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UNCOVER THE TRUE ESTONIA

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You will receive not only all the contents available on our website in a convenient pdf or epub formats but also additional contents, including bonus Vocabulary, more Grammar structures and exclusive Cultural insights with additional vocabulary that you won't in any other textbook or Estonian language course.

The additional Vocabulary includes 200 specific topics and more than 15.000 of the most important words. The additional Grammar explanations allow you to create any phrase to express yourself freely while the Culture section contains interesting information that only native Estonians would know about politics, history, customs and more!

100 FACTS ABOUT ESTONIA

Need a reason (or more than one) to study Estonian?

Estonia is a country like no other, blending ancient traditions with cutting-edge innovation. From its rich folklore and stunning natural landscapes to its pioneering digital advancements, Estonia offers a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modernity. In this section, we’ve compiled 100 unique facts that showcase the essence of this incredible nation. Whether it’s the world’s longest ice road, the UNESCO-recognized smoke sauna tradition, or Estonia’s leadership in e-governance, each fact highlights something extraordinary about this small but remarkable country.

Explore 100 unique facts about Estonia!

Estonia was the first country to offer e-residency to non-citizens.
Estonia conducted the world’s first online election in 2005.
The Estonian digital ID card allows access to over 99% of state services online.
Estonia is home to the world’s longest ice road, stretching over 25 kilometers.
Smoke saunas in Võrumaa are UNESCO-recognized for their cultural significance.
Estonia has the highest number of meteorite craters per square kilometer in the world.
Kaali Crater in Saaremaa is one of the few meteorite craters located in a populated area.
The Võru dialect is one of the few living dialects with its own written tradition in Estonia.
Estonia has more startups per capita than any other European country.
Skype, TransferWise, and Bolt originated in Estonia.
Estonia celebrates Midsummer’s Eve with bonfires and ancient traditions.
Over 70% of Estonian land is covered by protected areas, bogs, or forests.
Estonia has one of the largest bog landscapes in Europe.
The Estonian language has no future tense.
The Tartu Peace Treaty of 1920 established Estonia as an independent republic.
The Singing Revolution helped Estonia regain independence in 1991.
Estonia has the cleanest air quality in Europe according to WHO studies.
The Seto people in southern Estonia maintain unique traditions and polyphonic singing.
Estonia has one of the highest numbers of women in leadership positions globally.
Pärnu is known as the summer capital of Estonia, with sandy beaches and spas.
The Estonian national epic, "Kalevipoeg," is a central part of its literary heritage.
Every five years, Estonia hosts the largest amateur choral festival in the world.
Estonian surnames often derive from nature, such as Leht (leaf) or Mägi (hill).
The forested region of Alutaguse is home to brown bears and elk.
Estonia has 14 distinct cases in its grammatical system.
The capital, Tallinn, derives its name from "Taani Linn" (Danish Town).
Estonia has the world’s first digital embassy in Luxembourg.
Over 50% of Estonians regularly engage in traditional folk dances.
Estonia has the highest literacy rate in Europe, close to 100%.
The Soomaa National Park experiences "fifth seasons," when water floods the forests.
The Ruhnu Church is one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in Europe.
Estonia uses unique "bog shoeing" tours to explore its wetlands.
The Estonian Independence Day Parade is held annually on February 24th.
Estonia’s education system ranks among the best in Europe.
Estonia’s 2.2 million hectares of forest are home to rare plant species.
The Estonian flag was first used by students in 1884.
The Baltic German legacy left a significant impact on Estonia’s architecture.
Estonia’s coastline stretches over 3,800 kilometers, making it ideal for sailing.
Estonia has a unique "National Witch’s Day" celebration in Tuhala.
Võru County features traditional farmsteads with wooden log architecture.
Estonia’s electronic health records system is one of the most advanced globally.
