Estonia

For much of its history, Estonia has been dominated by larger neighboring nations. Toward the end of World War II, for instance, Estonia was unwillingly incorporated into the Soviet bloc but gained its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, Estonia has been on the road to economic recovery and is making significant environmental progress.

The topography of Estonia is varied, with marshes in the lowlands, plains in the north, and hills in the south. Bordering on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, Estonia has 2,464 miles (3,974 kilometers) of coastline and is home to more than 1,500 islands. The maritime climate produces wet, moderate winters and cool summers. Flooding is common in ...