Introduction to Estonia – Part 4

Wildlife – continued;

Estonian lakes, rivers and forests also provide a home for beavers, flying squirrels and a handful of species including racoons, muskrat and mink, which were introduced from North America during the Soviet era, when they were farmed for their fur.

There are many species of rare frogs, newts and salamanders. You can also find spectacular bird species which include endangered golden eagles as Estonia is home to around 250 breeding pairs. Large flocks of migrant waterfowl gather on lakes and islands in spring and autumn, among them the rare black stork and these attract groups of bird watchers.

Despite its northerly climate and chilly winters, Estonia' s rich soil is home to almost 1500 plant species, from conifers such as pine, fir and larch, to cold-tolerant deciduous trees such as birch, elder, lime and beech. Surprisingly the marshy wetlands are also home to numerous orchids.

Population and People

Estonia has a population of around 1. 5 million with around one-third of those people living in Tallinn, the capital and the only large city. There are some larger towns which include Tartu, with a population of 100, 000; Narva 70, 000; Kohtla-Iarve 50, 000 and Parnu 45, 000. Overall the population is quite sparse with most people living in the towns.

Around 70 percent of Estonian’s are ethnic Estonians, with ethnic Russians accounting for another 25 percent of the country' s residents. In the capital, Tallinn, about 40 percent of the population are ethnic Russians. The other 5 percent is made up of minorities include small numbers of Ukrainians, Belarusians and Finns, along with a handful of others from the former Soviet states. Although most were born and brought up in Estonia they are the descendants of Russians who settled here generations ago after the invasion. Their presence is a constant reminder of the centuries of Russian dominance and is still resented by many Estonians. On the other hand, many ethnic Russians feel that they have been excluded from the opportunities and benefits of the new Estonia. Most ethnic Russians have chosen to become Estonian citizens. However, a new requirement for citizenship of the new Estonia is knowledge of the Estonian language and the official new version of the country' s history. The older Russian speakers are often unable to meet these requirements, and as a result, some 150, 000 ethnic Russian former Soviet citizens in Estonia are technically.

Estonia was pagan until it was forcibly converted Christianity during the 13th century and then adopted the Lutheran Protestant faith in the 17th century. Organised religion was not encouraged during the Soviet occupation. This has resulted in only around one-third of Estonians claiming any religious faith.

Continued in part 5