Maapaev announced the Republic of Estonia on 24 February 1918 one day before German troops invaded. After the withdrawal of German troops in November 1918 fighting broke out between Bolshevik and Estonian troops. On February 2 1920 the Treaty of Tartu-the Soviet Union's first foreign peace treaty-was signed by the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia. The terms of the treaty stated that Soviet Russia renounced in perpetuity all rights to the territory of Estonia. Independence lasted twenty-two years. Estonia underwent a number of economic social and political reforms necessary to come to terms with its new status as a sovereign state. Economically and socially land reform in 1919 was the most important step. Large estate holdings belonging to the Baltic nobility were redistributed among the peasants and especially among volunteers in the War of Independence. Loss of markets in the east led to considerable hardships until Estonia developed an export-based economy and domestic industries. Estonia's principal markets became Scandinavia Great Britain and Western Europe with some exports to the United States and Soviet Union. During its early independence Estonia operated under a liberal democratic constitution patterned on the Swiss model. However with nine to 14 politically divergent parties Estonia experienced 20 different parliamentary governments between 1919 and 1933. The Great Depression spawned the growth of powerful far-rightist parties which successfully pushed popular support in 1933 for a new constitution granting much stronger executive powers. In a preemptive move against the far right Estonia's first and also then-president Konstantin Pats dissolved parliament and governed the country by decree. By 1938 Estonia ratified a third more balanced and very liberal constitution and elected a new parliament the following year. The independence period was one of great cultural advancement. Estonian language schools were established and artistic life of all kinds flourished. One of the more notable cultural acts of the independence period unique in Western Europe at the time of its passage in 1925 was a guarantee of cultural autonomy to minority groups comprising at least 3 000 persons and to Jews. Estonia had pursued a policy of neutrality but the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Non-aggression Pact on August 23 1939 signaled the end of independence. The agreement provided for the Soviet occupation of Estonia Latvia part of Finland and later Lithuania in return for Nazi Germany's assuming control over most of Poland. After extensive diplomatic intrigue the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed on July 21 1940 one month after Estonia was occupied by Soviet troops. The ESSR was formally accepted into the Soviet Union on August 6. Soviet occupation was accompanied by expropriation of property Sovietization of cultural life and the installation of Stalinist communism in political life. Deportations also quickly followed beginning on the night of June 14 1941. That night more than 10 000 people most of them women children and the elderly were taken from their homes and sent to Siberia in cattle cars. When Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union on June 22 most Estonians greeted the Germans with relatively open arms. Two-and-a-half years of Nazi occupation amply demonstrated that German intentions were nearly as harsh as Soviet aggression: Estonia became a part of "Ostland " and about 5 500 Estonians died in concentration camps. However few Estonians welcomed the Red Army's return to the frontier in January 1944. Without much support from retreating German troops Estonian conscripts engaged the Soviets in a slow bloody nine-month battle. Some 10% of the population fled to the West between 1940 and 1944. By late September Soviet forces expelled the last German troops from Estonia ushering in a second phase of Soviet rule. That year Moscow also moved to transfer the Estonian Narva and Petseri border districts which held a large percentage of ethnic Russians to Russian control. For the next decade in the countryside an anti-Soviet guerrilla movement known as "the Forest Brethren" existed in the countryside. Composed of formerly conscripted Estonian soldiers from the German Army fugitives from the Soviet military draft or security police arrest and those seeking revenge for mass deportations the Forest Brethren used abandoned German and Soviet equipment and worked in groups or alone. In the hope that protracted resistance would encourage Allied intervention for the restoration of Estonian independence the movement reached its zenith in 1946-48 with an estimated 5 000-30 000 followers and held effective military control in some rural areas. After the war the Estonian Communist Party (ECP) became the pre-eminent organization in the republic. Most of these new members were Russified Estonians who had spent most of their lives in the Soviet Union. Not surprisingly Estonians were reluctant to join the ECP and thus take part in the Sovietization of their own country. The ethnic Estonian share in the total ECP membership went from 90% in 1941 