Estonia: So Old and Yet So New Trivia Quiz | Geography

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Estonia has more than 1400 islands within its borders. Hiiumaa, the second largest, was created by what event?

Answer: A meteorite

The island of Hiiumaa was created by a meteorite explosion over 450 million years ago. It is reputed to be one of the oldest islands in the world and is located in the Baltic Sea.

2. Most of the rivers in Estonia are quite short, with only ten being longer than 100km. Which river, whilst only 77km in length, is considered to be the largest because of the volume of water it carries?

Answer: Narva

The Narva River carries more water than all the other rivers combined and is located on the Estonian border with Russia. The V�handu is the longest river at 162km. The P�rnu and P�ltsamaa are the second and third longest rivers at 144km and 135km respectively.

3. In the 1990s, Estonia reported on a number of significant environmental challenges which it faced. Which of these was NOT one of them?

Answer: Extensive algal bloom infestations from overuse of phosphates

The departing Soviets left a sad legacy in Estonia by dumping hundreds of thousands of tons of fuel oil. The worst damage to Estonia's soil and water supply was done by the dumping of jet fuel oil at six former Soviet airforce bases. Approximately 1,200 tons of uranium and about 750 tons of thorium have been dumped into the Gulf of Finland near the site of a former uranium enrichment plant. Two large oil-shale burning power plants located near Narva were reported as being responsible for 75% of Estonia's air pollution.

4. Estonia is not noted for its mountainous landscape. Its highest mountain is Suur Munam�gi. What does the name Suur Munam�gi mean in English?

Answer: Big Egg Mountain

Estonia is basically a flat country with a total area of 45,226 sq km. Suur Munam�gi, Estonia's highest point, is only 318 metres above sea level and is located in the south-east of the country.

5. Not only does Estonia have a large number of islands, but it also has a large number of lakes. Lake Peipsi-Pihkva is the largest lake in Estonia and it sits on the border with what other country?

Answer: Russia

Estonia has over 1400 lakes, both natural and man-made. Lake Peipsi-Pihkva is located in the east of Estonia and forms a large part of the border with Russia. Estonia only has land boundaries with Russia and Latvia.

6. As befits a Baltic State, the Baltic Sea lies to the west of Estonia. What body of water lies to the north of Estonia?

Answer: Gulf of Finland

The Gulf of Finland, which is an extension of the Baltic Sea, is to the north of Estonia. Finland and Russia also border on the Gulf of Finland. The Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Bothnia are also extensions of the Baltic Sea.

7. An Estonian folk tale describes this naturally occurring event as a glow from a celestial wedding. Which one is it?

Answer: Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a wonderful nighttime phenomenon. It is experienced in the northern hemisphere, particularly in countries close to the Arctic Circle. As has occurred in many cultures, natural events such as the Aurora Borealis have been incorporated into local mythology.

8. Estonia re-emerged as an independent country when it regained freedom from the former Soviet Union in August 1991. In what year did Estonia first declare its independence?

Answer: 1918

Estonia's geographical location between Eastern and Western Europe has meant that throughout the majority of its modern history it has been incorporated into or divided between other countries. Sweden, Poland, Germany, Russia, Lithuania and Denmark have all at some stage laid claim to all or part of Estonia. Estonia's emergence as a sovereign country had its origins in the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917. For a brief period it was annexed by the German Empire, but in 1918 it declared its independence.

This independence was officially recognised in 1920. This period of independence lasted a mere 22 years, when it once again came under Russian (Soviet Union) rule until finally gaining full independence in 1991.

9. Ethnic Estonians comprise the majority of the population of Estonia, but the country also has smaller populations of Russians, Ukrainians and Belorussians. Which small ethnic minority largely fled Estonia during World War II?

Answer: Swedes

The presence of Estonian Swedes or Coastal Swedes can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries, but many fled the country during World War II. In the 1929 census they comprised 0.7% of the Estonian population. In the 2009 census, none were recorded as being citizens of Estonia.

10. Estonia's capital city Tallinn is noted for the beauty of its medieval "Old Town". What honour was bestowed on Tallinn in 1997?

Answer: Named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site

Tallinn is in the north of Estonia and is located on the Gulf of Finland. Its "Old Town" was recognised a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1997. Estonia did host the Eurovision Song Contest, but that was in 2002. The sailing events for the 1980 Summer Olympics (Moscow) were held off the coast of Tallinn.

11. The city of P�rnu is known as Estonia's summer capital and is a major tourist destination. What attracts many of these tourists to P�rnu?

Answer: Health Spas

P�rnu is one of the most frequented health tourism destinations in Europe. Its specialty is mud baths. People travel there for treatments for a range of health problems, including musculoskeletal or central nervous system complaints.

12. Estonian, the country's official language, is most closely related to what other language?

Answer: Finnish

Estonian belongs to the Uralic language group and is part of the Baltic-Finnish sub-group; this sub-group includes Estonian and Finnish. Estonian is unusual, but not unique, in that it is one of the few European languages that does not come from the Indo-European language group.

13. In a "Eurobarometer Poll" conducted in 2006, Estonia gained what interesting distinction out of the 25 European Union countries surveyed?

Answer: Most non-religious people

In the 2006 Survey, 26% of Estonians responded that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". This, according to the survey, made Estonians the most non-religious people in the European Union in that year.

14. Estonia joined the European Union in 2004, but like a number of other EU countries did not adopt the Euro immediately. What was the currency of Estonia before the adoption of the Euro?

Answer: Kroon

The official currency of Estonia was the Estonian kroon. Like the Swedish krona and the Norwegian krone, the name means crown. The kroon replaced the Estonian mark in 1928 and was in circulation until 1940. The annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union saw the kroon replaced by the ruble until Estonian independence was reestablished in 1991 and the kroon was reintroduced.

At the beginning of 2011 the kroon was finally replaced by the euro.

15. What building in Tallinn held the distinction of being the world's tallest from 1549 to 1625?

Answer: St Olaf's Church

Whilst all four churches can be found in Tallinn, it is only St Olaf's which holds the distinction of once being the tallest building in the world. St Olaf's, which is also known as Oleviste Church and Tower, was built in the 13th century. The church originally had a 159 metre steeple, which apparently proved to be an effective lighting rod resulting in it burning down three times.

The modern steeple stands at 124 metres.

Source: Author cazza2902

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Estonia: So Old and Yet So New Quiz

A sampling of questions on Estonia, the smallest of the Baltic States.

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