The place and the people
Estonia, just like its neighbour Finland, has spent a long time under Swedish and Russian rule before finally gaining its independence in the 20th century. But Estonia's past is a bit more complicated: inhabited since the Mesolithic times when the melt of the glaciers made it habitable, the area has always been a magnet for invaders (the Vikings were the first to conquer it in the 9th century). During the Middle Ages, the country then known as Livonia (i.e. modern-day Estonia and Latvia) was frequently changing hands between German knights and the Danish. Towards the end of the 1500s, the Russians and Swedes started battling for the country, dividing it into three different states, under Swedish, Russian, and Polish-Lithuanian control respectively. The Swedish side prevailed until the 1700s, when Russia completely took over -- and remained in control until the First World War, when Estonia briefly managed to declare its independence, only to be subjugated again to the Soviet forces after World War II. It wasn't until 1991 and the collapse of the Soviet Union, that Estonia could finally claim its independence and national identity.
All this coming and going of foreign forces of occupation (with the deportation waves that usually followed) has shaped the way the country looks today: in sharp contrast to other European countries, today only about two-thirds of the population are ethnic Estonians. Of course, the reasons for that are not solely based on its tumultuous past, but also on Estonia's bright future. Apart from the substantial Russian minority that makes about the ¼ of the population and some smaller Ukrainian and Belarusian minorities, Estonia is a country many expats choose to move to -- something that became even more apparent after Brexit (so far, more than 1,000 Brits have applied to become residents of Estonia).
The country itself, a parliamentary republic since 1991, is as vibrant as its people. Its temperate and humid climate has been perfect for agriculture but also for the development of diverse landscapes, flora and fauna. About 90 different native species of trees and shrubs, 300 species of birds, and 60 species of mammals can be found in Estonia -- and Estonia knows how to take care of them. One of the goals, after it became independent, was to reduce air and water pollution, and enlarge the percentage of forest lands (currently, one-tenth of the country is considered a nature preserve).
Estonian nature though is not the only thing that is well preserved: the country's architecture could double as a museum. Apart from the medieval buildings in Tallinn, there's a plethora of castles, forts, churches, barns, and lighthouses that make for impressive sightseeing but also work as venues for several events and festivals. After all, the birth country of composer Arvo Pärt is very fond of hosting classical music concerts in unexpected places.
