1. Estonian geography
2013

2. Estonian position on the world map
It is situated on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. Estonia is bounded by Finland on the north, by Latvia on the south, by Russia on the last and by Sweden on the west. Estonian Republic is situated in the north-west of Europe. In the north we have Finnish Bay, in the last Lake Peipus, in the west Livonian Bay and in the south mainland border.
Estonian area is km.-s.

3. Estonian relief
Estonia is situated on the north-west flat land of Eastern Europe. The relief is flat with small hight space. Uplands vary with mesa wavy plains, shoals, hollows and valleys.
Our uplands are Pandivere, Sakala, Haanja, Otepää and Karula. Their highest points are Emumägi 166 m, Rutu mountain 146 m, Great Munamägi 318 m, Kuutsemägi 217 m and Rebasejärve tower mountain 137 m.
Vooremaa
Haanja uplands

4. The coast of Pakri peninsula
Shoals make up almost half of Estonian territory. The biggest are West-Estonian shoal which continues also on the islands and Pärnu shoal. In the north we have North-Estonian shoal and Alutaguse shoal, in the last Peipus shoal and in central Estonia the surroundings of Võrtsjärv.
The spectacular relief is north Estonian limestone bank. It starts on the island of Öland in Sweden and reaches Laadoga lake in the east. When Baltic bluff reaches the sea, it forms limestone bank which highest places are Ontika (56m) in East Virumaa and Panga in Saaremaa.
Soomaa
The coast of Pakri peninsula

5. Estonian mineral resources
The main mineral resources are oil-shale, phosphorate and a variety of necessary materials for building such as timber, limestone, sand, gravel and clay. For heating we use peat, in medicine therapy mud and mineral water.
Oil-shale and phosphorate mineral deposits are situated in North Estonia, building materials can be found everywhere in Estonia; therapy mud can be found near Värska, Pärnu and Haapsalu; mineral water in Värska and Häädemeeste in West Estonia and Hiiumaa.
Oil shale
Phosphorate

6. The use of mineral resources
Oil-shale is used for getting electric energy in thermal power stations. Big power-stations are in the north-east of Estonia. From oil-shale we can also get oil that is used as car fuel.
Phosphorite is not mined nowadays. In the previous century phosphorite was mined in Maardu quarry and from it phosphorus fertilizers were made.
In Järvakandi factory glass is made from sand.
From limestone lime is made in Rakke and cement in Kunda.
Narva electric power station
Limestone quarry

7. Estonian water recources
Estonia is surrounded by water on three sides – Finnish Bay, Livonian Bay, lake Peipus and lake Pihkva.
On mainlaind there are thousands of water bodies – lakes, rivers, brooks, ditches, reservoirs. The longest river is the Pärnu River (144 km), the Narva River is richest in water. The biggest reservoir is in Narva. It is 200 km-s and the biggest part of it is in Russia.
Watery places are marshes and bogs which make up 22% of Estonian territory and where there are big supplies of fresh water.
The lake Peipus
Muraka bog

8. Flora
Estonia belongs to the forest zone of temperate zone. In North Estonia there are mostly coniferous forests, in the south there is transition to mixed forests.
In Estonia there are about 1200 plant species and variety comes from the soil variety, a big range of climate change which in turn is caused by the abundance of water bodies round Estonia.
40% of Estonian territory is forested. Meadows have risen as a result of human activity (previous hayfields and pastures). Heaths are situated on poor sand soil on the coasts and they have sparse flora.
Pine forist
Marsh pasture

9. Nature protection Lahemaa national park Kõrvemaa
From the 20th century people have caused changes in water-bodies, soil, ground water, flora and fauna. In order to avoid great losses, protection areas – national parks, landscape protection areas, nature preserves and nature parks – have been formed from the second half of the previous century.
There are 5 national parks in Estonia – Lahemaa which is on the north coast and was founded in Karula which is in south Estonia and was founded in Soomaa which is in central Estonia and was founded in Matsalu which is in west Estonia and was founded in Vilsandi what is an island near Saaremaa and previously was the oldest nature reserve in the Baltics.
Lahemaa national park
Kõrvemaa

10. The greatest nature preserves are Viidumäe, Nigula and Endla bog.
Matsalu national park was founded to protect water birds breeding places and migration areas.
The characteristic feature of Soomaa is sprind flood that covers big areas.
The greatest nature preserves are Viidumäe, Nigula and Endla bog.
The greatest landscape preserves are Suursoo and Kõrvemaa.
Nature parks are in Otepää and Haanja uplands.
Matsalu reeds
The fifth season of Soomaa

11. In Estonia there are two programme areas
1. West-Estonian archipelago biosphere protected area which is a part of Unesco programme Pandivere water protected area.
In the list of Unesco culture heritage there are Tallinn Old Town and island of Kihnu. In the list of nature heritage there is North-Estonian limestone shore.
Estonia has joined many international convenctions which have to protect natural rescources.
Vilsandi nature protection area
Limestone bluff of Ontika

12. Administrative devision
Estonia has been divided into 15 counties which are governed by the governer. Estonian government appoints the governer.
Counties are divided into parishes (202) and towns (47). The smallest towns belong to the composition of parishes (8). Bigger towns are independent administrative units (39).
Parishes are governed by parish government and city government.
Tallinn
Rakvere

13. Population
The last population counting was in According to this people live in Estonia. Population has decreased comparing with counting 11 years ago 5,5 per cent.
According to the last counting Estonian population has become older, the medium age is 40,8 years.
In Estonia there live representatives of 192 nations. Most of all there are Estonians 68 per cent and Russians 24,8% per cent. There are fewer other nations.
Estonian people at the songfestival
Tartu skiingmarathon l