Estonia

Estonia is an untouched, sparsely populated country, of which almost 50% is covered with forests. Wetlands, along with primeval forests, showcase conserved communities, which have for the most part been destroyed in Europe. With more than 1000 lakes, and seven thousand rivers and streams, which carry rainwater to the sea.

Understanding the Geography

Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe , and is a Baltic state. Estonia has land borders with Latvia to the south and Russia to the east. It is separated from Finland in the north by the narrow Gulf of Finland and from Sweden in the west by the Baltic Sea.

Cities in Estonia

• Tallinn : the capital - in Harjumaa
• Tartu : second largest city - in Tartumaa
• Kardla in Hiiumaa
• Johvi in Ida-Virumaa
• Paide in Jarvamaa
• Jogeva in Jogevamaa
• Haapsalu in Laanemaa
• Rakvere in Laane-Virumaa
• Parnu in Parnumaa
• Polva in Polvamaa
• Rapla in Raplamaa
• Kuressaare in Saaremaa
• Valga in Valgamaa
• Viljandi in Viljandimaa
• Voru in Vorumaa

Climate Conditions

Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and in the transition zone between maritime and continental climate. Because Estonia (and entire Northern Europe) is continuously warmed by the Gulf Stream, it has a milder climate despite its northern latitude. The Baltic Sea causes differences between the climate of coastal and inland areas.

The average annual temperature in Estonia is 4.5 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in February, the coldest month of the year, is negative 5.2 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in July, which is considered the warmest month of the year, is 17 degrees Celsius.

The climate is also influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the North-Atlantic Stream and the Icelandic Minimum, which is an area known for the formation of cyclones and where the average air pressure is lower than in neighbouring areas.

Estonia is located in a humid zone in which the amount of precipitation outnumbers total evaporation. There are about 160 to 180 rainy days a year, and average precipitation is biggest on the western slopes of the Sakala and Haanja Uplands. Snow cover, which is deepest in the south-eastern part of Estonia, usually lasts from mid-December to late March.