Estonia explained to kids

Estonia is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered by the Baltic Sea to the west, Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, and Finland to the north. Estonia has a population of about 1.3 million people and an area of 45,227 square kilometers (17,462 square miles). The capital and largest city is Tallinn. Estonia is a parliamentary republic and is divided into fifteen counties. The government is headed by the prime minister, and the president is the head of state. Estonia is a member of the European Union, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, NATO, and the World Trade Organization. Estonia has a temperate climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is -5.5 degrees Celsius (22 degrees Fahrenheit), and the average temperature in July, the warmest month, is 16.4 degrees Celsius (61.5 degrees Fahrenheit). Estonia has a long history. It was first inhabited by people who arrived from the east about 10,000 years ago. The first written records of Estonia date back to the 13th century. Estonia was a part of the Swedish Empire from the 16th century until it was ceded to Russia in 1710. Estonia was independent from 1918 until 1940, when it was annexed by the Soviet Union. Estonia regained its independence in 1991. Estonia is a beautiful country with a rich culture. It is known for its forests, lakes, and medieval Old Towns. Estonia is also home to a number of historical and architectural landmarks, including castles, churches, and manor houses.