Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti Vabariik), is positioned in Northern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea, with Finland to the north, Sweden to the west, Latvia to the south, and Russia to the east. Notably, its coordinates set it at 59°N 26°E, encompassing a land area of 45,339 km2 (17,505 sq mi), which ranks it as the world’s 129th country by size. The terrain of Estonia includes a mainland and a complex archipelago, featuring over 2,200 islands, with Saaremaa and Hiiumaa being the largest. The capital, Tallinn, situated at 59°25′N 24°45′E, is the largest city, followed by other significant urban centers such as Tartu.
Geography
Estonia’s landscape is characterized by a flat to hilly topography with a predominant feature of the country being its extensive coastline along the Baltic Sea, which is lined with numerous bays, straits, and inlets. The country boasts numerous lakes, with the biggest being Lake Peipus, serving as a natural border with Russia. Estonia is also home to varied forest ecosystems, accounting for a significant portion of its land cover.
Population
As of 2023, Estonia has an estimated population of 1,365,884, showing a slight increase from the 2021 census figure of 1,331,824. The population density stands at 30.6 individuals per square kilometer, which is relatively sparse compared to other European countries, ranking it 148th in the world. This low population density is reflected in the country’s expansive natural areas, which remain largely undisturbed by urban development.
Estonia presents a diverse ethnic tapestry with Estonians making up approximately 67.8% of the population, followed by a sizeable Russian minority constituting 22.0%, with the remainder being other ethnicities, including Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Finns. The Estonian language, belonging to the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family, is the official state language and is spoken predominantly throughout the country.
Reflecting contemporary trends in Europe, a significant portion of the Estonian population, 58.4%, identifies as having no religion, with Christianity being the primary religion among those who do practice a faith. The religious landscape of Estonia is a testament to its modern, secular society.