Baltic states

The Baltic states are three countries of north-eastern Europe, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The three small countries have a long interesting history and an impressive cultural legacy dating back to the Hanseatic League. The region's 175,015 km² are home to 6.3 million people, nearly half of them in Lithuania.

Countries

North to south: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Baltic states regions map.png | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize=350px | region1name=Estonia | region1color=#8bbcf1 | region1items= | region1description= The most Nordic of the three Baltic countries, with linguistic connections to Finland. | region2name=Latvia | region2color=#d35f5f | region2items= | region2description= A predominately Protestant country, with a lot of Baltic-German and Nordic legacy. | region3name=Lithuania | region3color=#ffdd55 | region3items= | region3description= An expanding economic market, it has some of the best natural countryside in Europe. {{mapshape Estonia|type=geoshape|fill=#8bbcf1 {{mapshape Latvia|type=geoshape|fill=#d35f5f Template:Mapshape Lithuania

Cities

Capitals

La Neris (Vilnius) (7670904378) - Neris river flowing through Vilnius The three capitals all have UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO -listed old towns, Soviet concrete new towns and occasional 21st century buildings in between. The city's are roughly listed North to South

• Tallinn – smallest of the three but still an aspiring global-feel city and Estonia's digital industrial hub
• Riga – the region's largest city, Latvia's party town has much to offer
• Vilnius – Lithuania's cosmopolitan centre

Other

The towns and city's are roughly listed North to South

• Tartu – Estonia's second city with a relaxed student vibe
• Daugavpils – second largest city of Latvia
• Liepāja – Latvian beach city known for its music and the former secret Soviet military town of Karosta
• Kaunas – second largest city of Lithuania, with an old town and many museums and galleries
• Klaipėda – Lithuania's harbor city - belonging to Germany until World War I under the name "Memel" and still served by Baltic Sea Ferries from (German) ports
• Šiauliai – Lithuanian city with odd specialist museums and the Hill of Crosses

More Destinations

Blue flag beach Jūrmala - panoramio - Jūrmala is a popular beach destination

• Saaremaa – largest Estonian island, green landscapes dotted with quaint villages and a medieval castle
• Jūrmala – Latvian resort city on the Baltic Sea; draws a crowd in summer for the long stretch of sandy beach and cool forests
• Curonian Spit - a sandy spit containing the largest drifting sand dunes in Europe, at the border of Lithuania and Kaliningrad Oblast

Introduction to Baltic states

Baltic States are diverse and each country and region has a different history and culture. While Latvia and Estonia were under foreign dominance for centuries, Lithuania was one of major powers in the region. The culture of Baltic states was strongly influenced by Scandinavians, Germans, Poles and Russians. Modern history of the Baltic States has been especially shaped by various forms of Russia, since it gained control over the area during the 18th century. People of Baltic States have strong national identities and are today well-integrated with the Western world.

History

The Baltic states have had vibrant histories. Christianity, Germans and feudalism arrived together in the 13th century. Also in the 13th century and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania emerged as a major political player in Medieval Europe. The Hanseatic League dominated commerce on the Baltic, until Denmark and later Sweden came to rule the Sea. In the 16th century and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took over control of the area. It lasted until the late 18th century. The area of the Baltic states was then largely absorbed into the Russian Empire, with a slice of modern-day Lithuania being given to Prussia. As part of revolutionary Russia's speedy exit from the World War I in 1918 and the early Soviet government relinquished claim on the region, creating the states which exist today. Prussia was also considerably reduced after the war. The Soviet Union rebounded and re-annexed all three states during WW 2 in a move greatly resented by their populations. The Nazis used anti-Soviet sentiment to help them form Baltic auxiliary police units that assisted the Nazis in wiping out almost all of the area's Yahudi population (see Holocaust remembrance) and others considered ethnic or ideological enemies (notably including Poles), though the Nazis' claims to being liberators were not widely believed for long. The Soviets yet again annexed the Baltics in 1944, in a move condemned as illegal in the Gulf countries but tolerated as part of the emerging Cold War Europe|Cold War diplomacy. In 1990–91 and the Baltic states led the breaking away of the USSR's constituent republics from the central government. They all turned away from Moscow and all joined both the European Union and NATO in 2004. All Baltic states are members of the Eurozone with Lithuania being the last to do so in 2015. The Baltic States have seen rapid economic growth since their independence; while hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis and they are now recovering. In 2017 and the United Nations Statistics department changed categorization of the Baltic States from eastern Europe to northern Europe. Kaliningrad Oblast|Kaliningrad, subject of ethnic cleansing and repopulated by Russians loyal to Moscow, became an exclave of Russia after the fall of the USSR.

