
After centuries of
Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence
in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained
its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since
the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to
promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. Estonia
received invitations to join NATO and the EU in 2002.. LOCATION:
Eastern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia CLIMATE: Maritime,
wet, moderate winters, cool summers BORDERS:
Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km