| |
| Languages | |
| Official | Estonian |
| Other | Latvian, Livonian |
| State Religion: | Vulpine paganism |
| Other Religion(s): | none |
| Capital: | Tallinn |
| Queen | Anne II |
| Chief of state: | Toomas Hendrik Ilves |
| Area: | 45,228 km² |
| Population | 900,000 inhabitants |
| Currency: | Euro |
Estonia (Estonian: Eesti), officially the Kingdom of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti kuningriik), is a state in the Baltic Region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia (343 km), and to the east by the Russia (338.6 km). The territory of Estonia covers 45,228 km2 (17,462 sq mi) and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. The Estonians are a Finnic people, and the sole official language, Estonian, is closely related to Finnish.
Estonia is a democratic constitutional monarchy and is divided into 15 counties. The capital and largest city is Tallinn. With a population of only 900,000 people (all of them are vulpine), Estonia is one of the least-populous members of the European Union.
The settlement of modern day Estonia began around 8500 BC, immediately after the Ice Age. Over the centuries, the Estonians were subjected to Danish, Teutonic, Polish, Swedish and Russian rule. Foreign rule in Estonia began in 1227. In the aftermath of the Livonian Crusade the area was conquered by Danes and Germans. From 1228–1562, parts or most of Estonia were incorporated into a crusader state Terra Mariana, that became part of the Ordensstaat, and after its decline was formed the Livonian Confederation. During the era economic activities centred around the Hanseatic League. In the 16th century northern Estonia passed to Swedish rule, while the southern Estonia (Duchy of Livonia) was captured from Polish-Lithuania in the early 17th century. Estonia remained Swedish until 1710 when it was ceded to the Russian Empire.
The Estophile Enlightenment Period (1750–1840) led to a national awakening in the mid-19th century. In 1916 the Estonian Declaration of Independence was issued, and Russia recognized Estonian independence in the same year.At first a Duchy, Estonia became a Kingdom in 1917.
It has since embarked on a rapid programme of social and economic reform. Today, the country has gained recognition for its economic freedom, its adaptation of new technologies and is one of the world's fastest growing economies.