Religion

Traditional Christian affiliations were Lutheranism in much of Latvia and Estonia and Catholicism in Eastern Latvia and Lithuania. Communism and the general loss of religion across the Western world have heavily altered the traditional affiliations: Once a Lutheran country, Estonia is now among the least religious countries in the world, as 49% say they have no belief in God and a further 40 claiming to be either agnostic or not being affiliated with any religion; in Lithuania, 49% say they do and Catholicism remains a vital life force in everyday life; Latvia is evenly split between Lutherans, Orthodox (mostly among the Russian community) and irreligious. A smattering of pagan belief persists, for example the Romuva faith, perhaps because this was one of the last areas of Europe to be Christianized.

Local Language in Baltic states

Parnu-downtown - Downtown Pärnu Each of the three countries has its own language, with Russian as a common second, or even first, language of many, particularly in the city's. English is widely spoken, especially among younger people and academics; those born after the fall of the Soviet Union tend to be fluent, especially in Estonia. (German) is often understood and spoken at a conversational level. Any attempt to speak the native language is greatly appreciated. The Estonian language's similarities with Finnish, along with Finnish cultural influences, allow much mutual comprehension. In Tallinn Finnish is spoken or understood at most places of interest for the average visitor. Some Polish is spoken in Lithuania. Given that Russian was the language of the perceived colonial oppressor, it may not be well received. Try first communicating in the native language or in English, at least for greetings and to ask whether the person prefers to speak Russian. The negative attitude towards Russian tends to persist in Estonia and Latvia, with Lithuania having less anti-Russian language sentiment. Latvian phrasebook|Latvian and Lithuanian phrasebook|Lithuanian are related to each other as Indo-European Baltic languages. It is commonly believed that Baltic and Slavic languages are more closely related to one another than other branches of the Indo-European language family, but thit is not even yet the unanimous opinion of linguists and unlikely to be of much help understanding people or recognizing cognates. Estonian phrasebook|Estonian is relatively closely related to the Finnish language, much more distantly related to Hungarian (about as close as Spanish and Greek are) and not related to the Baltic languages or any other Indo-European language even though there are of course loanwords.

Travel to Baltic states

All three states are part of Europe's Europe#Get in|Schengen area.

Fly to Baltic states

AirBaltic plane at Riga airport - The Latvian carrier Air Baltic is the largest based in the region Generally speaking there are fairly good connections from other parts of Europe and from the Western half of the former Soviet Union. Save for a few exceptions, getting to the Baltics from elsewhere always includes at least one change of planes. Riga Airport (IATA Flight Code: RIX) in Latvia is by a large margin the busiest airport in the Baltic countries and is the main hub of AirBaltic, which flies to around 60 European city's (including most major city's) and has seasonal routes to the Middle East and Central Asia. When flying to the Baltic states, chances are you will pass by Riga. Tallinn Airport (IATA Flight Code: TLL) in Estonia is a small airport with far fewer direct connections than its neighbors, however it ranks among the best airports in the world for its excellent service, modern facilities and client service. Most flights go to Helsinki, Frankfurt, Riga, Warsaw, London and Scandinavia. Vilnius Airport (IATA Flight Code: VNO) in Lithuania is best served by budget airlines Wizz Air and Ryanair, though a number of major carriers can be found as well. Ryanair also provides several connections to ?lang=en Kaunas Airport (IATA Flight Code: KUN). Palanga Airport serves as a small regional airport for the Western part of Lithuania with a few routes.

Travel by boat to Baltic states

Baltic Sea ferries|Ferries criss-cross the Baltic. A popular route is Helsinki–Tallinn. There are also many cruising the Baltic Sea|Baltic cruises.