to 48% in 1952. After Stalin's death Party membership vastly expanded its social base to include more ethnic Estonians. By the mid-1960s the percentage of ethnic Estonian membership stabilized near 50%. On the eve of perestroika the ECP claimed about 100 000 members; less than half were ethnic Estonians and comprised less than 2% of the country's population. Russians or Russified Estonians continued to dominate the party's upper echelons. A positive aspect of the post-Stalin era in Estonia was a re-opening in the late 1950s of citizens' contacts with foreign countries. Ties were also reactivated with Finland boosting a flourishing black market. In the mid-1960s Estonians began watching Finnish television. This electronic "window on the West" afforded Estonians more information on current affairs and more access to Western culture and thought than any other group in the Soviet Union. This heightened media environment was important in preparing Estonians for their vanguard role in extending perestroika during the Gorbachev era. By the 1970s national concerns including worries about ecological ruin became the major theme of dissent in Estonia. In the late 1970s Estonian society grew increasingly concerned about the threat of cultural Russification to the Estonian language and national identity. By 1981 Russian was taught in the first grade of Estonian language schools and was also introduced into the Estonian pre-school teaching. These acts prompted 40 established intellectuals to write a letter to Moscow and the republic authorities. This "Letter of the Forty" spoke out against the use of force against protesters and the increasing threat to the Estonian language and culture. In October of 1980 the youth of Tallinn also demonstrated against toughened Russification policies particularly in education. By the beginning of the Gorbachev era concern over the cultural survival of the Estonian people had reached a critical point. Although these complaints were first couched in environmental terms they quickly became the grist of straightforward political national feelings. In this regard the two decades of independent statehood were pivotal. The ECP remained stable in the early perestroika years and appeared strong at its 19th Congress in 1986. By 1988 however the ECP's weakness had become clear when it was unable to assume more than a passive role and was relegated to a reactive position. Praising the 1980 "Letter of the Forty " Vaino Valjas replaced Karl Vaino as Party Chief and thereby temporarily enhanced the ECP's reputation along with his own. Nevertheless the Party continued its downward spiral of influence in 1989 and 1990. In November 1989 the Writers' Union Party Organization voted to suspend its activity and the Estonian Komsomol disbanded. In February 1990 Estonia's Supreme Soviet eliminated paragraph 6 of the republic's constitution which had guaranteed the Party's leading role in society. The final blow came at the ECP's 20th Congress in March 1990 when it voted to break with the CPSU. The Party splintered into three branches then consolidated into a pro-CPSU (Moscow) and an independent ECP. As the ECP waned other political movements groupings and parties moved to fill the power vacuum. The first and most important was the Estonian Popular Front established in April 1988 with its own platform leadership and broad constituency. The Greens and the dissident-led Estonian National Independence Party soon followed. By 1989 the political spectrum widened and new parties were formed and re-formed almost daily. A number of changes in the republic's government brought about by political advances in the late 1980s played a major role in forming a legal framework for political change. This involved the republic's Supreme Soviet being transformed into an authentic regional law-making body. This relatively conservative legislature managed to pass a number of laws notably a package of laws that addressed the most sensitive ethnic concerns. These laws included the early declaration of sovereignty (November 1988); a law on economic independence (May 1989) confirmed by the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet that November; a language law making Estonian the official language (January 1989); and local and republic election laws stipulating residency requirements for voting and candidacy (August November 1989). Although not all non-Estonians supported full independence they were divided in their goals for the republic. In March 1990 some 18% of Russian speakers supported the idea of fully independent Estonia up from 7% the previous autumn and only a small group of Estonians were opposed to full independence in early 1990. Estonia held free elections for the 105-member Supreme Council on March 18 1990. All residents of Estonia were eligible to participate in the elections including the approximately 50 000 Soviet troops stationed there. The Popular Front coalition composed of left and centrist parties and led by former Central Planning Committee official Edgar Savisaar held a parliamentary majority. Despite the emergence of the new lawmaking body an alternative legislature developed in Estonia. In