In the capital city of Tallin, in the Republic of Estonia

 “In every port in the world, at least two Estonians can be found.” -- Ernest Hemingway, To Have and Have Not

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(in the Republic of Estonia) The northernmost of the three Baltic states. Estonia’s area includes some 1,500 islands and islets; the two largest islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, are off mainland Estonia’s west coast. Estonia has been dominated by foreign powers through much of its history. In 1940 it was incorporated into the U.S.S.R. and remained a Soviet republic until 1991, when (along with the other Baltic states) it declared its independence. UN-membership followed shortly thereafter, and Estonia soon transformed its government into a parliamentary democracy, while reorienting its economy toward market capitalism. It sought integration with greater Europe and in 2004 joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). With a newfound confidence, singular Estonia has abandoned Soviet control and leaped into the arms of Europe. The attraction is mutual. Europe has embraced the charms of Tallinn (featured here) and its UNESCO-protected Old Town. Today, Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) s now one of Europe's most captivating cities. The country's sparsely populated countryside and extensive swathes of forest provide spiritual sustenance for nature-lovers from across the continent. The city of Tallinn is found on Tallinn Bay, part of the Gulf of Finland. A fortified settlement existed here from the late 1st millennium BCE until the 10th–11th century CE, and a town occupied this site in the 12th century, though it was soon captured by the Danes (in 1219), who built a new fortress on Toompea hill. Trade flourished, especially after Tallinn joined the Hanseatic League in the 13th century. In 1346 it was sold to the Teutonic Knights, and on the dissolution of their order in 1561 it passed to Sweden. Peter I (the Great) captured Tallinn in 1710, and it remained a Russian city until it became the capital of independent Estonia from 1918 to 1940, after which it was annexed to the USSR from 1940 to 1991. The city was occupied by German forces from 1941 to 1944 and was severely damaged. After Estonia declared independence in 1991, Tallinn became the capital of the newly independent state. Many relics of Tallinn’s long history survive (or have been restored), especially on Toompea hill and in the old, walled Lower Town. They include the 13th-century Toom Church, the Gothic Oleviste and Niguliste churches, the Great Guildhall of 1410, the 14th-century Rathus, and much of the old castle. Today, Tallinn is a major commercial and fishing port and industrial center. Machine building and shipbuilding head a range of engineering industries, and many consumer goods are produced here. The cultural center of Estonia, Tallinn has an academy of sciences; polytechnic, fine-arts, and teacher-training institutes; a music conservatory; and, several theatres and museums.