Estonia is part of the Baltic Region. It is bordered by Russia, Latvia and Finland. Across the Gulf of Finland 20 Ferry boats a day - Sweden is across the Baltic Sea with Helsinki only 36 miles away - Estonia is a good departure point for St. Petersburg and Moscow. Estonia attained independence in 1918. Incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Population = 1,423,316, Ethnic groups = Estonian 65.1%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, , Religions = Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Jewish. Languages = Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, English, Finnish. Substantial gains were made in completing privatization of Estonia's state-owned companies in and this momentum is expected to continue . Estonia hopes to join the EU during the next round of enlargement set for 2004. Estonia is a wonderful historical country and white nights in the summer are one reason to visit the region.

The border town of Narva, has for centuries been the historical gateway between East and West, a link between the Baltics, Russia, the Mediterrarean and as far as the Orient.

Tallinn : In 1219 Waldemar II of Denmark established a fortress on the site. The town gained commercial importance by the turn of the century, and in 1346 was sold by Denmark to the Teutonic Knights. Sweden acquired Tallinn 215 years later, and it was annexed by Russia in 1710.

15 counties : Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuessaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi),Vorumaa (Voru)