February 1990 a body known as the Congress of Estonia was elected in unofficial and unsanctioned elections. Supporters of the Congress argued that the inter-war republic continued to exist de jure: Since Estonia was forcibly annexed by the U.S.S.R. only citizens of that republic and their descendants could decide Estonia's future. Through a strict nonconfrontational policy in pursuing independence Estonia managed to avoid the violence which Latvia and Lithuania incurred in the bloody January 1991 crackdowns and in the border-customs post guard murders that summer. During the August coup in the U.S.S.R. Estonia was able to maintain constant operation and control of its telecommunications facilities thereby offering the West a clear view into the latest coup developments and serving as a conduit for swift Western support and recognition of Estonia's redeclaration of independence on August 20. Following Europe's lead the U.S. formally reestablished diplomatic relations with Estonia on September 2 and the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet offered recognition on September 6. During the subsequent cold winter which compounded Estonia's economic restructuring problems Prime Minister Edgar Savisaar demanded emergency powers to deal with the economic and fuel crises. A consequent no-confidence vote by the Supreme Council caused the Popular Front leader to resign and a new government led by former Transportation Minister Tiit Vahi took office. After more than three years of negotiations on August 31 1994 the armed forces of the Russian Federation withdrew from Estonia. Several hundred civilian-clad Russian military remained at the nuclear submarine training reactor facility at Paldiski until September 30 1995 in order to remove equipment and help decommission the facility. ________Practical Information Edit This The EEK is pegged to the Euro (15.65 EEK = 1 Euro). In, at least, the major towns, plenty of ATMs are available taking most or all major cards (Maestro, Visa, etc.). Phrase List Hello - Tervist How are you? - Kuidas käsi käib? Fine, thank you - Tänan, hästi What is your name? - Mis on teie nimi? _________Getting There Edit This Cruise ships in Tallinn Cruise ships in Tallinn Joseph Hollick Getting to and from Estonia by ferry Estonia is well served by ferry, with connections from Tallinn to for example Helsinki, Stockholm, St Petersburg and Rostock. Ferry operators include Tallink ( www.tallink.ee), Silja Line ( www.silja.com) and Viking Line ( www.vikingline.ee). by rail Rail connections with other countries are limited, there is however a daily overnight connection with Moscow. Check out www.evrekspress.ee (not in English) or www.seat61.com (in English) for more details. by bus Due to the lack of rail services, buses are the way to go in the Baltics. Connections from Tallinn to main destinations in neighbouring countries, and even as far as Western and Southern Europe are available. More information can be found on www.eurolines.ee and www.ecolines.ee. by air Tallinn has direct air connections with a large number of Europe ’s major cities as follows: Estonian Air from Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Kiev, London, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Oslo, Paris, Riga (codeshare with Air Baltic), Stockholm and Vilnius (codeshare with Air Baltic). Air Baltic from Riga and Vilnius. SAS in co-operation with Estonian air from Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. Aeroflot from Moscow. Aerosvit Airlines (through codeshare with Estonian Air) from Kiev. City Airline from Gothenburg. Czech Airlines from Prague. Easy Jet Airline from Berlin and London. Finnair from Helsinki. KLM from Amsterdam. LOT from Warsaw. Lufthansa from Frankfurt. Contributors October 10, 2005 change by ingvar September 03, 2005 change by gika [Add Global transport mode] Nordic Jet Line Edit This Nordic Jet Line operates 'high speed' catamarans on the Helsinki - Tallinn route. There are seven sailings a day (less on sundays) and travel time is 1h40. There are no ferries from January to April, due to the ice conditions at sea. Booking online is the best way to get hold of a cheap ticket. type: By Sea World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +372 6 137 000 url: www.njl.fi address: Vanasadam Reisiterminal C email: booking@njl.ee ___________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: In 1997 Estonia's continued implementation of market economic reforms disciplined fiscal and monetary policies and a liberal free trade regime resulted in GDP growth of 10% and a drop in inflation to 11.2%. Estonia can point to its inclusion among the first group of Central and East European countries to begin EU accession talks in 1998 as its most significant economic achievement in 1997. Other economic strengths include solid investment grade rating from both Standard and Poors and Moody's government revenue collection in excess of projections by more than 6% growth in exports at a faster rate than imports and record levels of foreign direct investment among the highest per capita in Central and East Europe. Estonia privatized its shipping company in 1997 but failed to make as much progress privatizing other large infrastructure/utility companies such as Eesti Energia and the Oil Shale company which it plans to privatize in the next two years. The growing current account deficit which stood at nearly 10% of GDP at yearend 1997 remains a serious concern. In 1998 GDP is expected to grow by 5.5% and inflation to fall 10%. GDP: purchasing power parity—$9.34 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 10% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$6 450 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 7.1% industry: 24.9% services: 68% (1995 est.) