Tallinn – Estonia's Capital
Ragnar Sokk
Margit Mikk-Sokk
Whatever you are looking for, you will find the best option in Tallinn with the help of this inspiring ebook. Cobblestoned streets, majestic churches, the fine houses of Hanseatic merchants and a medieval city wall all comprise the surroundings where today you can find cosy cafГ©s, boutiques, museums, galleries and entertainment venues.
Unlike other European capitals, Tallinn is so small that everything is only a short walk away. In addition to the sites of interest, the book is filled with intriguing facts about Tallinn and Estonia. In it you can find out about the character, culture, language and history of the Estonians. The book is a great help when learning about Tallinn and Estonia.
Margit Mikk-Sokk
Tallinn – Estonia's capital
Welcome to Tallinn!
Tallinn – Estonia’s capital Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is one of the most charming medieval capitals in Europe. When you arrive by sea, the Old Town of Tallinn arises from the sea like a fairy tale town. The network of streets and boarders of building plots developed in the 13th−15th centuries as well as all the most important public and religious buildings erected during this period have preserved their medievaal appearance and help you to travel back in time. Cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, imposing churches, old storehouses and the town wall radiate a special aura that you cannot experience anywhere else.
Spectacular Hanseatic merchants’ houses and former salt and flour stores from the golden age of the Hanseatic League have been preserved. Turn your eyes upwards because on almost every street you can find some Hanseatic merchants houses that have attic shutters with hoisting hooks used to haul flour bags.
The medieval Old Town of Tallinn is unique in the world because it is complete and it has belonged to the UNESCO world heritage list since 1997.
In addition to the special atmosphere, there are many galleries, boutiques, museums, restaurants and cafГ©s in the Old Town.
Close to the Old Town is the business heart of Tallinn with tall buildings and the attractively renovated Rotermanni Quarter. Nowhere else can you simultaneously take in a view of architectural pieces that span eight centuries. The Rotermanni Quarter has gained attention in the world as a gem of unique modern architecture. Here you can see an interesting symbiosis of old factories and modern architecture. The renovated quarter contains shops and boutiques, restaurants and offices.
A big difference compared to ohter European capitals is the smallness of Tallinn, i.e. art centres, theatres, shops, restaurants and hotels are close to each other and usually you can get from one point to another simply by foot. Those who have a longer drive ahead can trust the public transportation or taxies.
Estonia in Brief
Population: 1.3 million
Area: 45,227 kmВІ
Monetary unit: euro
Capital: Tallinn
Official language: Estonian
Number of islands: 1,521
Largest islands: Saaremaa 2,671 kmВІ; Hiiumaa 989 kmВІ and Muhu 198 kmВІ
Longest rivers: Võhandu 162 km, Pärnu 144 km, Põltsamaa 135 km
Largest lakes: Lake Peipus 3,555 km² (1,529 km² belongs to Estonia), Lake Võrtsjärv 271 km²
Highest point: Suur Munamägi 318 m
The longest distance between two points in Estonia: 393 km
Air temperature: annual average +5.1В В°C, -11.4В В°C in January, +22В В°C in July
The highest temperature measured in Estonia: 35.6В В°C, the lowest -43.5В В°C
Time zone: EET (UTC +2)
International dialling code: +372
Internet pages that introduce Estonia: http://www.visitestonia.com (http://www.visitestonia.com/), http://www.estonia.eu (http://www.estonia.eu/), http://www.eesti.ee/eng (http://www.eesti.ee/eng)
Tallinn in Brief
Coordinates: 59В°26' N, 24В°46' E. Tallinn is situated on the northern coast of Estonia on the shores of the Gulf of Finland.
Area: 159.2 kmВІ
Islands: (1) Aegna 2.9 kmВІ
Lakes: (2) Harku 1.6 kmВІ, Гњlemiste 9.6 kmВІ
Sea boarder: 46 km (6 public beaches)
Land boarder: 59 km
Tallinn is the closest capital