Baltic States or simply Baltics, is a term referring to three countries east of the Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe. The three Baltic countries are Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The region overall has an area of around 175,230 square kilometers (67,656 square miles).
The three Baltic states
Lithuania
- Capital and largest city of Lithuania – Vilnius
- Area – 65,300 square kilometers (25,212 square miles)
- Population – 2.8 million (2021)
Latvia
- Capital and largest city of Latvia – Riga
- Area – 64,590 square kilometers (24,938 square miles)
- Population – 1.85 million (2022 estimate)
Estonia
- Capital and largest city of Estonia – Tallinn
- Area – 45,340 square kilometers (17,505 square miles)
- Population – 1.33 million (2021)
Languages
The majority of the people in the Baltics speak what are called Baltic languages. The four Baltic languages are Latvian, Lithuanian, Latgalian, and Samogitian. Latvian and Latgalian are spoken in Latvia. Lithuanian and Samogitian are spoken in Lithuania. In Estonia, the most spoken language is Estonian, which is not a Baltic language but a Finnic language.
Geography
The topography of the Baltic states is generally flat. The forest cover in all three countries is very high. More than half of the area in Estonia and Latvia is covered with forests. Lithuania, too, has a very high forest cover area. More than 1/3rd of the area in Lithuania is covered with forests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lithuania is the largest Baltic country.
Lithuania is the most populous Baltic country.
Russian is the second most spoken language in all three Baltic states.
Yes, all three Baltic countries have very high human development indexes.
Yes, all three Baltic countries are members of NATO.
Winters are harsh in Baltic countries, very long and cold. Summers are short, with warm days and chilly nights.
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