Estonia - Travel Guide
Description
With a population of only 1.6 million, this small heavily-forested country is home to almost as many animals as it is people. Brown bear, elk, lynx, wild boars, red deer and the European flying squirrel have survived among multifarious fauna for generations. Estonia is also inhabited by rare nesting birds such as the black stork and many varieties of raptor. Hiking and bird watching are both very popular pastimes in Estonia.
Estonia forms part of the Baltic region and is bordered by Finland, Latvia and Russia. It has a fairly mild climate because of its nearness to the sea, although winter here can be quite cold.
Part of the Russian Empire until 1918, Estonia has deeply-rooted traditions in folk song and verse that have been strong enough to survive centuries of domination by other countries. The capital, Tallinn, is over 1,000 years old, with the town centre surrounded by a medieval wall. It is the cultural highlight of any visit to this interesting country. The cities in Estonia are graceful and wealthily adorned with stunning architecture.
Although it is a larger country than both Switzerland and Denmark, Estonia is a relatively unknown destination but it is making a real effort to market itself as one of the most interesting new tourist destinations in the western world.
The country is made up of about 40% forest, 20% marshland, 10% of the total area is covered by breathtaking lakes and reservoirs and the rest of Estonia is largely flat and covered with glacial sediment.
Estonia is a haven for lovers of nature, geologists and conservationists but it is also becoming a favourite of those who want to relax on a beach, without any fear of being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of a huge holiday resort.
Driving Guide
Drive on the right side of the road. Driving in Estonia can prove very interesting. In towns the roads are full of potholes, while secondary roads are usually surfaced with gravel or sand. At night, the locals often drive on sidelights only and goods fallen from vehicles often lay in the road! You must drive with headlights on at all times, and seat-belts must be used in the front of the vehicle. Unless you are in extreme danger, horns must not be used in towns or villages. You will have to pay for parking in Tallinn and other main towns. Be careful - wheel clamping is a legitimate deterrent. Do not park on tram lines. Speed limits are more strict than in the UK: highways 90km/h; within city limits 50km/h. On some roads the limit is raised to 100km/h. On-the-spot fines are not applied, and all fines should be paid at a bank. Almost every petrol station is open 24 hours and they accept the major credit cards. When visiting the country in winter, you will be able to purchase a special blend of diesel which does not congeal in cold weather. Do NOT drink and drive.