subject: Estonia - Twenty Interesting Facts You Didn't Know [print this page] Estonia - Twenty Interesting Facts You Didn't Know
1. Estonia is the freest country in the world ranked number one on the State of World Liberty Index.
2. Estonia's oldest confectionery company is named after the country's mythical hero Kalev.
3. Sepp is the most common surname in Estonia and is equivalent to "Smith".
4. Estonia is often mistaken as being an Eastern European country. Estonians are not a Slavic people and the country is located in Northern Europe near Finland and Sweden. Most Estonians consider themselves Nordic.
5. Gastav Faberg, the jeweller whofounded the House of Faberg, was born in Prnu in 1814. His son Peter inherited the business and went on to create the Faberg eggs which were popular with the Romanov family.
6. Estonians are quiet and reserved people who do not like to engage in small talk. They prefer direct speech and if they have nothing to say they prefer to say nothing at all.
7. Tallinn is ranked as a global city and has been listed among the top 10 digital cities in the world.
8. Kiiking is an Estonian sport invented by Ado Kosk in 1996
9. Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky's brother Mikhail lived in Uus Street in Tallinn between 1830 and 1840. Fyodor often used to visit him there which is commemorated by a plaque on the house today.
10. Prior to independence Tallinn was called Reval and Tartu was known as Dorpat
11. It is considered very impolite in Estonia to yawn without covering your mouth or to talk with your hands in your pockets.
12. A.Le Coq and Saku are the most popular beers brewed in Estonia
13. It is common to find the Estonian national flag displayed outside people's homes and many Estonian homes have apple trees in their gardens.
14. It is a tradition in Estonia to name a child after a grandparent when he or she is baptised.
15. Up until WWII it was customary to be married in your home by the local vicar and to have a party afterwards.
16. Estonia has large oil shale and limestone deposits.
17. The Russians residing in Estonia have a much higher standard of living than those back home. This is due to the far greater economic and political freedoms available to them in Estonia.
18. Estonia usually win medals at the Olympics for discus, cross country skiing, rowing and wrestling
19. The cornflower is the national flower of Estonia
20. Estowear is a new clothing label made by a team ofEstonians wanting to share theirpassion forall things Estonian, www.estowear.com