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 11.2% (1997 est.) Labor force: total: 785 000 (1996 est.) by occupation: industry and construction 42% agriculture and forestry 20% other 38% (1990) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion including capital expenditures of $214 million (1996 est.) Industries: oil shale shipbuilding phosphates electric motors excavators cement furniture clothing textiles paper shoes apparel Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity—capacity: 3.287 million kW (1995) Electricity—production: 8.083 billion kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 4 355 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: potatoes fruits vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Exports: total value: $2 billion (f.o.b. 1996) commodities: textiles 16% food products 16% machinery and equipment 16% metals 9% (1995) partners: Finland Russia Sweden Germany Latvia (1995) Imports: total value: $3.2 billion (c.i.f. 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment 29% foodstuffs 14% minerals 13% textiles 13% metals 12% (1995) partners: Finland Russia Sweden Germany (1995) Debt—external: $270 million (January 1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA $147 million (1993) note: Western commitments $285 million (including international financial institutions) Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August 1992) Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US$1—14.527 (January 1998) 13.882 (1997) 12.034 (1996) 11.465 (1995) 12.991 (1994) 13.223 (1993); note—krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1 Fiscal year: calendar year ________Day Trips Edit This EstAdventures is a tour company offering Old Town Walking Tours and day trips outside of Tallinn. Day trip options include Lahemaa National Park, Communist Estonia, and Estonian Castles. EstAdventures can organise a personal tour for two or more people to cater for your exact needs. EstAdventures ________People Edit This Estonians shopping for flowers in Old Tallinn Estonians shopping for flowers in Old Tallinn Joseph Hollick Population: 1 421 335 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 136 278; female 131 480) 15-64 years: 67% (male 456 796; female 492 946) 65 years and over: 14% (male 66 261; female 137 574) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.99% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.04 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 0 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -4.76 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.98 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.52 years male: 62.5 years female: 74.83 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.29 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic groups: Estonian 64.2% Russian 28.7% Ukrainian 2.7% Byelorussian 1.5% Finn 1% other 1.9% (1995) Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Russian Orthodox Estonian Orthodox others include Baptist Methodist 7th Day Adventist Roman Catholic Pentecostal Word of Life 7th Day Baptist Judaism Languages: Estonian (official) Russian Ukrainian other Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1989 est.) :::::::Haapsalu Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Haapsalu with the Episcopal palace Haapsalu with the Episcopal palace Ingvar Haapsalu is a resort town on the West-Coast of Estonia. It was founded in the 13th century and has been well-known for centuries for its warm sea water, curative mud and peaceful atmosphere. The narrow streets with early XXth century wooden houses make the town centre a nice place to wander around. Most buildings were in a bad shape by the end of Soviet rule but most of them have now been restored. The railway station, with its extremely long platform built for the czar's train, has also been restored. The main sights in town are the medieval Episcopal Palace, the Promenade (Promenaad) and the Assembly Hall (Kuursaal, built in 1898), where you can take a picturesque walk along the seaside. The cultural life in Haapsalu becomes especially active in summer. The Old Music Festival, the strings festival Violin Plays (Viiulimängud) and the Pjotr Tchaikovsky Music Festival are great for lovers of classical music. For blues lovers there is the August Blues Festival. Haapsalu's main festival however is are the White Lady Days, held at the time of the August full moon. ::::::::Kuressaare Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Kuressaare is the capital of Saaremaa. The