Portal:Estonia
IntroductionEstonia (Estonian: Eesti [ˈeːsti] ( The territory of Estonia has been inhabited since at least 9,000 B.C. Ancient Estonians were some of the last European pagans to be Christianized, following the Livonian Crusade in the 13th century. After centuries of successive rule by Germans, Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians, a distinct Estonian national identity began to emerge in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This culminated in independence from the Russian Empire in 1918 after a brief War of Independence at the end of World War I. Initially democratic, Estonia was governed by authoritarian rule since 1934 during the Era of Silence and the Great Depression. During World War II (1939–1945), Estonia was repeatedly contested and occupied by the Soviet Union and Germany, ultimately being incorporated into the former as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. After the loss of its de facto independence, Estonia's de jure state continuity was preserved by the Estonian government-in-exile, which was recognized by much of the Western World throughout the Cold War (1945–1991). In 1987 the peaceful Singing Revolution began against Soviet rule, resulting in the restoration of de facto independence on 20 August 1991. Selected article
Tartu (historical name: Dorpat) is the second largest city of Estonia, with a population of 101,297 (as of 2004) and an area of 38.8 km². In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural centre, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, Tartu is the centre of Southern Estonia. The Emajõgi River, which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia, crosses the city for a length of 10 km.
Archaeological evidence of first permanent settlement on the site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century AD. By the 7th century, the local inhabitants had built a wooden fortification on the east side of Toome Hill (Toomemägi). The first documented record of the place was made in 1030 by chroniclers of Kievan Rus. Yaroslav the Wise, Prince of Kiev, raided Tartu that year, built his own fort there, and named it Yuryev (literally "Yury's" - Yury being Yaroslav's Christian name). Kievan rulers then collected tribute from the surrounding ancient Estonian county of Ugaunia, possibly until 1061, when, according to chronicles, Yurev was burned down by another tribe of Chudes (Sosols). Selected imagesDid you know...
Categories▼ Estonia Main topicsCounties: Harju County • Hiiu County • Ida-Viru County • Järva County • Jõgeva County • Lääne County • Lääne-Viru County • Pärnu County • Põlva County • Rapla County • Saare County • Tartu County • Valga County • Viljandi County • Võru County History: Ancient Estonia • Estonian Crusade • Danish Estonia • Livonian War • Duchy of Livonia • Swedish Estonia • Estophilia • Estonian Age of Awakening • Autonomous Governorate of Estonia • Estonia in World War II • Occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany • History of the Jews in Estonia • Occupation of Estonia by Soviets (Estonian SSR) Politics: Parliament • President • Prime Minister • Cabinet • Constitution • Elections • Political parties Geography: Islands • Lakes • Rivers Economy: Tallinn Stock Exchange • Estonian kroon Military: Maavägi • Merevägi • Estonian Air Force Culture: Cinema • Cuisine • Education • Literature • Music • Public holidays Symbols: Flag • Coat of arms • National anthem (Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm) Things you can do
Tuhala Witch's Well · Olympic Yachting Centre in Pirita · Tourism in Estonia · Radio in Estonia (currently a redirect) · Flora of Estonia · Banking in Estonia · Art of Estonia (currently a redirect) · List of bridges in Estonia (currently a redirect) · Buddhism in Estonia · Conscription in Estonia · Environmental issues in Estonia (currently a redirect) · Marriage in Estonia · Life in Estonia · Andrus Alver · Mare Puusepp · Irina Raud · Henno Sepmann · Anton Soans · Toomas Annus · Tiit Kuuli · Hans H. Luik · Aadu Luukas · Villem Reiman · Endel Siff · Peeter Tulviste · Julius Aamisepp · Ilmar Koppel · Elmar Leppik · Karl Orviku · Jaak Parksepp · Johannes Piiper · Voldemar Vaga · Valmer Adams · Anna Haava · Kalju Kangur · Enn Kippel · Juhan Kunder · Valdo Pant · Juhan Peegel · Aino Pervik · Hando Runnel · Women's football in Estonia, More...
WikiProjectsWikipedia in Estonian
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