CapitalTallinn is the main capital of Estonia with a population of approximately 390,000. Situated along the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, it is one of the largest cities in Estonia, home to almost thirty percent of the country's total population. Home to one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, Toopea Hill in central Tallinn features architecture dating from the 15th and 17th centuries. Various notable sites in Toopea are the Great Russian Orthodox Church, Nevky Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral, considered the oldest cathedral in the country since 1229. Other cities in Estonia are Tartu, Narvu, Kohtla, Jarve and Parnu. Languages ​​spoken include Estonian, Russian and German, all of which are widely spoken and understood. History of Estonia In the 13th century, Estonia was under constant rule and resisted attacks from neighboring nations until it declared independence until the 1990s. In 1346, the Danes, who owned the north of Estonia, sold their territory to the Teutonic Knight of Germany, a medieval religious military order that owned southern Estonia and Latvia (formerly known as Livonia). Under the rule of the knights, Estonians were reduced to serfdom, which classified them as the lowest class of society (peasants, slaves, etc.). In 1526, the Swedes were next in line to take over. Less than 200 years later, in 1721, under the Peace of Nystad, Russia succeeded Sweden in control of Estonia. Estonia was subject to Baltic and Tsarist rule until the end of the First World War. It was at this time that Estonia gained its independence for the first time (1918-1920); shortly after the start of World War II, the nation was again occupied by Russia...... middle of paper ......eu/about-estonia/country/estonia-at-a- glance.html Estonian facts. (nd). Retrieved March 25, 2014 from www.mapsofworld.com/estonia/information/facts.htmlEstonian holidays. Retrieved March 25, 2014 from: http://www.estonia.eu/about-estonia/country/estonian-holidays.htmlMap of Estonia Retrieved March 23, 2014 from: http://www.mapsofworld.com/estonia /Estonian Modern Culture. Accessed March 25, 2014 at: http://www.estonia.eu/about-estonia/culture-a-science/modern-culture.htmlEstonian sports. Accessed March 25, 2014 at: http://www.estonia.eu/about-estonia/culture-a-science/sports.htmlThe Estonian government. (nd) Accessed March 25, 2014 at: http://www.estonia.eu/about-estonia/country/government.htmlThe State-structures and symbols. Accessed March 25, 2014 at: http://www.estonia.eu/about-estonia/country/the-state--structure-and-symbols.html