town, located at the Livonia Bay, has territory of about 15 sq.km and a population of about 16,000. Kuressaare that obtained the freedom of a town in 1563 has been called with different names throughout its existence. Its historic German-like name used to be Arensburg that was replaced by Kuressaare in 1917. During the Soviet period, in 1952-1988 it was called Kingissepa after the bolshevik Viktor Kingissepp who was born here. Kuressaare was the first town in Estonia where the self-governing status was restored in October 1990. Today, Kuressaare is a safe and healthy town, open for international cooperation and communication and having eight twin-towns.. :::::::Lahemaa national park Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Lahemaa - Bogs Lahemaa - Bogs Werner | www.mosabuam.com Lahemaa is a national park 80km east of Tallinn that offers beautiful old growth forests, bogs and lovely stretches of the coast. Late summer is the time when the mushrooms go crazy and you see millions of them. The information center in Palmse has maps and other information material (in english, german & estonian). To explore the diversity either go there by car or rent a bicycle. It is rather tough to explore the park with public transport. The village of Käsmu on one of the peninsulas was known in the past for the first Captain's School in Estonia and the renowned ship-building history of Käsmu dates back to 18-19th century. Nowadays the village with its remote beaches behind the forests is just a wonderful place fo enjoy warm summer days away from crowds. :::::::::Matsalu National Park Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Penijõe manor, Matsalu Penijõe manor, Matsalu Ingvar Matsalu National Park on the Estonian west coast is a famous bird watching area. It has been a reserve since 1957, and in 1976 it was included in the list of reserves protected under the international Ramsar Convention. The park is situated around a shallow bay of the Baltic Sea with extensive reedbeds, ideal for migrating birds. There are also meadows, floodplains and so called alvar land. A visitor’s centre has been created in the renovated Penijõe manor. There are also several bird watching towers. ::::::::Narva Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Eu and Russia border Eu and Russia border Konstantin Urlihh The city of Narva is situated in the north-east of Estonia, on the border with Russia, 212 km to the east of Tallinn and 150 km to the west of Saint Petersburg. The city stands on the left bank of the Narva River, 14 km away from the place where the River flows into the Gulf of Finland. At the mouth of the Narva River lies the resort town of Narva-Jõesuu. Narva is on the territory of Ida-Viru county of Estonia and is the largest city in the northeast Estonia. The city of Narva has joined the international movement "Child Friendly City" and in 2004 has received a title "Friendly to children and youth". The population of Narva is 69410 people; population density is 821-people/km (as of 01.01.2005). Closeness to the three large water basins - the Gulf of Finland, the Narva Reservoir and Lake Peipsi - greatly affects the local climate. Winter is mild (average temp. –5.2?/22.6F) and summer is cool (average temp. is +16.0C/60.8F). The main natural attractions are the Narva River, the Narva Reservoir, other small bodies of water and a glint terrace situated to the north of Tallinn highway. The ashes plateau of the Baltic Power Station makes quite a sight as well. ::::::Offshore islands Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Stone circles in Tahkuna, Hiiumaa Stone circles in Tahkuna, Hiiumaa Siim Teller (teller.diip.ee) We currently have no information about Offshore islands. If you do know any general information about Offshore islands, please [Edit this article]. :::::::::Paldiski Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x Paldiskis unicue Nature Marek Iskar Paldiski is a small town with 4000 people and with a very interesting history. The town was occupied by the Soviet Union (CCCP) for about 50 years! It was a large military base and a leading training center of the Soviet nuclear submarine forces. When Estonia regained independence, the base was closed, and most servicemen and their families returned home to Russia. Paldiski is today a very perspective area for the development of transit, industry and tourism and a training-center for Estonian peacekeeping forces… Here are many former military buildings and bases remaining. By the end of year 2004, the construction of a wind farm has been started at Paldiski. Today it provides clean and renewable electricity equivalent to ca. 1% of Estonia’s electricity consumption. You should really come and look at Paldiski Nature nature, and Pakri Cliff is Very interesting and unique in North Europe and all over the world!l Paldiski was mentioned in the Swedish movie "Torsk på Tallinn." :::::::::::Parnu Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Parnu is a small city on the southwestern side of Estonia. Parnu is very much a resort town, and its main activity in the summer would be to go to the beach. Parnu is famous for its beach, which stretches