Is Estonia truly a leader in digital innovation and internet access?
Even though the internet was invented elsewhere, there’s no doubt that a small nation like Estonia has taken this and put it into a more valuable use than other countries. This Baltic country has become very internet-oriented. Access to Wi-Fi is considered a human right, and almost 100% of the land has coverage. You can access your social media accounts while sitting by the riverside on a hot summer day or while spending a marvelous morning at the ski resort at Otepää in December because you are never too far away from free Wi-Fi spots. Estonia also has one of the world’s fastest internet speeds. Governmental and public services are set up for convenient use and are widely used for different activities every single day.
Estonia was also the first country in the world to make it available to vote for political selections online in 2005. Since then, the percentage of eligible voters has grown, and the action of doing it from home, giving barely any reason not to vote, has become more acceptable to people.
Did Estonians create Skype?
What most people don’t know is that Skype was invented in Estonia, along with Taxify (now Bolt), Transferwise (now Wise), and Nortal. If you ever meet an Estonian anywhere in the world and get to talking, it’s almost certain they will slip that fact into the conversation. The team who created Skype included a couple of Estonians who did the main work and published the software worldwide. It became the number one communication software in the world and has over 300 million users.
Now, Microsoft owns the company, but they still have offices in Tallinn, hiring the brightest minds from the country that invented that famous program.
Are Estonians known for their beauty?
It’s true, and statistics have proven it. Estonia has the highest number of supermodels per capita. Just Google the name Carmen Kass and you won’t be disappointed.
How green is Estonia’s environment?
Half of the country’s land is covered by forest and 22% of the land is under agriculture. Estonians love their pure nature and intend to keep it that way. Forestry is strictly monitored, and almost every single tree is accounted for. An old oak tree in Orissaare, Saaremaa, is even growing in the middle of a football field, and kids don’t mind playing around it. The wild nature hides a huge variety of animals; bears, wolves, and deer can be spotted regularly. Estonia also has some of the cleanest air in the world.
What is the “Singing Nation” and the tradition of singing for freedom?
Estonians love to sing, and the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration is the local signature event. This is why Estonians are often referred to as the “singing nation.” The uniqueness of this mesmerizing event has earned it a place on UNESCO’s prestigious list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. People gather every five years at the Song Festival Grounds. First held in 1869 in Tartu, it has become one of the longest and most incredible Estonian traditions. In 2019, over 32,000 singers and hundreds of thousands of participants took part in the three-day celebration. People who cannot travel to Tallinn can view the broadcast live on TV, where everybody sings along, including the audience.
Where can you travel for free in Estonia?
Public transport is entirely free for residents of the Estonian capital, Tallinn. It is also not very expensive outside the capital. Free or cheap transportation options have lowered the number of cars on the road, helping to avoid traffic jams and pollution.
When did Estonia join the European Union and what is its geography?
Estonia joined the European Union in 2004 as one of the first Eastern and Central European countries to initiate accession negotiations. The country benefited from an increase in foreign investment, and its economy has expanded rapidly6 since enlargement. By the early 21st century, the privatization of state-owned enterprises was almost complete, though some activities like energy production and seaports remain under government control.
Geographically, the country is situated in Northeastern Europe, jutting out into the Baltic Sea, which surrounds it to the north and west. It shares borders with Russia to the east and south.
Does Estonia have a low population density?
Yes, the population density in Estonia is low compared to many other European countries. In 1970, it was 22% of its total population, while in 2009, it was only 15%. This has resulted in low birth rates and an aging population. While the OECD’s average fertility rate is 1.6 children per woman and Estonia’s birth rate is below average, the country makes up for it with new arrivals.
Estonia has a relatively low dependency ratio (22.5 percent), which measures the proportion of the population not in the labor force compared to the working population.
How high is the literacy and education rate in Estonia?
Estonia has a very high literacy rate, with an average adult rate of 99.8%—higher than its neighbors Latvia and even North Korea. The government spends 4.8% of its GDP on education, resulting in an education index of 0.859. Higher education is widely available, and while Estonian is the official language, about 650,000 people speak English as a second language.
More than 90% of adults have completed secondary education, and Estonian households own an average of 174 books, significantly higher than the OECD average.
Is it true that Estonia has many meteorite craters?
Estonia is home to the highest concentration of meteorite craters per square kilometer in the world. Its largest crater, Kaali, is believed to have been created by the last giant meteorite to hit a human-populated area about 4,000 years ago. Other landmarks, like Suur Munamägi, are tied to legends of the giant Kalevipoeg and stand six meters higher than Latvia’s highest point.
Another site, the Ilumetsa crater field, contains two craters, the largest of which is about 75-80 meters in diameter.
Why is Estonia famous for supermodels, saunas, and height?
Estonia is home to several supermodels, most notably Carmen Kass. Born in 1978, Kass has worked for brands like Calvin Klein and Dolce&Gabbana, served as a Victoria’s Secret angel, and appeared in films like Zoolander.
Other famous models include Katlin Aas and Elisabeth Arm. Beyond fashion, Estonia is known for its saunas, having the highest number per capita in the world (74 per million people). Furthermore, Estonians are the third tallest people in the world, with an average height of 169 cm for women and 180 cm for men.
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