Eager to sever its Soviet bonds, Estonia has been quick to revive its historical and cultural ties to its Nordic neighbors, while Finnish tourism and investment are helping to revitalize the nation. The wealth that has reinvigorated Tallinn belies the poverty that still predominates outside of Estonia’s big cities, as well as the discontent of its ethnically Russian minority, uneasy with Estonia’s increasingly European leanings. Still, after successive centuries of domination by the Danes, Swedes, and Russians, most Estonians are now proud to take their place as members of modern Europe.
Facts And Figures Official Name: Republic of Estonia. Capital: Tallinn. Major Cities: Pärnu, Tartu. Population: 1,308,000. Time Zone: GMT + 2. Density ...more
For more information on opportunities in Europe, see Beyond Tourism, . Youth for Understanding USA (YFU), 6400 Goldsboro Rd., Ste. 100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA (☎ www.yfu.org). Places US high school ...more
}0 Tallinn Crisp sea air gusts over the medieval buildings and spires of Tallinn (pop. 401,000), the self-proclaimed “Heart of Northern Europe.” The Old Town, though crowded with sightseers, hides ...more
☎ 44 Pärnu Famous for its mud baths, beaches, and festivals, Pärnu (pop. 45,000) is the summer capital of Estonia. Soak up some culture at Pärnu’s Museum of New Art, Esplanaadi 10, where you ...more
}7 Tartu The second largest city in Estonia, Tartu (pop. 100,000) is home to Tartu University (Tartu Ülikool). Historic spots like Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square) and a population of bustling college ...more
☎ 45 JSaaremaa Windy Kuressaare (pop. 16,000) is the largest town on Saaremaa. The local accent and folklore distinguish the island from the mainland, although tourists seem to outnumber locals in ...more
☎ 46 JHiiumaa By restricting access to Hiiumaa (pop. 11,000) for 50 years, the Soviets unwittingly preserved the island’s rare wildlife and scenery. Creek-laced Kärdla (pop. 4000) is Hiiumaa’s ...more
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For 50 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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