for miles with hundreds of people who come from all over to relish in the estonian summer sun. The city is very charming and it contains a nice 19th century shopping district. The city is lined with parks and to walk down the streets of this city is a very enjoyable pleasure. ::::::::Saaremaa Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Wind generator on juniper field Wind generator on juniper field Priit Laes Saaremaa is a tourist destination, revisited by 35% of foreign and 95% of domestic tourists. •Exotic - specific, ecologically clean, due to the mild maritime climate. Nature here presents a great diversity, made impressive by juniper fields, coastal alvars, sandy beaches and bluffs. • Safety - The level of crime is 3 - 4 times lower here than in Tallinn or in Estonia on the whole. :::::Viljandi Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see old down old down daniil harik Population: 20 756 (2000. a census) Area: 14,6 km² Location : South-Estonia, the uplands of Sakala. From Viljandi to Tallinn - 161 km, to Tartu 81 km, to Pärnu 97 km. History:1154 Arabian geographer, Abu-Abdallah-Muhammad al-Idrisi mentioned the ancient Viljandi stronghold for the first time in written sources. It figures under the name of Falamus in the commentaries to the world atlas ordered by the King of Sicily, Roger II 1211 The first siege of the ancient stronghold of Viljandi by the joint forces of Germans, Latvian and Livs. The besiegers could not conquer the stronghold but in accordance with the agreement the priests were let in the stronghold. They besprinkled the houses with holy water and carried through catechesis. 1223 On January 29 Estonians rebelled against the Germans who in accordance with the agreement had meantime settled in the stronghold. Partly the knights and the merchants who had gathered in the church for Sunday mass, were killed, partly imprisoned. 1223 In August the 8,000 strong army under Lippe Bernard sieged Viljandi. After a two-week siege the defenders succumbed to thirst and an outbreak of plaque. The soldiers of the Russian unit who had come to assist Estonians, were hung. 1224 The Master of the Order of the Knights of Sword, Volquin, gave an order to construct stone reinforcements on the site of the ancient stronghold. 1346 Viljandi was mentioned in the papers of the Hanseatic League for the first time. The letter of Hanseatic merchants was sent to the Council of the City of Tallinn about the contract with Novgorod. Very likely Viljandi joined the Hanseatic League in the second half of the 14th century. Viljandi located at the crossroads of trade routes had an important role as transit town in the routes Pärnu - Viljandi - Tartu - Novgorod and Riga - Viljandi - Tartu - Novgorod. 1350-1400 More than 50 celebrations of Livonian towns were held, some of them were in Viljandi as well. 1560 During the Livonian War the Russian army under the prince Kurbski laid siege to the castle and the town. After the prolonged siege the Russians conquered the town. The castle had to surrender due to the treachery of the mercenaries. The commandant of the castle, Wilhelm Fürstenberg, was imprisoned in Viljandi and taken to Russia. 1610 The Polish priest, Dionysius Fabricius, who stayed in Viljandi wrote in his Chronicles: “ They say that the devil himself guards the ruins of Viljandi and crows as a cock. There is nothing to be amazed at, as everything is completely destroyed so that neither the stronghold nor the town are not the places for human beings to live any more, then the devil has found a suitable place for himself. 1624 Gustav II Adolf , king of Sweden, donated the castle and the land belonging to it to Jacob De la Gardie. As a result of this legal statement, the town lost its town bylaws that had been fixed by Polish kings. 1765 A great fire in Viljandi. 1878 C. R. Jakobson began to publish the newspaper “Sakala” in Viljandi. Soon it was the most popular newspaper of Estonians. The archaeological excavations began in the ruins of the castle under the supervision of the history teacher of the District Gymnasium, Theodor Schiemann. Next year the excavations were carried on. 1894 A great fire occurred in the central part of Viljandi. A lot of wooden houses were ruined in fire. 1918 On February 24 they proclaimed the formation of the Estonian Republic. On February 25 the German army occupied Viljandi. The area of Viljandi was 91 hectars and 60 hectars from the territory was covered with buildings. 1920 The theatre “Ugala” was established in Viljandi. The first performance was a comedy “The Boardinghouse Schöller” by W. Jakobi. On July 17th there was a finishing performance of the summer courses of the theatre. It was “Salome” by Oscar Wilde and at the same time it was the first professional open-air play in Estonia. The Joint Stock Company “Alko” was founded in Viljandi. At first they made only liqueurs but from the year of 1921 they produced wines and sparkling wines as well. 1924 The so-called Crow’s Bridge was built in the castle park. 1940 The beginning of the Soviet Occupation. On June 17 Estonia and Viljandi were occupied by the Soviet Army. On June 21 the overturn took place |
