Estonia: Introduction and Fun Facts

What is the area of Estonia?

• 688 598 km²

• 45 226 km²

• 10 958 km²

• 1 348 km²

Answer explanation

Estonia is a small country with an area of little over 45 000 square kilometres, but it is larger than Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Estonia is twice the size of Israel. Estonia's average population density is 30.3 people per square kilometre, four times lower than the EU average.

Which food has been a staple of the Estonian diet for ages - and still is?

• Rye Bread (rukkileib)

• Baked Potatoes ( keedetud kartulid)

Answer explanation

The dark rye bread or "must leib" is baked in dozens of variations all over Estonia. It is one of the country's best-preserved traditions. Bread is so important that there are certain ways how to handle it. For example, you should never place a bread loaf on a table upside down or towards a door with the cut end. It is believed to be bad luck. And if a slice of bread falls on the ground or floor, you must pick it up and kiss it to show respect for the bread.

Where is Estonia located?

• West Europe

• North Europe

• North East Europe

• North West Europe

Is the Estonian national anthem borrowed?

• Yes

• NO

Answer explanation

The Estonian national anthem "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm" does sound very familiar to the Finns, as the melody is the same as the Finnish anthem's "Maamme" (Our Land). The melody was composed by the German-Finnish composer Friedrich Pacius in 1848 BUT Johann Voldemar Jannsen wrote the Estonian lyrics. The anthem, still unofficial, was first performed to the public at Tartu song festival in 1869.

Why don't Estonians cry wolf?

• They are afraid one would come out of the forest.

• They are afraid a bear might come out of the forest.

Answer explanation

Wolves have lived in Estonia for at least as long as humans and Estonian folklore about wolves is very diverse and abundant, more than any other wildlife, including the bear.

Wolves have many names in the Estonian language, like "susi". People avoided the word "hunt", hoping that by not calling its name, the wolf would not show up.

It's summer in Estonia. You arrived in a town, only to find it deserted. Where have all the people gone?

• To the countryside

• Hiding inside

Answer explanation

Estonian summerk with its long white nights, when the sun hardly goes below the horizon, is simply beautiful. To make the most of it, Estonians flee the city in the summer at every possibility and go into the heart of Mother Nature. It's part of the Estonian psyche to head to a summerhouse, a rented cottage, a wilderness hut or tenting ground somewhere remote. Even a bog!

What is the Estonian town with lowest population?

• Saaremaa

• Mõisaküla

• Tallinn

Answer explanation

Mõisaküla is a town in southern Estonia, part of Mulgi Parish of Viljandi County, just next to the border of Latvia.

It is considered to be the smallest town in Estonia. The town has 32 streets and 762 citizens.

Estonia is small yet ethnically and culturally diverse. Which minority hosts the "Onion Route" by Lake Peipus (Peipsi järv)?

• Seto people

• Old Believers

Answer explanation

"Onion Route" is a term used to describe the paths and connecting routes between the villages of the Old Believers on the west coast of Lake Peipus. The Old Believers are ethnic Russians who fled from the reformation of the Orthodox Church and found a new home on the shores of Lake Peipus. They have preserved many elements of their culture over the centuries, like festivals, churches - and of course, the aromatic onions, which give the route through the area its name.

In ages past, when there was no social media, Estonians used to go to this place to do their networking and hang out (lobisema) .... and they still do!

• Sauna (saun)

• Bog (soo)

Answer explanation

Of course the sauna! The sauna is so essential to Estonians, we can say the sauna is a driving force in the country. Most private houses and many apartments have a sauna in them. Saturday is traditionally Sauna Day mainly enjoyed with family or friends. In the past, a mutual sauna day was the main event in village social life.

This is where the gossip took place and where news and ideas of life were discussed. The Southern Estonian traditional smoke sauna is part of UNESCO World Heritage List, and is definitely an experience to try!