Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

Naissaar

Vormsi

Hiiumaa

Saaremaa

Lake

Peipus

Lake

Pskov

Pä

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Wes

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P
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Gulf^ of^ Finland
B
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a
Courland
Lagoon
Gulf
of
Riga
U
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R
a i N E
R U S S i a N F E D E R a t
iO
N
P
O
L
a
N
D
BELaRUS
EStONia
LatVia
LitHUaNia
KaLiNiNGRaD
(part of Russ. Fed.)
Jõhvi
Rakvere
Paldiski Narva
Kärdla Haapsalu Paide
Kuressaare
Pärnu
Viljandi
Võru
Valga
Kolka
Ventspils
Talsi
Kuldíga
Valmiera
Césis
Saldus Madona
DobeleJelgava Jékabpils
Ludza
Maªeikiai Joni#kis
Kretinga Plungë
Kelmë
Kráslava
Sovetsk JurbarkasKëdainiai Ukmergë
Chernyakhovsk
Gusev
Marijampolë
Alytus
Hlybokaye
Lyepyel’
Smarhon’
Maladzyechna
Zhodzina
Lida
Druskininkai
Slonim Slutsk
Salihorsk
Pruzhany Byaroza
Kobryn Luninyets
Bykhaw Krychaw
Zhlobin
Svyetlahorsk
Rechytsa
Kalinkavichy
tartu
Liepája
‹iauliai
Klaipëda Panevëªys
Daugavpils
Kaunas
Barysaw
Hrodna
Baranavichy
Brest
Pinsk Mazyr
Homyel’
Babruysk
Mahilyow
Orsha
Vitsyebsk
Navapolatsk
Polatsk
Kaliningrad
RÍGa
ViLNiUS
MiNSK
taLLiNN
62
N
S
W E
Volcano Mountain Capital
city
Large
city/
town
Small
city/
town
Ancient
monument
The Three balTic sTaTes—lithuania,
latvia, and estonia—were once soviet
republics. They were the first republics
to declare their independence from the
soviet Union in 1991. Traditionally, all three
countries, with their fertile land and high
rainfall, depended on agriculture and rearing dairy
cattle. The soviets, however, encouraged the growth
of heavy industry and manufacturing, turning these
small republics into industrial nations. When the
republics became independent, they had to deal
with price rises, food shortages, and pollution.
Despite these problems, they are beginning
to forge links with east and west europe,
and new industries are being
developed. landlocked belarus
was also part of the soviet Union.
its capital, Minsk, was founded in
about 1060. Most of its historic
buildings were destroyed during
World War ii.
riga
The capital of latvia lies on the west of the
Dvina river, 9 miles (15 km) upstream from
the baltic sea. The city was founded in 1201
and became an important baltic trading
center. surviving medieval buildings,
such as the castle and cathedral, reflect
its prosperity. however, much of this
historic legacy was destroyed during
the german occupation in World
War ii (1941-44). it is now a major
industrial center and port,
although it is icebound between
December and april.
The balTic coasT
all the baltic states face
the baltic sea. in the
winter, the baltic sea
is frozen, but in the
summer, baltic resorts
attract tourists. industrial
pollution is damaging
this coastline.
The baltic states occupy a small
stretch of the baltic coast, flanked
to the east by russia and to the west
by Poland and the russian enclave
of Kaliningrad. belarus lies along
the southern border. The baltic sea
provides an outlet to the North sea.
esToNiaN NaTioNaliTy
During the soviet era, many
russians were settled in the baltic
states. This led to tensions with the
baltic peoples, who tried hard to
maintain their own national
identity. in estonia two-thirds of
the population is estonian. Their
language is Finno-Ugric, related to
both Finnish and hungarian.

baltic states

esToNia

Area: 17,462 sq miles

(45,226 sq km)

Population: 1,265,500

Capital: Tallinn

Languages: estonian, russian

belarUs

Area: 80,154 sq miles

(207,600 sq km)

Population: 9,590,000

Capital: Minsk

Languages: belarusian,

russian

laTVia

Area: 24,938 sq miles

(64,589 sq km)

Population: 1,987,000

Capital: riga

Languages: latvian, russian

liThUaNia

Area: 25,212 sq miles

(65,300 sq km)

Population: 2,884,500

Capital: Vilnius

Languages: lithuanian,

russian

and belarus

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