The ancient Estonian calendar follows the phases of the moon.
Estonia has over 1,500 natural lakes.
Estonia has preserved some of the largest ancient forests in Europe.
The native wolf is considered a national symbol of Estonia.
Tallinn was one of the first cities in Europe to offer free public transportation to residents.
Estonia is one of the least religious countries in the world.
The Lahemaa National Park is the oldest and largest national park in the country.
Estonia’s capital was one of the first cities to adopt modern streetlights in 1882.
Estonia has a rich folklore of forest spirits and mythical creatures.
Tartu is home to the oldest university in Estonia, established in 1632.
Estonia was the first country to create a blockchain-backed digital registry.
The Baltic Way human chain, which included Estonia, connected three countries in 1989.
In Estonia, saunas are believed to have healing powers and are used for rituals.
The longest poem in Estonian, "Kalevipoeg," consists of over 19,000 verses.
Estonia’s unique national instrument is the kannel, a type of zither.
Estonia’s public libraries are free for everyone and widely used.
Lake Peipus is one of the largest transboundary lakes in Europe.
Estonia’s medieval guilds played a significant role in the Hanseatic League.
Estonians have a word, "metsa," which describes a deep emotional connection to forests.
The Christmas markets in Tallinn are among the most picturesque in Europe.
Estonia’s e-governance system reduces paperwork for citizens to near zero.
In winter, Estonia hosts ice marathons over frozen lakes and rivers.
The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds can hold over 100,000 people.
Estonia’s Parliament building is the only pink parliament building in Europe.
Estonians celebrate "Kadripäev," a unique holiday marking the start of winter.
Estonia’s water towers, like the Pikk Hermann Tower, are iconic landmarks.
Estonia’s coastline is dotted with thousands of tiny fishing villages.
The city of Narva blends Estonian and Russian cultures.
Estonia is home to the world’s first weather forecasting stones in Hiiumaa.
Estonia’s Võru dialect is preserved through local poetry and literature.
Estonia’s largest waterfall, Valaste Waterfall, freezes into a stunning ice sculpture in winter.
The city of Tartu is known as Estonia’s "City of Good Thoughts."
Estonians have their own version of the Viking Age, with unique seafaring traditions.
Estonia was among the first countries to create a digital signature law.
The Estonian National Museum is a cutting-edge facility blending modernity with history.
Estonia’s cultural identity includes a reverence for birch trees and their sap.
Estonians celebrate the ancient festival of "Jaanipäev" with bonfires.
The Matsalu Nature Reserve is one of Europe’s most important bird migration areas.
Estonia has the smallest official army in Europe but the largest reserve.
Estonia produces some of the world’s purest honey from its natural meadows.
Estonian surnames often reflect occupations, such as Sepp (blacksmith).
Estonia’s National Opera House in Tallinn is a key cultural institution.
Estonia’s prehistoric burial mounds date back over 3,000 years.
Estonia is one of the few places where you can find naturally growing wild orchids.
Estonia’s maritime museums feature Viking-age artifacts.
Estonia has more meteorite craters visible on the surface than anywhere in Europe.
Every Estonian citizen has a digital registry for health, taxes, and property.
Estonia’s unique "Singing Fields" are outdoor spaces designed for natural acoustics.
The unique Võru smoke sauna tradition includes healing herbal infusions.
The Tuhala Witch’s Well is a natural wonder where water "boils" during floods.
The Muhu and Kihnu islands preserve Estonia’s oldest folk costumes.
Estonia’s Elva Singing Trail combines music with hiking paths in nature.
Estonia’s "Black Nights Film Festival" is one of Europe’s largest movie festivals.
Estonia’s "electricity-free" bog cottages are popular for eco-tourism.
The Song Festival Fire, lit in Tallinn, travels across the country during the event.
Estonia’s national bird is the barn swallow, symbolizing happiness and endurance.
Estonia has over 500 species of moss, earning it the nickname "Moss Kingdom."
Estonia’s Runic songs, "Regilaul," date back thousands of years.
Estonia’s underground limestone caves are geological marvels and popular tourist attractions.

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