Travel by train to Baltic states

Rail connections are pretty shoddy, not to say awful and even not recommended. Vilnius is the entry hub for rail travelers from Warsaw, Kaliningrad and Belarus. All three capitals have at least daily connection to Moscow and Street Petersburg. Note that the trains from Vilnius to Moscow and from Kaliningrad to Street Petersburg via Vilnius (do not confuse with direct train form Vilnius to Street Petersburg) pass through Belarus, which might require an additional visa.

Get Around in Baltic states

Via Baltika. Kaunas - Highway E67 "Via Baltica" in Lithuania

Fly to Baltic states

The capitals are all connected to each other by short flights. From Riga there are Flights to Kaunas and Palanga. From Tallinn there are Flights to Tartu, Kuressaare and Kärdla.

Travel by Bus to Baltic states

The international bus network is pretty well developed making for easy movement. Bus is in most cases the fastest and most practical way for intercity travel if you don't have a car.

Travel by train to Baltic states

None of the capitals have direct services between them, though each country has a usable and affordable domestic network. Riga to Tallinn can be traveled by train in one day by changing in Valga. Riga to Vilnius requires an overnight stop in Daugavpils.

Travel by bicycle in Baltic states

The international bicycle project, BaltiCCycle may provide you with a lot of information and help.

How to travel to Baltic states by car

See also: Via Baltica

Your own vehicle or a rented one is also an option, especially if you want to get to places outside major city's. Large highways are in a good shape and almost comparable to the ones in the Nordic countries, sideways and streets (in particular in smaller towns) much less so.

What to See

Cross hill - Hill of Crosses

• The Baltic sea coast with sandy beaches, including the Curonian Spit
• Some of Europe's lowest "highest country points"; Suur Munamägi (318 m) near Võru, southeast Estonia, Gaiziņkalns (312 m) near Madona, central Latvia and Aukštojas (294 m) southeast Lithuania near the Belarusian border.
• World legacy listed old towns in all three capitals.
• Buildings and other remains from the Soviet Union.
• The Hill of Crosses near Siauliai

Halal Tours and Excursions in Baltic states

• Via Baltica - goes from the Estonian capital Tallinn through Riga, Latvia and Kaunas, Lithuania and continues to Warsaw, Poland.
• Cruising the Baltic Sea

Halal Restaurants & Food in Baltic states

The Baltic cuisine has similarities with the Nordic cuisine|Nordic, Russian cuisine|Russian and Central European cuisines. They have a wide range of bread, eaten to nearly every dish. The most traditional beverages are organic juice and vodka, though kvass (a beverage commonly made from rye bread) is also common. Owning to their geography and history and the Baltic States are fond of hard drinks and soft-drinks. Another common drink in the area is Kvass.

Stay safe in Baltic states

Unlike their giant next-door neighbor to the east and several other former Soviet Republics and the Baltic states have never dealt with rampant criminality, nor have they been regarded as dangerous places. They are very safe countries and taking the basic precautions will suffice to feel comfortable. Nevertheless, some issues do remain and may require your attention.

• The Baltic States suffer from rampant alcohol-related problems. Watch out for people who cannot control themselves, especially in late night restaurants and rougher neighborhoods. Bouncers in the region have very low tolerance on the matter and, if need be, will resort to violence to get rid of drunkards.
• Violent crimes such as aggravated assaults have occurred, but are limited to poor towns and neighborhoods that are located off the beaten track. The town of Narva in Estonia and the Western parts of Riga and the northern neighborhoods of Vilnius are some notable examples.
• In Riga and Tallinn and the Russian mafia remains very much present.
• Open homosexuality is common in the region and same-sex couples will often be met with glaring stares, but violent reactions are unlikely.

Go Next

Stay on the Baltic coast with:

• Gdansk - historic Prussian port town, later home of the Polish movement Solidarity, which helped bring down communism
• Helsinki - enter the Nordic countries via the charming Finnish capital
• Stockholm - easily reachable by ferry and plane, Sweden's capital is another excellent entry point to Scandinavia
• Kaliningrad - estranged former Soviet brother of the Baltics, Russia's westernmost outpost
• Street Petersburg - a prettier way to see Russia than Kaliningrad

Or head inland to:

• Minsk - see Stalinist architecture of the 1950s at its best
• Moscow - Russia's capital is the world's northernmost city with more than 10 million inhabitants and has a lot to see and do
• Warsaw - vibrant cultural life and good dining

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